FORGET computer games and online flight simulators, back in 1951, these fly guys were building and flying their own model aeroplanes.

The boys had gathered on Overlee playing Fields in Clarkston to stage a flying display as part of the Festival of Britain.

The display took place during a break in a sports meeting.

Ian McFarlane, left, a pupil at Eastwood Secondary School, was the centre of attention as he refuelled one of his two-winged wonders.

As detailed as his creations look, we don't think they were of the radio-controlled variety. We suspect they were tethered planes, which flew in circles on the end of a long line of wire.

Such engineering projects were commonplace in Glasgow schools during the 1950s, with staff and pupils building everything from model planes to model railway displays and 'soap-box' racers.

They would emerge from their workshops, wide-eyed with wonder and stinking of 'Three-in-One' oil, with bashed knuckles and broken nails.

Who knows, perhaps these mechanically-minded boys went on to build careers in engineering, or became airline pilots. Having said that, they may equally have ended up buying binoculars and becoming planespotters.