SMAC Goes to Rhinebeck!

SMAC members Jim R. and Steve B. made the long road trip to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in the Hudson River valley for the 60th annual Rhinebeck Jamboree.  Modelers had the field all day Friday Sept 11.  Full scale airshows were scheduled Saturday and Sunday but the Sunday show got rained out.  

If you're interested in aviation of the pioneer days through Golden Age, Rhinebeck is a must see.  Dozens of antique airplanes and artifacts, many in unrestored condition.  And you get to see some of them fly!

Here's some of the action from Saturday's airshow:

This beautiful Nieuport 11 is actually a half scale model.  Powered by an 84 volt electrical system with a 20,000 mAh battery pack.  The propeller tips go supersonic at full power, making a unique sound.

This Bucker Jungmann was making tight turns cutting a falling roll of toilet paper when the baggage compartment latch failed.  The black object was probably an engine or cockpit cover.  Happily the precautionary landing was uneventful.

The "flying bicycle" failed spectacularly, as expected.

The oldest flying Curtiss Jenny.

WWI planes prepare for their dogfight.  Leader is a Bristol Fighter, followed by a Fokker Triplane and SPAD S.VII.  All reproductions but the Bristol has an original engine.

Another comedy routine.  The bank robber has hijacked a Great Lakes trainer...

...but is shot off the wing by an eagle eyed policeman...

...and is literally "netted" by authorities on the ground.

Three pilots tried balloon busting with biplanes.  It's harder than it looks!

The show concluded with an aerobatic routine by this Great Lakes trainer.

Sunday morning brought steady rain, so the organizers cancelled the remaining events.  However, we were told open flying would be permitted if things cleared up.  After touring the museum buildings we were rewarded with calm winds and about a 500' ceiling.  A few other die hards joined us as we discharged our remaining batteries in the air.