2018 Annual Conference of Model Aircraft Veterans

The Sichternhof is located on a hill just outside Liestal, on the edge of a former military training ground and a large shooting range. Just a few hundred meters away, the Liestal Model Aircraft Club (MG Liestal) has been operating its model airfield for many years. After a brief cocktail reception, the president of the veterans’ association,

Jürg Fischer, opened the annual meeting. In addition to the usual business agenda items, the main focus of the meeting was on the redesign of the Model Aircraft Museum at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne.

Henry Wydler, former deputy director of the Swiss Museum of Transport and current member of the Model Aviation Museum Operating Committee (BAM), provided an update on the upcoming organizational and conceptual changes to the museum. In the past, the model aircraft veterans were the sole sponsors of the museum. Thanks to a great deal of volunteer dedication and loyal helpers, a tremendous amount of work was accomplished, and the financial

was reasonably secured through sponsorships and donations.

In recent years, the number and volume of exhibits—most of which were donated—have increased significantly. Today, there is a lack of suitable storage containers and adequate storage space. Under the leadership of Henry Wydler, the BAM—together with the AeCS, the SMV, and the VHS Lucerne—is working to find a viable long-term solution for the museum. A solution that will certainly place a greater financial burden on all parties involved. Thanks to the membership fee for veterans introduced this year, they will now also be in a position to

to do their part. There is no doubt about the desire to preserve this valuable material; this was also the unanimous opinion of the veterans present.

After lunch at the Sichterhof, the veterans made their way to the nearby model airfield of the MG Liestal. Some of them had even brought their own models, which they were delighted to demonstrate. The MG Liestal proved to be an excellent host. Not only were the veterans treated to wine, coffee, and cake, but the members of MG Liestal also put on a veritable air show throughout the afternoon. Many thanks to MG Liestal, led by its president, Dominik Mangold, for their wonderful hospitality.