N O V A

[BansheeOne]

I was going to ask, but had Fritz, CT and possibly Ryan put down with personal transport for core activities around the weekend. Which should suffice, really; unfortunately Dave cancelled attendance due to minor health concerns. Looking at the 14-day weather forecast for DC, I cannot blame him, though hopefully the general cooling trend from the projected high next weekend will continue. This makes the current list of participants:

 

Allan

BansheeOne

CT96

Fritz (+ possible friend)

Harold

Ryan

Sunday

 

Two car loads exactly. As noted, the only concern would be for possible-long-range trips of those remaining after core attendees have left from ca. Wednesday, but that's certainly doable. Baseball game would be nice, it's a bit of that quintessential American culture you get from The Peanuts, Bad News Bears and Major League and try to emulate with self-made equipment as a kid, damn the rules. Personally, I wouldn't mind spending a day at the hotel pool, either. I'm on vacation, not on the run!

[sunday]

Chatted a bit with Rubberneck in FB, and it's possible he could appear some days.

 

BTW, I suppose Allan has a driving license valid for USA, but one of the two token Euros should go and get an international driving license, just in case.

 

Travel insurance is another thing to consider, especially for medical expenses.

[CT96]

Off the cuff, I expect to participate around the core weekend with some days before and after the weekend, and evenings. Unfortunately I don't have the vacation time banked to take the whole time off. For one, I expect to skip the downtown events.

[Fritz]

We have about 2 weeks left, still no concrete plans for 19-22?

[Allan W]

This is Tanknet, what did you expect? Operation Overlord???

 

Seriously, we should do some more planning...

[Harold Jones]

Since I'm not planning to do a lot of downtown stuff, I plan on getting a car for the duration.

 

I do need a final headcount for the capitol tour on Wednesday Tuesday. I originally signed up for 8 but I think we are five four now. Me, Banshee, Sunday, Allan, and Fritz.

 

As for other things:

 

My current plan is to head up to Gettysburg on Friday morning after I get in, unless that is the day we do the vmmv. I will swing by the hotel if anyone else wants to join, otherwise I'll just head out from the airport.

The baseball games are during the week and they are unlikely to sellout so we can just pick a night and buy tickets at the gate.

I may have a +1 for the VMMV depending on the day we settle on, one of my co-workers lives in the area and is interested in going if he can fit it into his schedule.

Edited August 4, 2016 by Harold Jones

[Fritz]

Since I'm not planning to do a lot of downtown stuff, I plan on getting a car for the duration.

 

I do need a final headcount for the capitol tour on Wednesday. I originally signed up for 8 but I think we are five now. Me, Banshee, Sunday, Allan, and Fritz.

 

As for other things:

 

My current plan is to head up to Gettysburg on Friday morning after I get in, unless that is the day we do the vmmv. I will swing by the hotel if anyone else wants to join, otherwise I'll just head out from the airport.

The baseball games are during the week and they are unlikely to sellout so we can just pick a night and buy tickets at the gate.

I may have a +1 for the VMMV depending on the day we settle on, one of my co-workers lives in the area and is interested in going if he can fit it into his schedule.

 

Oh no I can't come on the Capitol tour on wed, I'll be long gone by then.

 

I can be present 19-22 and would prefer if VMMV, range, Gettysburg and/or other ACW activities are in that timeframe. I've been to Udvar Hazy, while I won't hate going again I'd rather do something else since time is limited.

 

If we do Gettysburg on the 19th then that would work really well because it's about 3h drive from my home, so I could meet you all there and then head south.

[rmgill]

This is Tanknet, what did you expect? Operation Overlord???

 

Seriously, we should do some more planning...

You get to build the mulberry harbor.

[rmgill]

Just pinged Marc. I'm pushing for a friday tour at this point at VMMV.

I'll probably be staying at a friend's house. He's one of our Dingo/Daimler Armored Car owners so I'm trying to get him to come out.

[Fritz]

Hey Ryan, your club was in PA, right? Ever brought anything to Rausch Creek? I went there this weekend for a Toyota 4x4 meet, did some "easy" trails (which the torrential rains made really hard). Someone had brought a JLTV on friday (!!!) but I missed it. (here's a pic - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/14th-annual-toyota-takeover.408954/page-38#post-12913668 )

[rmgill]

Marc Says Friday, late afternoon. Controlled group. 2-3pm.

No cat herds please.

The VMMV location is HERE:
AKA Aden Field. Locals will know of it as the Tank Farm. It's near the Marine Corps Museum so we could do that before.

Edited August 4, 2016 by rmgill

[BansheeOne]

I do need a final headcount for the capitol tour on Wednesday. I originally signed up for 8 but I think we are five four now. Me, Banshee, Sunday, Allan, and Fritz.

 

Wasn't the Capitol tour on Tuesday 23rd? That's how I noted it down in the previous draft schedule.

 

Plugging in the new suggestions:

 

Wednesday, 17 August - Banshee and Sunday arriving IAD at 1555

 

Thursday, 18 August - European contingent decompression routine; possibly Arlington National Cemetery

 

Friday, 19 August - Harold arriving IAD at 0500, also Allan; USMC Museum Quantico, followed by VMMV at 1400-1500

 

Saturday, 20 August - Udvar-Hazy Center

 

Sunday, 21 August - possibly range event combined with ACW battlefield visit

 

Monday, 22 August - National Electronics and Cryptology Museums, since Fritz was interested?

 

Tuesday, 23 August - Tour of US Capitol at 0940, walk National Mall

 

[...]

 

Saturday, 27 August - Banshee and Sunday leaving from IAD at 1525

[Allan W]

A couple of other suggestions would be the Smithsonians, Ford's Theater & the Washington Monument for a day/days in the City.

[Allan W]

Marc Says Friday, late afternoon. Controlled group. 2-3pm.

 

No cat herds please.

 

The VMMV location is HERE:

AKA Aden Field. Locals will know of it as the Tank Farm. It's near the Marine Corps Museum so we could do that before.

Is that Friday the 19th or Friday the 26th?

[Fritz]

 

Friday, 19 August - Harold arriving IAD at 0500, also Allan; USMC Museum Quantico, followed by VMMV at 1400-1500

 

 

If that is the plan, around what time should I arrive at the assembly point (which I assume in this case would be the hotel)? I will likely need to get up pretty early, go through Baltimore to pick up my friend then head to Reston, that would be a total of about 4.5 hours I think.

[Harold Jones]

 

I do need a final headcount for the capitol tour on Wednesday. I originally signed up for 8 but I think we are five four now. Me, Banshee, Sunday, Allan, and Fritz.

 

Wasn't the Capitol tour on Tuesday 23rd? That's how I noted it down in the previous draft schedule.

 

Plugging in the new suggestions:

 

Wednesday, 17 August - Banshee and Sunday arriving IAD at 1555

 

Thursday, 18 August - European contingent decompression routine; possibly Arlington National Cemetery

 

Friday, 19 August - Harold arriving IAD at 0500, also Allan; USMC Museum Quantico, followed by VMMV at 1400-1500

 

Saturday, 20 August - Udvar-Hazy Center

 

Sunday, 21 August - possibly range event combined with ACW battlefield visit

 

Monday, 22 August - National Electronics and Cryptology Museums, since Fritz was interested?

 

Tuesday, 23 August - Tour of US Capitol at 0940, walk National Mall

 

[...]

 

Saturday, 27 August - Banshee and Sunday leaving from IAD at 1525

 

You are correct it is Tuesday.

[Harold Jones]

A couple of other suggestions would be the Smithsonians, Ford's Theater & the Washington Monument for a day/days in the City.

Depending on which museums you want to see and how long you want to spend in each we will pass most of the Smithsonian Museums on a walk from the capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Smithsonian Air and Space, Smithsonian 'Castle' and US History Museum can be seen fairly quickly, the Natural History Museum can be an all day affair as can the National art museum. Not sure how long the American Indian Museum, Newseum or the other museums scattered around the mall will take.

[sunday]

USS New Jersey or USS Wisconsin?

[CT96]

USS New Jersey or USS Wisconsin?

I *think* Wisconsin is a Deck Tour, while New Jersey is an inside tour. I am fairly certain that NJ has interior access; while Wisconsin did not when some friends of mine went years ago.

[CT96]

So, my afternoon meeting got cancelled, and I was actually able to reach some folks at some of the localish outdoor ranges...

 

One of the ranges (Clark Brother's, Warrenton) offers NO rentals, so I think that one is out of contention. It is a first-come, first serve (and often crowded on the weekends, especially if the weather is nice). Ammo must be purchased from them even for private arms. No fee to use the range.

 

 

The other range was my regular range for a long time - 340 Defense in Rippon, WV. They are willing to open early for us on the 21st (0900-1300, when it opens to the public). Or we can go during public hours (1300-1800). They can do NO training (per ITAR regulations).

Prices per head:

$10 day pass + $20/hr

 

Rentals:

they have a couple of AR 15's at $25 + ammo (.223 at $1/rd)

they have an AR 10 (no price on hand for the ammo, but assume pricey)

they also have some pistols (9mm and .45)

my POC did not mention, but I know historically they have had a single-shot .50BMG (Not sure what the rental is, but years ago the price was $5/rd).

 

They would want us to start on the 15yd until the RSO's are comfortable with everyone's weapon's handling procedures, and then we could move to the 50 and/or 100yrd ranges. The 400yd range that I used to shoot at often is still closed.

 

This is probably the best of the available options. Locally owned personal arms can be used with personally owned ammo here with no extra prices.

 

 

Additional options:

the NRA range (indoor, not sure on rentals, and it is crowded and time limited).

Silver Eagle Group (they have a special training event that weekend that I probably would have been going to except for the I&I). http://silvereaglegroup.com/They are a "Guntry Club" so quite expensive.

Blue Ridge Arsenal. Another local indoor Guntry Club.

 

There are other options much further afield.

[Allan W]

New Jersey and Wisconsin are both interior tours, but I question whether they are doable from Reston. New Jersey looks to be 3 hrs each way by car or 4 hours by train. Wisconsin also looks to be 3 he's by car, but there is no reasonable train option according to google maps.

[sunday]

New Jersey and Wisconsin are both interior tours, but I question whether they are doable from Reston. New Jersey looks to be 3 hrs each way by car or 4 hours by train. Wisconsin also looks to be 3 he's by car, but there is no reasonable train option according to google maps.

 

There is an Acela Express train departing 0755 of Washington Union Station, arriving Philly's 30th Street Station at 0936. However, looked for tickets, and they are almost out of seats for Th 25th. Well there are regional trains, also, not much slower.

 

Departing Sheraton Reston at about 0650 could be enough to arrive to Union Station at 0740 by car, perhaps Uber.

 

Going by car from 30th Street Station to USS NJ is 20 minutes at most.

 

Yes, even the mixed plan is a bit short of three hours, but half of that time will be in a train, so less tiring.

 

Just across the river from USS New Jersey is the Independense Seaport Museum, with a submarine, and cruiser USS Olympia.

[Fritz]

The other range was my regular range for a long time - 340 Defense in Rippon, WV. They are willing to open early for us on the 21st (0900-1300, when it opens to the public). Or we can go during public hours (1300-1800). They can do NO training (per ITAR regulations).

Prices per head:

$10 day pass + $20/hr

 

Rentals:

they have a couple of AR 15's at $25 + ammo (.223 at $1/rd)

they have an AR 10 (no price on hand for the ammo, but assume pricey)

they also have some pistols (9mm and .45)

my POC did not mention, but I know historically they have had a single-shot .50BMG (Not sure what the rental is, but years ago the price was $5/rd).

 

They would want us to start on the 15yd until the RSO's are comfortable with everyone's weapon's handling procedures, and then we could move to the 50 and/or 100yrd ranges. The 400yd range that I used to shoot at often is still closed.

If they only have a couple rifles that won't be enough for all of us...

 

Also, on safety concerns - certificate from PFT should be good for them?

[sunday]

Two points:

 

1.- If that ammunition's price is too high, probably it's possible to find cheaper ammo.

2.- I see the path to Rippon, WV could pass near Harper's Ferry.

[Harold Jones]

Two points:

 

1.- If that ammunition's price is too high, probably it's possible to find cheaper ammo.

2.- I see the path to Rippon, WV could pass near Harper's Ferry.

Most places that rent guns also require you to buy the ammo you shoot from them. Partly for profit, partly to guard against damage to the guns from out of spec loads.