Timmins Golden Hawks

The exact origin of Aircraft Modeling in Timmins is unknown to the writer, but prior to 1985, the Porcupine Aeromodelers was the only model Aircraft club in Timmins, originally flying on the Hollinger mines tailings near today's highway 655. Sometime before 1985, the group moved to the present site at 2321 Gold Mine Road, formerly known as "the Back Road". The club name was changed from Porcupine Aeromodelers" to "Timmins Golden Hawks RC Model Aircraft Club" in the early 90's but the same flying site is still being used.

Some of the founding members were likely Andy Wojtowicz and Jack Moisley. Doug Cooper, Bob Prine, Garry Tremblay, Gerry Prudhomme, Greg Mascioli and Peter Myers were also some of the very early members. There are likely many more, but their names are either obscure or unknown to the writer, and have faded with time. There have been many changes in more than 20 years, but the existing flying site at 2321 Gold Mine Road has been used since before 1985, and is still owned by Dome mines, now called "Gold Corp Canada Ltd". (2007)

Of those original members mentioned earlier, Garry Tremblay is the only one still a member. Others have either passed away or gone their own way.

It seems everything has changed, yet it's still the same.

The following is known for sure. The presidents of the Timmins Golden Hawks since 1998 are as follows

1999 Garry Tremblay
2000 Ron Roy
2001 Ron Roy
2002 Richard Burns
2003 Jim Abbott
2004 Bill Buchan
2005 Mark Orr
2006 Ron Roy
2007 Ron Roy
2008 Ron Roy
2009 Ron Roy
2010 Ron Roy
2011 Ron Roy
2012 Ron Roy

For practical purposes and to remain more accurate, only times since 1999 will be shown on this site. Times prior to this would be prone to inaccuracies, so will be avoided.

In the last 9 years, a lot of progress has been made, a fun fly has been held every year since 2001, and this club held its first ZONE FUN FLY in 2007. The success of this 2007 event was second to none. The field has also seen a lot of changes. The runway was turned almost 90 degrees to avoid flying over incoming vehicles. The club owns a transmitter impound 8 X 8 building, 2 holer outdoor toilet, a 16 foot and an 18 foot storage trailer, a tin shed, a 22 horsepower riding lawn mover, a water pump for the watering system, and a small powered packer.

In the fall of 2006, a major expense for the club was made with a $1500 payment to have the runway "hydro seeded". The summer of 2007 and 2008 saw again major expenses with fertilizer, more grass seed on the runway and in the pits. The results are evident with a lush green carpet on the runway in two short years. Every year sees the membership fill the small holes, add more grass where needed. Our club constitution is updated regularly, and membership slowly increases. 2007 and 2008 saw a total of 29 paid members, two being lifetime members. Bob Prine, one of the lifetime members died on November 17, 2009

This is the "humble beginning of our "history page" and it will be updated as some of the "older" members fill in the blanks from yesteryears!

Submitted by Ron Roy