Celebrating the 30th year of the Banjo Paterson Scale Rally, model aircraft pilots recently enjoyed a full weekend of flying at the local field at Borenore.

Like so many events over the past two years, numbers were down due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, but nearly two-dozen pilots and twice that number of models attended the Orange Model Aircraft Club airfield that is located in a corner of the Australian National Field Days’ site at Borenore. 

Orange Model Aircraft Club itself has a surprisingly-long history and was founded way back in 1929, just two decades after the first heavier-than-air flight in Australia with the club running continuously and without a break to the present day

“It is one of the longest in existence, I think, in Australia,” said current Club President, Norm Barnes.

Membership has varied quite a lot over those years, Norm added, as interest in the hobby has waxed and waned.

Norm, himself, has been a member since 2000 after picking-up his interest in flying model aircraft again after some decades out of the sport.

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” he said. “When I was a kid, I used to have control-line models, self-taught to fly them and, when I left school and got old enough to want a car, well, I sold all my model stuff to get a car. And then I couldn't afford it, then I had kids, they all left home, so then I got back into radio control.”

Flying model aircraft is a bit of an adrenaline rush, said Norm, and much more accessible a hobby than it used to be.

“One time, you'd buy a box full of wood and a plan and cut it all out and build it!” he said.

“Then kits came out that were die-cut. They weren't really that accurate, but it was better than cutting it all out yourself. Nowadays, most of them are laser-cut so they are more accurate and neater but most planes now are what we call ‘ARF, Almost Ready to Fly’ so they are pretty much pre-built.

“It is a lot easier these days, but I think the art of building models is gradually getting lost,” he added a little wistfully.

Weather permitting, the Orange Model Aircraft Club can be found flying every Sunday with new devotees always appreciated. 

“They are quite welcome to come out any time; we are always looking for new members, especially juniors, we are always looking for younger people to get involved,” Norm concluded.