Are you ready to jump feet first into the greatest hobby in the world?
If this is your first stop on the topic of RC Warship Combat, welcome aboard! We’re thrilled you’ve found us.
NW Naval Combat (also known as the Washington Cascade Column) has been the home of radio-controlled naval combat in the Pacific Northwest since 1997. We battle with 1/144-scale models of WW1 and WW2 warships. These semi-scale balsa-wood hulls are armed with CO₂-powered BB cannons — and yes, ships really do sink when they take too much damage!
It’s a unique mix of model building, engineering, strategy, and friendly competition on the water. No experience is required — just enthusiasm.
0. Hobby Intro – What is RC Warship Combat?
In this hobby, participants build and operate radio-controlled model warships that fire small steel BBs at each other using compressed CO₂. The ships are built to 1/144 scale (roughly 1 inch = 12 feet) and follow standardized rules for armor, buoyancy, and damage.
When enough holes accumulate, water floods in faster than the bilge pumps can handle — and the ship sinks dramatically. After the battle, everyone recovers the ships, patches them up, and does it all over again.
It’s safe, family-friendly, and incredibly addictive. Come watch a battle and you’ll understand why so many of us are hooked.
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1. Come To A Battle
The best way to get started is to see it in action.
- Attend one of our public battles (usually held monthly in the warmer months).
- Watch the ships maneuver, fire, and sink.
- Talk to captains, ask questions, and get a feel for the community.
We’re a welcoming group — many of our current members started exactly this way. Check the Event Schedule section of the site for upcoming event dates and locations.
Pro tip:
- Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet and dirty.
- Bring a chair or something to sit on.
- Pack a lunch for a mid-day break.
- Bring lots of water to stay hydrated on hot days.
- If you have them, bring safety glasses. If not, we have plenty.
EVENT SCHEDULE
2. Purchase a Ship
You don’t need to build everything from scratch right away.
The best way to get into the hobby is to assemble a kit.
Pro Tip: We have seen a direct correlation between the faster you can build your first ship and get on the water, the longer you will stay in the hobby.
So, where do we get kits from?
- South Jersey Shipyard: https://www.southjerseyshipyards.com/
- We recommend getting a class 3 or class 4 ship. These size ships are a perfect balance between size and battling skill for a new captain.
- Club Kits
- Several of our club members have a few ships to choose from.
- Ship not found in the previous two options.
- We can custom design the specific ship you are looking for. However, it will take longer to make and there is a higher chance of errors in the design.
- Legal Ship List
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3. Build Your Ship
Building your own warship is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby.
Typical steps include:
- Assembling the 3D printed parts of the hull together.
- Installing radio equipment, CO₂ gas system, bilge pumps, and servos
- Fitting BB cannons.
- Adding scale details, sealing, painting, and ballasting for proper flotation.
If you’re new to building, no problem — our experienced members love mentoring newcomers and we often organize informal build sessions.
Your first ship usually takes a few weeks to a few months depending on how much time you can put in.
*shock not required to build a ship…
4. Battle Your Ship
Once your ship is complete and has passed basic safety and weight checks, it’s time to take it into combat!
You’ll learn:
- How to maneuver and position your ship effectively
- Aiming and firing your cannons under pressure
- Managing damage and keeping your pumps running
- The club/hobby rules that keep everything safe and fair
Battles are exciting, competitive, and always sportsmanlike. When a ship sinks, it’s recovered quickly so the day of fighting can continue.