A Fleet Biplane with History

A Fleet Biplane with History

Recently, a new aircraft has been added to the lineup of vintage aircraft based at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in the form of a Fleet Biplane Model-1. Own and piloted by David Trost, this Fleet Bipe is an original, not a replica and it also has an interesting history that reaches back to the February 1967 issue of Model Airplane News.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Above, The new Fleet Biplane on the flightline at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. (Photo courtesy of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome)

David’s Fleet, wears the markings that represent the Navy’s N2Y-1 version. It was designed with upper wing hooks to catch a trapeze suspended under an Navy airship. Once attached, the aircraft would be hoisted aboard and secured in the hanger-like interior of the airship. Seven such N2Y-1 planes were built and successfully demonstrated in trials with the Airships USS Akron and USS Macon in the early 1930s.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Above, David Trost in the cockpit of his impressive Fleet Biplane. (Photo by Shawn Yost )

The N2Y-1 parasite aircraft were also used to train pilots that would subsequently fly the longer distance single-seat F9C Sparrowhawks reconnaissance aircraft. The two-seater N2Y-1 also acted as service aircraft, flying passengers to the in-route airships.

February 1967 issue of Model Airplane News

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Above, Bill King poses with his 68 inch span Fleet Biplane.

Bill King, an very active part of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, both on the ground and in the air, designed and published his plans for a Fleet Model-1 biplane. It was finished in the markings of a N2Y-1 and featured the extended vertical fin of the full-size aircraft. Bill was an active radio control modeller for many years, and was a founding member of the Rockland County Radio Control Club and in the early sixties, Bill became involved with Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Bill was a licensed aircraft mechanic and a pilot, and was active at the Aerodrome for 50 years on the ground and in the air, flying his own 1944 Tiger Moth among other vintage planes. Bill and his older brother Dick were a big part of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome family and were very much involved with the day to day operation of the famous air museum. Bill passed away in 2016.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

Photos above by David Trost

 

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

The plans are still available at the Airagestore.com website and it uses traditional balsa and plywood construction.  Click Here.

ORIGINAL HISTORY

The Fleet Model 1 (originally the Consolidated Model 14 Husky Junior) and its derivatives were a family of two-seat trainer and sports biplanes produced in the United States and Canada in the 1920s and 1930s. They all shared the same basic design and varied mainly in their power-plants.

Originally created as a means for Consolidated to enter the civil market, the company abandoned this ambition shortly before the completion of the first prototype. The manufacturing rights were purchased by designer and Consolidated company president Reuben Fleet to put into production under his new enterprise, Fleet Aircraft. It was an immediate success, and in the first year of production alone, over 300 machines were sold. Consolidated quickly responded by buying Fleet Aircraft and retaining it as a subsidiary while opening a second production line at Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian manufacturing was a great success, with some 600 examples built for the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Fleet Fawn (Model 7) and Fleet Finch (Model 16).

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A Fleet Biplane with History

SPECS

Crew: 2

Wingspan: 28 ft.

Length: 21feet

Height: 7 ft. 10 in.

Wing area: 195 sq. ft.

Empty weight: 1180 lb.

Gross weight: 1675 lb.

Fuel capacity: 32 US gal.

Oil Capacity 3 gallons

Powerplant: 1 × Warner Scarab S50 7-cylinder radial engine, 125 hp.

 

PERFORMANCE

Fuel Consumption 6 gallons/hour

High speed: 105  mph.

Cruise speed: 88 mph.

Landing Speed 46 mph

Service ceiling: 12,200 ft.

Rate of climb: 730 ft./min.

Range 350 miles

Updated: August 25, 2021 — 11:34 AM

3 Comments

  1. Back in early 2000’s I had an opportunity to get to know Bill. He was quite amazed that Carsten plan were still selling plans for his model. He said the original model was in his attic at home.

  2. luv this stuff , anything bi-wing !

  3. I met Bill King and Cole Palen at the Reinbeck field 50 years ago and enjoyed the Airshow. Both were great gentlemen and showed us around the place. Great memories

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