The purpose of this group is to provide a venue in which individuals with a scholarly interest in small combatants can share information and expand the knowledge base on these craft. This is a moderated, academically-oriented group, so participants are expected to display solid research methodology, provide citations, and make (and take) challenges to comments in a collegial manner. No egos, please; we're all friends and colleagues here with much to learn from each other.

Discussions on the technical and operational aspects of any type and nationality of small combatant are welcome, although the primary focus should be powered vessels from about 1860 to the present. As a general rule, discussions should be limited to vessels commonly associated with the term "coastal forces". Broadly defined, this group ranges from the spar torpedo boats of the 1860s through the current generation of patrol craft such as the CYCLONE class PC, the SAAR Vs, etc.

Few, if any, modeling-oriented threads are likely to be posted. Individuals interested in modeling these craft should direct their inquiries/comments to one of the fine sites dedicated to ship modeling, links to some of which are provided in the "Links" section.

The usual requirements for civility apply, as do those prohibitions for comments of a political, religious, or defamatory nature. Individuals choosing to ignore these simple requirements will discover that banishment from the group is only a mouse-click away... :-}.

Welcome aboard.

Al Ross II