Past Regionals Archive

NATS 2023

NATS 2023, Ionia, MI. July 10-14. From left to right: Tyler, John from Ireland, McCoy, Matthew, Andy, Zach, Mike. Higher table of ships left to right: Yamato, Nagato, Nagato, Nagato, Kongo, Seydlitz, Viribus Unitis, Zyrini. Smaller table left to right: LST, Shannon, Zara, Duca d’Aosta, Glorie, Glorie, Glorie, Liberty. Ships on the ground from left to right: Hikawa Maru, Hie Maru, Heian Maru, Hikawa Maru. Green Fleet with Matthew, Andy, Mike beat the Orange Fleet with Tyler, McCoy, Zach. Zach won Allied High Spirit Award. Andy (tie with Will) won Best of Class 6. Tyler won the Von Fluegel.

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Memorial Weekend 2023

PPB Memorial Weekend Battle Sat/Sun May 27/28. We battled three full battles (6 sorties) on Saturday and 2 battles on Sunday, the second of which was 3 sorties instead of doing a full cycle of count/patch. In attendance was: Tyler (Yamato), McCoy (VU), Addie (Tourville), Bob (John's Scharnhorst), Zach (John's Kongo), Matthew (Nagato), Andy (Nagato), Mike (Seydlitz), Peter (Erin), KC Tom (WW1 Montana).

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Brouhaha 2023

Brouhaha March 11-12, 2023. 6 battles. Mike (Seydlitz) Best of Class 4, Andy (Nagato) Winning Admiral, Tyler (Yamato) Best of Class 6-7/Most Feared Axis, Bob (Scharnhorst) Best of Class 5/Losing Admiral.

The whole crew. Front row: Rick (Jamaica), Tyler (Yamato), Gerlad (Kongo). Back row: Sam (Brooklyn), Mike (Seydlitz), Bob (Scharnhorst), Andy (Nagato), Wade (was there too), Tom (Montana), Ted (VDT), Gerald (Hiei).

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PPB Fall Battle 2022

PPB Ice Breaker Fall Battle September 10/11, 2022. We battled 5 complete two sortie battles. Picture above is from Sunday. Back row: Caden (new guy), Kas (NC), Andy (Nagato), Bob (Nagato), Zach (Nagato), Owen (new guy). Front row: Mark (NC), Tom (WWI SoDak), Rick (Jamaica), Tyler (Yamato), McCoy (Viribus Unitis).

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NATS 2022

NATS 2022, Ionia, MI. July 11-15. Humans left to right: Andy, John, Matthew, McCoy, Tyler, Bob, Zach, Mike. Top level of ships left to right: Vertie, Glorie, Glorie, Glorie, Duca d’Aosta, Zara, Seydlitz, Kongo, Nagato, Nagato, Nagato, Nagato, Yamato. Bottom level of ships left to right: Radetzky, Zyrini, Hikawa Maru, Hie Maru, Heian Maru, Hikawa Maru, Andy’s Freighter, John’s Freighter, Baltacarrier, Bikecarrier, LST, LST, Akizuki. Tyler (Yamato) was the admiral of the Blue Fleet which won the week by 3000 points along with Bob (Nagato), Andy (Nagato), Matthew (Nagato), Mike (Seydlitz), McCoy (Zara). Red fleet members were Zach (Nagato), John (Kongo).

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Memorial Weekend 2022

PPB Memorial Weekend Battle Sat/Sun May 28, 29 2022. We hosted our typical 2 day Memorial Weekend battle. The local regulars in attendance were: Tyler (Yamato), Andy (Nagato), Bob (John’s Kongo), Zach (Nagato), Peter (Erin), Mike (Seydlitz), Bryan (Idaho), McCoy (Zara), Addie (Tourville). The KC regulars came up as well: Tom (Montana), Rick (Jamaica). We had two of the old regulars show up: Ron, Ryan. And we had two new hopefully-soon-to-be regulars come to their first battle: Caden, Owen. We were able to do 6 complete battles.

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Brouhaha 2022

Brouhaha 2022 (14th annual) March 19, 20 2022. Mike S Peter (Erin), Mike S (Seydlitz), Bob (Nagato), Tyler (Tiger), Andy (Nagato). Also in attendance were Mike T (Scharnhorst), Gerald (on loan Liberte), Dirty (Kongo), Tom P (interwar proposed Montana), Rick (Jamaica), Ted (VDT and Scheer), Wade (Lutzow). The attendance was a little lighter than usual. We mixed the teams every battle and were able to get in 3 complete battles each day. Awards: Best of Class: 6-8 Tom, 5 Mike T, 4 Mike S, 1-3 Rick. Most Feared Allied: Tyler. Most Feared Axis: Bob. Best of Scale: Mike T (3d printed Scharny). Winning Admiral: Peter. Losing Admiral: Peter.

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Fall battle 2021

PPB Ice Breaker Fall Battle September 11/12, 2021. We had a 2 day event with multiple out of town finds joining us. Participants were Back row standing left to right: Bob (Nagato), Tyler (Yamato), Lou (Zach’s Nagato), Brandon (Caio Dulio), Rick (Jamaica), Andy (Nagato), Mike (Seydlitz), Peter (Erin). Second row: McCoy (Zara), Addie (Tourville), Tom (Alaska), Matthew (Nagato).

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NATS 2021

July 12-16, 2021. The weeklong national event was held in Oakboro, North Carolina. Multiple Port Polar Bear captains made the trip as follows from left to right: Tyler (Yamato), McCoy (Zara), Andy (Nagato), Zach (Nagato), Peter (Erin), Matthew (Nagato), Bob (Nagato), Mike (Seydlitz). Mike, Peter, and Matthew flew while the rest took 2 vehicles and 25 ships (8 primaries, 4 secondary cruisers, 2 secondary pre-dreads, and 11 convoy ships): Duca d’Aosta, Yamato, Zara, Nagato, Glorie, Nagato, Erin, Nagato, Glorie, Nagato, Seydlitz, Glorie; Chitose, LST, LST, Andy’s Freighter, Hikawa Maru, Hie Maru, Heian Maru, Hikawa Maru, Ryujo, Ryuho, Peter’s Freighter, Radetzky, Zrinyi. The Axis/Allies roster was scrapped well before Nats and for the first time ever Nats was a Red vs Blue fleet battle from the onset. Tyler was the Blue Fleet Admiral and the 7 others were likewise on the Blue Fleet. Control of the water was in favor of the Blue fleet for the first 3 battles (5k, 400, 9k point victories) as was the first campaign by 15k. The 4^th and 5^th fleet battles were won by the Red fleet by about 2k as was Thursday campaign by 7k. The Blue fleet carried the week by 19,000 points.

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PPB Memorial Day Battle 2021

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May 29,30 2021. Chanhassen, MN. Kneeling: Tyler (Yamato), Mike (Seydlitz), Rick (Jamaica), Peter (Erin), Nate (WV). Standing: Kas (Washington), McCoy (Zara), Tom (QE), Andy (Nagato), Bob (Nagato), Zach (Nagato), Matthew (Nagato), Bryan (Texas). Being held: Bryan’s dog (Did not battle). Clint (Invincible) was around later in the weekend, Steve stopped by to say hi on Sunday. We completed 5 full battles (3 Saturday and 2 on Sunday). It was really great to have 4 out of towners/non PPB members come out from Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

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Brouhaha 2021

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March 27,28 2021. Boutte, LA. Mike (Seydlitz), Bob (Nagato),Andy (Nagato) attended the Brouhaha along with honorary PPB member Brandon (Zach’s Nagato).

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Turkey Shoot 2020

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November 7,8 2020. Boutte, LA. Since the Brouhaha was canceled in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, a make up battle was scheduled for November in Boutte Louisiana. Matthew (Nagato), Bob (Barham), Andy (Nagato), Mike (North Carolina), and Brandon (Bob’s Kongo) were all able to go.

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Ice Breaker 2020

September 3-4, 2020. Chanhassen, MN. We did 3 battles each day. Mike (NC), Bob (Nagato), Matthew (Nagato), Hudson (Barham), Andy (Barham), Bryan (Idaho) Tom (Alaska), Tyler (Tiger), Zach (Kongo), Peter (Erin), Clint (Invincible), McCoy (Zara), Rick (Jamaica) were all on the water at some point. We mixed fleets and had a lot of breakdowns and ship issues both slowing us down and causing us to flip fleets mid-stream, which isn’t too surprising considering the Tiger, Idaho, and Invincible were all on the water for the first time ever.

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Nats 2020

July 13-17, 2029. Bradford, Pennsylvania. Pictured left to right: mike (North Carolina), Matthew (Nagato), Andy (Kongo on loan from Tyler), Zach (Kongo), Bob (Nagato). The Axis fleet had a numerical disadvantage but an experience and arguably skill advantage. The Axis won the first three fleet battles by comfortable but reasonable margins in the 3000-5000 point range and the fourth by a whopping 17,000 points. However the Allies won campaign massively with nearly 20,000 point differentials, in large part due to the convoy efforts of Honorary PPB member Tom Palmer. By Friday morning the Axis fleet was down by 8,000 points and was not able gain the margin back, as the Allies did a good job supporting and protecting each other. The Allies won by 2100 points, a very tight margin.

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Memorial Day Battle 2020

May 25,2020. Chanhassen, MN. With COVID-19 pandemic related social distancing recommendations in full effect, we took to the pond to release some of our pent up anxieties and frustrations. We set up away from each other and made full use of the shoreline. Tyler (Derfflinger 2), Bob (NEW Nagato), Peter (Erin), Zach (Kongo), Bryan (Texas), McCoy (Zara) were able to come out to battle. Matthew came out with his drone and experimented with taking overhead video. We did two battles with two sorties each and definitely didn’t take ourselves too seriously, making only modest attempts to avoid each other’s shots in order to get our own shots on target. Sinks were frequent, and fun was rampant.

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Ice Breaker 2019

September 7, 2019. Chanhassen, MN. As pictured left to right: Clint (Tyler’s Tourville), Tyler (Nagato), Andy (Barham), McCoy (Zara), Peter (Erin), Bob (Kongo), Zach (Invincible), Tom (Alaska), Rick (Jamaica). The Ice Breaker 2019 was intended to be a two day battle but due to incoming rainy weather and a number of the usual guys not really being able to make it out for Sunday, we ended up doing 3 battles on Saturday and calling it good. The weather was about perfect, cool but not cold in the lower 60’s with minimal wind and overcast. Tyler (Nagato), Peter (Erin), Tom (Alaska), McCoy (Zara), Clint (Tyler’s Tourville) squared off against Andy (Barham), Bob (Kongo), Zach (Invincible), and Rick (Jamaica). We did our best to stay true to PPB form and slugged it out within a few feet of shore for the bulk of the battle. Andy’s team won the first two battles but Tyler’s team battled back to win the third battle and ended up winning the weekend by 3370 points in total.

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Nats 2019

July 8-12, 2019. Oakboro North Carolina. Andy (Kongo on loan from Tyler), Bob (Kongo), Tyler (Nagato) teamed up for some Japanese fury at the national competition. The Axis had a more powerful roster from the onset and the scores reflected this early in the week, winning with a blow out by 10,000 points in the first battle. The Allies battled back however and the scores tightened with progressively smaller margins of victory with each passing battle. By Thursday the Allies had managed to even win the fleet battle. This in addition to winning each of the two campaign battles (Tuesday and Thursday) by 10,000 points each made for a very tight Friday. The score before the final battle was a 1000 point differential in favor of the Allies. However the Axis once again found their stride and were able to make back the difference and then some for a 4000 point victory for the week long event, one of the closer scores in recent history. On the water the Port Polar Bear crew was very successful and at several times throughout the week were setting the pace for the Axis Fleet.

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Brouhaha 2019

March 23, 24, Boutte, LA. Tyler (Nagato), Erik (Barham), Peter (Erin) went to the 11^th Annual Brouhaha on the Bayou. This was Erik’s (Tyler’s Brother) first ever battle, he used Tyler’s Barham. Tyler won ‘Best of Class 6’ and ‘Most Feared Axis.’ Peter won the ‘Winning Admiral’ award in which the allies won it for just the 2^nd time in 11 years. Erik won the ‘Most Feared Allied,’ not bad for his first ever battle.

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Fall Battle 2018

September 15,16, Chanhassen, MN. We took the boats out for one last pleasure cruse before the winter. From right to left: McCoy (Zara), Bob (Warspite), Peter (Erin), Rick (Jamaica), Tom (Alaska), Randy (Glorie), Zach (Invinvible). Not pictured Tyler (Barham), Bryan (Texas), Mike (North Carolina), Matthew (Northampton)

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Nats 2018

July 9-13, Lancing, TN. Seven PPB members took 17 ships to Lancing for the annual national event. The Axis won handily despite the efforts of PPB all battling allied ships under the steadfast leadership of Admiral Tyler. Pictured above from left to right: Tyler (Barham, Filiberto, Freighter), Andy (Barham, Bike, Freighter, Carrier), Zach (Invincible, Fiji), Bob (Warspite, Zrinyi), Mike (North Carolina, Sheffield), Peter (Erin, Freighter), Matthew (Iron Duke, Indianapolis). Of note all but 1 ship is pictured and the ships are not in the listed order. Notable awards included: Losing admiral, Tyler; Von Fleugel, Tyler; Most Feared Allied, Tyler; Swiss Cheese, Tyler.

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Ice Breaker 2018

May 26, 27, Chanhassen MN. We had a 2 day event with 6 full battles. Pictured above left to right: Randy (Glorie), Hudson (Kongo), Mike (NC), Bob (Warspite), Zach (Invincible), Andy (Barham), Matthew (Iron Duke), Tyler (Barham), McCoy (Zara), Tom (Alaska). Additionally, Jason showed up on Sunday without a ship and newcomer Bryan came out to show off his new USS Texas.

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Brouhaha 2018

March 10, 11, Boutte, LA. Four of us made the 18.5 hour drive from MN to the 10^th Annual Brouhaha on the Bayou. Pictured above are the members of Port Polar Bear who made the trek, coincidentally all captaining ships of the British Navy: Andy (Barham), Matthew (Iron Duke), Bob (Warspite), Tyler (Barham). Tyler won ‘Best of Class 5’ and ‘Most Feared Allied’ in addition to being awarded the prestigious ‘Losing Admiral’ award which to be fair has only been won by an Ally one time in the 10 year history of the Brouhaha by Bob.

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Ice Breaker 2017

September 9, 10, Chanhassen, MN. We had a good time with a 2 day battle, pictured are Sunday’s battlers: Bob (Warspite), Tyler (Barham), Andy (Barham), Mike (North Carolina), Matt (Iron Duke), Rick (Jamaica), Randy (Glorie), McCoy (Tourville). At one point we did also have Peter (Kaiser), Zach (Invincible). We mixed and matched teams, several of us had beat up hull skin still on our ships from Nats so the sinks were frequent. Plus as per true Port Polar Bear style we slugged it out at very close range which is reflected by the 34% combined accuracy.

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NATS 2017

July 10-14. Ionia, Michigan. We forgot to take a group PPB picture! However Bob (Warspite), Tyler (Barham), Andy (Barham), Mike (North Carolina), and Zach (Invincible) were there. Once again we took home some hardware: Best of class 5 (Tyler), Individual combatant (Tyler)

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Brouhaha 2017

March 11, 12. Boutte Louisiana. Pictured above Mike (North Carolina), Tyler (Barham), Bob (Iron Duke) made the long drive from Minnesota to Boutte Louisiana for the 9^th Brouhaha. Tyler won most feared Allied. Bob was the winning Admiral. Mike got best of Class 6. Luckily Mike had arranged to fly home so there was extra room in the car for all that hardware!

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NATS 2016

June 20-24, Bradford, PA. Pictured above Tyler (Barham), Bob (Warspite), Mike (NC), Zach (Invincible) are the Port Polar Bear captains that made the trip to Nats this year, all in Allied boats. Essentially the Allies were flooring the Axis in a way that was not fun. As such on Tuesday Tyler and Bob (as well as Tom in his QE) were flipped to the Axis team. The battle was much closer at that point but the Axis managed to win on paper. However as this did require the trade of 3 of the more experienced battlers, I’d say the Allies really won. Notable awards: Von Fleugal – Tyler, Best of Class 5 – Tyler, Allied High Spirit Award – Mike.

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Ice Breaker 2016

May 28,29,30. We did 6 sorties on Saturday and Sunday and 3 sorties on Monday. It was a total blood bath:.Bob took more below the water line holes than he did at the Brouhaha in the same ship. Multiple experienced captains made for some very streamlined battling. On Saturday we had 6 sorties done between 9:30 and 4. Pictured above: Back row: Mark (Nagato), Paul (Honolulu), Peter (Kaiser), Bob (Warspite), Andy (Barham), Kas (Invincible), Jason (HSM incomplete), Tom (QE), Front row: Paul’s son, Rick (Jamaica), Zach (Invincible), Mike (NC), Camera man not pictured – Tyler (Nagato). Not pictured Randy (Furutaka), Hudson (Kongo)

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BrouHaHa 2016

The gang from Port Polar Bear once again made the 18 ½ hour drive to Boutte Louisiana for the 8^th annual BrouHaHa on the Bayou. Bob has made all 8 of the battles. Some 22 ships in all made the water including (left to right in picture) Andy (Barham), Bob (Warspite), Mike (North Carolina), Tyler (Nagato). The PPB crew did well taking home Most Feared Axis (Tyler), Best of Class 5 (Andy), Winning Admiral (Tyler – Axis), Losing Admiral (Bob – Allies).

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Ice Breaker 2015

We held your annual Fall regional battle once again in August 2015. We had a few out of state guys show up in addition to the local Minnasota battlers. At one point we had 13 battlers on the water. Pictured from left to right: (back row) Mark, Brian, Bob, Andy, Mike, Tom, Kas. (middle) Zach. (front row): Peter, Zach, Connor, Shawn. Not pictured: Tyler, Hudson.

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Andy, Zach, and Bob at NATS 2015
Only a few of the Port Polar Bear fleet made it to North Carolina for the national event in June 2015, one of the lower turn outs in the past 5-10 years for us. Next year it will be more likely that the PPB crew brings the usual 8+ captains with 25+ boats. Ships pictured are: LST, Carrier, Freighter, The Bike, Zurini, Fiji, Warspite, Barham. A ship to captain ratio of 3:1 is pretty typical for us at the national event.

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Ice Breaker 2014
Back row: Johnny (Goben), Andy (North Caronina), Mike (North Carolina), Peter (Kaiser), Tome (Alaska), Kas (Invincible)

Front row: Hudson (Kongo), Tyler (Nagato), Mark (VDT), Zach (Minneapolis), Bob (North Carolina)

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2008 MWC NATS, Veteran’s Lake MN

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Port Polar Bear 9/16/2007

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2008 MWC NATS Houston Tx

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Fall Fray 2006

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Fall Fray 2006

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2006 MWC NATS, Coco Beach FL

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Ice Breaker 2005

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Fall Fray 2004

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Nats 2004

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