First Flights TV Series...

[TheGreenGoblin]

I have been re-watching the 1990's aviation TV series entitled First Flights, now available on Amazon Prime, presented by Neil Armstrong.

First Flights with Neil Armstrong

I thoroughly recommend the multi part series to pilots, aviation enthusiasts and aviation nostalgia lovers, all over the world, who didn't catch it back in the nineties for its excellent historical content, covering the whole of the 20th century, which is well complimented by Armstrong's laconic but knowledgeable presentation style and the sumptuous air to air photography.

I particularly liked the section on rare World War 1 aircraft, mostly based at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome back in the days when the collection's grizzled founder father Cole Palen was still alive and flying his beloved aircraft.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

The section on the older biplanes is enhanced by the input from pilots and and collectors such as Javier Arango whose knowledgeable input and enthusiasm was contagious. Sadly Javier was killed while test flying a Nieuport replica back in 2017 but his spirit lives on in his collection and his books such as Ghosts of the Great War.

Javier Arango

Javier Arango.JPG (34.64 KiB) Viewed 200 times

[ian16th]

Haven't seen the TV show, but did once spend a day at Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

The best day out I ever had in the USA.

[TheGreenGoblin]

Haven't seen the TV show, but did once spend a day at Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

The best day out I ever had in the USA.

In absolute agreement Ian16th.

Did you fly into the field? An interesting grass strip whatever the case...

Did you meet up with the gaffer?

[ian16th]

Haven't seen the TV show, but did once spend a day at Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

The best day out I ever had in the USA.

In absolute agreement Ian16th.

Did you fly into the field? An interesting grass strip whatever the case...

Did you meet up with the gaffer?

I was just a paying customer.
I'd not heard of the place till the day before.

I was in Boston for 3 weeks, and had a weekend coming up to spend on my own. I had a work colleague, also on his own at Poughkeepsie.
So I drove down to Poughkeepsie for the weekend and my friend suggested the day at Rhinebeck.

I drove back to Boston a happy camper.

[TheGreenGoblin]

I drove back to Boston a happy camper.

[ian16th]

Some years ago, I came across a copy of this book in a book sale

[TheGreenGoblin]

Some years ago, I came across a copy of this book in a book sale

I am very tempted to buy the same on your say so ian16th. I am a sucker for good aviation photographs and history.

On the subject of classic biplanes and aviation memorabilia, I assume that you have visited The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden?

The Shuttleworth Collection

[ian16th]

Never had the opportunity to see the Shuttleworth Collection.
But I have seen the only Me262 Night fighter in existence. At the Johannesburg Museum of Military history.