The Uitenhage Radio Flyers Club, one of the oldest radio flyers clubs in South Africa, was established on 27 January 1971 and this year marks its 50th year of existence.
Club members this past weekend during a get-together paid tribute to their club and all who played a major role in its rich history. The get-together which occurred within strict COVID-19 regulations, was complemented by some spectacular radio control flying.
Many teenagers, owing to the influence of aircraft activity at the Uitenhage aerodrome during the 1960’s, started with control-line flying. One of these teenagers was the legendary Dale Meyer, the founder member of the Uitenhage Radio Flyers.
Slabbert, Steve Lötter, Jan Grobler and Peter Moore.
According to the Club’s history documents, “Dale was a master builder and superb pilot of control-line planes. He ventured into free-flight aircraft using his excellence in the art of building model aircraft. His mentorship is still treasured today by many of the past and current members.”
Dale passed away in March 2017.
Radio control aeroplane flying started in Uitenhage with five enthusiasts in 1966, namely Pierre Haarhoff, Digby Crank, Dale Meyer, Keith Meiring and Wally Slack of which Keith and Wally to this day still take to the sky.
The Uitenhage Radio Flyers Club operates under the control of the South Africa Model Aircraft Association. Club members are however responsible for maintaining the club out of their own pockets.
People interested in radio control aeroplane flying are invited to visit the Club on Saturday and Sunday mornings as well as on public holidays.
As long as it is on good flying weather days.
Flyers Club the longest are (from left) Wally Viljoen and James van
Aswegen who were committee members in the 1980’s, Keith
Meiring (founder member) and Wally Slack (member from 1980). Photo: Heilie Combrinck
