Task Force 72 Task Force 72 is an international association of Radio control led model boat builders , all building in the common scale ( ratio ) of 1 : 72 ( 1 inch in 1 : 72 equals 72 inches or 6 feet in real life ) . History . Task Force 72 originated in Australia in 1994 , when a number of individuals building radio controlled models came together to form a voluntary association . The name derives from the military term for a group of warships operating to a common purpose , a task force , and the scale of the ship models being built ( 1 : 72 ) . In the years since , the association has grown from a small number of model builders to several hundred currently active and former members located in Australia , the United States , United Kingdom , Canada , New Zealand and several other countries . At this time the largest grouping of members is located within Australia , although it is hoped to grow membership internationally . Annual Regatta . The Association holds an annual regatta each year , normally at Wentworth Falls Lake , located in the Blue Mountains , west of Sydney in New South Wales , Australia . The Task Force 72 Annual Regatta is usually held in November or December of each calendar year . The 2009 Annual Regatta was held on the weekend of Saturday 05 ( 10AM - 8PM ) and Sunday 6 December ( 10AM - 4PM ) . The 2010 Annual Regatta will be held over the weekend of Saturday 4 December ( 10AM - 8PM ) and Sunday 5 December ( 10AM - 4PM ) . Two major prizes are awarded during the Regatta . The Bravo Zulu Award , named for the Naval flag hoist signifying ' well done ' , is awarded by a reviewing officer . In 2009 the reviewing officer was Commander Anthony Davidson RAN , representing the Commander Australian Fleet , Royal Australian Navy In 2009 , the winner of the Bravo Zulu award was a model of the Indian Navy Godavari class frigate INS Godavari ( F20 ) . The Wentworth Shield is awarded to the model judged best by the members of Task Force 72 attending the Regatta . At the 2009 Annual Regatta the Wentworth Shield award was won by a model of the World War 2 Royal Australian Navy Q class destroyer HMAS Quickmatch ( G92 ) Several minor prizes are usually presented , including : Best Warship ( 2009 winner Royal Navy Type 21 frigate HMS Avenger ( F185 ) ) ; Best Non - warship ( 2009 winner the former Port Phillip Maritime pilot tender Wyuna ; The Newbie Award ( for the best first - time model ) ( 2009 winner the Royal Australian Navy River class destroyer escort HMAS Parramatta ( DE 46 ) ; and The Rob Sullivan Engineering Award ( named after a now - deceased member of Task Force 72 ) for most innovate engineering on display at the Regatta ( not awarded in 2009 ) . Task Force 72 hopes that the Association ' s membership in other countries will grow to the point where they are large enough to support their own national regattas . Types of models constructed . Currently the majority of model ships owned by Task Force 72 members are military vessels however this is slowly changing as more non - warships are completed . In fact the joint winners of the Wentworth Shield for best model at the 2007 Annual Regatta were two non - warships , the lighthouse and navigation aids tender Cape Don and the USS Charles Robinson , a Liberty Ship . Similarly , the vessel voted best model of the 2008 Annual Regatta was a US Army Hospital Ship , the USAHS St Olaf which , while operated by the military , was not a warship . Task Force 72 members have built models of a wide range of ships and submarine s , ranging from 19th century cruiser s to futuristic missile corvette s , from sailing ships to ballistic missile submarine s . Despite the majority of ships being of military subjects merchant and passenger ships are also well represented . All share a basic characteristic . They are built to a common scale of 1 : 72 and are radio controlled . Task Force 72 fleet composition . As of January 2010 the Task Force 72 " fleet " is made up of several hundred models , ranging in size from extremely large models of various aircraft carriers and battleships down to very small models of tugboats and patrol boat s . The majority of the models are of medium sized vessels , such as destroyers and frigates , which are considered by their builders to combine a reasonable size for ease of transport and " seaworthiness " , with significant scope for the incorporation of detail and providing sufficient internal volume for the mechanics of making the models operational . Task Force 72 Logo . The Task Force 72 logo comprises a stylised compass rose with an anchor superimposed on the compass rose with the words Task Force Seventy Two surrounding the design . External links . Criticisms