History of the London Bridge Seaplane Classic
The London Bridge Seaplane Classic began as the Desert Hawks RC Fun Float Fly in 1987. The name was changed the following year to the London Bridge Seaplane Classic and the event continues to this day, some 34 years later.
Note: This is a work in progress, if you have any knowledge or pictures of any of these events please contact us and let us know. Our goal is to create a history of these events that is as complete possible and we need your help to make this a reality.
1986 First Experimental Float Fly – December 6-7
Northside of the island, Lake Havasu City, AZ
The following is an excerpt from “Desert Hawks RC Club History” which was written by Mack Stevens in 1986
Our first experimental float fly was held on the north side of the island on December 6 and 7, 1986. At one point it was estimated that 35 spectators were present. From this trial event, the First Annual Desert Hawks Fun Float Fly was scheduled for January 17 and 18, 1987 at the Nautical Inn. The float fly was a big success and voted to be repeated January 16, 17 and 18, 1988 at the same location.
1987 1st Annual Desert Hawks RC Fun Float Fly – January 17-18
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
The following is an excerpt from “Desert Hawks RC Club History” which was written by Mack Stevens in 1986 and updated in 1988
An experimental fun float fly was held at the Nautical Inn November 7 & 8, 1987 to help determine improvements for these affairs. This too was a big success with 28 fliers participating in the event.
1988 2nd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – January 16-17-18
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
Changed the name of the event
Two events were held in 1988.
January 16-17-18 and November 11-12-13
Link to letter from Alan Gornick Jr. coming soon
1988 3rd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 11-12-13
1989 4th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 10-11-12
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
This was the first and only year that the Schneider Cup Reenactments were held on the same weekend.
1990 5th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 9-10-11
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
YouTube Video: This video begins with a historic newsreel of Jimmy Doolittle in the Curtiss R3C-2 then continues to a video of the 1990 Schneider Cup Re-Enactment in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
1991 6th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 8-9-10
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1992 7th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 6-7-8
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1993 8th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1994 9th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1995 10th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 10-11-12
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1996 11th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 10-11-12
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1997 12th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1998 13th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
1999 14th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
2000 15th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
2001 16th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
2002 17th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
2003 18th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Nautical Inn Resort and Conference Center
2004 19th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 12-13-14
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
SAME GREAT FUN FLY, NEW LOCATION
2005 20th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2006 21st Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2007 22nd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2008 23rd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 7-8-9
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2009 24th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 6-7-8
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2010 25th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 5-6-7
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2011 26th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2012 27th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 2-3-4
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2013 28th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 8-9-10
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2014 29th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 7-8-9
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
The following people won awards at this year’s event:
Best Scratch Built: Ken Gibson; Canada Air CL-215
Best ARF: Rick Marshall; Aeroworks Cub
Best Multi-Engine: Paul Stenberg; Canada Air CL-415
Best Scale: Paul Sheffield; Ag Wagon on Balsa USA Floats
Best Crash: Bill Grippo – various crashes!
Best in Show: Danny Gayhart; Piper Cub
2015 30th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 13-14-15
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
The following people won awards at this year’s event:
Best ARF: Carlos Rangel with a Top Model Beaver
Best Multi-Engine: Bill Cook with a Dornier Flying Boat
Best Kit Built: Ken Gibson with a Sig 1/5th Scale Cub
Best of Show: Jim Stewart with an Empire Flying Boat
Best Crash: Mark Hines with what was a Sig Kadet!
2016 31st Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 4-5-6
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2017 32nd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 3-4-5
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2018 33rd Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 9-10-11
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ
2019 34th Annual London Bridge Seaplane Classic – November 8-9-10
Lake Havasu State Park Windsor Beach #4 Lake Havasu City, AZ