Hello from New Hampshire!

I've been interested in model warship combat for a long time. I've done all kinds of other hobbies--RC car racing, building robots for Battle Bots, paintball, modeling, etc. I'm also a sculptor and have worked in an art foundry for about 10 years as a specialist in lost wax bronze casting.

So R/C warship combat combines a lot of things that I've done. I'm extremely interested in the 1/72 scale. I'm planning to build an IJN Shimakaze and possibly an IJN Fubuki. I'd like to start a group in my area.

Looking forward to chatting with you guys.

Bryan

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Hi Bryan,

The closest battles to you are in 1/144 scale with the IRCWCC. Where in NH are you located? The hobby is pretty small and spread out, there are usually battles in upstate NY just south of Albany once or twice a year. There have been a few people interested from MA recently

 

Oh yeah, I'm definitely not opposed to 1/144 scale. I'm from Dover. It's in the seacoast area about an hour from Boston. Albany is about a 4 hour drive from me, so not out of the question for once or twice a year. I'd definitely be up for something in MA. Once I get something built I'll see if I can drum up some interest in the area.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Since you mentioned the Fubuki; here's a photo of a recently refit IJN Aoba in 1/72 scale (before and after). Comes in around 8 feet. This ship was broken in half during transit from Washington to California. It was riding in the back of a trailer and the friend that brought it down to me didn't realize it needed to be tied down. It has yet to have guns installed, but arming the ship will take place in the next couple months. The ship in the background is the USS Louisville that I recently finished rebuilding and she is fully ready for combat! Not sure who originally built the Aoba, but the Louisville was built and fought by Mike Harter of the Queens' own group in Washington.

 

I think the only 1/72 group is in Washington State.

 

The group in Washington and Oregon still plays once a year around May/June. They also do a lot of scale regattas around the Portland Area. We also have a small group we've been helping in Australia. Sorry, a bit off topic for our hello/welcome to a new combat member.

 

I've been drooling over the Aoba on the Pacific Model Warship Club website--it's really nice to see her getting restored. Do you have any pictures of her refitted interior?

It's ok with me to get a little off topic since I'm interested in the 1/72 scale--it's good to know if people are active. The club I'll be putting together will be a North Eastern group using the rule set & ship list from the Pacific Model Warship Club, which Gary kindly agreed to let me use. While I have a few people interested, I think it will take a few years to get something bigger going.

I'll shortly be posting my first build thread (IJN Type D Escort).