News/Articles

May Battle Report

Members of the North Texas Battle Group and the Texas Naval Brigade gathered for our monthly battle at McInnish Park. Unfortunately, high winds and rough pond conditions made for difficult sailing.

Several ships hit the water, but were promptly swamped by the heavy seas. The DKM Admiral Scheer suffered the worst fate and sank without a float deploying. The next several hours were spent searching for and recovering recovering her.

So the day ended with the pond winning out over the axis and allies without a single shot being fired in anger. We look forward to seeing you next month!

April Battle Report

Beautiful weather and pond conditions allowed for a fun day at the pond during our April battle! A couple of the fast gunners of the Texas Naval Brigade, Chris and Brian, joined with the North Texas Battle Group to participate in a joint day of fast gun and big gun warship combat.

The day was primarily focused on shakedown cruises and sea trials to prepare many of the ships for our monthly battles ahead. Two new ships hit the water for sea trials, including Justin’s Deutschland pocket battleship and Fred’s Giulio Cesare! In total we had 7 warships hit the water throughout the day.
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March Build Session Report

Thanks to everyone who attended March’s build session. Lots of exciting things are happening! Mike N. demonstrated how to bend steel tubes for cannon barrels. Michele sailed his U-Boat. Justin’s 3D printed Deutschland pocket battleship was looked over and given the green light.

The tube-bending demonstration was recorded, so look for that video to be uploaded in the future!

November Build Session Report

With a couple of new members joining the ranks, the NTXBG hosted a build session at the Dallas Maker Space. Mike N, Mike D, Jerry, Justin, Fred, and Wes were in attendance working on a variety of projects.

Fred marked out the waterline and calculated his penetrable area for one of his new fiberglass hulls. Justin continued progress on his 3d printed Surcouf submarine, focusing on a 3d printed integrated canon design and drive belts. Mike N, Mike D, Jerry, and Wes worked on various projects including the new canister gun design and canon testing.

It was a highly productive get together with several visitors stopping by to ask questions and learn more. As with all good NTXBG events, we concluded with food, drink, and camaraderie – this time at a nearby pizza joint called Zoli’s.

2019 Annual Report

Ahoy and avast, Happy New Year Battlers!

As this year’s club CO, I look forward to a fun year with many battles. The other club officers will be selected at the club meeting this Saturday. Be there or you will be assigned a position!

Our next event is a club meeting at noon this Saturday, 12 Jan. We can discuss unbelievable new technologies, brag about our battles, tell fun stories, have a good lunch and enjoy the fellowship of our club members and guests. Everyone is invited, especially family members. Bring a guest if you want to.

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Convoy Escort

A lot has been said on the job of being a convoy escort in previous newsletters and in the various forums. But for all the strategy and positioning and such that goes into it and there is a lot, the single biggest part of protecting a convoy is keeping your warship with the convoy. With apologies to Admiral Nelson – “A escorting Captain can do no wrong who puts his ship alongside the convoy.” Since I’ve been the designated convoy escort more times than not, I though I’d impart some “wisdom” learned over the years.

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Electronic Firing Circuit

Most captains equip their ships to fire using mechanical poppet valves (Clippard SMAV-3) as pilots for their MPA-7 or MPA-5 actuators. Opening the pilot valve with a servo allows pressurized CO2 to reach the actuator, which in turn pushes open the main firing valve in the turret body, firing the gun. This is a simple method, tried and true. The mechanical/pneumatic operation is easy to understand, easy to troubleshoot, and very reliable. An example of this system is documented in Safe, Effective CO2 Delivery.

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