For those not in the MWC or Region3 mailing list, we are doing a roll call for those who will be there. Lee McKinzie - Mutsu Noah McKinzie - Espana Joshua McKinzie - Espana
Hey Tug, can we go with a flag identifier for this upcoming battle? It will make it a lot easier for the two boys coming down with me as they are true rookies.. I will have my hands full just keeping them settled down and learning how to drive without ramming, let alone having to worry about them pounding on a fellow captain...
I fully expect it to be flag/no-flag. No big deal, and to help the boys, I will make sure that we have some tape on-hand regardless of how the teams shake out.
We will be up there on Friday, does anybody have a workshop close by... maybe for a get-together on Friday night.... also can we get access to the pond either Friday evening or early in the morning Sat to speed test? I have a good tape measure..
We have used the foam pipe insulation on the bow of ships controlled by some of our younger members to help with the ramming issue. An idea maybe.
My goal was to have them practice on a pond nearby before their first battle, but I have lost building time due to having to change the Mutsu's firing configuration back to sidemounts... I will have just enough time to have the boats ready for the water by battle time.
Great fun! New guy David Winnette ran Stefan's I-boat and did very credibly until he tried to hunt cruisers with it.David Ranier and I gave him a long lesson Other new guy Jason from Florida (soon to be of Savannah, GA) came by and had great fun. Spudsy and Jeff Lipp (and 2 sons) came and did well, although Spuds was pulling his hair out running 3 boats. I'm sure as the boys learn more it'll get easier on him. Rick King and Don Coles came up (with David R) and Rick looked better than I've seen him in years. I think David R was tied for best looking boat on the water with his Mogami (Lee's Mutsu was a work of art, too). Brian was still running Baden, he got sunk once (I couldn't keep track of everyone who got wet feet, but Brian was like a pasty white beacon in the lake sans shirt with the sun on him). My Malaya had motor issues, the All-Electronics-sourced 550-sized motors where 12V, running at 12V and still didn't do crap for moving the boat. Maybe 32 seconds. So David R volunteered two Titans, which were geared way low, and when we put her in the water to test her, Malaya's speed was somewhere below 10sec/100'. Pulled the Titans and Malaya will get some motors after the battle weekend is over. Lil Scharnie came out and played and much fun was had. Some days (like today), I wonder why I run anything else. She'll get more action tomorrow and we hope to get in 5 sorties before lunch.
Update: For those who didn't know, Sunday morning I almost didn't make it back to the pond. I had real bad trouble with my spine and I couldn't even get out of the dam bed. Took some pain meds and was finally able to get up later and make to the pond. No battling, but was able to share time with club. Well, on the way home, I ended up in the emergency room someplace just north of Chattanooga, TN off of I-24. After passing Atlanta, my arms and hands started to get real painful if moved too much. Then a little latter up the road I lost all ability to hold or grasp anything with my hands. I had to drive the car to the next exit with the palms of my hands.(That was stupid, I should have stopped right there on the road). We made it to a hotel room and called my wife. Of course that meant a call to mother in law(Retired Nurse), which in turn meant I had to call 911 and go to the hospital. While there, my wife drove down with my Mother in Law and brought us back home. I still have a very bad issue with nerves and spine. Right now I can feel again but I can not grasp anything to open or close it, something like zipping up your own pants becomes a issue. I will be seeing a specialist in a day or so, and will post a report. Things should be fine. Worse case, a planned surgery for late in the year may have to be moved up some. (but not till after NATS) LOL. As for the battle...... The boys had a great time, and thus I did as well. I could not have for a better group of friends to make for a good weekend. Thanks for the help. I will post up a more detail report of things from our end later, tight now I need some more rest. Tug, still waiting for you to get Skype!
Actually, I was planning to download it today! It was too much fun talking with you and Jeff to not do it.
I had a great time this weekend. It was great seeing old friends like Rick & Don, and meeting people I'd only interacted with online such as Tugs & Misguided. I think Tugs & I will wind up best buds..... we share too much in common not to! I'll write up a "After Action Report" (AAR) for Baden in the build thread for the ship. I think that will be a good place to put it.
I had a great time guys. It was awesome. AS for the Baltimore hull, I have started some work to her, but not much as I don't have much supplies and need to get some before I can really start work on her. McSpuds, I hate to hear that, I hope you'll be good, keep us updated on your status.
Oh, I will be at NATS... Not too sure the boys will make it though, Josh has a possible baseball camp, plus neither boy is ready for week of pounding on ships and I am not going to run myself into the grave keeping them going when they are more interested in other things. Once they have a good year on their belt and can tend to their own ship for general things, then they will go..
