By Natalie Gallenti
FOR John Bellamy there is nothing more satisfying than creating a model plane and seeing it in flight.
The Keilor resident has spent the last 62 years devoting his life to crafting masterpieces and for him watching them glide through the air is a feeling second to none.
Mr Bellamy’s love of model aircrafts began when he was only six years old and his father bought him one as a gift – he has been addicted ever since.
“There is no kick like watching something you create take off and fly,” he said.
“I can’t imagine my life without it.”
A member of the Keilor Model Flying Field, Mr Bellamy said a model can take anywhere between three months and two years to create, and while it was an extremely complex, and often expensive, task, it could also become an obsession.
A former aircraft engineer with Qantas, Mr Bellamy said on average most models could travel around one km and stay in the air for about 10 minutes.
And he said he was pleased to see a revival in the popularity of the hobby, particularly among young people.
“There seems to be resurgence in a need to create things.”
But what does his wife think of his love for the miniature planes?
“Nicky is an addicted gardener. That’s what makes a marriage great. What’s better than me working in my garage watching my wife doing what she loves in the garden?”
The Keilor Model Flying Field is hosting an open day on 20 March.
