Re: FWD: Re: planes and stuff

Erik Pilawskii (xopowo@u.washington.edu)
Mon, 5 Dec 1994 13:46:56 -0800 (PST)

Yep. Great discussion.

BTW, there are at least two opportunities to see (and hear) original rotary
engines in operation in North America (in flight!). I have availed myself,
I'm happy to say, of both:

1) Go to the Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome in Rheinbeck, N.Y. (up the Hudson Valley
across from Kingston, very near to FDR's house, 100 mi from NYC). They
operate a Camel with a 160 hp. Clerget(Sp?); a Nieuport 11, AVRO 504K,
and a Fokker D.VIII all with 110 hp. LeRhones. One of their Dr.Is has a
150 hp. Clerget (which must make it a nightmare to fly!!!). They fly
different machines on any given weekend, so it's sort of a hit-and-miss deal,
but what a treat when they all go up!!!

2) However, my choice would be Ottowa, Canada (conveniently close to NY!):
Canadian Natl.Aviation Museum (or some such name...). On Canada Day (I
think that's in September??) they fly their *utterly immaculately* restored
Sopwith Tripe, complete with its original 110 hp LeRhone! What a sight! And
I do mean *fly*-- not putz around the field with a smoke generator like
the NY Boys! As well, they usually have various machines from the Shuttleworth
Collection on hand (the year I was there they had the 504, Pup, Snipe, and
Halberstadt D.II (replica)). They have, as well, their own Pup (in the
same wonderful condition) and a replica N.17. Did I mention the Museum's
static displays?-- SPAD 7, Snipe, 504, and the killer, an AEG Gotha Bomber!!!
They also have part of a Junkers J.I awaiting restoration. Needless to say,
I was completely bowled over!!!!!!!!!
You know, I'm also reminded of a piece of film I've seen repeatedly (I have
it on the video "Red Baron") that shows a couple of Camels in flight. Even
in spite of the films typicall WWI-era 'acceleration', it is still easy to
see that the machine flies in a most unstable way, in fact, "only on the edge
of control...."

Erik
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"The Heavens were the grandstands, and only the Gods were spectators. The
stake was the World. The forfeit was the Player's place at the table; and
the Game had no recess. It was the most dangerous of all sports-- and the
most fascinating. It got in the blood like wine. It aged men 40 years in
40 days; it ruined nervous systems in an hour. It was a fast game-- the
average life of a pilot at the Front was 48 hours. And, to many, it
seemed an Age....
Elliot White Springs, WWI ace
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