1999 IR/CWCC Nationals

		War Shots: 1999 IR/CWCC Nationals
		The 1999 IR/CWCC Nationals held at Lake Junaluska, NC, was, in general, a disaster for the Axis. Except for Friday's Fleet battle, the Axis didn't win a Fleet battle all week, including Night Battle! The only bright spot was Axis dominance of Convoy - they won both battles. You can read about Thursday at NATS and here are a few photos, mostly taken Bloody/Muddy Monday and Wednesday.

		The battle area stretched from the left of the photo to the bush that is under the large white building.The center of the photo is "The Point" that separated the battle area into two sections.
		Monday morning, and the SMS Hindenburg is prepared (or so I thought) for battle. Founder Jeff Poindexter's USS Texas sits just behind the Hindenburg.
		Founder D.W. Fluegel prepares the SMS Baden for launch Monday morning.
		Captains prepare their ships for Monday's first sortie.
		Reinforcements arrived Tuesday in the form of Tim Filemyr's SMS Derfflinger and Dan McGuffin's IJN Kongo. Tim's Derfflinger is shown here on the bench and passing in review.
		The two Derfflinger-class battlecruisers side by side. Everyone kept getting them mixed up though the tripod of the Hindenburg is very distinctive. A new AXXISS Technical Representative arrive on Tuesday to help tune up the ships as well. Kevin Bray's DKM Lutzow is suspended in the background.
		The arrival of reinforcements helped, but couldn't keep me and Ronnie Hunt in the HMS Invincible from tangling with each other, he protecting and me hunting the USS California Tuesday morning. This is what happens when you don't pay attention to where you're parked while trying to get "the shot" on an opponent. Trying to get that shot cost me almost 900 points in damage visible in this photo alone, though I survived with only 30 belows total.
		The "Most Feared Allied" winner Ronnie Hunt gabs with rookie Dan McGuffin. Ronnies' Invincible sits on the table.
		The Tuesday afternoon Convoy Battle was only 10 minutes old when Founder Stan Watkin's USS Washington ram-sank Chris Decker's Espagna about 30 yards from shore. After the convoy ships that were at sea made port, SAR (Search and Rescue) efforts were launched to find the small ship. The effort took twenty minutes but were eventually successful as shown here.
		Kevin Bray and Steve Pavlovsky (in the loud shirt) with Kevin's Lutzow at center stage. Kevin won Rookie of the Year.
		Cameron Moury and his USS California, one of the oldest hulls in the hobby. This was Cam's second year and second NATS with the "Cali." He is a member of the Rookie Allied Target Squadron.
		Cameron's father, Matt, working on his SMS Von der Tann, with the California in the foreground. After helping Cam outfit and battle the "Cali" last year, Matt told him "You're on your own, kid" and built the VDT.
		"Big RAT" Larry Ricci sits behind Founder Stan Watkin's USS Washington. The Washington won Best of Scale again this year.
		In addition to his SMS Derfflinger, Tim brought along his DKM Lutzow for convoy duty. With the success of the "Derfflinger Duo," however, Tim never did battle this ship in fleet combat.
		Wednesday was the day for one-on-one's and small challenge battles. Here Tim Filemyer's Derfflinger and Cameron Moury's California fight it out.
		Another challenge was fought between Chris Decker's Espagna and Paul "DOC" Broring's Viribus Unitis "Bacon Maker."
		As Allied Supreme Commander for most of the week, Doc ran the USS Michigan in battle.
		While I'm on the subject of Allied ships, here are the two cruisers run by Adam and Matt Thibault.
		Steve Andrew's Viribus Unitis painted and ready for Wednesday's Night Battle. Why the odd colors? Ronnie Hunt had just painted his HMS Invincible the same colors and Steve was hoping to cause a little confusion. Marty Hayes' VU is in the background. The less said about night battle the better.
		Chris Decker was originally going to fight his IJN Yamato but persistant electrical fires, er, problems dictated another use for the hull. Here is the Yamato following an overnight conversion to the IJN Shinano prior to Thurday's Convoy battle. Unfortunately, the problems persisted and the ship never saw battle until it was set out as a stationary target Friday afternoon.
		The SMS Hindenburg aligns her stern sidemount (C Turret) for a shot at the sickly USS Maryland during the "Friday Slaughter." A great victory for the Axis, it nevertheless was too little to overcome "Black Monday." One question though, if I'm controlling the Hindenburg, where did I get this picture??
		By Thursday Herr Fluegel's Baden was looking a little worse for wear. The anchors had been torn off in a collision with the USS Texas and the anchor chains shot away during its numerous engagements.
		Orrill Ferguson with the Axis Spirit Award on Friday.
		This page © Copyright 1999, Thomas L. Tanner, Jr. unless otherwise noted.

War Shots: 1999 IR/CWCC Nationals