Fans of aircraft‚ little tiny aircraft, will be pleased to now that the Biggest Little Airshow is back this summer out at Michell Airfield in Central Saanich.
Hundreds of remote-control model aircraft will be on display and in the air at the grass airstrip located on Lochside Drive near Michell Farm. Run for the last 13 years by the Victoria Radio Control Modelers Society (VRCMS), the event is a fundraiser for C-FAX radio’s Santas Anonymous program and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Last year’s airshow, says organizer Mike Scholefield, raised $20,000, adding to the $188,000 VRCMS has collected for charity since they started the event.
“This year, we hope to break the $200,000 mark,” Scholefield said.
There were an estimated 3,000 people watching the airshow over the two days of last summer’s event. Scholefield believes people will be back for more.
The lineup for this year’s event includes model Corsair aircraft, jets from Vancouver and a group of flyers from Sacramento, California.
Scott Davies from Utah will be back again this time with his Steerman biplane, complete with smoke canisters. Tom Wolfe will be there as well, with his large Mosquito fighter/bomber.
Scholefield said this is a field of expert model flyers, some of whom travel the U.S. on a model aircraft circuit. It’s a hobby, he aded, but for many people a serious one.
But not so serious that they can’t have a lot of fun. Apart from the replica aircraft, Scholefield said models of Snoopy and the Red Baron will be in the air, as will more unconventional models, like the popular flying lawnmower.
Scholefield added he has a surprise up his sleeve this year.
“It’s going to be just for the fun of it,” he said, offering only hints at what it might be.
He said people will know it when they see it, but it will involve tights.
The Biggest Little Airshow will have rises up for grabs in their main draw. First prize is a trip for two anywhere that Westjet flies. Second prize is a Helijet return trip from Victoria to Vancouver. Additional prizes will be up for grabs and there will be 50/50 draws as well. Money raised at the airshow goes to the two charities.
The airshow is August 9 and 10 and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is by donation. For more details, visit www.vrcms.org.