Lawrence Air-Istocrats – 80 Years Ago This Month

Gas powered models were the latest thing just prior to World War II and while stick and tissue free flight rubber powered models were still popular, many youthful modelers built and flew the higher performance balsa and silk free flight and control line models. 

Control line models grew in popularity as they flew in 60ft circles thus allowing them to be flown on city and town sandlots and ballfields.  This was an important consideration for many modelers who were too young to drive.

Kids and Dads saved up and bought model airplanes and engines at their local hobby shop.  Modeler’s Haven, a popular hobby shop in the mill  city Lawrence, MA, was a hub for modeling activity in the Merrimac Valley.  This store became the de facto headquarters of the Air-Istocrats model airplane club. 

My how things have changed over 80 years!   Local hobby shops have all but disappeared and noisy gas engines have been pretty much banned from public spaces.  Ongoing real estate development has resulted in fewer open spaces where free flight and even control line models can be flown.  Ever advancing radio controlled models are typically flown (with FAA restrictions) on dedicated club fields in suburban or rural areas.

Today, the Flying Aces Club harkens back to the earliest days of model aviation.  We build and fly simple, lightweight, silent and environmentally friendly rubber powered free flight model airplanes.

It’s fun to look back on our history as we continue this creative pastime.  Many thanks to clubster Kevin Barrett, one of the original “Bruised Finger Boys”, for the photos in the sidebar.

See you in the tall green stuff, skyster!