RATS Sweep the Pond at Jutland Anniversary Battle

The RATS, in force, dominate the pond at Steve Pavlovski1s Jutland Anniversary Battle in Maryland. May 31, was the debut of the RATS in force. On this day, fittingly the anniversary of that great battle past, David Ricci, Cam Moury, Larry Ricci and master builder Matt Moury drew a line in the pond scum and dared the Axis to cross.

The Axis waled away, but the RATS never failed the day! Scraping by with only a narrow victory, the Axis fleet, plagued by sinks and near sinks and riddled by bb1s, managed only to save a margin of dignity as they ineffectually chased RATs on five. This day, the brave RAT fleet, still untrained and united only by purity of heart and stolen Axis technology, held out against the fearsome combination of Will 'most feared' Montgomery, Tom 'the turkey' Tanner and Steve 'the Chicken' Pavlovksky, and the crafty and well equipped Axis rookie David Lawrence. Marking their loss by only a few points, no RAT wet his feet to save a sinking ship.

The RAT ships were in good shape. Cam Moury's California made its ircwcc debut today and commended itself well. Cam proved he has been studying ircwcc theory well because he provided what must be one of the best Rookie outings ever. Deftly maneuvering his California, Cam dispensed an generous portion bb1s into the below deck region of David Lawrence's Kongo. And when chased by deadly Axis battlecrusiers, he proved he was one hard RAT to back into a corner.

David Ricci proved himself in control of his powerful North Carolina. Deftly swinging in and out between Axis ships, David showed that he was ready not only to shoot and scoot, but to play sidemount games with any Axis battlecrusier that wants to tangle with a NC that spins like a top and has pumps that won1t stop. This young rookie, fresh out of a training program based on Nintendo 64, demonstrated he will be a force on the water during NATS 98.

The old man, Commandant RAT Larry Ricci, finally left the shipyard and took command of the Invincible Class HMS Sir Sinksalot (named by the last captain). But this time, with the builder in control, there was to be no sink. Even when the ship threw a prop and started limping around the pond chased by none other than Tom "that's one speedy dirtflinger" Tanner and Will "Most Feared" Montgomery the I boat taunted the Axis by staying on the water, not for five, but for fully ten minutes. (Hint- when trying to out turn a BM in an I boat missing a prop, turn towards the missing prop!!)

Will gave everyone there quite a lesson in making a little ship speak big. We were all impressed by his deliberate, calculating battle style optimizing every feature of the pond. The Allies had better mark well any squadron of BM they see at NATS if they are captained as Will captains them.

Thanks to Steve for hosting a splendid event, and special thanks to his Inlaws for making their farm pond available. And to all lukers and Internet browsers, a special welcome. The RATS are real; join the fun!