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The Official Newsletter of Model Warship Combat, Inc. www.mwci.org Spring - 2005

CALENDAR OF MWC EVENTS

Apr 23-24, 2005 Balsa Fesitival - unsanctioned Lee’s Workshop, Port St. John, FL Contact Lee McKinzie Apr 29-May 1, 2005 Farmington, MO Contact: Kevin Hovis (see BOD page)

May 28- 31, 2005 Fray at Bray’s Siloam Springs, AR Contact: Kevin Bray, 479-871-5162 [email protected] Old Vets breaking in the new ships, it must be SPRING! Photo by Georgi Kunisch June 19-24, 2005 easier to find than we had figured on MWC National Championship February Furball and with that we were delighted. Ionia, Michigan There was a bunch of greetings and Site Host: Luis Negron, Mark Roe, 02/04/05 battle smack before the ships got on Chris & Dave Au. Sanctioned. Fee: by Peter Kunisch $120. Banquet: $19. the water. There were only 3 sorties Motel: Super 8: $52.88 + tax, Friday and they did not count holes. There (616) 527-2828, Mention “Model morning we were some new captains with new Warship Combat, Inc.” headed for the ships so these sorties were a shake Camping: Lakeside Resort Campground down time for them. During one of th new pond in De (The Nats Site!). $24/night (7 nite free) Bary Florida. It is a very chilly day the sorties Pete rammed Jim's ship. 616-527-3216 but this never seems to matter to This did seem to be unfortunate since NOTE THE DATE is a MONTH earlier we were guests at Jim's home for the than normal! these Captains. It was planned to meet Jim Gariepry at the pond by weekend. When patching time came noon. We stopped at a Denny's for many Captains seemed to have a breakfast as is our tradition on any short supply of silk span, strange but away mission. This particular stop better than forgetting a radio. took longer than anticipated, On the way to Jim's home for the construction season in Florida is year evening we had a transmission around but we still made it to the problem; we nearly did not make it. pond on schedule. Jim crawled under the van and Several Captains were at the discovered we had a major leak in a pond when we arrived, it was a lot line. It was rubbing against

Page 281 something and wore clean through. second turn, Monroe, but did get to Stress level was way up now. We the pond successfully. were just absolutely delighted to At the pond on the Allied Fleet MWC OFFICERS and discover that Jim has an outstanding we had: Captain Frank Falango Board of Directors work shop, that he had all the tools commanding USS Arizona, Captain President—Patrick Clarke needed and was willing to fix this Don Cole with USS Alabama, 1300 Scrambler Lane major headache for us and true to his Rookie Captain Jim Gariepy with Edmond, OK. 73003 word he did. Much thanks to Jim for USS Massachusetts, Rookie Captain 405-285-2191 [email protected] V.P.—Steve Reichenbach PO Box 697 Frisco, TX. 75034 972-668-2499 [email protected] Secretary—Kevin Hovis 2295 Highway J Fredericktown, MO 63645 573-783-8381 [email protected] Treasurer—Tim Krakowski 1479 Brookcliff Drive Marietta, GA. 30062 770-509-1101 [email protected]

John Bruder Captains Jim, Frank, and Terry man the workshop. Photo by Georgi 8323 Radcliff Drive Colorado Springs, CO. 80920 719-282-7877 saving the weekend for us. While Terry Miller with HMS Lion, [email protected] Jim worked on our RV, Terry made a Charley the Termite with USS North Joel Goodman supply run to Winn-Dixi and Georgi Carolina (aka Killerina), Brian 210 Zeblin Road made supper, it seemed only fair. Koehler with HMS Ajax (he did sink Atlanta, GA 30342 The shop did get used for working on this time) 404-943-1894 ships as well as the usual after battle On the Axis Fleet we had: [email protected] conversations. Frank was also a Captain Rick King commanding guest at Jim's so it made for a fun dry DKM Scharnhorst, Captain Robert Bob Hoernemann dock evening for all. Only wrinkle Stalnaker with DKM Tirpitz, the 1480 Lake Susan Hill Drive Chanhassen, MN. 55317 was that Frank somehow managed to secret weapon U-Tirpitz, Captain (952) 488-8808 lock the bathroom door while he was Peter Kunisch with DKM Graf Spee, [email protected] outside. Nothing that a cleaver Rookie Captain John Craine with photographer, an experienced Mom Rick’s DKM Adm. Scheer, Lou Luis Negron could not take care of with an ice Meszaros with DKM Leipzig, 3315 Jonis Circle #107 Lansing, MI. 48906 pick. Way to go Georgi. Rookie Captain Bata Cvetkovic with 517-886-5179 Royal Italian Navy Ship Scipione [email protected] Saturday 02/05/05 Africano. We were up early in anticipation Total Allied Ships: 6 Total Mark Roe of a great day. Jim and Terry have a Battle Units: 30.5 1115 Shenandoah, habit of turning alarm clocks off but Total Axis Ships: 6 Total Clawson, MI 48017 248-435-0680 Rick came to the rescue with a wake- Battle Units: 22.5 [email protected] up call to make sure every one was Rick had donuts and snacks on schedule. Terry drew us a map of which we greatly appreciated on this Ty Supancic how to get to the pond but we wound second chilly morning. You would 20760 Vose St. up back at Jim's. Jim explained never know that it is Florida. Our Winnetka, CA. 91306 [email protected] where we missed the turn and we rookie Captain Bata Cvetkovic came were on our way again. Missed a with a brand new ship, the Italian

Page 282 ship the Capitainia, not sure of the spelling. He built it in his dorm room between classes. It did very well for it first time on the water. Lou and Charley arrived for the weekend of fun and battling. First sortie and all ships on the water. "War" and the battle started and soon Rob's ship sank, the battery had shifted, a servo bit the dust and U-Tipitz started its covert mission to obliterate the Allies but the wonder weapon got waterlogged and did not work. Victory will be to the brave and mighty Axis and ..... but we can not tell more about this as we are sworn to utmost secrecy. Bata's ship developed a problem with props slipping but with a Dremel tool it Robert searches for the proper pump angle on the Tirpitz. was quickly corrected. This sortie Photo by Georgi was counted to make it a sanctioned battle but is was not a great triumph entrance way for the FRAG site, the Killerina title all over again. Terry, for the Axis but rather a monstrous new SAS. Frank and Rob all sunk. Pete was victory for the Allies, (sniff, sniff). For the second battle it was flag - unable to make this sortie, he barely Get a load of this fellow Charley, No flag and lucky for me that we had made it to shore last battle with way everybody needs stuff, Charley I Charley on our side. Jim went down too many holes one more time need a motor, Charley I need and so did John Craine's ship, the complements of Don, The Merciless. gears..... and Charley closes the car one he borrowed from Rick. John is At the end of this sortie we packed door with the keys still in it, not finished building his own. Bata up and went back to Jim's to get bummer. (And we have photos of had to leave early for a school fund ready for supper. Terry had an that). But have no fear, AAA to the raising event so the ranks of battlers opportunity to look at the stuff in rescue and all was well. While started to thin. Pete's Armory and he had another Captains were patching Georgi took Third sortie Terry was chewed happy customer. a few shots of the pond and the up by Charley and his NC earned the Dinner was at a really great place called the Swamp House Grill. We were in the party room. We loved it, the menu had great choices and very reasonable prices. We vote for going there again. T-shirts and coffee mugs for souvenirs and Georgi loves it. We all had a terrific time at dinner. Georgi rode back with Frank in his "Frostbite Special" while Jim rode Them’s fightin’ words. Photo by Georgi with Pete to direct

Page 283 the way. Great ending to a fine day of battling and camaraderie

Sunday 02/06/05 We were up at sunrise, coffee now for everyone is mandatory. Arrived at the pond to find gate was locked. We phoned Rick and were assured that he was on his way with the combination. Lou was not able to make the Sunday battles. Rob sank and get this BRIAN, Admiral Scheer staggers to shore after a bit too much bubbly. with his Ajax sank also, we thought we would never see that day. There were three sorties in quick succession as the battlers did not want to get caught in Super Bowl traffic on the way home and we can relate to that. After all the sorties everyone packed up. One more patrolling of the grounds for tools, left-overs and trash. Rick, Charley, Pete, Don and myself were the last to leave. There was discussion about using this pond for a Nats and all agreed that it would work out quite well. We left shortly Lutzow and Admiral Scheer work on German-American relations. thereafter and arrived Photo by Georgi home without incident, the transmission gave us no problems, Thank you again Jim. All of you other Captains that could not make it, you were missed and all Captains agreed that they could have used more targets.

Ajax slides under the tag. Photo by Georgi

Page 284 ship you’re building has a step in the not split. At the extreme ends of the Hull Construction deck you must duplicate the step in ship I glue and screw a piece of By Tom Jass the jig. By using shims or shaving 3/32” plywood between the gunwales (A reprint from the Feb. 1989 the forward jig board you can for additional support. Hullbusters, back when the only duplicate the correct step height – The ribs should be constructed of home-built hulls were wood.) this is a crucial step in constructing aircraft plywood (5 or 7 ply) not an accurate jig. The step must be hardwood, balsa or thin door Over the years located in the correct fore and aft skinning. For cruisers and smaller that I’ve been in this position as well. I then draw a ships I use 3/32” plywood for the hobby (I’m beginning centerline on the jig and lay out the ribs. 1/4” plywood should be used to sound like Fluegel rib locations in full scale on the for battleship ribs. I usually place and Stan), I have centerline with a drafting triangle. the ribs 3” apart on the ship; modified the techniques that I’ve The width of the ribs can then be however, you can make more rib used to build hulls. My first model, established on the jig. Because of locations if you desire so long as you the original RODNEY, had a 1” the techniques that I use INSURE don’t exceed the 15% rule. As balsa bottom and a 1/4” balsa deck. THAT ALL RIB WIDTHS ON THE shown in the diagram each rib should This was soon changed to plywood JIG ARE LAYED OUT 1/8” be laid out and cut 1/8” undersized in for both members to increase the NARROWER THAN THE FULL width (to allow for the skin width); vertical interior space within the SIZED RIB WIDTH FROM THE also cut off 1/8” from the bottom of ship. I now use 3/32” plywood for PLANS. Cover the jig with each rib to allow for the plywood both the decking and the bottom of waxpaper so you don’t glue the bottom(s). Cut a 1/4” square from my ship models. One technique frame to the jig and have to build an the top outside corner of each rib for which I have stayed with, however, Axis ship. When this has been done the gunwale location, and another set is that I build all my hulls upside accurately the gunwales which are of 1/4 square notches in each rib 1” down on a wooden jig. I firmly 1/4” square hardwood can be below the waterline location. Also advise this method over the practice fastened to the jig with small nails. drill two 1/4” diameter holes in each of building the hull rightside up with Drill holes through the gunwales so side of each rib to allow electrical the keel on a work surface for several that the nails will not split the wiring to be threaded throughout the reasons. The gunwale line is build hardwood. If the gunwales have ship during that phase of installation. absolutely straight and without extreme curves at the bow or stern If you are going to install “ram bars” warps. Much of the hull finishing the gunwales may have to be made made of music wire to minimize ram work can be completed with the by laminating 1/4” X 1/8” hardwood damage, now is the time to provide model attached to the jig. More pieces together so the gunwales will notches for them. about the jig and its use later in the article. Obviously the hull framework is the skeleton of the model; if it’s sloppily built and finished the model will be a mess from day one. It’s sad to see a model discarded after one year’s use because it is crooked or waterlogged or inaccurately built. Why spend hours on superstructure detail, gun systems and electrical installation if the hull construction is sloppy? Also a hull which is well built is much easier to reskin – and this will happen several times throughout a ship’s career. So, with those reasons in mind let’s discuss the building of a hull which will last 5 to 6 years. The use of a jig is essential in constructing a true hull. I usually Tom’s original Draftsmanship, also lifted shamelessly from Hullbusters… employ a 1” X 8” piece of pine (without warps) for the jig. If the Page 285 When all the ribs have been cut will build a hull frame which is Once again apply tow coats. No out, drilled and notched they can be strong, light and capable of lasting need to sand the inside unless you’re attached to the gunwales on the jig many battle seasons if you take your Axis. When the epoxy is dry use a with ZAP. Use a triangle to insure time and follow these directions. Dremel tool to remove the center of that the ribs are installed true and After the 1/32” plywood skin has the ribs. See the diagram; the cross- perpendicular – don’t eyeball the job. been attached between all the ribs the hatched portion should be removed. Next, using ZAP install the 1/4 enter frame can be removed from the This allows water which gets inside square stringers in the rib notches jig. Now is the time to double coat the hull to run to the pump and also which were cut 1” below the all glue joints especially on the inside provides additional room inside the waterline. If the ribs you made are of the hull where the 1/32” skin is hull for system installation. 1/4” stock you should use brass attached to the stringers between Because the 1/32” hull skin is countersunk screws to fasten these ribs. Also use more of the brass raised from the sides of the ribs it is stringers to the ribs in addition to the screws to fasten the gunwales to the necessary to install 1/32” X 1/4” ZAP. 3/32” ribs are too thin to ribs at each rib location. Form the plywood fillers to the outside edge of accept screws. Cut the ship’s bottom bow and stern shapes form the solid the gunwales and each rib. ZAP to shape from 3/32” plywood, balsa using knives, Dremel tools and these in place and sand the outside of making it as long as possible to give much sanding. the frame so that all surfaces are strength. Only install this 3/32” Reattach the ship to the jig and smooth and flush. These spacers plywood where the hull bottom is sand the bottom of the hull skin with have added 1/16” to the sides of the flat. Using a sharp block plane or a sandpaper. Fill any imperfections in hull; the balsa skin will add another sanding block with rough sandpaper, the skin at the panel joints or 1/16” – now you see why the rib sand the outside edges of the 3/32” wherever there are dings. Mix up a patterns were cut 1/8” less than the bottom so that it fairs into each rib few shot glasses (2 ounce portions) play width. Fill any voids and sand shape—this step is important. Next of epoxy resin and coat a portion of some more. When your hull could cover the entire bottom of the hull the sanded hull bottom. Drape pass for an Allied beauty (not an with 1/32” aircraft plywood, fiberglass cloth over the wet epoxy Axis pig), you are ready to finish the wrapping the plywood around the resin and gently pull out the completed frame. ALL EXPOSED hull from one below the waterline wrinkles. The cloth will form itself WOOD SURFACES SHOULD stringer to the other. Sheet between easily around the compound curves NOW BE PAINTED WITH 2 as many adjacent ribs as possible of the hull so don’t worry. Use COATS OF EPOXY RESIN. This with one sheet, but where adjacent epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth to step will seal your hull frame and rib profiles are not identical the hull cover the entire hull bottom. Don’t make it watertight. Sand all outside can only be skinned between two try to do the whole job in one step as surfaces after the epoxy resin is dry. ribs. It is best to cut patterns from the epoxy resin will set up in about Now the hull is ready for skinning light cardboard to determine the 15 minutes if you mix the two liquids with 1/32” balsa. The sealing of the exact shape of each piece of 1/32” in the correct proportions. Let the frame with 2 coats of epoxy resin plywood skin before you begin first coat of epoxy resin dry over will make subsequent reskinning chopping and ruining expensive night, then sand the shine from the easy. plywood. If the curves are extreme dry bottom and paint on one more I construct the decking of 3/32” you should soak the plywood in thick coating of epoxy resin. Cut plywood with the wood grain warm water for a minute to increase away the excess fiberglass cloth from running athwartships rather than fore its bending ability. The skin pieces the bottom of the skin when the and aft. This minimizes warping in can be ZAPPED to the frame using second coat is dry. Now you can the wrong direction. Glue together clamps to fasten the skin to the sand and sand to your hears content enough 3/32” plywood to rough out a stringers while the ZAP is setting. to smooth the bottom of the hull’ deck. Lay the plywood on to of the Glue solid balsa blocks or laminated begin with rough sandpaper or you’ll frame in the correct location and sheets to the bow and stern ribs (1 be on this step for weeks as the draw around the perimeter of the 1/2” at the bow and 1” at the stern epoxy is rock hard when dry. gunwales on the bottom of the deck are the maximums allowed by the Remove the hull frame from the with a soft pencil. Remove the deck rules). (Editor’s note: the rules were jig and apply fiberglass and epoxy plywood with the pattern drawn on it changed years ago to allow a 2” solid resin to the inside of the hull bottom. an d place a 3/32” square by 36” long bow rather than the 1 1/2 mentioned Cut pieces of fiberglass to size to fit piece of hardwood on the pattern so by Tom.) Does this all sound like a between the ribs. This inside coating that you draw another line inside the lot of trouble? It may take a little is what makes the 1/32” plywood original line. Do this on each side of longer than other methods, but you strong enough despite its thinness. the deck – you are locating new deck

Page 286 edges which are 3/32” inside of the Nickel Metal Hydride local hobby store will carry) and 12g hull outline. Cut out the deck pattern R/C car wire with the connector of following the inside lines. The 3/32” Batteries your choice. ( I used the ones that plywood can easily be cut with a by Luis K. Negron don’t allow you to plug your wires in utility knife if you make several –IRN Garibaldi, backwards .) I then coated the ends passes’ this works better than a saw IJN Kongo, with Tool Dip to keep any moisture as it gives a smoother more accurate SMS Ostfriesland out of the battery. edge. Sand the edge smooth and The website officially rates them place the decking back in place on I know many cruiser owners as 11 amps but they are actually the gunwale frames. ZAP the 3/32” currently use Nickel Metal Hydride more like 12. Because of this high square hardwood pieces to the (Ni-MH) batteries in order to save capacity not all Ni-MH chargers will outside edges of the gunwales while weight and space. Cruisers generally work. I use the INDI 16X2-Pro and the deck is laid in place. Just tack require every effort be made to save charge the batteries twice at the 6 glue these pieces to hold them in substantial amounts in those two amp setting (I already owned the place. Remove the deck and ZAP categories. Battleships and charger and the battery company had the 3/32” stringers solidly to the battlecruisers generally, however, not made a charger for them as of gunwales. After all is dry the deck don’t require such savings as they summer 2004). The second charge will be a force fit when reinstalled on have sufficient space and weight cycle will be much faster than the the gunwales. Except on DDs, I’ve capacity to carry the traditional gel first. never found it necessary to use cells. When I plopped the batteries caulking or a gasket material to seal But what do you do if you (with the electrical wire plus the deck joint using this method. happen to have a bad back and cant connector) on my rather crude scale I Finish the bottom of the decking carry the weight of the large got slightly less than 4 lbs for a 12 with two coats of epoxy resin and the battleships? Or what do you do if amp gel cell, vs slightly more than 1 top with lacquer and silkspan (or you want to build one of those small pound for the Ni-MH pack. So my plank the deck with planking if pre-dreadnaughts? This is where I Kongo saved over 5 lbs in battery you’re a scale nut). turned to the latest in Ni-MH battery weight. technology for my IJN Kongo and The Ni-MH packs (when built 5- SMS Ostfriesland. in-a-row style) sit about 45% lower I bought my Powerex in the ship, are about 33% narrower Ni-MH D-cell batteries at and only about 5% longer than gel www.thomas- cells. Even if you have to add distributing.com. I would weight to get the freeboard down, the recommend avoiding the lead weights will sit much lower cheaper green casing, (giving better stability) and can be Chinese-made Ni-MH dispersed about the hull in a manner batteries. That’s what I that allows you to route internal used in my Garibaldi and components however you like. they took a VERY long They are, however, not cheap. I time to stabilize. Initially spent roughly $155 for the 2 packs, they would put out not including S&H and having the enormous power for a very hobby shop build them ( I think that short period of time then was $20). Lou Meszaros found die. Powerizer brand 10 amp D-cells, for New Ni-MH batteries $6.39 ea. (for a total price of $60.39 will require several charge for two 10amp packs) on and discharge cycles ( I www.batteryspace.com. I have not did 15) to settle down and used this brand yet so I cant give an work in a predictable opinion on their performance. manner. A bonus is that So, if you need to save weight they gain amperage with and want a smaller, narrower battery repeated use. pack, nickel metal hydride batteries I had my local hobby may be an option for you. shop make the packs with Jass with his first model ship. the standard battery back braided cord (which your Page 287 to pay for a large shade pavilion like Landing is right across the street and the one in Perry, Georgia. If the will be the site of our banquet. For money is not needed for that we will $19.00 you will have a choice of use the funds to pay for each ham, oven fried chicken or prime rib member’s banquet. with, mashed potatoes, vegetable LODGING: Super 8 Motel - medley, rolls, salad bar, pudding, $52.88 + tax per night if 2 people are fruit and drinks. staying in the room. The motel is RESTAURANTS: Most less than 1 mile from the lake. (616) restaurants will be in the actual town 527-2828 ask for the “Model of Ionia which is about 7 miles away Warship Combat Inc” block of from the motel. rooms when you call. Reservation # STORES: There is a large truck - 66740510. NOTE: Our block of stop next door to the motel open 24 rooms will be released to the public hrs, a Meijer (sort of like a WalMart From Your NATS on 5/26 so reserve early! but larger) 5 miles away and hobby Lakeside Resort Campground – stores in Grand Rapids and Lansing Site Host Stay right next to the battle site! $22 about 30 minutes away. by Luis Negron per night if we get 10 or more PAVILION: Due to popular see BOD list for Luis’ contact info battlers to stay. (616) 527 – 3216. request we have reserved a pavilion Spaces have water and electrical for the lake. Battlers will have to This year’s NATS will be hosted hookup. Showers on site. bring their own chairs and tables. by the Great Lakes Attack Squadron, AIRPORTS: Both Grand Looking forward to seeing all of based in Michigan, a state where the Rapids and Lansing have airports you this June! summer temperatures are a bit less you can fly into and both are about “intense” than in other years. 1/2 hour away from the lake. WHEN: June 19 – 24. Yep, its BANQUET: The Corner early this year. July is a VERY hectic month in that area, with zero hotel/campground space available. Parking and traffic congestion would also be issues. WHERE: Lakeside Resort Campground, 750 E. Grand River, Ionia Michigan 48846 (616) 527- 3216. LAKE: The campground’s lake will be our battling site. We will be using most of the west shore with a roughly 600’ by 200’ area of water cordoned off to keep any canoes or pedal boats a safe distance away. Only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake. Our section of beach will also have barriers to keep spectators a safe distance away, with safety glasses being issued to anyone coming within those barriers. All depths within the battle area do not exceed 8ft. COST: $120 if you sign up before 5/19, $135 if after. Yes there is a price increase this year. At this point there is a 60% chance that money will be used That Red Star to the left of Lansing is the 2005 Nats site. Stolen from GLAS website.

Page 288 at the left are supplied by a sideline, solenoids are stock inventory items

Clippard Cannons? which is dropped to 50-80 psi by an that do not require a special group (An alternative to KIP solenoids) additional small regulator (also sold order. Also, because these solenoids by Brian P. Koehler by Clippard). These were directly separate from their manifolds, they Submitted to TF144: connected to the low-pressure can be cleaned or replaced without February 11, 2005 “trigger” ports of the PAV’s using having to disconnect any CO2 small adaptors that were threaded on plumping. The only disadvantage I Being a cruiser both ends. The result was a small, have seen was that since I fire my captain, weight has compact unit that could fit even sterns individually, and hence need ALWAYS been a premium concern under the motors of the Ajax (see two solenoids, the result was only for all the components of my ships. Photo 2). slightly lighter than straight KIPs (a This was especially true when I was I have been very happy with the typical “dual” stern cruiser would rebuilding the HMS Ajax, one of the solenoids so far. I like that the save more weight). It did, at least, three Leander class light cruiser hulls originally built by Bart Purvis. I had (with great help from Charley Stephens) installed push buttons on my radio for cannon firing but was not totally satisfied with the response of the servos. I wanted to try using solenoids but was afraid the weight of the KIPS would be too much for such a small cruiser. That was when I noticed the system Figure 1 Rob Stalnaker was testing in his DKM Tirpitz using Clippard solenoids. These solenoids are small and light but can only tolerate 100 psi maximum pressure. To avoid having to fire the cannons at a lower pressure, he used these only as “triggers” for activating Clippard PAV’s (pressure-activated valves), which were connected directly to the 150 psi main CO2 line and were what actually fired the cannons (see the Figure 1). Using small double-threaded connectors and a few 90o elbows I was able to join two solenoid-PAV systems into a small, compact block (see Photo 1). The 150 psi main is the large tubing in the middle, which splits and supplies the two PAV’s in Photo 1 the center. The two black solenoids Page 289 allow me to spread the weight around the ship a little (the extra 100 psi regulator is in the front). For reference and comparison below is a table listing the components weights for the various cannon system options and also part numbers for the Clippard components. As you can see, the traditional servo/MAV combination is still the cheapest and lightest option (and probably the best recommendation for new captains). Also, I should note that standard servos with MAV poppet valves actually CAN be made to fire about as quickly as the solenoids if all the sources of “free play” and “flex” is removed (I later reworked Christopher’s USS Chester and am very pleased with the results). So to “sum it all up,” Photo 2 I don’t think old ships need to have all their cannons ripped out and How to set-up: start with the MAR-1 regulator open four cannon replaced with solenoids to be all the way (no pressure). The solenoids need 20 psi competitive, but if you are building a ship (2 side mounts and 1 minimum to operate, so when you fire the cannons, new ship and plan on using nothing should happen. Incrementally screw in the solenoids, it is good to know the dual stern). knob on the regulator while firing the cannons until details of both options. I have included the total weights for a you get a good rapid response from the solenoids sample cannon configuration of a (and then give a little extra turn for good measure). Weight Comparison Chart

Clippard Solenoids Servo/MAV-2 KIPS Part Weight Part Weight Part Weight RCE-200 RC card 4.2 g Servo 47.6 g RCE-200 RC card 4.2 g PAV-3 44.6 g MAV-2 32.4 g KIP solenoid 160.0 g 6V solenoid 49.9 g Manifold 13.6 g 100psi regulator 81.6 g Ex. Sample Configuration (dual sterns and 2 individual cannons) Clippard System (1 regulator, 3 RC cards, 3 solenoids, 4 PAV’s): 463.1 g KIP System (3 RC cards & 4 solenoids): 652.6 g Servo and MAVs (2 servos, 2 MAV-2’s, 1 MAV-3 and 2 PAVs): 281.6 g

Part Description Part # Clippard 6V compact solenoid ES-3W-6 Clippard manifold 26090-1 Clippard 100psi variable regulator MAR-1 Clippard PAV-2 PAV-2 Team Delta R/C switches RCE-200(A)

Page 290 Model Warship Combat, Inc. 2005 Nats Entry Form Each person attending the MWC Nationals MUST be a current member in good standing of the MWC as of May 15. The membership application is available on-line for downloading. No Nats fees will be accepted after June 10. In the space provided below, please list any alternative channels you can move to in order to ease frequency usage. Additional t-shirts are available. Please contact the Treasurer for more information at [email protected]. For Radio channels, please remember that as of 2005, Allies use even numbered channels, and Axis are to use odd. Captain: ______Address: ______City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______Fleet (circle): Allied Axis Shirt Size (circle): S M L XL XXL XXXL Primary Ship Name: ______Ship Class: ______Secondary Ship Name: ______Ship Class: ______Radio Channel: ______Alternative Channel(s): ______

Captain: ______Address: ______City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______Fleet (circle): Allied Axis Shirt Size (circle): S M L XL XXL XXXL Primary Ship Name: ______Ship Class: ______Secondary Ship Name: ______Ship Class: ______Radio Channel: ______Alternative Channel(s): ______

Entry fee (# Captains x $120) Please make checks payable to After May 10 (# Captains x $130): ______Model Warship Combat, Inc. Extra T-shirts ( ___ x $12): ______List Sizes:______Mail check and completed form to: Total Fee enclosed: ______Tim Krakowski 1479 Brookcliff Drive The banquet fee of $19 (tax and gratuity included) will be paid Marietta, GA. 30062 at Nats, DO NOT pay it now. If a currently planned Large Tent is not used, the banquet will then be NO EXTRA CHARGE.

Page 291 The President’s Column stewards of the club. provide this information. by Patrick Clarke Regarding membership, the one As I mentioned earlier, NATS is sure way to help our club is quite just around the corner and I am Howdy All. obvious and that is to increase our getting fired up about it. The Well its April membership numbers. Along this Michigan NATS organizers have put and a number of line there are a couple of known and a lot of work in preparing the site and Regional Battles proven methods to increase making sure we all have a great time. and NATS are membership, local meetings and Personally I am looking forward to just around the battles held on a regular basis. To the cooler temperatures they have corner. This is the time of year when add to this I would like to ask the been promising, but with that there boat workshops around the country membership to invite some former may be a reduction in the crazy hats I are actively finishing, refitting, or members to attend your next meeting have seen in the past, then again, tweaking a few bugs out of the or battle. Many times members fade maybe not. Either way it should be a MWC fleets for 2005. away due to a temporary busy point great time for all. If you have never The one thing you might notice in their life or to not enough local been, then I would encourage you to this year is that our fleets seem a activity. This absence is reinforced attend. Then you might understand little smaller. Well, they are. when they don’t hear from anyone some of the excited emails when Currently we have 72 paid members from within the club. As you may someone announces they will be able and while that number will grow a by know the MWC now has the one to attend this year, or the word Banzi few more before NATS, it is time membership (good for one at the end of an email with a dozen significantly down from several battle) to offer if a former member or more exclamation points years ago when we peaked at wants to participate at your next following it. Clearly, I can not fully approximately 120 members. This battle and the cost of this is deducted describe the experience in one has been a concern for the BOD and from their membership if they want paragraph, but if you like battling, we have put a good deal of effort into to return to active status. If you then what could be better than doing optimizing the clubs resources. The would like a list of former members it for an entire week!!!!!!!!! And I club finances are not in jeopardy, but in your area to contact, then get in didn’t even say BANZAI ! we want to insure we are being good touch with your MWC Board See you at NATS member, and they will be happy to TASK FORCE 144 1486 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul, MN 55118

“My Seamen are now what British seamen ought to be… almost invincible; they really mind shot no more than peas.” -Admiral Viscount Nelson, February 1794.

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