Champaign County RC Club hosting ‘Warbirds & Classics’ event

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — RC cars, boats, and even planes seem to be a highlight in Central Illinois. For the Champaign County RC Club, their passion flies a little higher than just a few air shows.

Vice President Dan Irwin has been in the club since he was a teenager.

“Joined the club when I was 13, I’m now almost 72,” he said.

He started flying controlled planes from strings before building his own RC plane.

“I was hiding it from my father and he found it. So, at that point, my dad and I were just hooked. Connected. It gave one more thing that my dad and I were able to do,” Irwin said.

The RC Club in Champaign has been around since about 1975. They don’t just fly RCs — they teach them, too.

Every Thursday around 5 p.m., anyone with an interest can try out the hobby for free from now until October. They’ll run you through the basics with a simulator and then let you fly.

“[We’ve got] all the warbirds from World War I through World War II, and any classic that is basically about 50 years or older,” Irwin said.

The Warbirds and Classics event is a showcase of planes that are modeled after those that have been used throughout our history. Irwin said it’s also a way to show appreciation for veterans who may have flown the actual aircraft.

“That’s why it really touches my heart. I say we’re celebrating, showcasing the aircraft stuff that brought us the freedoms we have today.”

The Warbirds and Classics runs from Friday into Saturday and all are welcome. If you would like to fly your plane, registration is still open .

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