Model planes soar at Cradle of Aviation Museum

The aviation seed planted on Long Island’s Hempstead Plains in 1909, when Glenn Curtiss had first flown above it in his Golden Flyer biplane, sprouted and grew over a six-decade period until it had ultimately connected its own soil with that of its moon. 
The journey continues at Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum, which tells Long Island’s aerospace story.  This weekend, the museum welcomes model airplane enthusiasts to share their love of flying – albeit on a smaller scale – during “Warbird Weekend.” The sixth annual event, held April 2-3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers visitors an opportunity to see a variety of model aircraft, many of which are replicas of the aircraft on display at the
museum.
“We are combining model aircraft and aviation history at this event,” said Bob Grassig, president of the LI Cobras, the model airplane flying club that sponsors the event, along with the museum. “We are trying to revive this hobby and at the same time draw attention to Long Island’s aviation history.”
Pilots from flying clubs throughout the tri-state area will display more than 100 remote control aircraft with their full-sized counterparts. Exhibited aircrafts exemplify those flown in both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Current military and sport aircrafts will be on display as well.
Some 5,800 spectators attended last year’s Warbird Weekend, according to LI Cobras spokesperson Ed Lehman. “It gets more involved every year,” he said. “It connects military and sport aviation with an industry that Long Island played a big part in.”
Visitors can see some of these intricate model planes flown outside the museum, which is the former site of Mitchell Airfield, throughout the weekend, weather permitting. Inside the museum, LI Cobras members, along with those from the other clubs represented, will give electric aircraft demonstrations, with RC flight simulators available to give everyone a chance to try piloting an aircraft.