Club History

The Club was started in 1937; there were about six members in the Club at that time and they flew free flight models at the Downs, moving on to Claygate Common. Several of our current members have been in the Club for more than 30 years.

Radio control flying “took off” in the 1960’s and for several years the Club had the use of Fairoaks Airport (aerodrome really, in the southeast corner). It was all-grass and various (full size) aircraft  from there would fly back and park up  and the pilots would go over to enjoy watching model flying before going home! Among these ‘drop ins’ were Dick Emery and Jack Brabham.

The Club achieved the first control line circle in the country. After early development use on rough land near Cobham, a dedicated tarmac circle was built and used for contest and club flying, at certain published times, compliant with noise restrictions. This was/is the Fairmile Common Circuit.

The Club also flew regularly at Epsom Downs and various small airshows, like the Tiger Club at Rochester, Fairoaks and Redhill, their three bases; we had an early version of “Display Authority”.

The Club have given model displays for over 30 years and originated the “Symposium” concept of exhibition and display at Brooklands College in 1967.

Here’s a news cutting about the symposium at Brooklands Technical College in 1968 …

Air Vice Marshall Bernard Chacksfield visited the show and stated he was very impressed with the high standard of exhibits …

He was heavily involved in the promotion of model aircraft flying  as President of the British Model Flying Association (from 1965) …

The headquarters of the BMFA, Chacksfield House, is actually named after him …

This was the second one staged by our Club …

And it attracted more than 5000 people.

The Club has had some very prominent members and below is an extract from “Airflow” 1965 (our then newsletter ) re: Captain “Jock” Bryce …

Here’s a bit more on our then president. Captain “Mutt” Summers, who had made the Spitfire’s first flight, and “Jock” Bryce were at the controls on 18th May 1951 when the Vickers B.9/48 prototype, WB210, took off from the grass runway at Wisley, where the aircraft had been taken after completion at Weybridge. The following month the B.9/48 was officially named the “Valiant”.