We are getting the boats ready for a display on Feb 12th. I am planning to try to add some more detail to all four ships in the next couple of weeks. Mikey
Nikki The Bismarck used to belong to Bobo. He built it over the winter of 2008-2009 (I think). It was brand new at the 2009 conference in Ravenna. It is actually a model of the Tirpitz. And I will call it Tirpitz if I run if outside of the Denmark Straits battles. If I ever run it in the Denmark Straits battles, I will call it the Bismarck. But as long as Roland can attend with his Bismarck, then mine won't be needed during Denmark Straits. The Hood and Prince of Wales are the same age. Phil built the POW at the same time that I was building the Hood. Winter of 2008-2009. We built them just for the Denmark Straits events. The Prinz Eugen is the newest of the four. I built her last winter just to make sure that we would actually have all four ships for our Denmark Straits events. There are two other Hippers being built down in Ky. But we have not seen either of them on the water yet. Our first Denmark Straits battle in 2009 had Roland running his Bismarck. Phil running his new POW. I was running my new Hood. The Prinz Eugen was not there. So we had to substitute Josh's pocket-battleship. We did the Straits battle in between the sorties of the rest of the group. But after three or four sorties and nobody sinking, we called it a draw, so that we could battle with the others. It was very cool. But not as cool as having all four of the actual models on the water for the re-enactment. It was the first time I had ever seen a Hood, POW, and Bismarck on the water at one time. So I built the Prinz Eugen last winter. Just in case. And at the Straits battle this past year, we finally got all four ships on the water. Another first for me. Bismarck, Prinz Eugen, Prince of Wales, and the Mighty Hood. It was very cool. I was not able to get the Prinz ready for the first day of the event. And she was still not ready when I arrived on the second day. So I sat out a battle, and got her ready. When I finally did get her ready, some of the folks had not arrived yet, and so we were short-handed, and didn't have anyone to run the fourth ship. Tom was there, but was too busy working, and Vance decided to come out later with the girls. None of us wanted to wait any more, as the anticipation was too great. Luckily, Buddy had dropped in from over Newark way to hang out with us. And he hadn't brought his own ship. So we offered to let him run either the Hood, or the Prinz Eugen. The Prinz Eugen being so new that she had only just been on the water for a very short sea trials. None of her systems had ever worked before. So Buddy decided to run the Hood. And I ran the Prinz Eugen. Roland ran his Bismarck. And Phil ran the Prince of Wales. As it turned out. Roland forgot to turn on his pump at the beginning of the second sortie. And he was sinking fast. The British allowed him to turn on his pump, so that we could continue the sortie. But that was that. So in 2010, the British got the win. I wrote up a battle report for the last two years. They are in the Treaty section. I am looking forward to this year's battle. I am hoping to be able to run the Hood. But I could run the cruiser if I need to. Mikey
I was wrong. My write-up for the Straits battles in not in the Treaty section. It is on page two here in the photos section. Mikey
Mikey, Like i told you over the phone, Plz don't like A rookie take any of the ships out in that battle.. it to important of a battle, and A rookie wouldn't know how to handle them!!! I'm Not trying to sound mean, but battle has to much histroy behind it! Nikki
All you need now is a HMS Rodney, and you'll have the complete set of heavys. Now, who do I know owns a Rodney.... )
Darren I just checked out your fleet. I love your paint scheme on the Rodney. I had a Rodney that I picked up from a guy. But I ended up selling it to someone. The last time I went to a big-gun battle, there was a Rodney out on the water that was pretty much dominating the pond. They are slow. But they are powerful. Sweet. Mikey
Nikki I know where you are coming from on that. So far all of the Straits battles have been all-veteran captains. And perhaps it will stay that way for the annual battles. But we can always have an all-rookie battle as well. Not only would that be very interesting. But great fun also. It also helps that I have never been very good at battling a ship. Although I am getting the" getting sunk" part down pretty well after all of these years. Mikey
Mikey, i only said that. cause the battle was Important battle with a lot of History behind it!! you know what we need to do is try and re-do big boys last fight, when it was just him!! that would be fun to do also! let me know what you thing ok! Nikki
That would be interesting indeed. And although the Bismarck would perhaps still get sunk. He might also be able to win, if he can sink one of the battleships, and one of the cruisers. The question would be.. Would the Bismarck be limited to minimal speed, and no rudder control? Mikey
