Johnathan,

Do keep in mind that, while there are Civil War naval combat guys out there (or, as those on the South refer to ti, the War of Northern Agression) , the pickings are pretty slim - few and far between. One of our guys has a copyu of the Civil War Combat rules that are used by some.

The most common (last count about 500 worldwide) is 1/144 1900-1946 era (most people like battleships, and this keeps them in the 3'6' range and mostly under 50lbs). There is also more materials/hulls availability in this scale and, curently 4-4 major formats (Big Gun, Treaty, and Small/Fast Gun which is further subdivided into IRXWCC and MWC). One of the founders of the NTXBG (Big Gun), JM has recently moved to MN.

If you are curious, there is a copy of the Servo Magazine article which discusses the various formats and acts as an introduction to the hobby on the NTXBG site in the In the News section. Sadly, Treaty came about after the article, so it is not mentioned.

Also, keep in mind that you are welcome to come to the North American Big Gun Open (NABGO) this summer, where you can usually see ships and hang out in the shipyard with the captains frequently from as far away as Maryland and Californai (ad representatives from both states last year), even if you do not have a ship yourself (we have a few transports that can be run, for instance). Info is at[link=http://nabgo.org]nabgo.org[/link] The sign-up forms should be available in the next few days - but the last year's schedule and sign-up form are there as an example.

It is a fun time. Last year, one captain brought a hull with the penetration windows cut and a bunch of parts. In 3 days, he was battling her, and won several awards with her. A couple of years back we ad a ship sink outside port, only to resurface in port (no, not a sub, though it did fully submerge and rise 5 times - every time the firing servo glitched and shot CO2 through it).

A captain from the East Coast broke the pond, club, and NABGO record all at once for cargo runs, getting in 67 cargo runs.

Las year, we had a French BB chasing down (and actually running over) a French destroyer, which actually survived the encounter! No, ramming is NOT allowed, but, if you turn in front of a BB by mistake, it is not their fault.

Good luck, and welcome to the obsession.

Oh, and as for clubs, NAMBA (the North American Model Boat Association) is what most combat guys join (for the insurance etc.), as well as a local club, and the NTXBG is actually a member club as well. Oh, and NABGO is a sanctioned event....

Cheers,

Wreno