NFC: The red baron flies!

As a child my family took me to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I remembered the Red Baron Fokker Tri-plane flying after the "Snoopy" sopwith camel and other gorgeous aircraft. Well, this weekend I took my sons 1 1/2 hours out of NYC just off the NY Thruway back to Rhinebeck NY. The place hasn't changed except the redbaron is partially retired and they have LOTS more planes, motorcycles, and cars from 1900-1940. INCREDIBLE! I saw planes flying that bore little resemblence to aircraft fly. I saw a plane and engines made in Paterson, NJ flying! Even one from Long Island!

I learned about the harrowing experience of Cole Palens as he "Blew a cylinder" off his tri-plane and saw the actual engine aftermath. I saw a real Rotary engine working. Bizarre how the whole engine spins and not the crankshaft. Absolutely bizarre and effective! Of course I saw many Radial Engines which we've all assumed was a standard airplane engine. I saw massive 4, 6, 8, and 12 cylinder engines used in early planes, motorcycles (there is one at the aerodrome) and cars.

and the cars! dozens of cars I've never heard of. Dozens of motocycles I thought were long lost like a 1930 Indian and others. It was $20 for an adult to get in (save the wristband for $5 off at Watkins Glenn...a partner) and the show was 2 hours. Saturday is the barnstorming version, Sunday is the dogfight version. we left NJ at 10:00, got there 11:30am, brought our lunch (though burgers & dogs & fries are there), caught the museum for an hour and then the show. I'll definitely go back.
Forgive the pics...my son was in charge & got a little lazy. But you get the idea
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In case you were wondering, those drip pans are under the planes & cars & such because they are flown/driven/demoed! Just like my Ferrari....a perpetual oil leak . Though most of the planes there used caster oil (better lubrication, little carbonization, readily available) and special home-brew fuel. Almost all exhibits were well labeled and if you found a local they knew the history of most of the planes,engines, cars, etc.
One of the cars was even a winner at the Greenwich concourse!
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