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The original Spirit of Saint Louis, preserved at the National Air & Space Museum. (Photo Ad Meskens)

The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Ryan NYP replica flew on December 5. The aircraft is said to be the most accurate replica ever built of the Ryan NYP “Spirit of St Louis” flown non-stop by Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris in May 1927.

The maiden flight was made by Ken Cassens and went as expected. Several test flights have been made since then, and more testing is to be made.

A restored Wright J-5 Whirlwind radial was used and functional 1920s-era flight instruments were incorporated — including the same basic type of earth inductor compass used by Lindbergh.

More info (with photos):

• Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
• EAA

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Brian Coughlin flew his Fokker D.VIII replica equipped with an original 160-hp rotary Gnome engine at Old Rhinebek Aerodrome last weekend. Coughlin built the aircraft in the early 1990s before selling it to Kermit Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight. He purchased the aircraft back in July of this year and equipped it with an overhauled Gnome engine and period instruments.

The unique sound of the rotary engine can be heard in this short video..

Source: Early Aero