Chapter Three - Armament

Cannons

1. Number and Placement
   1. The number of cannons allowed are the same as on the real ship. However, not all need to be installed.
   2. The The Technical officers may approve waivers to scale gun placement to allow guns to fit into a particular ship provided:
      1. The cannon is placed as close as possible to the scale location
         1. A waiver should always be given if the cannon could not be placed correctly in the model because of rules requirements obstructed their placement then the cannons may be moved to the nearest possible position. This exception does not apply to space concerns not directly caused by these rules.
      2. There must be no significant tactical advantage to the alternate location
         1. Increasing overall magazine size beyond what is achievable at the correct scale location is disallowed as an unfair advantage.
      3. If the barrel height is higher than the scale height then the barrel's depression, if any, must be decreased by the same amount. For example, if the barrels are 3/8" higher than scale so the shots can clear the bow then the barrels must also be 3/8" above the deck when fully depressed.
      4. A waiver is not needed if the cannon's placement is within +/-5% of the correct scale location (measured to center of rotation for turret). This allows for honest building mistakes.
   3. Cannons and torpedo tubes of a single battery shall not have converging barrels that allow the balls fired to strike at the same point at any given distance.
   4. Performance and operating parameters of guns and torpedoes is covered in this chapter under Weapons Testing Procedure and Operating Parameters.
   5. The minimum spacing between barrels shall be 0.5 inch center-to-center
2. Barrels
   1. The length of barrels must be the same as on the real ship within 5%. Barrel length is measured from the end of the barrel to the face of the correctly scaled turret cover.
   2. Gun barrels may not elevate higher than horizontal, which is defined as parallel with the waters surface, at any point in the arc of rotation.
   3. Weapon caliber’s shall be the same as on the real ship to the scale size defined here:

      Caliber on Real Ship (metric)	Caliber on Scale Model
      3" to 6.9" (76.0mm to 179mm)	0.177 inches
      7" to 10.9" (180mm to 279mm)	3/16 inches
      11" to 14.9" (280mm to 379mm)	7/32 inches
      15"+ (380mm +)	1/4 inches

   4. Gun Rotation
      1. Only ships that had rotating guns may have rotating guns and these guns shall be in the same position as on the real ship.
   5. Operating Parameters
      1. Maximum operating pressure shall not exceed 140 psig, but may be required to operate at below 140 psig to meet the penetration requirements defined herein.
      2. Only CO2 or compressed air may be used as a propellant.
      3. Maximum penetration shall not exceed that described in this section.
   6. Weapon Testing
      1. Maximum weapons system pressure is 140 psi. However, system pressure must be reduced as required to prevent shot from exceeding these penetration test requirements.
      2. When testing a particular cannon, use only the propellant that the cannon is designed for.
      3. Test weapons by firing into DOW Styrofoam, Square Edge Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, 2 inches thick. Do not substitute 2 layers of 1" thick material.
      4. Firing into 2" thick FOAM test material:
         1. Secure the foam solidly, 12" from the muzzle of the cannon’s barrels. If need be, build a frame for the foam and anchor it solidly, or strap it against a stable object such as a desk, and fire into area of the foam that has no support directly behind it.
         2. If ANY rounds go through the foam, adjust the system pressure down and re-test. Repeat this process until no rounds pass through the foam.



Torpedoes

1. Torpedoes are simulated using cannons in place of torpedo tubes.
   1. All restrictions applicable to cannons also apply to cannons simulating torpedoes.
   2. Only ships that had torpedoes may be so armed.
   3. The maximum number of torpedoes on any ship shall not exceed the number of tubes on the real ship.
   4. Torpedo tubes must be angled down to limit their range to 4 feet.
2. All torpedo tubes are simulated by 1/4 inch or smaller cannons regardless of the diameter of the prototype torpedo tube.



Aircraft

1. Aircraft may be simulated using 1/4 inch cannons.
   1. For every ten combat aircraft the ship carried a single 1/4 inch barrel may be installed.
      1. If the number of aircraft carried is not a multiple of ten then the number of barrels that can be install is the number or aircraft divided by ten, rounded down.
   2. The cannons must be installed under the deck with approximately half of the guns pointed directly forward and the remainder pointed directly rearward
   3. These cannons may not rotate.
2. Launching Scale Model Aircraft
   1. Aircraft carriers may launch scale replicas of aircraft carried on the real ship.
   2. Aircraft must be launched from the flight deck forward over the bow.
   3. One aircraft may be launched every eight seconds.
   4. Aircraft must be constructed such that they are recoverable and may not be allowed to sink to the bottom of the pond and be lost after firing.



Rate of Fire for Cannons and Torpedoes

1. The rate of fire for cannons and torpedoes is as follows:

   Scale Caliber of Cannon	Rate of Fire
   0.177 inches (bb)	1 round per barrel every 4 seconds
   3/16 inches	1 round per barrel every 4 seconds
   7/32 inches	1 round per barrel every 6 seconds
   1/4 inches (except Torpedoes)	1 round per barrel every 8 seconds
   Torpedoes	Non-Reloading




Mines

1. Mines are simulated using lengths of string held afloat with small floats. Ships become caught in the string.
   1. Mine strings must float and be recoverable.
   2. Mines strings are limited to one foot for every ten mines the ship historically carried plus three or more feet (determined by Referee for battlesite) for an anchor.
   3. The mine string must be weighted at one end with sufficient weight to anchor it. The nearest float to the anchor must be three feet away from this anchor.
   4. There must be one additional float every five feet, spaced evenly between first float and the last float at the unweighted end.
   5. The individual deploying the mine is responsible for recovering the mines at the end of battle.



Other Weapons/Shipboard Systems

1. Lights, anchors, horns, and similar devices are allowed. Shipboard smoke generators are allowed, provided no propelled/exploding pyrotechnics or liquid fuels are used. Commercially sold smoke bombs are acceptable, but should be placed in a hollowed out smokestack lined with a nonflammable material.
2. All other weapons/ship board systems added that are visible on the exterior of the ship, must maintain the scale look and profile of the ship.
3. Aiming devices to simulate radar are allowed under R&D.
4. Automated devices that fire a weapon without human input are not allowed.



Weapon System Safety

1. C02 Tanks, Air Tanks and Air Compressors
   1. All systems must be of a commercial design suitable for the pressures used in combat vessels.
   2. The maximum pressure delivered to the weapon systems shall not exceed the limit specified herein.
   3. Air tanks and C02 tanks and all fittings operating at non-regulated pressure must be of a commercially approved design and must meet state and local laws, and must be rated at 150% the operating pressure at a minimum.
   4. No device may be installed in any pressurized portion of the CO2 system that will prevent the pressure regulator from performing it’s function throughout the entire system.
2. Regulators
   1. These items are pressure relief regulators, set to a maximum of 140 psi
3. Pressure Gauges
   1. All combat ships with CO2 bottles or compressors must have a Clippard quick disconnect fitting on the highest pressure line in the ship.
   2. The TO has the right to require that the quick disconnect be repositioned.
4. Gas for Gun Systems
   1. Only liquid CO2 or compressed air may be used.
5. High Pressure Tanks (HP)
   1. High Pressure tanks, lines and valves are those that are operated in excess of 300 psi.
   2. Members utilizing tanks for the purpose of dispensing gas to another tank shall do so as described below:
      1. The transfer of HP air or CO2 shall be done in the designated area.
      2. A tank intended to supply gas, receive gas and the associated supply lines shall be of a type and design suitable for such HP gas.
      3. Upon the completion of the transfer of gas, each tank valve shall be closed, and any gas pressure remaining in the transfer line shall be released immediately.
   3. High Pressure Tanks & Hoses:
      1. All HP tanks are to be pressure tested every 5 years (hydrostat) as applicable.
      2. The date of test and PSI rating must be stamped on all HP tanks.
      3. At no time shall a tank be pressurized above the stamped PSI rating on the tank.
      4. No HP line or valve stall be used above its rated pressure.
6. Safety Switch
   1. All ships with weapons systems shall be equipped with a safety switch.
   2. When in the "safe" position, the switch shall allow no gas to flow to the firing valves or actuators, nor allow any current to pass to the firing solenoids (on electrically fired systems), no matter which position the firing servo is in.