"The society was founded early in 1935 as the South Beds Model Aeronautical Society with meetings being held in the basement of a shop in Park Street, Luton. In April 1936 in association with other local aeromodellers, we hired the Connaught Rooms in Upper George Street, Luton, for meetings. The Society was restructured and given a more appropriate name of The Luton and District Model Aeronautical Society.

"From 1935 to 1939 the solid foundations of the Society evolved. The rules were, by then, fairly comprehensive and the committee active both regarding model flying and the social side. Our first sausage and mash supper and dinner/dance being held in 1937. The Society had a very competitive spirit, taking part in local, national and international competitions. Also during this period, the Society produced two issues of a magazine called "Thermals", elected its first President and our badge/transfer designed by Mr PW Thomas and this is still today the official Club badge. (As can be seen from the wesbite banner) During these early years, we obtained permission to fly at Lewsey Farm, Poynters Park Estate, Dunstable and at the London Gliding Club, Dunstable.

"The Society was still active during the 1939-1945 war period, meeting on a regular basis for most of this time, in a cellar in North Street, Luton. After the war ended, we moved into the St Matthews Church Hall which we still use today. (In 1985, that is. Not any more)

Picture of an early members' gathering outside the meeting place, waiting for an exhibition

"After the war years, keen flying members were placed well in the results of National competitions and broke some officially recognised British records. Free flight models gradually gave way to radio controlled and control line models, flying fields to new housing developments and the Society successfully negotiated the use of the Royal Air Force Henlow Camp Airfield. The social side with picnics, dinner/dances, outings and exhibitions continued. Strong support was given to the SMAE South Midlands area, particularly the rallies at Cranfield Airfield.

"In November 1974 at the Annual General Meeting, Mr Rex Brown, a founder member in 1935 and Hon Treasurer for all of this period and Mr EC Clark Hon Secretary since 1945, retired. Mr Ron Moulton, editor at this time of the Aeromodeller said that they must surely be the longest continually serving members of any model aeroplane club in the Country.

"Close ties were formed with the German twin town of Porz (Nr Cologne) and since 1978, we have had exchange visits with the German Club Modellfluggruppe Porz EV during the summer months. (This still continues, with a group of members visiting Porz usually during August, though sadly, the visits from the German contingent to Luton have lapsed.)  With the ever difficult task of finding flying fields, the Society purchased some 5 1/4 acres of land approximately 7 miles from Luton in 1982."