Fleet Finch 16-B cleared for take off.

The Fleet Finch was produced between 1939 and 1941 in Fort Erie, Ontario, as one of two trainers used by the Royal Canadian Air Force, the other being the Tiger Moth. This original aircraft shown at the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, New York, is one of only five airworthy examples.

Fleet Finch 16-B landing

Albatros D-VA engine warm up

Taken at the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, New York. Their airshows are great fun!

Albatros D-VA takes off

Only two original German Albatros DVA-’s remain; neither is airworthy. This is a reproduction aircraft, which itself is unusual.

Albatros D-VA fly by

Sopwith Camel

Although highly maneuverable, the British Sopwith Camel was considered to be difficult to fly and prone to uncontrollable spins if stalled. Only eight original aircraft remain; this is a reproduction.

A SPAD VII taxis for takeoff.

The airstrip at the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome is beautiful and is a world apart from a modern airport.

SPAD VII fly by

The name, SPAD, is an acronym for Société Pour l’Aviation et ses Dérivés, literally “Society (Company) for aviation and its derivatives.” This particular airplane is a reproduction.

Fokker D-VII

The Fokker D-VII does not look like it would be a good airplane, but looks can be deceiving. It was, in fact, an excellent airplane that lacked many of the problems afflicting other aircraft of its era. A great many were made during World War I with the last version being made in 1929 for the Swiss air force. During the war it was flown by, among others, Hermann Göring who went on to Nazi infamy. This reproduction uses an original Mercedes DIII engine.

SPAD VII chases a Fokker D-VII

SPAD VII landing.

At the Olde Rhinebeck Aerodrome the planes flown by the allies always win their dog fights.

Curtiss JN-4H (Jenny)

This airplane is an original and is powered by an original engine. The “Jenny” was built in 1918 as a trainer for the US Army, but was adapted for a variety of other uses, although none were used in combat. Just over 6800 were built.

Curtiss JN-4H (Jenny)

With war’s end, one could buy a Jenny for $50 in its original packing crate, making them the airplane most used by barnstormers and early airmail companies.

Curtiss JN-4H

The Jenny was the airplane Charles Lindbergh used to solo and has been featured in several movies, including “The Great Waldo Pepper.”

Ford Trimotor (1929), N8407

This is one of only eight Ford Trimotors with an airworthiness certificate. Eighteen in total remain in existence of the 199 built between 1926 and 1933. Owned and operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association.

View of Bloomington from a Ford Trimotor.

The road running diagonally from upper-left to lower-right is Third Street. The X-shaped building in the lower left is Read Hall dormitory. Just below the propeller hub is the Music Studio Building. Jordan Street (to be renamed) is the divided road below both of them. Residential areas in Bloomington are to the right.

Ford Trimotor on approach

The Experimental Aircraft Association's Ford Trimotor lands in Bloomington.

Aeronca-S15AC

Made the year I was born, this Aeronca was photographed on Lake James in Pokagon State Park, Indiana. The weather had been awful, but cleared enough to provide this fantastic evening sky.

Super Stearman 70

Originally a WWII trainer, this airplane is now flown by Susan Dacy. She is an amazing aerobatic pilot; her day job is flying a Boeing 787.

Martin JRM-1 "Philippine Mars" at anchor on Sprout Lake, British Columbia

One of five built. Delivered to the US Navy in 1946.

The Philippine Mars was modified as an aerial forest fire "water bomber" in 1959.

The aircraft was sold to the Coulson Group in 2007. It has not been used to fight fires since 2006.

Philippine Mars is now painted in its original USN blue.

The aircraft was to have been transferred to the National Naval Aviation Museum at the NAS in Pensacola, Florida. The transfer has not presently occurred and remains stored on Sproat Lake.