Members of the Columbia R/C Flying Club are preparing to host their biggest event to date: a radio-controlled military aircraft airshow.

The group, made up of more than 60 guys dedicated to their model aircraft, will host what they’re calling a “warbird fly-in” this Saturday, bringing in models from all over the area to showcase their talents.

Group member Tyler Blanchett, who is a real-life pilot in addition to being an R/C enthusiast, is hoping for a successful turnout.

“So far, we have 34 confirmed pilots,” Blanchett said. “It wasn’t supposed to be this big.”

To prepare for an event of this magnitude, they had to clear more space for parking at the pavilion on Bluff Road.

The day will begin with competition flying with four awards: best scale flight for how realistic the aircraft looks in the air, a ground judging, best in show for aerobatics, and a people’s choice award.

“The term warbird refers to any airplane that was involved in any sort of military service,” he said. “We’ll have everything from World War I aircraft – the earliest of all flight – all the way up to modern day aircraft.”

The models will all be one-fifth models of the real warbirds and will feature not just members of the Columbia club, but clubs from as far away as Eureka, Mo.

Blanchett calls this event the group’s “re-emergence” into the St. Louis group of clubs because they have been a bit “reclusive” until now.

“We’re excited and we want to introduce more people to flying,” he said. “With radio-control flying, there are so many different genres.”

For many people who get into the hobby, aircraft like these warbirds are something they can identify with.

“Military aircraft have a special spot in many people’s lives because their family members may have flown in these bombers during wars,” he said. “There’s something romantic about these planes with the way they look and sound.”

The guys have hosted an event like this before, but it was more internal to the club.

“I look forward to getting back into the social network of this, along with seeing kids out there,” Blanchett said.

This year is a trial event, and next year Blanchett said he would love to turn it into a fundraiser for veterans or another good cause.

This year, it is free and open to the public, with a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks provided.

 “We want this to be a family event,” Blanchett said.

The event will take place beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the club’s pavilion a mile south from Valmeyer Road on Bluff Road.

They will begin with the competitive flying for the registered pilots and combo flights for airplanes that would’ve flown together in wars, followed by lunch and a period of time in which spectators can go around and look at the aircraft.

“They’ll have the chance to talk to the guys who built these planes and ask questions,” Blanchett said. “After that, we’ll have open flying.”

There will be an announcer who will speak about the aircraft as they fly, including what the model is, how it’s powered, etc.

At 3 p.m., they will hand out awards and have the last flights.

“Since it’s the same day as Columbia Daze, everyone can head up into town afterwards,” Blanchett said.

Columbia R/C Flying Club members belong to the Academy of Model Aeronautics and have been operating since 1972.