"Vintage Day" in Yverdon: Back to Our Roots

On the initiative of Richard Velen and Alain Fontana, the Yverdon-les-Bains Model Aircraft Club, in collaboration with the CMR les Frelons de Vullierens, organized a “Vintage Day” on Saturday, September 21. The goal of the event was to bring together as many model aircraft as possible that were built at least 10 years ago.

With ideal weather conditions, more than 45 vintage models—built by pilots from various AERO clubs—took off from the Vugelles airfield that day.

Among other highlights, the memorable demonstration of a circular flight ending with the pilot’s “crash,” the flight of the JU-52 to the magical sound of its three internal combustion engines, and the flight of the Topsy equipped with the famous Cox 0.8 engine will remain etched in everyone’s memory, reminding every pilot present of their own memories as young model aircraft builders.

At a time when the race for the latest technology sometimes drives the cost of a model up to five figures, what a joy it is to experience this moment of downsizing and a return to our roots.

Given the event’s success, a 2020 edition is already in the works. It will take place on the Frelons de Vullierens track.

One “mustachioed” attendee summed up the spirit of this dream day in a single sentence: “Back then, we had nothing and did everything; now we have everything and often don’t do much with it.”

Food for thought!
Alexandre Mischler