After years of reading about it in the Report, and a few solo visits by members, SubRon5 made its first in-force visit to SubRegatta ’06 in Carmel, Indiana. While several of the crew had to drop out at the last minute, four of us managed to make it: Gail Phillips, Tom Kisler, Jeff Porteous and myself. As last issue’s coverage clearly showed, there were close to 100 r/c submarines on display -- a modeler's paradise. But the real thrill was getting to meet fellow members who I've talked to, exchanged emails with, or read about in the Report. They were great guys to a man.

We had seven boats on display and hung our banner with pride. I took both of my 1/96 scale SSNs -- there just wasn't room in Gail’s van for my Disney Nautilus. Besides, I figured there'd be several other Nautilus examples to look at. But to my surprise there were none. A good reason to get busy and have mine finished for next year!

To our great surprise, we also did some damage in the competitions: first and second in R/C Navigation, and second in Photography. One of Tom’s photo entries was so good they created a special award for him: “Most Humorous.”

It's interesting -- the more I see the work of really skilled modelers like the stuff on display at Carmel, the more "freed up" I get to go in the garage and start bashing some stuff together to see what I can create. Hats off to SubRon6 and the Indy Admirals for the incredible show they put together. The venue, the hotel, everything was first rate. We had a great time and came home inspired to build!

Respectfully,
P. H. Crozier