This is a great place: it’s a Mecca for anyone interested in aviation history. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is set up as a grass airstrip from the barnstorming days of the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. There’s an extensive collection of early aircraft, from 1909 to 1918, on display in the museum hangars. But the great part about this place is that many of the airplanes fly, and there are air shows held every weekend. Some of the planes are reproductions and replicas, but most are restorations, made with original parts. Some of them even have original period rotary engines.

Some photos from a visit.

Inside one of the museum hangars

The flight line

1912 Thomas Model 2. One of only 12 made by the Thomas Aircraft company in New York.

Thomas-Morse S4B. When WW1 broke out, the US had virtually no military airplanes other than the Curtiss “Jenny” trainer. The S4B was an attempt to produce an American-designed fighter plane, but it never worked very well and only 400-some were made. This one was found in a barn in Wisconsin in the 1950s.

Replica Fokker Dr1 triplane. Probably the most famous airplane of WW1.

Replica of the “Spirit of St Louis”, in the process of being finished up.

1909 Bleriot Model 11. This is a restoration with original parts and a period engine. Seeing these old birds in the air was wonderful.

Curtiss Model D

1911 Hanriot

1913 Caudron G3

Curtiss JN4 Jenny

Replica Albatros D5a at takeoff….

…and in the air