As we get in to the summer, we will write up the preliminary ROE, Rules of Engagement. These will cover speeds, emitters and receivers, receiver obstructions, etc. We will try to cover all possibilities, but of course there will always be some problems. We will also cover the actual Rules of Engagement as far as the combat competitions. Basically, the 'One Meter Rule' will be in effect, in other words try to stay at least one meter away from your opponent. Unintentional collisions can happen in the heat of combat, but any deliberate collision or contact, as happened to me at Danville back in '03. will generate a warning from the Battle Master. Second deliberate collision will result in removal from combat competitions at least for that day, and a driving instruction instruction course.

As for the speeds of some tanks built stock, all participants will have plenty of time to bring their tanks up to rules qualifications. I will publish a rough speed chart soon, taking posted tank speeds from several historical sights and averaging them out. Maximum allowed speeds will be for 'on road' speeds. My own tanks are generally set for 'off road' speeds, which is a max of 20 KPH or 12 MPH. We all know that most combat was off road, and regardless of how fast a tank will run up a paved road, off road you got to recon the AO and know what's there, and still one can't go bucketing across hill and dale at max speed without the danger of dumping your tank in to a ditch or hole somewhere.

There are many ways to slow a tank to prototypical speeds, some cheap, some not so cheap. However, with just about a full year to do this, I would think we can all pretty much get set up by June 2012.

And Jerry, the idea of the muzzle flash is to know when your opponent fires. You would be surprised at how this becomes ingrained in your mind as you get in to combat. In the back of your mind you immediately start counting when your opponent fires, and the 'reload time' gives you a few seconds to maneuver against him...that's assuming he doesn't have support with him. That's also another reason why the tank will have his battle system set to the norm, in other words a Tiger, KT, JT, or KV MUST be set at heavy with a 9 second reload.

Sev