A History of the Barnstormers Model Flying Club (BMFC)
By Karl Jensen
With photos of the 2025 Airshow by Willie Bodenstein
27.07.2025
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The author who also acted as commentator during the very well attended and superbly organised airshow held at the club's well kept premises on the 27 July 2025
The Club was founded in 1970 by three enthusiasts: Dave Lambrecht, Gavin Lundie, and Dave Norman. The club grew rapidly. Membership cards were printed, and The Barnstormers became affiliated with the old SAARF. The Barnstormers was born.
The original Clubhouse site was a building on the Erasmus farm adjacent to the R21 freeway, which was under construction, rented by the club at R38 per annum plus a bottle of brandy.
The Clubhouse had a large, whimsical sign with a SE5 biplane chasing a chicken. The Club's establishment was somewhat haphazard at first, with no facilities. Eventually, they marked out a parking area and acquired a disused prefabricated building, which became the Barnstormers clubhouse.
Notably, every summer, the mielie farmer used the club's landing strip for crop sprayers. Unfortunately, the site was developed later. The facilities were primitive, with little shade, no grass, water, or electricity, and plenty of dust, especially on windy days.
In 1983, the Barnstormers secured a piece of land from Darling and Hodgson, a subsidiary of Murray and Roberts, across the R25, slightly southeast of the present ERWAT water treatment plant. With no lease agreement and uncertain tenure, the members agreed it would be a temporary home.
The BMFC secured this land with no lease agreement and an uncertain tenure, it was only meant to be temporary. At that time, the club had around 50 members. Finally, in 1986, as a member of the Kempton Park Sports Liaison Committee, the Barnstormers Radio Controlled Model Flying Club submitted a presentation to the Chairman of the Sports and Liaison Committee, requesting use of their current flying site, owned by the Kempton Park Municipality.
The municipality exceeded expectations by laying two tarred runways, a lean-to, scraping a car park area, planting a small patch of grass, and building a toilet block. In August 1986, the mayor of Kempton Park officially opened the Barnstormers Radio Controlled Model Flying Club field.
The Club now features two tarred control-line circles, one dedicated to model helicopters. Included in the site are a drone flying area, three tarred runways-the main runway is 220m, and the secondary runways are 120m each.
The two-storey clubhouse has catering facilities, a braai area, an upper floor with an observation deck, and a refreshment area. Adjacent is a 30m lean-to roofed area with tables for model assembly.
There is a public grandstand and toilet facilities, including housing for the groundsman. All facilities are barricaded for spectator safety. The current Barnstormers Chairman is Danie Potgieter, who has served for 10 years. There are presently 115 paid-up members utilizing the facilities. Safety rules are strict at Barnstormers.
Barnstormers members are affiliated with the Aero Club of South Africa through SAMAA and operate under their Aviation Recreation Organisation certificate.
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