The Pup returned to the skies in the fall of 2019.
Brian took on the task of getting the machine restored and flight worthy. In 2018, it was returned after a 10-year effort by current airshow performer, Brian Coughlin. It was sold to another New England Museum, which flew it for a number of years. Rhinebeck’s replica Pup was built in 1967 by Dick King, and flown for 21 seasons. However, the Germans were also developing aircraft and the Pup was outclassed as soon as 1917. Manufactured by the British, the Sopwith Pup was a formidable fighter aircraft when introduced in 2016.
The famous eyes and mustache of the Black Baron’s Tri-Plane.
However, the daily lineup was still stacked, and the fleet received an additional aircraft with the arrival of the Brisfit. Several of the regularly performing machines had maintenance issues pop up, and the Pup was sent to a special performance at another museum, which required several weeks of preparation on each side of the performance.
The lineup fluctuated throughout the 2022 performance season. Below is my coverage of the World War I portion of the 2022 Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s Sunday airshows.
