District II
Contact
Gary Fitch, District II Vice President [email protected] New Jersey, New York, Europe
Lufbery Aerodrome (Cedar Creek Park)
Located in the southernmost section of Cedar Creek Park is the Aerodrome. Since 1975, it has provided a great facility for RC aeromodelers to enjoy their hobby. Modelers of all ages, of all backgrounds, and from all parts of Long Island use the Aerodrome daily throughout the year.
With their love of airplanes also comes their love of aircraft history. Of special interest are those aircraft and the pilots who flew them during military conflicts in the past 100 years.
Cedar Creek Park was the site of a Department of Military Aeronautics training facility. It was opened during World War I to train military pilots to fly Jennies, a popular aircraft of the times.
The field was commissioned in the spring of 1918 and named in honor of a highly decorated American ace: Major Raoul Lufbery. Major Lufbery was a World War I aviation war hero and ace pilot who gave his life for his country. Lesser known than American ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Lufbery showed Rickenbacker how to survive air combat and Rickenbacker wrote, "Everything I learned, I learned from Lufbery."
The story about how this all transpired is a feature article in MA September 2010 and is well worth the time to read.
Committee to Honor Major Lufbery
The committee to honor Major Lufbery was formed with:
- Charles Lando, chairman
- Harvey Schwartz, co-chairman
- Russell Rhine, researcher
- Edward Smits, Nassau County Historian
They worked together for two years researching, writing, and meeting with the Nassau County Supervisor and finally the legislature in their quest to change the name of Cedar Creek Aerodrome to Lufbery Field. They received letters supporting their research from Andrew Parton of the Cradle of Aviation; Dr. Natalie Naylor, Long Island historian; and Josh Soren of the Wantagh Preservation and Historical Society.
Field Renaming and Support
The plan was submitted through past Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi to the Nassau County Legislature, which led to the approval to name the field Lufbery Aerodrome. AMA club presidents who assisted in the field dedication included:
- Ted Evangelatos, Merokes
- Roy Coniglio, Hempstead Harbor Aero Modelers Society
- Bob Grassick, Long Island Cobras
- Steve Robinson, Whitman Flyers
- John Filman, Nassau Flyers
Members of these clubs frequently use the field.
This was an outstanding effort by the committee that led to the renaming of this historic aviation site. For more information, check out the Merokes RC Club's website and download the June 2010 Smoke Signals newsletter.
Atlantic County Skyblazers — Spring Old-Timer Meet
I had the privilege of joining Roy Wilson, president of the Atlantic County Skyblazers and CD (Contest Director) of the Spring Old-Timer Meet held at Strawberry Field in Mays Landing, New Jersey, in May. This was my first experience with these powered RC Old-Timer aircraft. Just because they are radio controlled doesn't mean they are easily controlled in the 10–15 knot windy conditions. There were 12 competitors who braved the weather that brought periodic showers.
You could hear RC history as the Ohlssons, McCoys, Super Cyclones, and Rice Brown Juniors were fired up. The almost-rocketlike performance of these aircraft was amazing.
Winners of the event were:
- O&R Sideport: Marv Stern
- Brown Junior LER: Steve Boucher
- ABC Ignition: Roy Hulse
- First Playboy: Steve Boucher
- ABC Glow: Mike Salvador
- 1/2A Texaco: Roy Wilson
- 1/2A Texaco Scale: Chuck Kime
Until next month, Keep 'em Three in the Green.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
