History of the Australian Battle Group
USS Indiana deals Fuso Maru a fatal blow during the Last man Standing battle at
the AusBG 2001 National Meet in Newcastle, NSW
| 1987 | Bill Kirwan sees an article about Radio Controlled Warship Combat in the US Boat and Ship Modeller magazine. Bill sends away for a catalogue and video, but gets nothing back |
| 1995 | Bill tries again and this time receives a catalogue and video. Bill makes contact with John C White who answers questions about Big Gun Warship |
| 1995 October | Bill orders a complete Deutschland kit from Swampworks (duty and
freight doubling the cost) and commences building.
A phone call from Randy Kerr from the USA offers help, and a new Big Gun video. Armed with video, handouts, and partly completed ship Bill sets out for the Blue Mountains to set up a stand at the Task Force 72 Regatta. Surrounded by beautifully crafted scale models, Bill hands out leaflets, answers enquiries. Most just shake their heads in disbelief. |
| 1995 November | Phil Sensibaugh writes to Bill offering help, cannon and advice. Bill is delighted, first JC, then Randy and now Phil offering encouragement and assistance, even if it is from a great distance |
| Bill is faced with the problems of the Australian gun laws which
are much tougher than US laws. With no precedent in the country Bill
sets about getting the canon approved in every state and territory.
Using the US experience as a guide Bill sets about creating a national
body (AusBG) that would have all the approvals/exemptions at a national
level, one set of rules, and national insurance.
Over the next two years Bill manages to get approvals for the canon in the ACT, and by having a WWW presence manages to attract a small group of converts. |
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| 1997 November | The first meeting of the now Austrailan Battle Group. The meeting was held in Sydney at Mark Nettle's house. At the meeting were Mark, Richard Lane, Glendon Pryor, Trevor Gotte and Bill. Of these Glendon, Trevor and of-course Bill are still active members. |
| 1998 January | A meeting is held in Canberra (Bill's house) and the numbers had
grown from the original 5 to include Tony Collins from Melbourne,
Brett Farquahson and Grant. Scott Betteridge from Queensland does
not attend the first meeting as distance and time prevents it.
The meeting ratifies the first rule set, elected office bearers and had the first sailing day, with Bill's Deutschland having pride of place as the only working armed ship. Trevor sails the transport Turboslug and the yet to be finished Scharnhorst. All the other ships exisited as bits and pieces.
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| 1999 January | 1st National battle and AGM. | Five armed warships and 14 freighters taking part. |
| 1999 September | Newcastle Battle Squadron formed, with three members. Glendon Pryor, Mark Raisbeck and Scott Darcy |
| 1999 November | Phil Sensibaugh from the US visits the Canberra Battle Group |
| 2000 January | 2nd National Battle and AGM| Australia Day Long Weekend Bowning NSW |
| 2000 June | 1st Mid-Year National Battle - Queens Birthday Long Weekend - Bowning NSW |
| 2001 January | 3rd National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Bowning NSW |
| 2001 June | National Battle and Special General Meeting Queens Birthday Long Weekend Newcastle NSW |
| 2001 October | October Long Weekend Battle Bowning, NSW. ABC TV's "On the move" program attended to record a segment for the show |
| 2002 January | 4th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Armidale NSW |
| 2002 June | National Battle and Special General Meeting Queens Birthday Long Weekend |
| 2002 October | October Long Weekend Battle Bowning, NSW |
| 2003 January | 5th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Meeting moved from Canberra to Newcastle due to extensive Bushfires in Canberra |
| 2003 June | National Battle and Special General Meeting Queens Birthday Long Weekend Canberra, ACT |
| 2004 January | 6th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Armidale, NSW |
| 2004 June | National Battle and Special General Meeting Queens Birthday Long Weekend Canberra, ACT |
| 2005 January | 7th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Canberra, ACT |
| 2005 June | National Battle and Special General Meeting |
| 2005 October | October Long Weekend Battle Canberra, ACT |
| 2006 January | 8th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Canberra, ACT |
| 2006 June | National Metting in Armidale cancelled due to weather |
| 2007 January | 9th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Newcastle, NSW |
| 2007 June | National Meeting in Sydney cancelled due to floods over much of NSW |
| 2008 January | 10th National Battle and AGM Australia Day Long Weekend Bowning, NSW |