Warbirds Over Texas
A three-day celebration of RC military aircraft
By Larry Kruse [email protected]
Warbirds Over Texas (2014) was held June 13–15 at the North Dallas RC Club site, just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth area near Aubrey and Providence. Building on the success of the prior three years, the 2014 gathering was the largest yet. Participants began arriving Thursday, and by Saturday nearly 80 fliers and more than 250 airplanes were in attendance, making it one of the largest warbird events in the Southwest.
Origins and organization
The event originated with Terry Farmer, who conceived Warbirds Over Texas out of his love for warbirds and his experience attending similar events around the country. The first event in 2010 was modeled after Warbirds Over the Rockies, produced by Brian and Bonnie O’Meara in Colorado, which helped Terry learn the logistics of running a first-class gathering.
Terry enlisted members of his home club, the North Dallas RC Club, to help. Club members Ed Kettler and Charles Shafer stepped forward as Contest Director and head of site preparation, respectively, and have remained in those roles. Their continuity, along with many volunteers, is largely responsible for the event’s smooth, professional operation.
Site and facilities
The club flying site has a relaxed, pastoral setting (note cattle and burros in background photos) with room for campers and trailers. Key features include:
- A 720-foot paved asphalt runway oriented north–south, aligned with prevailing winds.
- Sloped, mown-grass aprons on either side; the far-side apron is used as the takeoff/landing area for World War I and II aircraft that prefer grass.
- A wide, paved main approach and taxiway to the west, with airplanes and pilots queuing on both sides for safety checks and runway clearance.
- Mown-grass start-up and ready areas on either side of the taxiway functioning as “waiting rooms” until the flight director motions the next airplane and pilot onto the taxiway, accompanied by a spotter.
- A large sheltered pavilion behind the taxiway used for registration, spectator seating, and concessions. A recent sound-system upgrade allowed period music (Big Band and war years era) to be broadcast throughout the event, enhancing the nostalgia.
Aircraft and powerplants
Warbirds of all types, sizes, and historical eras were present. Highlights and trends included:
- A strong showing of quarter-scale classics such as P-51s, P-47s, Spitfires, Mustangs, and Corsairs.
- Several larger multi-engine and bomber types and numerous World War I biplanes.
- Many Giant Scale models powered by gas engines.
- Notable larger bombers powered by four-stroke glow engines, including a Laible/Burton B-24 and Brett Bowling’s B-17 (O.S. and Saito four-stroke engines).
- Ben Roper’s 120-inch Avro Lancaster powered by four electric outrunner motors.
- Growing presence of electric power across more entries and larger airframes, reflecting broader hobby trends, while use of larger-displacement four-stroke glow engines has remained essentially static.
Spectator involvement and activities
Warbirds Over Texas is known for engaging non-modeling spectators with dynamic group flights and interactive experiences:
- Spontaneous gaggles of similar airplanes—WWI biplanes, WWII fighters, or multi-engine bombers—often fly together, creating memorable formations.
- Typical crowd-pleasers include coordinated flights of a Spad XIII, Fokker D.VII, Nieuport 17, Thomas Morse Scout, and Curtiss Jenny, or a rumbling interception “furball” of a B-24, B-17, Avro Lancaster, Mustangs, Spitfires, and German fighters.
- At noon on Saturday the flightline is shut down and pilots bring their airplanes to the center of the runway. Spectators are invited onto the runway to meet fliers and view the models up close. An estimated 400 spectators attended in 2014, and many took advantage of this opportunity—especially children, who enjoyed seeing the aircraft at close range.
Organizers and volunteers
The event runs smoothly thanks to many volunteers. Key contributors include:
- Terry Farmer — event producer
- Ed Kettler — Contest Director
- Charles Shafer — Head of site preparation
- Dave Schaefer and many other club members and volunteers
Looking ahead
The successful fourth Warbirds Over Texas continued a pattern of incremental growth and strong popularity. North Dallas RC Club members had already begun planning the 2015 edition as 2014 concluded. For updated information as planning progresses, visit the event website.
Sources
- Warbirds Over Texas — www.warbirdsovertexas.com
- North Dallas RC Club — www.ndrcc.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
