As the old phrase goes, it is better late than never…. OK that really cannot apply to RC Tanking, but we have updated the CanAm event calendar for the Ed Reimer field.
The field itself has undergone a huge re-build with major terrain shifts. Ren’s Hill is no more!
There is a lot of room for close quarters combat as well as a few sniper spots for long range engagements/
This phenomenal arch was hand made by a Garrison member. The Sherman, “Anita 2” proceeds through the arch in search of Axis forces…
There! Coming out of smoke from the burning village… It is a King Tiger!
Soon we will be adding more images to show off the Ed Reimer battlefield. Until the next update!
As the outdoor tanking season draws closer to an end for 2021, it is hard not to think of all the good things that have come about so far this year.
The Good:
The Can-Am crew got to FINALLY start larger scale battling again after the COVID pandemic waves. Such a blessing.
Edward “Knispel” Reimer was honoured for his years of outstanding efforts to get the KW Battlefield into a premiere area for RC tank combat. Renamed to Reimer Field.
The Can-Am crew had a influx of RC Tankers!
Reimer Field was expanded and had many aspects of the battlefield overhauled.
AQUINO happened! You were missed!
While the bad things are not as numerous… They are still not good in the least…
The Bad:
COVID still causing issues
Too many of our long time fellow tankers have passed from this mortal battlefield. A memorial wall has been added to the Links as a pulldown menu item or (here).
Bud Lancaster
Greg Cunningham
Edward Reimer
Yes. Life does go on, but those individuals have touched many of the lives of Can-Am crew members. They will not be forgotten and will all be sorely missed.
It has been about a week and a half since the Can-Am RC Tank crew were at Aquino Tank Weekend at the Ontario Regimental RCAC Museum. And what a weekend it was… Friday is normally reserved for attendees who have purchased the VIP packages and those whom have special access, such as employees and invited guests of sponsors of the event, such as World of Tanks. This event is the one that most of the RC Tank members look forwards to as this museum boasts over 150 vehicles during Aquino, of which over 100 are operational and several dozen are used in displays and re-enactments during the weekend show.
Friday was the time for setting up the RC Tank battlefield at Aquino. Dean and Derek spent 3 hours trimming the grass to the nubs while the rest of us setup the gazebos and tables that would shelter us from the sun and display all our RC tanks to the attendees of the show.
The battlefield was laid out with buildings, fences, walls, and trees for obstacles and cover. A small bit of effort was required to bury the pyrotechnical control wires for the “destroyed Tiger I” prop.
1/2 way through trimming the battlefield @ Aquino. Cones represent the field borders.Buildings and terrain features nearly finished. Vehicles and figures to follow!
By the time the field was finished and a couple tanks were “tested” it was time to go back to the Hotel and to dinner. While some members would not show up until Friday evening in Oshawa, those that were able to congregated at the nearly pub and spent the next few hours having food and beverages and enjoying a chance to socialize with each other once again.
Saturday was the day that Aquino is open to the general public. With the current pandemic restrictions, the daily event was limited to 2000 attendees. The museum crushed it by selling out for the day. The removal of the traditional bleacher stands actually worked out very well with the attendance limits as people would be closer to the field where all the live action was. That was not the only thing that was different than the previous Aquino. There were several new additions to the museum’s inventory of functional armoured vehicles. Borden brought a surprise tank as well.
The fully running Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz. 138/2), aka. Hetzer. Used during the re-enactments.One of the three Chieftains in the museum’s inventory. Like historical versions, these ones where not without problems…A true surprise that was at Aquino, an Italian M14/41 which drove around the track and was on display for attendees. Internally the vehicle is gutted and has a more modern drivetrain.
The day officially ended at 4pm and many of the Can-Am RC Tank crew participated in a barbeque dinner held at the hotel’s outdoor patio area. Hard to believe that even after a full day of RC tanking and enjoying real armour rolling around the fields, that nearing midnight, many of the crew swapped stories and had a great time once again socializing.
Just remember to not Drink and Tank, I mean Drive….
Sunday was the final day of Aquino and while the attendance numbers were not sold out like Saturday, it was still busy for the Can-Am RC Tank Club with many people asking questions about our tanks and where they could find and purchase their own RC tanks. There were a few tanks on display by the Can-Am RC Tank Club. Here is a few images showing a fair number of those tanks that were present.
Nearing the end of the day some of the crew had to leave early due to long travel times home. Some over 4 hours with traffic in the GTA. It was also at this time that some of the other World of Tanks representatives had a chance to come by and play with some of the RC tanks. The Chieftain drove around in a high-speed Sherman, while Cmdr_AF started driving in a Panzer III and progressed up to a Panzer IV. They may even be a video later where the two are battling (which will be posted).
Speaking of World of Tanks, a shoutout to Krzyboop, Domosapien, and Tragicloss as well as those mentioned previously, who came and visited our RC tank field during the show. Can-Am RC Tank Club member Jarlath, enjoyed talking to all of you and appreciated the efforts to get a pair of Aquino shirts signed.
World of Tanks’ Krzyboop (L) and Cmdr_AF (R) displaying the T-Shirts to be launched from “Bobby”, a M24 ChaffeeWoT’s historian, Richard Moran, aka “The Cheiftain” discussing the Italian M14/41 at Aquino.
For those looking for the many of the 300+ images that the author took during Aquino Tank Weekend, you will not find most of them here. They were posted on the forum (which I do suggest you check out and join if you have not already).
Looking forwards to next year!
It was a good turnout for the Can-Am RC Tank Club in the first post-pandemic Aquino Tank Weekend. We will be back again in 2022!
Aquino has returned finally from all this pandemic fallout. Come on out September 17-19, 2021, to see the most amazing display of functional armored vehicles in Canada.
Aquino Tank Weekend is a place to experience armour first hand and up close, as well as watch them perform in recreations of actual historic battles.
Get your tickets here: Aquino Tank Weekend
While there you can also come out and watch the Can-Am RC Tank club battle it out on a small portion of the field. Who knows, there may even be a tank or three for public use!
Ontario Regiment RCAC Regimental Museum
1000 Stevenson Rd N, Oshawa, Ontario,
Canada, L1J 5P5
On June 19th, the first true Battle-day of 2021, a special event was held. While officially opened in 2017, the KW Garrison’s battlefield had many, many months of planning and labour, shaping it into a ready to use and beautifully detailed tank combat arena!
One of the key people who made this happen is Ed Reimer, aka “Kinspel”. Ed’s unwavering dedication to creating and maintaining the field during it’s maiden years is unmatched.
From creating a screening apparatus to sift rocks from the dirt for making roads safe for RC tank tracks, his masterful agility wielding the whipper-snipper to remove the unwanted vegetation from the field, and the ridiculous labour intensive creation of rows upon rows of scale telephone poles. These are just a couple of the things that Ed has contributed to the KW Garrison.
So on June 19th, in the afternoon of the first full battleday, we were all honoured to christen the KW Garrison Battlefield to the Reimer Field in recognition for his efforts in launching and helping create such a wonderful RC Tank battlefield.
Remier Field
The new sign also immortalizes Ed’s favorite tank, the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, aka the King Tiger. Ed’s “un-killable” King Tiger has IR battled for more years than the German Wehrmacht of World War II.
Ed’s reaction to the yelling of “It was FIXED!”
This was also topped off by the presentation of the 2019-2020 competition award, to which Ed placed so far ahead of everyone else, that there was not even a chance to catch up. Good natured joking of collusion with his RC tanking wife and cat-calls of “FIX!” were laughed at by all, especially Ed himself.
June 19th was a great day for RC Tank battles, and Reimer Field is constantly evolving and improving thanks to dedicated individuals like Edward “Kinspel” Reimer.
It has been a rough year and a bit due to the restrictions imposed from the Covid-19 outbreak since April 2020… Finally we are being able to do some true planning as these restriction are lessened.
During the pandemic, the KW Garrison has been renovating their battlefield and has scheduled upcoming battledays for 2021! Make sure to check the calendar and mark off those days!
After nearly a decade, the original field in Ft. Erie will be ceasing operations of its battlefield; effective immediately… It is an unfortunate turn of events that was not made without a huge amount of debate and considerations by the caretakers of the field.
“With our limited resources and energy, we cannot provide the type of R/C battle experience that serves as a draw for members/participants. Consequently, our attendance has been lower.
The decision to disband was based on these factors.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the field over the years, and those who have been making the long trip from their homes to the field for meets for many seasons.”
We thank Glen, and all those who helped maintain the field for their tireless efforts and many years of service and dedication to running the Ft. Erie battlefield.
This is the website for the Can-Am RC Tank Club. In here you will find links to our battlefields across Ontario, as well as events and a link to our forum. As of Sept 1, 2017, this is still a
Can-Am Radio Control Tank Club 