Builders of a Ryan NYP replica that has just been completed at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in upstate New York tell us the homage to the Spirit of St. Louis is probably more true to the original at the time of Charles Lindbergh’s solo Atlantic crossing in 1927 than real airplane hanging today in the Smithsonian.
That’s quite a claim, but from the looks of the NYP in videos of the airplane’s first engine start and taxi test posted on the Old Rhinebeck website, there’s little doubt this is the nicest Spirit of St. Louis replica in the world today.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has been granted the airplane’s airworthiness certificate, allowing test flights ahead of the airplane’s formal public unveiling at event planned for May 21, 2016, at Rhinebeck’s small grass strip 100 miles north of New York City.
The Spirit of St. Louis joins an eclectic collection of real and replica antique airplanes, including an original flying Bleriot IX built in 1909, and replica Albatros D.Va, Fokker triplane, and Sopwith Camel that fly routines throughout the spring, summer and fall.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was founded in 1960 by Cole Palen, a member of the EAA Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame who would regularly perform in Rhinebeck’s airshow routines as the evil Black Baron.
