Champaign County RC Club hosts the “Warbirds & Classics” event

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — RC cars, boats and even planes seem to be a big deal in central Illinois. The Champaign County RC Club’s passion goes beyond a few air shows.

Vice President Dan Irwin has been with the club since his youth.

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

He started flying airplanes with string controls before building his own RC airplane.

“I hid it from my dad and he found it. At that point, my dad and I were just hooked. Connected. It gave my dad and I another opportunity to do something,” Irwin said.

The RC Club in Champaign has been around since about 1975. They not only fly RCs, they also teach them.

Every Thursday at around 5 p.m. from now until October, anyone interested can try out the hobby for free. The basics are taught on the simulator and then you can fly.

“(We have) all the fighter planes from World War I through World War II and all the classics that are basically 50 years old or older,” Irwin said.

The Warbirds and Classics event showcases aircraft modeled after those used throughout our history. Irwin said it’s also a way to recognize veterans who may have flown the real planes.

“That’s why it really touches me. I say we celebrate and showcase the aircraft that have brought us the freedoms we have today.”

The Warbirds and Classics run Friday through Saturday and everyone is welcome. If you’d like to fly your plane, registration is still open.