Cole Palen.com .....

W

womenfly2

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.... a big part of WW-1 aviation is in its preservation of history. One such person whom has given a life of dedication to this pursuit was Cole Palen. Visit the new update web site honoring Cole & Rita at: Cole Palen.com

Many interesting photo's, interviews and picture of Cole and ORA.

Enjoy,
WF2
 
Hello,
thanks for posting.
Yes, Palen was "The Man" regarding the Old Rhinebeck aerodrome, heard already a lot about it. I wonder how it's going on, there have been some problems lately (?)

And i now know where OvS's Avatar comes from :icon_lol:

Greetings,
Catfish
 
Yes, that's him... or who I'd love to be. ;)

As a young 10 year old, I was fortunate to see Cole in his glory back in 1980, playing the Black Baron of Rhinebeck... goosestepping all over the place, shouting... carrying on like a villan should. He was top notch, and worthy of a place in the Smithsonian

Rhinebeck is still great and a fun day for all that love WWI. But it still missed that presence of him and his black leather jacket. :)

OvS
 
Thanks for the link, WF2. I have been making occasional pilgrimages to Rhinebeck for a quarter of a century so I got to meet Cole, the Kings the flying farmer and many of the early cast. These folks were great models on how to live a life that changes the world in some good way. The first time I walked down the hill from the parking lot to the airfield and heard a biplane flying overhead, I was so excited I could't breathe! My one and only biplane ride was in Cole's D25 New Standard and again I was breathless ( I think this summer I'll have my second biplane flight in the Hatz CB-1 I've been building for the past 14 years). Cole was just the right unique person in the right place to preserve WW1 flight for several generations and I'm grateful that he gave me the opportunity to see a real Jenny flying.
 
Hey Duck, thats exactly how my first expierence went at Rhinebeck. My first flight...EVER....was in the D25 New Standard. I love the 'drome. My favorite story of Cole Palens (if I remember correctly) is that when he got married his wife wouldnt let him rebuild rotary engines in the living room!:costumes: I only live about an hour and a half from Rhinebeck and plan to go a couple times this summer. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Thanks for the site WF2

-Rooster
 
Thanks for the link, Womenfly2! :applause:

ORA is a must-see for me when I get over to that part of the US in the not-too-distant future (I hope).
 
Rooster-
I'm retiring in 2 months and my primary goal is to finish the biplane and fly it to Rhinebeck. Probably this coming Fall or summer 2010. Hey, I've got a great idea. The plane's a two seater so I can give you a ride... in the experimental plane I built... that is, my first plane... with no prior building experience... with no taildragger experience... I doubt that the mistake I made in the left lower wing compromised its structure, much...
Just kidding. I felt very safe with the Rhinebeck pilots, even when they did a hammerhead, although I admit my life passed before my eyes several times (not a very exciting life so I had time for reruns...) However, I don't feel the same way, either about my building skils or, actually, my pilot skills. Should be an exciting first flight...
 
hey Duck. Im game for a ride anyway. I'd definately love to see your plane up there. Umm just in case we do go nose first in the dirt..........observers in back right?:costumes:
Just kidding. I wish you a happy and safe first run. And then I'll take you up on that ride.

Cheers,
-Rooster
 
Great link, WF2, actually more interesting than the ORA website itself. As ORA was only 2 hours and 10 minutes driving time, exactly, from my home in Queens, NYC, my parents and I visited every year from the mid-1960s 'till about 1982. We'd usually go the final weekend so we could see all the beautiful Fall foliage during the drive up. The last time I was there was in 1987 (when they had the DR1, Camel, Avro, and the Albatros all in the air at the same time during the dogfight - what a rush!), and I unfortunately haven't been back since. Those were the glory days of the place, to be sure. On one visit I acquired the Pup's old rudder covering, which had been discarded on a trash pile near the parking lot after they had re-covered the aircraft. My mom was also somewhat acquainted with Stanley Segalla (the "Flying Farmer") from their school days in northwestern Connecticut. I have many wonderful memories of Cole's antics and the Sunday show. May he rest in peace.
 
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