The Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club, a group of model airplane enthusiasts, gather this weekend for what organizers believe to be the largest and longest-running radio-control model air show in the country.

The Flying Circus, now in its 48th year, takes place over two days and features more than 175 model aircraft of all kinds, from helicopters to jets, to a rocket-powered Space Shuttle, said organizer Mark Feist.

"At the show we demonstrate all of our various forms of R/C modeling in ways that challenge our pilots and provide entertainment for the folks watching," Feist said. "The show is our way of presenting the hobby to the community and having fun."

Last year, the event drew nearly 10,000 visitors, he said.

New this year, to complement the annual re-creation of a World War II fight that will have about 17 planes in the air at once, the group will also re-create Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Japan that took place after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

"We have built six B-25 bombers and a model of the tower of the aircraft carrier they took off from," Feist said.

The weekend is packed full of "high-risk" events, such as breaking balloons or chasing targets, that are real crowd-pleasers, he said.

"The odds of your airplane coming through some of the events intact are slim," Feist said. "Everybody loves a good crash."

Some of the other favorites are a scale model Space Shuttle, 200-mph jets, giant-scale 12-foot wing span B-29 and B-17 Bombers, a rocket-powered Bell X-1 that will re-enact the breaking of the sound barrier, flying saucers, Snoopy's flying dog house and Harry Potter on his broom stick.

"One guy is even working on a flying pig," Feist said. "We'll have to see if he can get it up in the air."

How to go

WHAT: The 48th annual Flying Circus

WHERE: Butler County Regional Airport, 2820 Bobmeyer Road, Hamilton

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10

COST: Free admission; $5 parking

MORE INFO: (513) 608-8521; www.gcrcc.net