Task Force 72 (model boat builders)
Task Force 72 is an international association of Radio controlled model boat builders, all building in the common scale (ratio) of 1:72 (1 inch in 1:72 equals 72 inches in real life).
History
Task Force 72 originated in Australia in 1994, when a number of individuals building radio controlled models came together to form a voluntary association.
The name derives from the military term for a group of warships operating to a common purpose, a task force, and the scale of the ship models being built (1:72).
In the years since, the association has grown from a small number of model builders to several hundred currently active and former members located in Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and several other countries.
At this time the largest grouping of members is located within Australia, although it is hoped to grow membership internationally
Annual Regatta
The Association holds an annual regatta each year at Wentworth Falls Lake, located in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.
The Task Force 72 regatta is usually held in November or December of each calendar year.
Task Force 72 hopes that the Association's membership in other countries will grow to the point where they are large enough to support their own national regattas.
Types of models constructed
Currently the overwhelming majority of model ships owned by Task Force 72 members are military vessels.
Task Force 72 members have built models of a wide range of ships and submarines, ranging from 19th century cruisers to futuristic missile corvettes, from sailing ships to ballistic missile submarines. Despite the preponderance of military ships some merchant ships are also represented.
All share two characteristics. They are all radio controlled and all are built to a common scale of 1:72.
Task Force 72 fleet composition
As of November 2006 the Task Force 72 "fleet" is made up of several hundred models, ranging in size from extremely large models of various aircraft carriers and battleships down to very small models of tugboats and patrol boats.
The majority of the models are of medium sized vessels, such as destroyers and frigates, which are considered by their builders to combine a reasonable size for ease of transport and "seaworthiness", with significant scope for the incorporation of detail and providing sufficient internal volume for the mechanics of making the models operational.
Task Force 72 Logo
The Task Force 72 logo comprises a stylised compass rose with an anchor superimposed on the compass rose with the words Task Force Seventy Two surrounding the design.