Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome – Golden Age Hangar. 1930 Austin 7

According to Wikipedia:

The Austin 7 is an economy car that was produced from 1922 until 1939 in the United Kingdom by Austin. It was nicknamed the “Baby Austin” and was at that time one of the most popular cars produced for the British market and sold well abroad. Its effect on the British market was similar to that of the Model T Ford in the US, replacing most other British economy cars and cyclecars of the early 1920s. It was also licensed and copied by companies all over the world. The very first BMW car, the BMW Dixi, was a licensed Austin 7, as were the original American Austins. In France they were made and sold as Rosengarts. In Japan, Nissan also used the 7 design as the basis for their first cars, although not under licence. This eventually led to a 1952 agreement for Nissan to build and sell Austins in Japan under the Austin name.

Many Austin 7s were rebuilt as “specials” after the Second World War, including the first race car built by Bruce McLaren, and the first Lotus, the Mark I.

Such was the power of the Austin 7 name that the company re-used it for early versions of the A30 in 1951 and Mini in 1959

Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome – Golden Age Hangar. 1931 Bird CK.

According to the Golden Age Air Museum:

Built in 1931 in Brooklyn, New York by the Bird Aircraft Corporation (formerly Brunner- Winkle). The CK series was the third generation Bird biplane. Previous models were powered with the 90 horsepower Curtiss OX-5 and the 100 horsepower Kinner K5 radial engine. This airplane was designed and built for the barnstorming or ride business. It has room for three passengers and the pilot. A small fold out jumpseat in the front cockpit provided room for the third passenger. The Bird was very unique in the fact that the upper wing was twice the area of the lower wing. It also was unique in comparison to its competitors that it carried the same or even a greater load on half of the available horsepower.

Taken with a Sony RX100 M3.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome – WWI Hangar. Sopwith Camel (Replica)

According to Wikipedia:

The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter aircraft introduced on the Western Front in 1917. It was developed by the Sopwith Aviation Company as a successor to the earlier Sopwith Pup and became one of the most iconic fighter aircraft of the First World War.

The Camel was powered by a single rotary engine and was armed with twin synchronized machine guns. Though proving difficult to handle, it provided for a high level of manoeuvrability to an experienced pilot, an attribute which was highly valued in the type’s principal use as a fighter aircraft. In total, Camel pilots have been credited with the shooting down of 1,294 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter of the conflict. Towards the end of the Great War, the type had also seen use as a ground-attack aircraft, partially due to it having become increasingly outclassed as the capabilities of fighter aircraft on both sides were rapidly advancing at that time.

The main variant of the Camel was designated as the F.1; several dedicated variants were built for a variety of roles, including the 2F.1 Ship’s Camel, which was used for operating from the flight decks of aircraft carriers, the Comic night fighter variant, and the T.F.1, a dedicated ‘trench fighter’ that had been armoured for the purpose of conducting ground attacks upon heavily defended enemy lines. The Camel also saw use as a two-seat trainer aircraft. In January 1920, the last aircraft of the type were withdrawn from RAF service.

Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome – WWI Hangar. Fokker DR-1 Triplane (Replica)

According to Fantasy of Flight:

In early 1917, the British Sopwith Triplane began flying in combat, so the German High Command requested that a triplane be developed for their use.

Many concepts were tried in an effort to produce aircraft that outperformed the enemy. Several companies entered the competition; the contract was awarded to Anthony Fokker, a Dutch aircraft designer who had been building aircraft in Germany from before the war.

While not as fast as contemporary fighters, the Fokker Triplane had a reputation as a great dogfighter due to its great climbing and turning ability. Although over 300 were built, no original Fokker Triplanes are left in existence; the last was destroyed in WWII bombings of Berlin.

This aircraft is painted in the colors of Manfred von Richtofen, the famous “Red Baron,” who achieved 19 of his last 80 victories in the triplane. On von Richtofen’s last day, the front lines had been in flux, and he found himself chasing a Sopwith Camel at low level over enemy territory. Although there are many stories about his death, it is generally accepted that he was killed by one bullet from the ground. Photographs were taken of the funeral, and British planes dropped them over his aerodrome with this message:

TO THE GERMAN FLYING CORPS: Rittmeister Baron Manfred von Richthofen was killed in aerial combat on April 21st, 1918. He was buried with full military honors. –From the British Royal Air Force

Taken with a Sony RX-100 M3.