thecommander

Hi Guys,

The AAF Tank Museum Annual Tank Extravaganza will be at the end of this month (April 29th thru May 1st) in Danville, Virginia. This is the first installment in a series of posts to familiarize you with the event and what it has to offer you. We will be listing some great reasons here on RCU why you should attend for 2011. I know that many RCU memebers from California, Canada, Florida, Michigan and the NYC metro area have already committed to attending this years event. As many of already know I run the NEAD RC Tank club on Yahoo. My tankng buddy Dana, runs the HEAT Armor club based in the Carolinas. The NEAD and HEAT clubs will jointly run the three day event at the museum and we are extending an open invitaiton to all RC tankers. Whether you own a 1/16 IR tank or not. All you need to do is have an interest in tanks or RC to join us at this truely unique event. Both clubs are commited to bringing you a professional action packed RC tank event. The Gasser Family, the Museum Staff and many volunteers are equally commited to bringing you the full size, 1 to 1 ratio, fun on a scale that must be seen in-person to be fully appreciated. We are expecting over 75 RC tanks and 30 RC tankers for this event. You will see a wide variety of custom and one of a kinds tanks that many of my fellow Danvile vets rarely post photos of. The work-benches will be loaded to the gills will all manner of RC models. Just to walk around and see the handy-work of famed builders like Dary Turner and Willy Loewer and talk shop with them, will make your day. There will be dozens of coordinated tank battles and many Ad Hoc skirmishes to keep you busy from early morning until late evening.

So here is the first of many reasons why you should attend the Tank Extravaganza this year..... **Reason # 1 This is a three day event that will afford you every opportunity to drive, test & battle your RC tank until your heart is content. **[/size]

Here is a link to the museums military extravaganza webpage: http://www.aaftankmuseum.com/Extravaganza.htm

Here is a link from the visitors bureau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh7hC..._order&list=UL

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about this event. Even if you cannot attend this year. If I cannot answer your question, I will hunt down someone who can! Thank you for your time, Bob Held NEAD CO\


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62UJUdcevYI

thecommander

Wow...124 reads.

Not too bad.

Now lets get some replies going here guys. Don't be afraid. I hope to keep this thread going until the first day of the event. For those intrepid tankers who will make this event, please sound off here as to who you are, where you are, how you are travelling, whatever questions you may have, what you are going to bring there. what kind of battles you would like to see (Have you ever tried tank football???). All questions are welcome here.

Reason #2

The RC Battlefield is all indoors. You are protected from the sun, wind and rain. IR shots here can range 100+ feet. We can also control the lighting, smoke machines and sound effects.

Buckeye36

My Feedback: (3)

When will you post the tank speed charts?

thecommander

Hi Jim,
I spoke with Doug a few days ago. He said that the HEAT guys have the chart and I will ask them to post it here. Thanks for the reminder. I'll send out a PM tonight. Bob

PS I tried to past the chart on this post but I cannot. It is "not supported".
Thanks for the link Dana. I knew you would know exactly where it was. OK guys, just go to the "rules of engagement" section and the chart is listed there. http://www.rcacn.org/

Dana Lowell

The scale speed chart has not really changed in eight years. You can still find it here under Rules of Engagement. www.rcacn.org/

Tamiya stock out-of-box speeds are excepted for fun runs such as this one.

And if there is a major issue with a tank going a little too fast, then a one-event waiver is sometimes granted.

However, if a heavy tank is obviously running like a "hotrod", then guys are available to help you with either trim advice on a digital radio or manual "stops" to insert around your throttle joystick.

But over the last three years there have been very few issues with tank speeds at Danville.

Please bring what ya' got and have fun!

See you there.
Dana Lowell
CO of H*E*A*T
www.heatarmor.com

Buckeye36

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks!

YHR

Well I am really looking forward to being there. Seems like it will be an opportunity to put faces to a lot of online handles I have come to know over the years here on RCU. Maybe that is reason three. It will be fun to be immersed for three days in something like this. My bride is staying home so this will be a totally self indulgent trip for me.!!!!!!! For me I don't even know what questions to ask of you guys. The AAF siad they trust me with the registration fee once I get down there. I have one tank running a 2.4 ghz radio, and I have a large selction of HL crystals for the other one. I have some Tamiya compatible TBU's built from stock HL sensors to try out, and I will be bring along a TBU just to make sure I have something everyone is familiar with. I will be bringing down some conical mirrors, if anyone wants to try them in a TBU. Issue I have is a can't get a nice of mirrored finished as good as Tamiya has. So these will not offer any 45 degree defense, but they might not be as sensitive either, meaning people will need to move in closer to record hits, so a little bit of a trade off.

I am only bringing down two tanks, as shipping is prohibitive. I think I will either leave these behind at my sisters for the next time or try and sell them so I don't need to ship them back.

I am following along and am grateful for whatever you can share. A map of the battle ground would be appreciated if one exists.

Dan

Chow_Hound

I am coming! Got my reservations made two months ago.
My current line up is, (in order of built):
1. King Tiger 333
2. Tiger I 231
3. T-34/85
4. Pershing
5. Sherman
6. Panther G 301
7. T-55a

I think I am more than ready.
I am so itching to get to it!
OORAH!!!

thecommander

Hi Dan,

The Danville battlefield is very dynamic. It changes for almost each battle-weekend. The HEAT guys and Doug shoulder almost every ounce of the dirty, hands on. work that gets done there. The rest of us are too far away. It is 535 miles for me so I contribute funds and some static models. I have some fresh video I just went thru so I'll see if I can post it for you. Doug just finished running the RR tracks across the rest of the field so I don't even know myself exactly what it loooks like right now. I'll see what I can muster up.

Bob

thecommander

Well....... If you are bringing the T-55 I'm going to bring my Leopard. Even without the gun stabilizer system I'm sure I can blow the turret off that Russian refugee from the scrapyards.


PS I'll make sure you "get it"!

Chow_Hound

OH YEAH!?! SAYS YOU!! LOL

TheBennyB

Reason #3:  After hours pool party at the comfort inn with a cooler of beer talking about the days kills!!
I'm planning on gettting into town around 12:30 thurs night and staying till 3pm on sunday.

Motor pool:
Late steel wheeled Panther G
Initial Tiger 1
PZ III Ausf N.
Easy 8
KV-1E
Late Jagdtiger
Elefant
Su-76i
and if time permits me to finish....IS-2!

Ex_Pat_Tanker

Cooler full of beer? Where do I sign...?

thecommander

Sounds like a GREAT reason Brett. Thanks for your contribution to the cause. I'll have to jump right to reason #4 instead. The beer and BS sessions are great. We have a fine time outside of the museum and it is not uncommon for us to be up unitl 2 or 3 AM. Time flies when you are having fun....

Reason # 4: The AAF Tank Museum has the largest retail store of Tamiya tank parts in the USA and has thousands of OEM parts (from new 1/16 kits to TBS units & accessories) that are availabe to you at the battlefield.

Futaba radios & accessories, high capacity 7.2 battery packs, upgrades and way too many model kits and military collectables fill the shelves of the Museums PX. Karen & Tasha go above and beyond to be sure your RC tank needs are well met. Bring your wish lists and they will try their best to accomodate your requests.

Additionally, most RC tankers bring many of their spare parts, unused pieces, radios systems and whole tanks and custom builds to buy, sell and trade. That is where I bought my first Tamiya tank many years ago. My daughter Krista runs the Tiger now and it is a least 10 years old and has had 6 owners. Doug had a full table of parts for sale including Sherman parts trees NIP, new gearboxes, used Futaba radios, crystal sets, chargers, Profline, Impact and ETO parts etc... There are always some great deals there. And some freebees too.......

thecommander

We usually taste the grape at the hotel or a local restaurant. BYOB is fun by the pool and in our suites.

Bob

PS The first few photos will come into focus after two beers. Or at least thats what Willy tells me. Then again, what do I know about the effects of alcohol???

Chow_Hound

Well Bob,
My T-55a has a big brother that will give your Leo a black eye!

Seriously. I've stood by the T-55 at the museum and marveled at its size. I know it's not to big but now sitting next to my Tiger I can more appreciate the Tiger's size.

thecommander

Reason number 5..... The AAF Tank Museum is one of the largest collections of armor and mitlitary history in the USA. Is is open ot the public and is well preserved indoors. The Tank and Military Extravaganza is the largest event of this type in the USA. There are 115 armor pieces and thousands of other artifacts and many "one of a kind" items. Acess to the musuem the live demonstrations and the RC tank battlefield are all included for the RC tankers.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Tank events of this caliber are disappearing fast. This is a rare opportunity and should not be missed. Cut-backs are everywhere and the Gasser Family pulls out all the stops to make this the best event possible. IF this event is ever discontinued, you will really regret having missed opportunity to experience Danville for yourself.

Bob Held, NEAD CO

Panther G

Starting to look like i'm going to need a ride. my son goes on his senior class trip the following week end and wont be able to get off work 2 week ends in a row.
I'm going to see if my brother will go but after that I am not sure what to do.

thecommander

Don't worry Gregg,

Whether I take the truck or the RV, I will have room for you. I Just don't know where we will put all the tanks. May be we'll take a trailer too.
Bob

whiteknight1066

Oh, so wish Iwas going! Maybe next year.

Andrew

thecommander

Hi Andrew,

I'm sorry you can't make it this year. I'm sure we will have an event in Rockland County, NY this spring. How is that M4 coming?

OK Guys,
I know that Andrew (a fellow NEAD member) has a significant family obligation this weekend. As for the rest of you guys please avoid postponing the trip to Danville with a "Maybe next year" if you can. It does take a commitment to make it to this event, but it is well worth the trip. There are several groups coming from all over the USA and Canada to this Extravaganza. RCU is a great venue for you all to communicate. Perhaps some tankers can travel together pooling the driving and travel costs. Hotels here in this area of VA are very inexpensive. I can stay in a clean mom and pop motel for as low as $45 a night. The host hotels that Karen has scouted are in the $60 to $80 range. All are less that 5 minutes from the Museum. The gas in this part of VA is some of the lowest in the US and almost as low as mine in NJ. If you have anything to buy, sell or trade, feel free to bring it down. Your sale may finance your whole trip. I've had several trips where I returned home with more money than I left with. Much to the joy of my wife..... The deals here will knock your socks off. I bought a like new Futaba 4YF radio system for $35 in March.

Bob

thecommander

Reason # 6

The AAF Tank Museum is located in a area of the US that is blessed with military and historical sites and sights. This area is heavily laden with Civil War history.. Antetam, Manassas, Appomatox Courthouse and more. Bedford, VA is only an hour north on RT 29 from Danville is is the location of the National D-Day Memorial. If you come down from the NE you have the Aberdeen Proving Ground & Ordnance Museum in MD. Washington DC is loaded with attractions so I won't even mention the endless possibilities there. Coming from directly north via Rt 81 and you have the US Army Heritage Center at Carlisle PA and you are very near Gettysburg too. From the southwest you have the Patton Museum of Armor at Fort Knox KY. I could go on and on. If anyone else has any other way-points and destinations please add them to this post. Any one of these can enrich your trip to Danville.


http://www.dday.org/

http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/15330

http://www.carlisle.army.mil/ahec/index.cfm#nogo

http://www.generalpatton.org/visit/visit.asp

http://www.virginia.org/site/feature...FUxo5QodUTsVdg

http://www.dpchamber.org/

strong622

I noticed the picture of the three guys with beer and pretzels, that must be the German crew. LOL

whiteknight1066

MAn, I wish I could make it this year!  I can't wait to try out my tanks battling with you all   Maybe next year, good Lord willin' and the leve don't break...

Have a great time!

Andrew

thecommander

That's Bill Gasser, Willy Loewer and yours truely. Three sauer Krauts. You can always tell a German....you just can't tell him much!

We always find time to relax and have fun. It is like a Kindergarten for adults. But the toys are a little bigger and more expensive.

PS And we LIKE to share.