01/13/06

CLUB INFORMATION

CONTACT INFORMATION

Paul - comorh@aol.com or 303-725-7544

Ken - kbettis532@aol.com

MEMBERSHIPS

Full Membership:  Yearly dues are $50.00.  Membership includes full admission to all scheduled battledays.  Also, it includes a gate key to the battlefield so that you can run your tank and practice your driving skills anytime you want.   Full members are expected to participate in battle site workdays when they can.  Full  members are also expected to help with the construction of village buildings and other scenery items.  The more help we get, the more fun it will be during the battledays!

Associate Membership (Local Area):  No yearly dues.  There will be a $5.00 gate fee for running a tank on a scheduled battleday.  This membership is for the local FRAG Member that does not currently own a tank as of yet.

Associate Membership (Out of Area):  Yearly dues are $20.00 per year.  This membership is for the person that lives outside the Colorado Front Range area and would not be able to attend all the scheduled battledays.

Where the Membership dues go.  The money collected goes to maintaining and upgrading the battle site.  This year's planned activities include:

1) Changes to the battlefield to include more hills, trees, ravines, rivers, hedgerows, and bunkers.

2) More buildings for the village.

3)  The expansion of the battlefield.  We are expanding our site an addition 15' in the direction of the parking lot.  There will be costs for additional fencing, posts, and retaining wall materials.

As you can see, we have many projects that will require funds.   If anyone wishes to make a donation to help further our efforts, please contact Paul or Ken at the above email address.

DIRECTIONS TO TANK SITE

(REFER TO MAP 1)  The Tank Site is located south of Denver in Littleton close to the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Bowles.  The cross streets here are somewhat confusing.  To the west of Santa Fe Dr. is Bowles Ave.  To the east of Santa Fe Drive is Main St. that turns into Alamo St. that turns into Littleton Blvd.  You want to turn east off of Santa Fe Drive onto Main St..  Note: Main St. east turns into a one way street (now called Alamo St.).  Continue on this street for about 6 blocks.  At the end of this street is the park'n ride/train station on your right.  Keep going straight on Alamo St. and just over the bridge (the bridge goes over the RR tracks), the left turn and cross over Littleton Blvd the old courthouse/sheriff's jail.  This is Court Street.  Go north 1 block and you are looking at a large parking lot and the Old Art Depot.  The tank site is located at the back of the parking lot.

MAP 1

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: Dates are subject to change.  Please check this site for the latest changes.

December 2005 -   Members will be emailed directly.  Dependent on weather conditions.

April 29, 2006 - Battle Day.  11:00am to 3:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.  Dependent on weather conditions.

May 27, 2006 - Battle Day.  12:00am to 5:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.

June 24, 2006 - Battle Day.  12:00am to 5:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.  Dependent on weather conditions.

July 29, 2006 - Battle Day.  12:00am to 5:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.

August 26, 2006 - Battle Day.  12:00am to 5:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.

 September 30, 2006 - Battle Day.  11:00am to 3:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.

October 28, 2006 - Battle Day.  11:00am to 3:00pm.  Open field battle conditions with dioramas.  Dependent on weather conditions.

November/December 2006 -   Members will be emailed directly.  Dependent on weather conditions.

CURRENT PROJECTS for 2006

1. Complete more buildings for the Normandy Village.
2. Pave the village street with cobblestones.
3. Complete the canal project that cuts across the entire battlefield. In work
4. Build a farm house and associated structures (barn, sheds, fences, fields, hedgerows).  In work
5. Build a bunker complex.
6. Build/buy more trees.
7. Trim a tree day.

FRAG’s HISTORY

 In the fall of 2000, several Metro Denver armor modelers got together to talk shop and admire each other's work.  During that meeting, it was decided to start a local armor club that would be a leader in the hobby industry and among other clubs.  One that would publicly promote our unique sector of the hobby  and most importantly, features regular Battle Days at a permanent site.

 It took about 9 months to secure such a location, but the effort has been more than worthwhile. Each time we meet, we experience the thrill and realism of a miniature battlefield featuring rivers, hills, trees, valleys, bridges, mountain passes, railroad tracks and an ever expanding Normandy Village.  Currently, the village includes a canal, dock area, town square, and several places to hide tanks from the enemy.  We use miniature pine trees commonly available at craft shops to create our ever increasing forests and woods.  Future projects will include hedge rows, county lanes, fields and a farm or two.  Thanks to the ever expanding number and sophistication of 1/16^th and 1/15^th scale armor kits, it won’t be long before we can stage battles between a dozen tanks on both Allied and Axis sides, all of which will have engine, machine gun and cannon sounds.

 Here are some pictures of the site under construction and the partially completed battlefield.  Notice the 1:1 armor unit that roamed far and wide.  We removed about 40 cubic yards of weeds, debris, concrete, asphalt, dead trees, old tires and much more.  Many hours of backbreaking labor and more than 50 cubic yards of new dirt and rock went into creating a place to exhibit not only our “prized” models, but also our talents for war game strategy. Whoever said, “If you build it, they will come.”, was right!  Not only during site construction, but ever since, we have had local neighbors, people driving by, the Press and even the Police stop in to see what we were up to.  Because of all of this exposure, our membership has more than tripled, but most important……fun and excitement is enjoyed by all. 

 Construction Phase Photo's

All material contained herein is © copyrighted  by Front Range Armored Group