Introduction
I have enjoyed many satisfying hours building and flying RC models with my Harford County companions. The fly-ins, open houses, flea markets and simple lazy afternoons just wasting time were such pleasures. But as I made contact with other pilots at fly-ins or other events, I became increasingly curious as to their facilities and operations. I got an itch to see what RC modeling outside Harford County was like.
About this time I met Dan McCoy, who owns the Harford Vista! web site. He said if I wanted to visit some places and prepare a report, he would be glad to post it on my own web page. So for a year and a little bit I did just that. I tried to visit as many clubs as I could in Central Maryland, and prepared monthly reports with as many pictures as feasible. Dan not only posted my reports, but formatted them and made adjustments to give them a finished professional appearance.
I met a lot of good builders and flyers on my journey, and I expected that. But I also met a lot of clever, resourceful and intelligent people. It's all there. They know how to do everything, how to put on an air show, hold an open house, do a flea market, coddle up to politicians, raise money, hold a building contest And everywhere I went, they were always warm and cordial, flattered that we would visit their club.
But the best part of all, what I would have done the whole thing for, was the privilege of meeting some real warbird pilots that served in WWII. It was such a pleasure listening to their stories. They are a reminder that those singular events in history really did happen.
The time I spent on the road visiting our RC modeling clubs is without doubt the best period I spent in RC modeling. I hope that my enthusiasm is catching and that you may have a similar revelation.
