ACTION
THE Airsoft Magazine
NOVEMBER 2011 - £3.95
WIN OakleDyogs
Monster worth £75!
GLOCK 17 PATROL SKILLS GZ WEEKENDER REPORT
ARES
M3A1 GREASE GUN REVIEW
tactical comms ■ game reports ■ gloves ‘n’ glasses ■ ex-mil land rovers ■ Airsoft virgin
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AIRSOFT ACTION - NOVEMBER 2011
CONTENTS 7
AIRSOFT NEWS BRAND NEW RIFLES AND MORE
12 20 24
RIFLE REVIEW HANDS-ON WITH ARES’ M3A1
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REAL OR AIRSOFT? HOW TO LOOK THE REAL DEAL
73 45
GROUND ZERO WEEKENDER AIRSOFT ACTION REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINE OF THIS YEAR’S WEEKENDER
50 55
PISTOL REVIEW THE ICONIC GLOCK 17
FOREST LABS, BEXLEY ON-SITE FOR FOREST LABS’ LAST HURRAH STIRLING AIRSOFT THE ALL OUT WAR SAGA CONTINUES
32 36
MEDIA REVIEW DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION
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YOUNG GUNS BECAUSE AIRSOFT IS CHILD’S PLAY
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CAMO COMPETITION RECOGNISE THE PATTERN BELOW?
BIG BOYZ TOYZ FANCY OWNING AN EXMILITARY LAND ROVER?
59 62 69 73
NOMAD AIRSOFT SITE REVIEW FROM NORTH OF THE BORDER AIRSOFT VIRGIN BECAUSE THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE FIRST TIME KIT REVIEW GLASSES AND GLOVES GO UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
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TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS HOW-TO FOR USING RADIOS IN THE FIELD
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INSIDE AIRSOFT: LEVEL PEAKS THE INNER WORKINGS OF AN AIRSOFT GIANT
78 82 84
TEAM PROFILE GET TO KNOW UNIT 13
BOOK REVIEW SEE WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING THIS MONTH
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BOOKSHOP BUY WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING THIS MONTH!
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AIRBANA SITE DIRECTORY FOUR PAGES OF WHERE TO PLAY
WORLD WAR TWO AIRSOFT AN INTRO TO PERIOD AIRSOFT COMPETITION: OAKLEY OH, WE DO SPOIL YOU.
RETAILER LIST FIND OUT WHERE TO BUY
45 SEE PAGE 43 FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR HUGE MONTHLY CAMOFLAGUE COMPETITION!
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Welcome… Before I say anything else, I just want to say a massive thank you to all our readers for making Issue One of Airsoft Action such a huge success! When you start a new magazine it is difficult to know if you have got it right until it is out – but now we know! From the feedback we have received (which has come from right across the airsoft scene, from players and marshals to shop and site owners) it seems you like what we are doing – and I can assure we will keep on doing it. There is simply so much going on in airsoft that one of the biggest challenges I have as editor is to decide what to cover and which features to put into each issue. I know that players like to see reviews of kit, guns and sites, and will read articles that are of interest to them. What I would like to know is what you think: have we got the balance right, or should there be more (or less) of some types of article? What do you
like, and just aas importantly, what do you dislike? From day one I have stated that the most important people in airsoft are the players and I want Airsoft Action to be a player’s magazine. So tell me what you think, make comments and suggestions and let me know what you would like to see in the mag. If you have an idea for an amazing article, or know of brilliant site we should visit, tell me about it. Obviously I can’t promise that we will take up every suggestion – I can only be in so many places at once! – but we will do our best to keep writing stuff you want to keep reading. Write to me at the Blaze Publishing offices or send me an email: nigels@ blazepublishing.co.uk. In Issue Three we will be starting a Reader’s Write column, so keep sending us those letters and you never know, you might just see it in print! Keep safe,
Nige
Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant editor: Anthony Platt Art Director: Chris Sweeney Ad design: Ryan Dixon Advertising: Hannah Benson Operations director: James Folkard Assistant publisher: Ruth Burgess Editorial director: James Marchington Publisher: Wesley Stanton
Full UK 13-issue subscription rate: £59.40 For overseas prices visit: www.airsoftactionmagazine.com Blaze Publishing, Lawrence House, Morrell Street Leamington Spa.Warwickshire. CV32 5SZ Tel: 01926 339808 Fax: 01926 470400 E: info@blazepublishing.co.uk W: www.blazepublishing.co.uk © Blaze Publishing Limited, 2011 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Blaze Publishing Limited 2011. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publishers in writing. The opinions of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.
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Letter, idea or question? Got something to say? A question for our experts? Or an article, or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the assistant editor (anthonyp@blazepublishing. co.uk), send us a letter at the Blaze Publishing address below – or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.
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AIRSOFT
AIRSOFT NEWS
NEWS GEIGERRIG PRESSURISED HYDRATION Platoon Stores is a new stockist of the revolutionary Geigerrig hydration system. Unlike its competitors, Geigerrig takes the ‘suck’ out of your hydration problem with its air pump system. The bite valve sprays water rather than wasting energy trying to suck fluid through. The additional purification kit allows you to collect water from natural sources and purify it in the hydration system,
without the need for purifying tablets – and works for up to 50 gallons. Tried and tested by Platoon Stores, it is recommended as a professionals’ choice. Shown here is the RIG 1600 Ballistic, a 26-litre pack with a three-litre bladder, which retails at £114.95 Distributed by Whitby & Co: 01539 721032, www.whitbyandco.co.uk. Platoon Stores: 01634 829063, www.platoonstores.co.uk.
AIR
M&C WEAPONS SYSTEMS
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VE A new company – M&C Weapons Systems – is set to launch five new airsoft guns in the UK. Airsoft Action was privileged to be invited to an exclusive first look at the five AK variants. The guns are assembled here in the UK. They feature metal bodies, real wood furniture where appropriate and have been designed to be as close to the real thing as possible – some even have Russian markings. Due to commercial sensitivities we cannot bring you too much information at this time. We’ve had a good close look at the first pre-production models though, and if the final versions are as good as M&C says they will be then we can’t wait to put them through their paces. Pricing has not yet been settled but an M&C spokesman has confirmed they will be “very competitively priced,” and available early in the New Year. M&C is not releasing any other details at this time so watch this space... More importantly though: M&C has agreed to add a rifle of the winner’s choosing to our Camouflage Competition Prize Pot! Check out the details on page 43.
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ASG SIX-SHOOTERS Action Sport Games (ASG) has released two new variants of its Dan Wesson revolvers for airsoft use. Already a popular airgun range, ASG’s licensed Dan Wesson revolvers feature an almost full-metal construction and a realistic weight. The new versions are a 6in barrelled chrome version and a compact 2.5in barrelled black version, perfect for concealment and backup. The revolvers, in true six-shooter
style, come complete with six individual shells which can be loaded with single plastic BBs and then loaded into the gun just like the real thing. It also comes with a speedloader. Powered by 12g CO2 bulbs the 6in version can deliver a stonking 420fps+ from a new bulb. While this power does mean the revolver is unlikely to see much use on skirmish sites it is incredibly good fun, and looks and feels excellent too. ASG has stated that the two new models will be available from October, though prices are unconfirmed. Action Sport Games: (+45) 8928 1888, www.actionsportgames.com
RAYS OF SUNSHINE Airsoft Action recently came into contact with a sterling charity, Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity. Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity grants wishes for seriously ill children in the UK aged 3-18. The charity gives brave and deserving children and young people the chance to escape the reality of their illness and experience the magic
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of having their wish come true. Wishes are as unique as children themselves: whether a child wants to drive a tank or swim with dolphins, Rays of Sunshine works hard to make that wish come true. Recent wishes have included cooking with a celebrity chef, owning a spa pool, meeting JLS, having a celebration of life party and visiting Disney World in Florida. The charity granted its first wish in 2004 and will celebrate its 2,000th in September. As the whole family lives through the pain of a child’s illness, the charity always includes the whole family in the wish. The charity receives no government support, but relies on the generous support of fundraisers and supporters. Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity: 0208 782 1171, www.raysofsunshine. org.uk
NEWS Would you like to have a say in running the UK’s Airsoft Player Union? That is exactly what is on the agenda at the UKAPU 2nd Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held on 19 November in Worcester and will include the vote to decide the 2011/12 committee members. If you are interested in a committee position then please visit the forums at www.ukapu. org.uk to register your interest or email secretary@ukapu.org.uk. The venue for the meeting is still to be confirmed so please keep an eye on our website for further information. All members are welcome to attend on the evening. Last month UKAPU attended the Ground Zero weekender organised by Zero One Airsoft and had an excellent time. UKAPU provides a social area where players can relax in the evening and join in with our movie night with a nice cold beer in hand! Some 60 players signed up as a result and we would like to thank you all for your support during the weekend. A special mention goes to Team Recon Six (www. reconsix.co.uk) who signed up the entire team during the event. Teams signing up together can benefit from a reduced price, as it does remove a lot of the admin work required to verify new members and send out membership packs. If your team would like to sign up then you can do so by mailing membership@ ukapu.org.uk and asking for more details. A big thank you to all those who have joined UKAPU already. Annual membership is available for only £5 from www.ukapu.org.uk. Existing members can renew their memberships online – it only takes seconds to renew so be sure not to miss out. Chris Neill – United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union
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ADVANCED PROTECTION Intelligent Armour is now the official UK distributor of Potomac Field Gear. Potomac Field Gear is designed for use by soldiers serving on international missions, and its tactical garments are used by the US Marine Corps, Navy SEALs and the FBI among others. Potomac Field Gear is made of a unique material called Advanced Protective Fabric. The fibre composition of this material gives the clothing an array of properties useful to serving personnel, and which other materials do not provide. These include being flame-retardant, sweat wicking, anti-microbial, anti-odour, antistatic, temperature regulating and UV protective – and all for an affordable price, too. Alex Bomberg, CEO of Intelligent Armour, said: “Potomac Field Gear
AIRSOFT NEWS
will truly revolutionise the clothing that is used in combat, both today and in the future. Potomac has shown truly innovative produt design by fulfilling the needs of a serving soldier with its comfortable garments that ensure protection. “With its Advanced Protective Fabric, Potomac aims to reduce the number of troops who suffer burn or blast injury on the battlefield.” Shown here is the Potomac Advanced Combat Shirt Gen II, retailing at £144, and the Potomac Boxer Shorts, which cost £33.60. Intelligent Armour: 01453 700574 www.body-armour-protection.co.uk, info@intelligent-armour.co.uk.
THE RANGE
A new airsoft shooting range – cleverly called ‘The Range’ – has opened in London. Billed as “a great place to learn and practise the art, skill and sport of shooting in a very safe and fun environment,” shooting time at the range can be booked in 30-minute slots, costing from £6 for non-members. The site also features a retail shop, and specialises in ‘tactical target’ shooting – an IPSC-inspired airosft shooting discipline. It also uses airsoft guns to give instruction on ‘real steel’ shooting. The Range is open to people of all ages, and is easily accessible by tube and bus. It is located on the Edgware Road so there is ample public parking too. The Range: 0207 724 6781, www.airsoftrange.co.uk, range@ airsoftrange.co.uk
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ARES M3A1 GREASE GUN ELECTRIC BLOWBACK Ratty gives his opinion of Ares’ M3A1 Grease Gun, which has been around (in real steel, of course) since 1944 History In February 1941, the US Ordnance Corps set out a requirement for a cheaper sub-machine gun to act as an alternative to the Thompson M1 and M1928. A prototype, designated the T20, was a very simple weapon, made mostly from stamped steel. After trials, the newly designated M3 was put into service in 1943. The M3 fired .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) rounds and was full-auto only, using a blowback mechanism from an open bolt.
Early M3s showed up some problem points in combat, mostly the cocking mechanism. These problems were overcome and in 1944 the newer, more reliable version (designated M3A1) served with distinction with US Armed Forces through the latter part of WWII. This version saw heavy use in the Pacific as well as service in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was still the personal weapon of US Army tank crews until the 1980s.
Interesting Points The M3A1 could be converted to use 9x19mm Luger ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt and a magazine adaptor so it could use British Sten gun magazines. The retractable stock, when detached, doubled up as a cleaning rod, and also featured a magazine loading tool. The hollow pistol grip contained a small gun oil bottle, which was required as the cheaper steel rusted quite easily in wet climates. A silenced version of the M3A1 was produced for special operations.
First Impressions Ares is well-known for trying to make its airsoft rifles as realistic as possible.
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The company has done a cracking job with this weapon! On opening the box there is a basic operation manual which is very easy to follow, with a good exploded parts diagram. Taking the M3A1 out of the box, you’re instantly struck by how heavy it is (4.5kg), and its distinctive finish. Ares has really gone to town to make it look industriallike, fitting the M3A1’s basic functions and crude weld marks. This façade works well as the receiver is stamped steel and the outer barrel aluminium, so the materials used are very robust and almost indestructible. With the wire frame stock fitted, this looks one awesome piece of kit! Unique to the Grease Gun is the fact that the battery is housed in the magazine, which holds 65 rounds of
THE ARMOURY
6mm BBs. There is ample space for an 8.4/9.6v stick type-battery and fitting is quick and easy. It will also take LiPo or nunchuck batteries. The battery contacts are located at the top of the magazine, which marry to contacts inside the mag well. The downside of this system is that you are going to need a battery for each mag you have, as you don’t want to be scrabbling around in the middle of a fire-fight swapping batteries every time you do a mag change – and with a capacity of only 65 BBs you are going to need a few extra mags too.
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THE ARMOURY besides the usual Thompsons that you see. Because the real version had such a long working life, it lends itself to Vietnam or even Cold War loadouts too. All in all a phenomenal bit of kit. I just wonder what else Ares will be releasing in its classic line range… n
The safety is easy to use as it is just a big lever on the right-hand side of the receiver. The hop unit is simple to adjust by lifting the hinged ejection port cover (which you need to do when firing) and sliding back the imitation bolt to allow access. The adjuster itself is a simple slide lever. The stock is a basic two-position ‘all way in/all way out’ and the catch is located at the top right-hand side of the pistol grip. The magazine release catch is on the left-hand side of the receiver at the top of the mag well. Magazines fit very snugly and initially require a gentle tap to engage fully. The fixed aperture rear sight and fixed front sight, as well as the sling mounts, all add to the realistic look.
Using the M3A1 With mag firmly in, ejection port cover open and stock fully extended I took off the safety and pulled the trigger… Wow! Straight out of the box with the hop half-on, I was hitting my target at just over 100ft. The electric blowback mechanism really put a smile on my face. As the imitation bolt went back and forth with a ‘chugga-chugga’ sound I was really impressed – and still smiling like a kid at Christmas! Firing at around 660rpm – which is faster than the real thing – I was
achieving a reading of between 288307fps (with hop on).
Must Points The Ares M3A1 is made mostly of steel so it is very important to keep the externals clean as part of your regular maintenance, or you could find rust getting into the bodywork. Secondly, keep the contacts on both the magazine and inside the mag well clean. It won’t take long for muck from your pouches to get on them, which would severely hamper your use and enjoyment, and keeping these clean will stop carbon deposits building up.
Summary Having been a fan of Ares as a manufacturer since buying my L1A1 SLR a while ago, I’m really pleased that the thought put into the design and construction of the M3A1 has reaffirmed Ares as an attentive, top-quality manufacturer producing exciting weapons. The only downside I can see is the battery-in-mag scenario, but given the compactness of the Grease Gun I can see they had little choice. Although not everyone’s cup of tea, the Grease Gun is iconic and, if you are doing WWII airsoft in a US role, this gives you another quality option
SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 4,500 grams Build: Steel receiver and stock, aluminium outer barrel Length: 580mm stock retracted 750mm stock extended Internals: Metal gearbox with high torque motor Hop-up: Adjustable Mag capacity: 65 BBs Battery: 8.4v/9.6v stick/nunchuck type NiMH 7.4v LiPo Velocity: 288-307 (hop on) 311-335 (hop off) Price: Around £230 To find out where to buy the Ares M3A1, check out the retailer list on page 82. Thanks to RedWolf Airsoft for supplying The M3A1 Grease Gun used in this article: www.redwolfairsoft.com
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MOVEMENT
SKILLS ROOM
IN THE FIELD If you don’t want to let the enemy know where you are, learn how to move properly – even at night
F
ollowing last month’s article, Communicating in Silence, this article looks at how to move in the field in daylight and at night. This is a relevant skill that could improve many airsofters’ game, for a number of reasons. The first is that, even in airsoft, once you are close you don’t want to let the enemy know where you are. Secondly, to get close to the enemy in the first place you need to know how to move without alerting them to your approach. By using the basic movement techniques outlined here and using any available cover you should be able to get close to your target without detection. n
The Monkey Run This is the normal ‘hands and knees’ crawl, useful for moving behind low cover. It is possible to move quite fast but tends to make noise. You can prevent twigs cracking by moving more slowly and putting your knees on the spot where your hands have been, as this would have cleared that spot of any debris. Keep your rear and head down but continue to observe – the enemy has a strange habit of popping up when you least expect it. When doing this movement with a rifle, hold the weapon at its point of balance and make sure that the muzzle gets no dirt in it (you will not believe how many people I have seen try and fire a weapon with half a ton of dirt in the barrel, and wonder why it’s not working!).
The Leopard Crawl This movement is quite hard on the old elbows and knees but is great when you need to get somewhere in a hurry and have no real cover to speak of. Crawl on the inside of your knees and elbows. Move by using alternate elbows and knees, rolling your body a little as you bend your knees. Keep your heels, head and body down and observe at all times. When doing this movement with a rifle, hold the weapon with your right hand on the pistol grip and the left hand on the handguard (reverse if left-handed). Do you remember the cheap toy soldier that you used to be able to buy, that would crawl across the floor then fire his weapon? Well, this is the exact same movement!
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The Walk This is as simple as it sounds but there are a few steps (no pun intended!) that should always be followed. Your rifle should always be held in the alert position, ready for action at any point. Always maintain that alertness when walking, observing in all directions. Be ready to take on the enemy. Don’t walk on the flat sole of your boots, use the edge to walk quietly and feel with your feet where you are placing them. It helps to keep your balance if you slightly bend your knees as you move.
The Roll Not of major use in a regular airsoft game but for anyone who has ever been caught on a skyline or the crest of a hill, this maneuver is incredibly useful for getting you off there safely. Protect your rifle, holding it closely into your side, keep your feet together and your body straight, and roll down the slope. I would suggest you do this at a controlled pace otherwise you could end up hurting yourself and (probably more importantly) your weapon.
Movement at night With the increasing number of MilSim and night games, being able to move efficiently and quietly in the dark has become more important. Noise travels further at night (due to ambient noise being less and hearing senses being heightened) so it is especially essential. Movements used during daylight are not necessarily suitable at night, they have to be adapted.
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The Cat Walk (Night) Not really a walk, as you crawl on your hands and knees, searching the ground in front of you for anything that is going to make a noise and give away your position, along with trip wires and booby traps. Take it slowly and move forwards by putting your knee in places where your hand has been.
SKILLS ROOM The Kitten Crawl (Night) This is slow and tiring, but a very quiet movement. Lie on your front, moving any ground obstruction to one side, then lift your body on your forearms and toes (if you have done the plank in the gym you will know this movement). Press forward and lower yourself to the ground. The movement is repeated until you have reached your target. I would only use this movement when doing Close Target Reconnaissance and the like, where you are close to enemy positions and noise discipline is essential. So there we have it: these basic movement techniques, when perfected, will help you move to your required position effectively and quietly whether day or night.
The Ghost Walk (Night) Lift legs high, sweeping them slowly forwards. Feel gently with your toes for a safe place for each foot step then place your weight down gently. Keep your knees bent and use your left hand to feel the air in front of you, from head height to the ground, checking for any twigs or branches that you may snap, or even just move (which might alert the enemy). This may also help detect any hidden trip wires or booby traps.
For more information about movement (and everything else a soldier needs to know), get yourself a copy of the Soldiers Pocket Book (Published by Military Pocket Books, SRP ÂŁ8). Every soldier should have one in their kit. Military Pocket Books: 01430 472087, www.milpkbk.co.uk
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REAL LOAD-OUTS
IN AN AIRSOFT
WORLD Last issue we were out in Afghanistan, this time we’re a little closer to home with a British Army CEFO (Combat Equipment Fighting Order) loadout – standard equipment for a British soldier.
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BRITISH WOODLAND
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LOAD-OUTS 1 Hat DPM Jungle Hat (around £15)
2 Shirt DPM Para Smock (around £10)
3 Belt Airborne Webbing (around £25)
4 Rifle WE Gas Blowback L85A2 (around £380)
5 Trousers DPM Trousers (around £10)
6 Boots Blackhawk Warrior Light Assault (around £145) The hat, shirt, trousers and belt were bought from a local military surplus store. Check out our list of UKARA-approved retailers on page 82 to find out where you can buy the kit featured.
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THE END OF AN ERA
They say all good things must come to an end and, for the Forest Laboratories complex in Bexley, that end came on 21 August 2011
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Forest Laboratories’ Bexley site has seen many hardfought airsoft battles. But on 21 August it was time to say goodbye – for this was the last day that airsoft would be played before the bulldozers moved in. The site is to be demolished to allow for the building of 54 apartments and 16 houses. Firefight Combat Simulations (FCS) had been using The Labs for nearly a year and its 120,000sq/ft of space, three floors and 150 rooms was perfect for its mix of action and education. About 50 players turned up for the final fling, the majority of whom seemed to be regular FCS players – although there were one or two firsttimers. The huge, high-ceilinged Safe Zone was alongside a room in which every gun was chronographed and the site limit of 328fps strictly enforced. As each gun passed, a numbered sticker was applied, identifying it as
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FOREST LABS
having been chronographed and also for random checks through the day. The day started with a few familiarisation games and, in true FCS style, progressed through a series of increasingly demanding, squad-based scenarios. Certain pyros were allowed (particularly those that went bang or made a lot of smoke!), and for this day the ‘Perks System’ made a return. The Perks System allows team leaders to select from a list of perks, such as an impervious riot shield, a 30-second head start, or a supply of pyros and allocate them to his individual squads. Using a perk at the right time could be the difference between winning and losing a game and added another dimension to the play. Once serious play got underway, it soon became apparent that you really need to know your way around this place and it was quite easy to lose your bearings. Before each game, Andy Janson (an FCS Director who was running the day) would give a briefing and indicate the objectives on a floorplan of the building. However, finding “room number 29, on the third floor, near the old lab in the annexe,” while under fire and nearly blinded by smoke, seemed to require either an uncanny sense of direction or a miracle.. Tell you what though… The players loved it! Regen was kept to a minimum and each game seemed to ebb and flow until one side eventually got the upper hand. The layout of the buildings meant that you couldn’t sit still for too long without the risk of someone getting round behind you and, in one
instance, standing in the middle of an empty room was no guarantee of safety! The game had not long started and a couple of squads were moving across the open expanse of a large, empty room. As they neared the centre of the room and without seeing where they
“…finding ‘room number 29, on the third floor, near the old lab in the annexe,’ while under fire and nearly blinded by smoke, seemed to require either an uncanny sense of direction or a miracle”
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FOREST LABS
TEAM GREEN came from, two grenades suddenly appeared at their feet. Needless to say the squads scattered, but not before most of them were taken out by the explosions. When the room had cleared sufficiently, they again moved across and, once again, a grenade appeared out of thin air. This time they were ready, nobody was taken out and they decided to wait and see what happened next. They didn’t have to wait long as a smoke bomb seemed to drop out of the ceiling, onto the spot where the grenades ‘appeared’. There was a pipe leading up through the ceiling that was just wide enough to drop a pyro down from the room above. Local knowledge used to great effect indeed! After lunch the afternoon moved into more advanced scenarios that included High Value Target snatches and rounding up mercenaries, and culminated in a number of pretty intense firefights.
When the final whistle had been blown on the final game, Andy called all the players together for the scores. Yes, one team had more points than the other but it didn’t seem to matter. What really mattered was that everyone had a brilliant day – and Forest Laboratories had been given a great send-off! ■
THE FCS CREW
TEAM ORANGE
Stop press! By the time you read this Firefight Combat Simulation’s other site, in Northfleet, Kent, will also have seen its last ever game day, having been served notice for demolition. FCS also runs games at other sites, including The Mall, in Reading. Contact Firefight Combat Simulations: 07973 240177, www.firefight.co.uk
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STIRLING AIRSOFT
./$1 3(.- '4-32, Embedded journalist James Phillips reports from Chad, where Stirling Airsoft’s All Out War continues. Although now largely free of rebel forces, many rural areas still hold pockets of resistance, sworn to fight to the last man was inserted into the Task Force (TF) at a Forward Opera ng Base (FOB) in the Bousso region, where Divine Brotherhood of Roy (DBR) fighters were known to be ac ve. The Task Force’s objec ve: to find and capture the DBR Commander and eliminate the rest. It was dark when I arrived at the patrol base, a derelict farmhouse standing on a small plateau at the end of a long valley. The quarters weren’t exactly five star, but I found some floor space and a er a quick meal bedded down for the night. Sleep did not come easily but I eventually got a couple of hours’ shut-eye, having been assured there was no enemy nearby. Dawn was beau ful and the sun came up to the sound of tea being made and weapons being readied. I would spend the day on patrol with Zulu (a four-man squad), checking buildings and searching for opposi on forces. Their High Value Target was the local DBR Commander who, from the picture Zulu had of him, was instantly named Ginger. With briefings complete Zulu moved out
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of the FOB to their patrol area. It’s strange, but no ma er how many mes you do it you always feel vulnerable leaving the FOB. To the guys it was just standard opera ng procedure but to me it felt like I was leaving safety and walking into danger – somewhat prophe c as it turned out. Zulu was to move along the valley to a par cular loca on, checking the status of previously iden fied buildings and looking for any sign of DBR ac vity. On reaching their objec ve they would be extracted back to the FOB by motorised transport. It all seemed very peaceful as we moved through the fields, reminding me of walking in the Welsh Valleys – although that seemed far away from where I was now. A hand signal brought me crashing back to reality as the patrol came to an abrupt halt and, with a li le encouragement from the man behind, I hit the ground. The building ahead showed signs of occupa on: the door ed closed with a piece of rope… Wood placed across the bo om to keep out wildlife... Zulu closed on the building,
cut the rope, removed the wood and, with perfect ming, burst in. Nobody home – but there certainly had been. Sleeping bags, food and clothing meant whoever was here was definitely coming back – they could be ‘acquired’ later on. Nothing was touched or moved, just photographed for evidence as the squad backed out of the building, re-tying the rope and replacing the wood as they le . With the informa on radioed back, the patrol con nued to their final posi on without incident. As the minutes cked by, nervous glances at the radio indicated that all was not well. They should’ve been extracted by now and the guys were ge ng edgy. Then the message came through: the DBR was a acking the FOB in large numbers. The squad needed to get back and there was only one way to go – up and around. The valley side was steep, so steep that the contours on the map merged into one thick brown line. I cannot remember ever having so much water pour out of my body as on that climb, but remaining behind to face a rampaging DBR was not an op on!
As we reached the top, chests heaving and hearts pounding, the sounds of a fire-fight came from below and Zulu were off again, back down the slope. The DBR fighters were caught off-guard and those not killed were quickly taken cap ve and transported to the patrol base. No transport for the patrol though who, having linked up with two other Patrols, made their way back on foot. The Base Commander later said he felt the DBR were just probing their defences and was sure there would be something more sustained a er dark. Interes ngly, the fighters they captured were not local DBR, they were from Eastern Europe. There were also reports of a group of Bri sh mercenaries, led by someone called Nick Dundee. Maybe there was more than just one story here. One thing was obvious: the Task Force was outnumbered, probably by as much as three to one and I needed to find out what was really going on. So having learnt the poten al loca on of their base, I walked out of the FOB alone, towards the DBR posi ons. I have done some da things in my me, but walking up a forest track in the semi-dark, arms raised towards trigger-happy men armed with Kalashnikovs had to be one of the most stupid. Thankfully they didn’t shoot and I was quickly placed face-down on the ground, searched thoroughly and ques oned by a man
calling himself The Priest. I explained that I had just arrived in Chad, wanted to write ‘the other side of the story’ and needed to speak with his Commander. He disappeared for a while and when he returned I was hooded, taken to a building and sat cross-legged on the floor. Eventually the hood was li ed and I found myself face to face with Ginger! Although reluctant to give me any details, from their accents I guessed that Ginger and his men were also from Eastern Europe, possibly Poland or maybe Belarus. He spoke good English and told me that they were there because, “having suffered under Soviet oppression, [they] could not stand by while the people of Chad were also being oppressed by an invading force,” and they would “help free the country from oppression and return Chad to the Chadian people.” They were not “mercenaries, or terrorists,” they were “freedom fighters, not figh ng for money,” and were “being supported by local people with food and shelter.” He was not going to tell me where they got their arms and ammuni on from though, but did agree to arrange a mee ng with another group of fighters also in the local area. I found Ginger very persuasive but realised that he would not hesitate to shoot me if he felt I was a threat – something I would bear in mind when I returned later that night, to see if the other mee ng was to go ahead. Understandably, the FOB Commander was not best pleased when he learned of my solo excursion and only agreed to me going out again if I carried an IR locator, to be used if I found myself ‘in the shit’. And that’s how I ended up si ng in the building Zulu
ALL OUT WAR
Ready for action: Zu lu squad leader Jamez searched, talking to a group of four Lithuanian mercenaries. These guys weren’t here because they sympathised with the local popula on: theirs was a more simple ideology – money! They wouldn’t tell me who they were working for or how long they had been ‘in Country’, only that they had been contacted by an agent who was paying them to fight. I didn’t feel threatened and soon le for some food and a good kip. I was woken by someone shou ng: “Stand to! Stand to!” The sound of automa c fire competed with explosions. Rounds ricocheted off the walls and I could hear Russian or Polish commands being shouted.
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Caught napping: Lithuanian mercenaries captured in Chad
“To the guys it was just standard operating procedure but to me it felt like I was leaving safety and walking into danger – somewhat prophetic as it turned out!” “What’s happening?” I started to haul myself upright. There was a TF guy stood almost on top of me, sidearm drawn and pointed through what’s le of the door. He only managed four words, “Stay down, stay down,” before he took a full clip to the chest and slumped to the floor. I did as he said, pulled my sleeping bag over my head and stayed very, very s ll. Footsteps entered the room, stopped right beside me then le again. They must have seen the dead guy and assumed there was no-one else there. When I could hear English voices again I ventured out. The Base Commander had been right. The FOB had been hit hard but, with a bit of luck and a huge effort the a ackers had been repulsed. It was later discovered that two prongs of the rebel a ack mistook each other and started a huge blue on blue fight. As the two groups believed the defence was much stronger that it actually was, both bugged out again! Needless to say there was no more sleep for me that night, although many of the guys seemed oblivious to what had happened and were soon snoring loudly.
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Following a covert, pre-dawn stand to, prac cally every man was loaded into vehicles and headed off to re-inves gate the building in which I had met the Lithuanians. I don’t know if it was the night-figh ng, or maybe too much vodka, but they were quite literally caught napping and all four were soon hauled out, bound and made to kneel outside. Closely guarded, they were placed into one of the vehicles and everyone headed back – straight into an ambush. As the lead vehicle approached the FOB it was hit by an IED and disabled. Everyone bailed out to take on the a ackers and I quickly followed. I don’t remember much, just a huge blinding flash followed by a percussion that blew me off my feet. It was like being hit in the chest by a wrecking ball while someone pounded on my head with a sledgehammer – the a ackers had set a second IED and I was standing almost on top of it when it was triggered. Thankfully my flak-jacket and the quick ac ons of a medic meant my injuries were kept to a minimum and, apart from the mother of all headaches and a couple of scratches, I was OK. Both my Nikons survived
the blast too, a testament to how tough they are. Back at the patrol base the prisoners were being interrogated, but another full-on assault was deemed imminent and they had no useful informa on so they were quickly processed and removed from the area. The DBR build-up was slow and methodical and their forces didn’t seem bothered about being seen; a er all they had strength in numbers and in the daylight would not be making the same mistake. When they came, they came from opposing flanks behind a wall of gunfire but were met by a determined, well-entrenched defence. The a ack stu ered as one advance was halted and then turned back, allowing the defenders to reinforce the other flank. With precision fire and total commitment, soldiers picked off the opposi on in everincreasing numbers un l the assault faltered and was over. Those DBR fighters s ll alive melted away into the trees. A small victory in a seemingly never-ending conflict – but a victory nonetheless. A few hours and many handshakes later, I le the patrol base for the last me and headed back to the UK. There’s definitely at least two sides to the story in Chad and it’s not over yet. Maybe one day I’ll go back again. For now though, thanks to the guys from Zulu Patrol – Jamez, Comedy, Dominic and Nick – I owe you guys a few beers… Cold ones! ■
Operation Huntsman was part of Stirling Airsoft’s rolling storyline, All Out War: Tour of Duty. For more information visit the website: www.stirlingairsoft.com
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Alex Wharton dives into the world of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, from Eidos
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o say I was excited about the arrival of Deus Ex: Human Revolution would be an understatement. I still remember playing the original Deus Ex many years ago and, after disappointing sequel Deus Ex: Invisible War, I was hoping that a prequel would be a return to the greatness that was the original game. The story centres around Adam Jensen, a security manager for a human augmentation company, who is injured in an attack. To ensure he survives his injuries the company converts most of his body to machine. Now ‘more than human’ Jensen sets out to find out what happened in the attack, who was behind it and bring the attackers to justice, discovering a web of tangled lies and conspiracy along the way. While playing the original game I spent most of my time in a state of confusion, not knowing who to trust or what choices to make. In Human Revolution I found the conspiracy story didn’t really come across; I never found
myself not knowing what to do or lost in a moral decision. It all seemed pretty straightforward to me, right until the end when all these different characters stepped out and revealed their great plan, at which point I could pick who I wanted to support. Despite billing itself as a game built around the idea
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MEDIA REVIEW as everything – apartment doors, wall safes, random doors in the slums – is now locked with a digital keypad. This means, if you don’t know the code, you need to be able to hack. Jensen may be able to punch through brick walls, but a little keypad on a wooden door? Impenetrable barrier! I generally play in an aggressive stealthy way (both in airsoft and computer games). In Deus Ex: Human Revolution this meant waiting for a gap between patrols, knocking guards out,
of choice it didn’t seem that any decisions I made mattered until right at the end – and even that choice just dictates which ending video you watch. Remember to save at this point and you can watch them all. The design and layout of the game world intensifies the lack of choice. The game plays out fairly linearly and there are only a few areas in which you get to run around completing side missions before progressing with the story. There’s no denying that the game looks gorgeous though. It’s set in a future only a few years from now, though it has undergone some major changes since. Technology has advanced at an incredible rate and changed the landscape considerably. Whether sewers or city streets or slums, locales look amazingly and believable thanks to the game engine.
“You need to upgrade your hacking skills to finish the game. Jensen can punch through brick walls, but a keybad on a wooden door? Impenetrable barrier!” The RPG elements of the game revolve around saving up XP and spending it on upgrades to your augmentations. This covers everything from better hacking and seeing through walls to complete invisibility. There are a few things you need to upgrade if you want to get through the game though, hacking in particular. It seems that locksmiths have gone out of fashion in the future,
dragging bodies into vents to hide them and hacking my way through security systems. Occasionally lead needed to fly – and in such an eventuality there’s a large assortment of weapons to choose from, all of which can be modified (pick up the explosive ammo mod for the revolver – you won’t regret it!). Regardless of these little niggles I enjoyed playing through Human Revolution immensely – it’s a damn sight better than Invisible War, at any rate. The levels were aesthetically well-designed and enjoyable to move through, even if linear. Enemies behaved slightly predictably but generally believably, and proved fun to fight against. Overall a worthy addition to your game collection, whether you’re new to the Deus Ex franchise or a hardened veteran. n
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Developed by: Eidos Montreal Published by: Square Enix Out now on PC, PS3 and Xbox
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BIG BOYZ TOYZ EX-MILITARY LAND ROVERS Fancy something rough, tough and synonymous with the British Army? Get yourself an ex-military Land Rover!
F
ollowing last month’s Big Boyz Toyz, which was an intro into what sort of military hardware is available, I was really spoilt for choice as to where to go next. But in terms of something that’s affordable, usable every day if necessary, with low(ish) running costs and which doesn’t require a specialist licence, it has to be exmilitary Land Rovers. The military Land Rover has been a familiar sight on UK, Western European and Middle Eastern roads for many a year, and in many different guises.
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Why Land Rover? During World War Two, Willy’s Jeeps and Chevrolet trucks were the mainstay of the British Army light and general service vehicles. They were used by both regular forces and, more famously, in Special Forces long-range operations. The British Government needed a vehicle of its own to do this work and commissioned Project FV1800. The first prototype was shown in 1945 but, due to constant specification changes, did not enter production until the early 1950s. This vehicle was the Austin Champ. In 1949 the British Army purchased a trial batch of Series 1 Land Rovers,
which they found complemented the Austin Champ. The Land Rover was cheaper, lighter and more economical than the Champ and was found to be an ideal multi-role vehicle. Over a period of time the Land Rover was modified and became better suited to the British Army’s needs. Production of the Austin Champ ceased after its initial contract of five years, but the Army has continued to buy Land Rovers in all formats. Military Land Rovers have been in service with many nations around the world including Spain, Holland, Australia and Oman – even the US Rangers adopted them recently.
Variants There have been so many variations used by the British Army that there must be one to suit everyone: short wheelbase (SWB), long wheelbase (LWB), lightweights, soft top, hard top, armoured, or even rarer, the Pink Panther/WMIK versions. Up until the Defender series was adopted in the early 1990s, Land Rovers were powered mostly by the militarised version of their 2.25 litre petrol engine. Some variants, however, came with the famous 3.5 litre Rover V8. Early Defenders use a normally aspirated 2.5 litre diesel. If you have deeper pockets, the much newer Wolfs run a 300 turbo diesel power plant. Listed here are some of the most popular versions:
■ General Service (GS)
■ Ambulance
These are, without doubt, the most widely available and affordable version on the market. You can choose SWB, LWB, soft top or hard top. Series IIAs and series IIIs are rather agricultural, while newer Defenders tend to be more car-like.
Based on the LWB chassis and fitted with an ambulance body built by Marshall’s of Cambridge, these have proved popular for camper conversions. Great as a team vehicle for long weekend events!
■ Fitted For Radio (FFR) These tend to be in LWB format and run a 24V system. Designed to carry Clansman/Larkspur radio systems these are instantly recognisable by the various antennae boxes.
■ Lightweights These are only available in series IIA and series III versions so come with a 2.25 litre petrol engine. Designed in the 1960s/70s specifically to be air portable to meet modern requirements, these were a stripped down SWBs. They have a cult following and are very popular with off-road enthusiasts.
LAND ROVERS
■ Centaur Half-Track ■ Armoured/Snatch Originally designed as an internal security vehicle for use in Northern Ireland, early versions were commonly known as Piglets and modern versions as Snatches. The armour added significant extra weight and early Piglets were still powered by the 2.25 litre petrol engine, so you can guess how they drive! The Snatch versions, which have only recently become available on the market, are powered by the Rover 3.5 litre V8.
Based on a V8 Land Rover but incorporating the track system from the CVRT light tank project, this version worked surprisingly well and served with a number of Armies including Oman.
■ Forward Control 101 Completely different to normal Land Rovers, these were designed specifically for military use and debuted in 1972. They first entered service in 1975 and were available in GS and FFR variants, powered by the 3.5 litre V8. They are not very comfortable and were known for being top-heavy. Due to a small production run these have achieved collector status and thus command higher prices. Still, a fantastic bit of kit.
■ Pink Panthers/WMIKs (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) Perhaps the most famous and the most sought-after are the Special Forces’ long-distance recce vehicles. Dripping with armaments and based on LWB chassis, these were designed to be a self-contained, heavy weapons platform. Approximately only 100 series IIAs were adapted by the SAS for desert use, though the project was continued through series III and up to modern day 110s. The WMIKs are used more widely by regular Army units and are currently used in Afghanistan.
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LAND ROVERS
Buying an ex-military Land Summary Rover Ex-military Land Rovers are probably There are many resource sites, specialist magazines and clubs to help you in purchasing the Land Rover of your choice. The Ex-Military Land Rover Association is probably the biggest such organisation. As with buying any vehicle, don’t buy the first one you see. Do your research and have a good look around to get a feel of what is out there for your budget. Big MoD disposal companies, such as Witham’s, always have fresh stock arriving, but sites like www. milweb.net have a wider variety of classified ads. Parts are plentiful and cheap and Land Rovers are fairly easy to work on, so make a great project vehicle for learning about maintenance and mechanics. Insurance can be relatively cheap, and can be discounted further if you are a member of an organisation such as Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) or The ExMilitary Land Rover Association.
the best project for new starters to undertake, and they have the added advantage of being the most useful of all military vehicles available. For airsoft use it means you can pack all of your kit and the rest of your team to save cost, and it doesn’t matter if the skirmish site is in the middle of nowhere as a Landie will get you there. The Defender series makes a sensible
choice as an everyday vehicle with the added bonus that, with recent winters being what they have been, you will have a vehicle that will still get you from A to B. For a specific vehicle type to be in service with the forces for over 50 years is a testament to its durability and effectiveness as a multi- role vehicle. As the adverts say: The best 4x4 by far!
Ex-military vehicles can be bought from a number of sources, including: ■ www.milweb.net – a good variety of equipment and loads of Classifieds ■ www.mod-sales.com – Witham Specialist Vehicles – MoD Sales Agent ■ www.ljacksonandco.com – Ex-MoD and NATO disposal company A quick search on Google will find many more companies but, as with all vehicles, make sure you do your research and have good look over (and test drive) any vehicle before you buy. Many thanks to Bill Hayfield (www.paintman.co.uk) and Adrian, from Adrian’s Tomcat (www.adrianstomcat.co.uk) for the Land Rover pictures used in this article.
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YOUNG
GUNS M
ost young players absolutely love airsoft when they start playing. They start to constantly think of all sorts of things, but the main one we all think about is: what guns and kit should I buy? What should I buy next? I know because I am a young player – and from my own experience I can recommend what I think is the best ‘Starter Kit’. It’s affordable and will
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give you everything you need to start playing airsoft without needing rental equipment. So let’s start with the boring stuff that some people (such as my father) enjoy far too much, the kit. I advise you to start cheap. One of the very few let-downs of airsoft is that it can get expensive and you don’t want to start spending big money until you get addicted. Don’t let that put you off it though, as it’s easy to manage your money in
airsoft. It’s a bit like a card game – swapping, selling and buying things all the time. Anyway, as I said, start cheap, and the cheapest thing I can think of is the most common: British DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) Camouflage. You can pick this up at any hunting or military surplus store, on forums or on eBay – pretty much anywhere. It’s cheap too: the trousers can be picked up for about £20 and the shirt roughly
YOUNG GUNS
£10, and in most cases cheaper than that. I also suggest getting some boots, black preferably. You all know where you can pick up a pair of boots, and there are no specific kinds I recommend but I suggest you get military ones. This is for safety reasons, as many people I know have fallen while playing and, because they were wearing trainers or something without ankle support, have been injured. In addition, a cheap (roughly £25) Viper combat vest is a great piece of kit for carrying magazines, drinks, radio and whatever else you need. If any of you are like my father and get seriously hooked on airsoft, you will surely have more than one set of kit. Even I do – except I have four
load-outs... Not nine. Your kit will change just like the rest of your game the more you play, so I wouldn’t worry about much more than what has already been mentioned while you’re starting out – that’s a topic for later. Now to my favourite subject: the guns. Again there’s not much point spending loads straight away – you need something fairly cheap, but reliable. My personal recommendation here is a Classic Army MP5A2. They’re not expensive (around £100) but reasonable weapons, and shouldn’t give you any trouble. If you’re under 18, and your parents refuse to buy your weapons for you, then a two-tone gun is really your only option for getting into airsoft. I’m not a big fan of two-tone guns, but most
people will understand why you’re using one and appreciate that you actually want to get into the sport and take an interest. Ground Zero Weekender 2011: I was there, were you? Because if you weren’t I’m disappointed in you! The Ground Zero Weekender is the biggest airsoft event in the United Kingdom, with more than 1,600 players this year (the numbers get bigger every year) and was one of the best weekenders I’ve been to. I’ve been to three in total now and already plan to book that date in August off every year for the rest of my life! If you asked me to describe what the weekender was like in one sentence, I’d say: the best boys weekend ever. Guns, camping, killing people, and a hell of a lot of decent airsoft with good friends and good strangers alike. What more could you ask for than an eventful and exhilarating weekend to top off your summer holidays? Every year I go is a memory worth keeping and every year when I leave I want to go back. It is a shame that the weekender is only two days long – I get depressed when I have to leave. Thank H (the great chap who runs Ground Zero) for that! If you haven’t been before all I can say is, you better book your tickets for next year! You just have to go. It’s a great opportunity to play a sport we all love, meet new people and have a seriously great time. I couldn’t emphasise that point any more than I already am. It’s just that good. n
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WIN...WIN...WIN...
COMPETITION
Airsoft Action’s CAMOUFLAGE COMPETITION – ISSUE 2 Last month’s pattern didn’t seem to give you any trouble, but this month’s may not be so easy!
W
elcome to the second part of our Camouflage Competition. Here’s a quick recap on how it works. On the Contents page you will find a box containing a camouflage pattern. Each of the first 12 issues will feature a different pattern – it is these you have to identify. Each will be a real camouflage pattern, verified by the International Camouflage Uniform Society. In Issue 13 we will print an entry form for you to fill in, listing the 12
different camouflage patterns, and return it to us. Some of the patterns will be simple to identify but some will be a little trickier – we don’t want to make it too easy! And this is what you could win: In Issue One we started a Prize Pot, which we will keep adding to. By the end of the competition there will be at least 12 prizes for the winner, as well as prizes for the second and third placed entries. The first item into the pot was a set of A-TACS, kindly donated
by Gunman Airsoft Midlands. This month we are adding not one but two more prizes: a group of Airsoft Innovations’ Tornado Impact and Timer grenades, and everything you need to make them go bang, plus your choice of weapon from the new M&C Weapons Systems’ range of AKs. Not bad eh? We’re only at Issue Two and already the prize pot is worth a sizeable sum! Don’t forget to order your copy of Airsoft Action Issue Three to be in with a chance of taking the pot! n
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GZ WEEKENDER
AWESOME!
Ground Zero’s weekender promised to be the biggest to date, so what better place to launch the UK’s newest and brightest airsoft magazine, Airsoft Action?
I
s there any other word to describe 1,600+ airsofters from Europe and all over the UK, gathered for a weekend of non-stop airsoft? To say that The National Airsoft Event (NAE) was ‘big’ is like saying the Arctic is ‘a bit chilly’ – both are right but neither comes close to the truth!
The NAE took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and, from the moment we arrived on the Friday, we noticed just how warm the atmosphere felt. Players were steadily arriving, tents were going up and even the threat of rain wasn’t able to dampen the infectious enthusiasm pervading the site.
It didn’t take long for people to notice the Airsoft Action banners. Soon a steady stream of players made their way over to our marquee, to have a chat and pick up a free copy of Issue One. With no play today, it was great to be able to spend time with the people that matter, talking about airsoft and getting their feedback on the magazine.
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“If the sound of 1,600 voices shouting ‘hurrah’, followed by 1,600 guns firing into the air doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, I suggest you check that you still have a pulse!” By the time it started getting dark and we headed off for the evening, there was a large pile of empty magazine boxes in the van and a whole lot of players sitting around having a good read.
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Play was scheduled to start at 10:30 on Saturday. By 10:00 players had started moving off to The Landing Zone for the main briefing, where one of those moments that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up occurred…
Before the Site Manager (known simply as H) got into his briefing proper, he made an announcement about 18-year-old William Morris, a member of Liverpool-based team Bob Marley’s Ninjas who passed away the previous week. H asked the crowd to join him in giving three ‘hurrahs’ in William’s memory. If the sound of 1,600 voices shouting “hurrah”, followed by 1,600 guns firing into the air doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, I suggest you check that you still have a pulse! With everyone settled again, players received a thorough briefing on the dos and don’ts for the weekend before moving off to their respective start points, to await ‘Game On!’ If you have never been to a big game it must be difficult to grasp just how it feels. There was a bit of banter and clowning but it seemed subdued, stifled by an air of tension that was almost palpable. If this is what it is like
GZ WEEKENDER WEEKENDER FACTS Total number of players: 1,602 Number of emails received about the event: 2,158 Number of information pages printed to go inside the Starter Packs: 17,500 Time it took to print them: 17 hours Amount of shock cord used to make player tags: More than a mile!
in an airsoft game, what must it have been like for those poor blokes waiting to go over the top? When it came, Game On involved smoke, rockets, pyros and enough noise to ensure there could be no doubt that play had started!
I accompanied Team Others, racing along with them until they ran into a fusillade of fire and scattered into the trees. Players were calling “Hit” right, left and centre and I also took a number of hits (an orange hi-viz is no protection in a barrage!), before finding
refuge behind a very large tree. What followed set the pattern for much of the weekend: groups of players would push forwards, smaller groups or even individuals made forays and harassed the opposition, while others set off to achieve the current objective. I am not going to go into a blowby-blow account of everything that happened over the weekend, as there was simply far too much going on. Instead, I’ll let the photos do the talking…
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Sharpshooter: a Team Delta player picks his target
Fearsome kit: there was some impressive weaponry on show throughout the weekend
On Sunday afternoon another salvo of rockets signalled ‘Game Over’ and, as players returned from the battlefield for a cuppa, I took the opportunity to ask how the weekend had gone for them.
The National Airsoft Event is a mammoth undertaking and congratulations are in order to Neil and Dan Collins, H and all his marshals and everyone else who was involved, for giving us such an awesome weekend of airsoft!
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Cutting through the superlatives (of which there were plenty) the overall consensus seemed to be: “What a bloody great weekend!” Yes, I heard of instances of overkill, of players not taking their hits and of players not returning to regen – but those players were, as usual, by far in the minority. The vast majority of players had had a brilliant weekend, and many that we spoke to said that they would definitely be back next year – and so will Airsoft Action!
Our youngest fan: Charlie gives his opinion on Issue One
THE FINAL SCORES Delta (White): 7,800 Others (Blue): 6,700 Bravo (Orange): 6,600
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GLOCK 17 GLOBAL PISTOL From the land that gave us Arnie, The Sound of Music and Red Bull comes a different kind of cool – the Glock 17. Scott Allen compares three manufacturers’ options
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T
he Glock pistol has become an icon in the last couple of decades. I remember being so in awe of one while watching Die Hard I was even able to forgive John McLean for calling it a German-made pistol. He was close enough. They are popular in real life as well as in Hollywood, used by armed forces and government agencies all over the world, as well as the civilian market. With a plethora of calibres, barrel lengths and magazine sizes as well as single-shot and full-auto options, there are around 25 different models on the market today. The Glock has been truly adapted and changed for every industry possible. Despite this Glock continues to revisit its design and improve upon each generation – the latest changes include 20mm rail attachments and improved frame design. In this article we are going to be comparing three of the most popular airsoft reproductions of the Glock 17: KJ Works’, Tokyo Marui’s and KWA’s.
Bear in mind that each of these companies (and, of course, several others) produces many variants of the Glock 17, although most are similar in external appearance so we will gloss over these slight differences and talk about the really essential stuff – which one is best and why.
PISTOL REVIEW when it could, potentially, work even better after a few tweaks? KWA and Tokyo Marui are probably the easiest companies to get upgrades for. These upgrades range from high-flow valves (to release more gas), routers (to improve the seal between the magazine and pistol), new hop rubbers and tighter barrels. There are even entire replacement body kits available, although I have only ever seen a few that worked really well. One very simple thing you can change, which might be worth consideration, is the weight of your ammunition. I know of many players that now use heavyweight BBs in their pistols, for the benefits of improved range and accuracy. When you have made the decision to purchase a pistol it is well worth thinking about whether you intend to leave it all alone or if you are going to head down the never-ending route of expensive upgrades.
“They are popular in real life as well as in Hollywood, used by armed forces and government agencies all over the world” We tested each with Abbey Predator Ultra and Blaster 0.20g BBs, at a room temperature of 18°C. You could use more powerful gases in each of the pistols tested but I opted for one of the most common propellants found on skirmish sites. Airsoft players love to tinker. Why leave something that works well alone
First up: KJ Works The KJ Works (Taiwan) Glock is fairly priced as a good entry-level skirmishing pistol. This Glock features a metal top slide, though the lower frame is plastic to reflect the real version’s polymer frame. Of the three we reviewed this is the least powerful, and also has the worst finish. On the flipside, if you are looking for an entrylevel sidearm to be used occasionally, this isn’t a bad choice at all. Magazines are cheaper and there are a few upgrades available. It’ll take the most powerful airsoft gases too.
This version gave around 270fps. Expect to pay around £90-100 (spare magazines around £22)
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Second up: Tokyo Marui The Tokyo Marui (Japan) version of the Glock 17 is fully plastic, though it does feature the proper trademarks. Plastic isn’t always a bad thing – the lighter top slide means you have less weight to move so it will work better all year round – and the finish is still superior to the KJ Works version. Despite its construction it does still feel hefty and tough. TM are often seen as one of the top producers of pistols, although I believe that KWA are slightly better. There are loads of upgrades for the TM Glocks, inside and outside.
This version produced 280fps in our tests. Expect to pay around £110-115 (spare magazines around £25)
In conclusion:
And Finally: KWA The final version we looked at is the KWA (Taiwan) Glock. Like the KJ Works model it has a metal top slide and a plastic lower frame, but the quality and overall finish is very high. These pistols use the System 7 gas flow, which basically means it is uber-efficient. KWA (and the re-branded versions for KSC in Japan) is often thought to be TM’s main rival – personally I favour KWA. They boast greater power than any other version tested, reflected in the marginally higher price, although they don’t have the trademarks. Again, there are a large number of upgrades possible to give you a very high-end pistol.
This version provided 310fps. Expect to pay around £105-115 (spare magazines around £30)
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KJ Works’ Glock 17 is nice and wellpriced. Better performance in warmer environments than full-on winter games. Bearing in mind there are no trademarks this pistol gives you something that looks the part and will be great for the odd bit of use. Tokyo Marui is the long standing favourite of airsoft players all over the world, and quite rightly so. If you want a good all-round and accurate replica of the Glock 17 then it doesn’t get much better than Tokyo Marui’s. Don’t be put off by the plastic construction – it’s still pretty tough. KWA boasts the System 7 (aka NS2) system, so its pistols are efficient and often work slightly better than TM’s. You do not have the accurate trademarks but it does have a metal top slide and more power. Certainly the one I would buy! n
To purchase any of the pistols tested, or enquire about prices, check out the advertisers in this issue or flick to page 82 to contact a UKARA-registered retailer. Many thanks to Land Warrior Airsoft for providing the consumables used to test these guns: www.landwarriorairsoft.co.uk
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SITE REVIEW Nomad Airsoft is rapidly becoming a very popular site. Barry Collins reports from North of the Border
NOMAD AIRSOFT FENWICK, SCOTLAND
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f you were to go back in time to August last year the name Nomad Airsoft would be unheard of. A year later and Nomad is one of the most popular sites in Scotland, with a large player base and a great reputation as a fantastic place to play. I have frequented Nomad for the last year and it has become my regular site, so I have a lot I could say – but for this article I will review the last game day I played.
I arrived at the site, located just outside Fenwick in Scotland (a 20-minute drive from Glasgow so very handy for anyone from that neck of the woods). The first thing you notice is that this is no ordinary woodland site as there is a very large (and I mean huge) gravelled car park. This is a nice bonus as I have seen cars fall apart going up the so-called roads to some sites. Nomad is situated directly opposite the Rowallen Activiy Centre, an equestrian venue which houses a cafeteria, toilets, showers, the works. To top that off, airsofters have access to the building for food and such. The Safe Zone is close by and comprises several large, roofed sheds able to hold at least 10 players each, plus kit and whatever else you have with you. The marshaling at Nomad is top notch. They don’t let players mess about and waste time, so as I was finishing getting ready the marshals were already calling players up for the safety brief. At the end of the brief the first game was announced: Attack the Church. The Church is a large bulding with a bell tower and multiple rooms and windows, a great CQB/kill room which the defenders have to hold for as long as possible against the clock.
Defenders have one-life-and-out, attackers unlimited. I enjoy this game greatly as it is a good warm up and really gets the blood flowing. I was in the defenders’ team for this game and (as usual) was taken out rather quickly. This allowed me to watch
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“The attacking team were leapfrogging well, with each unit laying down suppression fire to allow the next to move. You’d think they played together often” some of the fantastic maneuvers of the attacking team who were leapfrogging well, with each unit laying down suppression fire to allow the
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next to move. You would think the attacking side were one large team who have played together a lot, but you would be wrong. This style of
game breeds tactics and you see everyone quickly getting a grasp of the play; even first-timers become great team players. The long game before lunch was ‘locate the downed pilot’. This runs the scenario that a pilot has been downed and rebel forces are after him for obvious reasons, while government forces advance to retrieve their comrade. This is a brilliant game which utilises the entire site, making the game very enthralling (although I decided to sit out for this one and take some photos while watching the fantastic gameplay).
Seeing the teams spread out and cover the entire site searching for the pilots was quite amusing as the pilots (who were marshals) are very good at hiding. After an hour or so of searching and battling each other the government forces located the pilots and managed to get them back to safety! Lunch was called at this point and all the players assembled and had a chat about the games, kills they got and hits they took.
After lunch it was time for a long game called ‘find the drugs’. In short, the government has sent in the Army with the support of the US DEA Task Force, to clear out the FARC rebels’ drug operation. Drug blocks were strewn throughout the site, and each team had to locate them. The team with the most blocks wins. Simple? I think not! This game is normally confined to a section of the site dubbed The Village and the action can be unreal. This is where some amazing teamwork is born, snipers come into their own and a certain level of courage is required, as you could be rounding the corner of a building into a volley of fire! This game is fantastic, as despite their playing style it has something for every player. The day came to a close with a small pistol/shottie game in the Church, which was a nice way to end the day.
SITE REVIEW
All in all, I think Nomad Airsoft is a great experience, a great site and one of the most well-run and organised airsoft sites in Scotland. n
Contact Nomad Airsoft: www.nomadairsoft.com Prices Walk On: £15 Hire Player: £40 (includes walk-on, AEG, Hi-Cap magazine, 3,000 BBs, fullface mask or safety glasses)
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LOSING MY
FIRST-TIMER
AIRSOFT VIRGINITY The adventures of an airsoft virgin, with Ant Platt
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he Safe Zone felt a hell of a lot safer when we had it to ourselves. Once the rest of the players started turning up and unloading their arsenal I felt entirely unprepared. Suddenly the AK47 lying on the table looked no more effective than a wooden club when compared to the veritable armoury surrounding us. I’d caught a sly glance down the register and knew there was only one other player who’d booked hire kit. When he turned out to be an 11-year-old boy, I’ll admit I felt out of my depth. I’m not a soldier. I’m no macho action man. I’m not even remotely fit – a light jog to the bus stop is enough to turn me into a quivering, wheezing wreck. And it’s been several long years since I had played with BB guns. What, I couldn’t help wondering, was I thinking? In short, I was thinking I ought to try it. Even just once, to see what it’s like. I’d read the articles, I’d seen the pictures, I’d perused the weaponry and kit. But if I wanted to write on the subject with any authority I simply had to get out there and try it. So there I was: stood outside the Safe Zone at the Grange, Gunman Midlands, dressed in my borrowed fatigues and draining yet another cigarette while the rest of the players arrived. Though nervous I had thankfully done a little research, and nothing
“I’m no soldier, but give a little boy a gun and he’ll feel like a superhero. That’s all airsoft is – the kind of thing that appeals to boys who never grew up”
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FIRST-TIMER’S THOUGHTS Matt Phillipson, 16, Warwick Before the under-18s day at The Grange I didn’t know airsoft existed. I watched a few videos online and it looked to me like playing a videogame, except from the inside – something that appealed to me instantly. I liked the aspect of realism, which really immerses you in the game. Whether attacking or defending you take your role seriously, and work with your teammates to repel the enemy. I found the hire weapons a little difficult – they weren’t very accurate and struggled to fire out much further than 25ft. As a first-timer it added another handicap, but also made me want to get my UKARA registration so I can buy my own weapon!
in the safety briefing surprised me except how friendly and approachable the marshals were. The rules are straightforward, and while safety is top priority, fun is always nearby in the pecking order. As opposed to the more stiff-upper-lip approach to guns and shooting encountered in other arenas, the marshals know that airsoft guns are toys, and can be treated as such so long as the safety rules are followed. There’s something exquisitely satisfying about holding an AK47 onehanded at arm’s length, decimating bushes like a pissed-off gangster – something 11-year-old Pierce was quick to pick up on. For the first few games of the day – simple 20-minute ‘attack and defend’ scenarios over relatively small areas – I was definitely displaying a little classic English reserve, tagging on to father-and-son groups for some confidence and direction. Come the afternoon, however, I was up front with the best of them. I’m no soldier, that’s for sure – but give a little boy a gun and he’ll feel like a superhero, and from what I’ve seen that’s all airsoft is. It’s cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, US forces and Viet Cong – the kind of thing that appeals to boys who never grew up. Many of my friends, on hearing that
I would be enjoying a spot of airsofting (and after I had shown them what it actually is) sniggered that it was a ‘geeky’ thing to do. They assumed all airsofters would be wanna-be soldiers, out-of-shape middle-aged men looking to recapture a shade of their youth, or
ing Mission success: lay r we explosives in the to
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FIRST-TIMER
spotty, virginal 20-somethings trying to project a macho image they can’t attain in any other medium. Which is a bit like saying all butchers are sadistic cannibals who take pleasure in eviscerating helpless animals. Not only is it a vast sweeping prejudice, it’s ridiculous. Airsoft is a hobby like any other. Some people like to dress up in super-tight Lycra for a few hours’ chafing on a bicycle, others like to dress up in camo for a few hours’ battle in a forest in Dorset. What’s the difference? I will admit, though, that I had been a little worried about what the other players would be like. Part of me was expecting a group of super-serious guys who act like they really are at war, like this truly is a game of life-ordeath. I needn’t have bothered, though – while there surely are airsofters like that, the group I played with were just regular dudes, many with their younger sons, out to enjoy a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was reassuring, and I felt more level-pegged than I probably should have. As it was an under-18s event I’d estimate that half of the players were younger than that. Gunman Midlands can take children as young as 11, and
didn’t like about paintball – the silly guns and ninja-style outfits, one-hitand-out death rules, and huge cost of ammunition – which only serves to increase the realism and, ultimately, the rush it gives you. From the first wobbly-legged moments on the field to successfully leading a four-man team against entrenched defenders in the oil depot, airsoft was something else. It is an unforgettable adrenalinefuelled experience. And I am ecstatic to announce that my airsoft virginity has now been well and truly busted. I’ve experienced the game firsthand, and enjoyed it a lot more than I’d expected to. Not only did I learn a lot about airsoft itself I took pride in my accomplishments (meagre as they may be to experienced skirmishers) and felt like I’d bloody well earned my pint afterwards. My legs were more knackered after a day’s airsofting than they have been in years. So I did what I came to do – I tried it. And I know for sure that I’ll be going back for more.
WHERE AND WHEN
to be perfectly honest I can’t think of a better way to get kids outside, active and doing something. Most of them spend uncountable hours playing war on their Xbox anyway – I’d bet my last quid they’d jump at the chance to try airsoft if they but knew what it was. It’s just a shame the cost is prohibitive – it’s not something I could afford to do every week – whether you’re hiring kit or buying it. Besides the cost there is nothing I can criticise, though (and that’s not a criticism of Gunman Midlands, more the sport in general). I’ve played a few games of paintball in my time, as most people have; I loved it, as it provided a rush you couldn’t get anywhere else (or so I thought). But airsoft trumps it. Airsoft fixes everything I
Gunman Airsoft Midlands, Under-18s event, Saturday 6 August Cost: £20 walk-on, £20 hire kit (camo jacket/trousers, facemask, vest, AEG with two mags), £10 for 5,000 BBs. Gunman seems an ideal place for beginners. It’s not a sprawling metropolis of a site and we covered most all of it during the day, but it has plenty of features to keep a player interested, including some nifty little CQB areas. The marshals were faultless, amiable and helpful chaps who didn’t once seem to mind the newbie asking silly questions (or misplacing the top receiver of his gun…). The onsite shop has a range of weapons to drool over, as well as protective gear, tactical kit, pyros, camo clothing to suit all pockets and, curiously, fencing swords. Contact Gunman Airsoft Midlands: 01676 532384, www.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk
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GLASSES AND GLOVES E
yes and hands – two very important parts of our anatomy that need to be properly protected. Eyes because, well, that should be obvious, and hands because it hurts like hell when you take one on the knuckle – and they are nice, big, juicy, visible targets! We have gathered a selection of glasses and gloves which are going to be field-tested to the limit (and probably beyond). This article will give a brief overview of each piece of kit on test – from Issue Three we will see how well they have coped, or not as the case may be. Without further ado... n
Four pairs of glasses and five pairs of gloves are going to be put through their paces over the next few months as we separate the best from the rest ESS Crossbow ESS is a very well-known brand within the military market and its products are issued both to the US and UK Armed Forces and many other nations. They are supplied in a hard case, with three different coloured lenses, each with their own soft case to protect the lens and for cleaning. SRP: £98
Viper Tactical Glasses
Bollé Contour Clear Bollé has been making safety glasses for many years. It has a wide range, which are supplied to both the police and military. Bollé Contour are a pair of clear, lightweight – 21g – safety glasses, supplied with a drawstring bag to protect the lenses, and can also be used for cleaning them after use. SRP: £12.99
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Viper is probably better-known for its pouches and tactical vests, but within its range are Viper Tactical Glasses. These come in a hard carry case with four interchangeable lenses of different colours, all encased in soft foam padding. There’s a soft drawstring bag included too, as well as a cleaning cloth and an attachment for prescription lenses. SRP: £39.95
KIT REVIEW
5.11 Tactical Series Taclite 2 5.11 Tactical is another well-known brand, producing everything from uniforms to bags – and gloves. The Taclite 2 is designed as a lightweight ‘second skin’ glove. Second skin gloves offer protection of the hands without sacrificing the sense of touch, as you might with a thicker glove. However they only offer limited protection and are designed for light use only. Made with a sheep skin palm and four-way stretch material on the uppers, these are very light and fast drying, should they get wet. They have a Velcro strap at the wrist for a secure fit. SRP: £35
HWI Gear Hard Knuckle Tactical Glove HWI Gear is a relatively new company but it has a wealth of experience behind them and have supplied both the police and military. The glove is tight fitting but flexible. The back is made from fire- and cut-resistant Kevlar material, and the palm from leather. On top of the leather palm is an aniline goatskin covering. The knuckles are protected by a hard knuckle piece with foam padding to make it a little more comfortable. Available in sage and black. SRP: £58
BlackHawk S.O.L.A.G. (Special Operations Light Assault Glove) H.D. with Kevlar Oakley SI M Frame Oakley has in recent years moved into the military and police market, supplying, among other things, ballistic glasses – within this range are the SI M frames. M frames come in a hard case, containing two lenses, one clear and one dark. Also supplied is a soft drawstring bag and a cleaning kit, including cleaning fluid. SRP: £80.85
BlackHawk gloves have been around a few years now, and so has its SOLAG Range. The gloves we have to test are the SOLAG HD with Kevlar – with HD standing for heavy duty. The glove is of a leather and Kevlar construction and has leather-covered, moulded hardshell knuckle and finger protection along with reinforced fingertips. There are also adjustment straps to ensure a secure fit. As with all things that land on my door step, I look forward to testing these gloves to within an inch of their life! SRP: £62.99
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Oakley SI Pilot Glove Oakley-made protective gloves are used by military units the world over. The gloves that I have to test are the updated version of the original SI gloves. At the request of the US military, Oakley added a full-grain leather palm with microventing. The gloves are made from a four-way stretch material, which allows for a really tight fit but doesn’t restrict movement. Like many gloves these days, they have hard knuckle protection, this time made from carbon fibre. There are also four small vents, courtesy of the US military, on each of the fingers to help keep the hands cool. A Velcro strap secures the gloves at the wrist. Available in black and khaki tan. SRP: £32.82
Line of Fire Pointman Gloves Line of Fire is a totally new brand to me but I was impressed when I was first shown the capabilities of these gloves. What makes these Line of Fire gloves unique is a system the company calls Technology Enhanced Grip System (TEGS). It utilises a revolutionary material on the palm and fingers, which increases grip up to 240 per cent when used in conjunction with the provided TEGS Tape. The gloves are made from nomex and leather and of course the TEGS material on the palms and fingers, and feature hard knuckle and finger protectors made from polyurethane. For securing the gloves to the hands there is a Velcro strap across the wrist. Available in black only. SRP: £82
So that’s the kit – and the first of it is going to get a beasting at Tier 1’s Operation Rolling Thunder event. Taken a fancy to anything on show? Flick to page 82 to contact a UKARA-approved retailer for prices and to buy. A big thanks to all companies that supplied kit for this article: ■ Level Peaks: Oakley SI M Frames, Oakley SI Pilot gloves and 5.11 TacLites (01432 341686; www.levelpeaks.com) ■ Edgar Brothers: ESS Crossbow, Line of Fire Pointman gloves and HWI Hard Knuckle Tactical gloves (01625 613177; www.edgarbrothers.com) ■ BadgerTac: Bollé Contours and Viper Tactical glasses (01296 658600; www.badgertac.com) ■ Intelligent Armour: Blackhawk SOLAG HD gloves (01453 700574; www.body-armour-protection.co.uk)
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WWII AIRSOFT
WORLD WAR TWO
AIRSOFT David Pratt gives an overview of World War Two airsoft
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he concept of reasonably authentic World War Two airsoft games was born in the summer of 2006. While there had been some WWII events organised they were few and far between, and best described as ‘WWII-themed’ games rather than attempts at recreating real events and actions. A group of five airsofters, three of whom regularly played at open days in WWII kit (of which I was one) got together and called themselves Comrades in Arms. We set about working out how a large scale, full day WWII event could be put together. We knew there were players with WWII uniform (mostly US Airborne) dotted all around the country, who were itching
to use the kit outside of an open day game. The problem was that too few had German kit to make a viable opposing side, so we put together a ‘looks-like’ kit list. The list enabled players on all sides to put together kit that looks the part from 20ft away and doesn’t cost a fortune. To our surprise most turned up in very authentic uniform though, much of it bought especially for the day. The concept was now proved, the Catch-22 (no WWII airsoft games due to too few players with authentic kit, and yet too few players because of lack of games) was now broken – and players were gagging for more WWII games. In the intervening five years more and more games have been organised, both by established airsoft site operators – such as Players of War Airsoft, Shoot
‘n Scoot and Gunman Airsoft – as well as player groups such as Poor Bloody Infantry and Army Group South. The busy calendar sees regular WWII games organised in Scotland and games played from Dorset to Yorkshire and all over Wales too. The advantage of a wide spread of organisers is that every game is different, each with a different emphasis – some have a very specific and accurate historical basis, others are a what-if scenario; some are ‘hot’ on uniform accuracy while others are more accommodating to what you already have in the cupboard. One thing that has grown is the sense of community – uniforms and guns will be lent to complete strangers to allow others to participate, quite extraordinary when compared to regular airsoft. Even though there are games throughout the year and across the country you will never get to a game if you wait for one to come to your doorstep – so some travel is inevitable, and here again fellow players are happy to give lifts to others. One of the great boosts to the WWII airsoft genre in recent years has been the increasingly wide availability of cheap and authentic uniforms, and the everexpanding range of WWII weapons. Back in 2006 for the first ever Comrades in Arms WWII game the only affordable weapon was the Toyko Marui Thompson. I think we can claim that we had the most Thompsons ever seen in a game at the same time! These days, with the advent of Chinese-made guns, MP40s, STG44s and Stens are everywhere along with K98s, Garands, MG42s and a fair
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sprinkling of more exotic custom-made guns. As the WWII airsoft scene has expanded and diversified, so the internet presence has changed. Today, the WWII Airsoft website (www.ww2airsoft.org.uk) has the latest in WWII game and kit news and its associated forum (run by the author independently of any organiser, organisation, site or manufacturer) aims to bring everyone together and provide a central hub of information, a focus for the community and links elsewhere. And it is not just used by those in the UK, as there is
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quite a bit of interaction and flow of information between overseas WWII players too. There is plenty of information provided by the WWII re-enactment world as boundaries between airsoft and traditional re-enactment private battles become blurred. WWII airsoft has developed a game style all of its own and this might come as a bit of a surprise to those more used to open day airsofting. The pace is much slower and concentrates less on trigger time and more on teamwork; less on emptying hi-cap after hi-cap and more on fulfilling objectives. Frankly, there isn’t really a use for ‘lone wolf’ players in WWII airsoft – players are given orders and work in squads, often doing everything possible to avoid contact with the enemy, unlike open days where constant contact is the name of the game. It isn’t unknown for a player to return home after a weekend’s play having not fired a shot in anger
yet still buzzing with adrenaline having run the enemy ragged. Games are run at airsoft sites and Ministry of Defence army training grounds all over the country, hired for the day or weekend. They are chosen for their suitability to a scenario so a quarry would make a great North African or Italian battle, a disused factory becomes Stalingrad, an underground tunnel complex becomes a secret German aeroplane factory, a pine forest becomes the Ardennes. One of the great pluses of following WWII airsoft games around the country is that you get to play at some truly remarkable and unique airsoft sites. So if you feel like giving WWII airsoft a go, where do you start? Well, you don’t start by hammering websites with the credit card! And while Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan are excellent entertainment, a US Airborne outfit will see limited use in WWII airsoft games. Generic is the key. WWII game scenarios span the entire war so ideally you need something along the lines of an unbadged infantryman. Don’t bother with arm badges or other adornments: plain field-grey wools for German, M41 jacket and mustards for American, wool battledress for British, and so on. Then look to your head, a helmet should be next on your list. In WWII the combatants had distinctly different uniforms from each other and it becomes very easy to spot a Tommy or Landser in the distance by his headgear profile – so
WWII AIRSOFT
much better than red- or blue-taped arms to distinguish the sides at open days. Once these basics are in place you can start spending money on the useful extras – webbing, gaiters, boots, camouflage and so on. Don’t bother with officer gear: your game organisers will be the Officers and there’s no point outranking them. It is easy to fritter cash away on bits and bobs but it’s much better to accumulate cash and buy essentials only – and as always if you buy the best you only buy once. The WWII Airsoft website has pictorial kit guides that illustrate all the components needed to put together a convincing load-out, along with sources and prices. And weapons? A woodstocked rifle would be ideal (K98, Garand, Mosin Nagant, Enfield No4) as these predominated in WWII. You shouldn’t feel outgunned using a bolt-action but it can be a bit of a leap for former open-dayers to ditch the automatics, so Thompsons, MP40/44s and Stens are
cheap and considered generic, as they were commonly ‘captured’ weapons. Handguns aren’t necessary unless you are using a 350fps+ bolt-action which has a minimum engagement distance. The WWII Airsoft forums are full of bargains for sale, from hard to find bits of specialist kit to full load-outs – so no need to pay full shop prices unless you have a fat wallet. Do remember that what matters most is that you get from behind the computer and off the sofa and participate in the games – pukka kit is very much secondary. Some people get things the wrong way round and obsessively collect kit trying to perfect a load-out but never actually get out and play. To the fighting soldier, a uniform is work clothes, no more no less; they have much more important things on their minds. Don’t feel you have to go with a mate, as you will leave the event with 30 or 40 new ones. Your fellow players are often more than happy to lend out spare uniforms or weapons. Some organisers even offer free uniforms and hire guns,
so there really is no excuse not to dive into the forums, book on the next game and plunge yourself into the immersive and unique world of WWII airsoft. All WWII games are held at weekends, run over one or two days and almost always have a social evening. It’s here you’ll discover that, whether first-timer or old sweat, all are accepted equally and with enthusiasm – and you will find the next event can’t come quick enough. ■
For more on World War Two airsoft visit the website: www.ww2airsoft.org.uk
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WIN...WIN...WIN...
COMPETITION
A PAIR OF OAKLEY MONSTER DOG SUNGLASSES We’ve got a great competition for you this month! Thanks to the chaps at Level Peaks, Airsoft Action has a pair of Oakley Monster Dog sunglasses to give away. These fantastic glasses are worn by military personnel all over the world and are renowned for their comfort, style and protection – and are worth £75! For more information visit www.levelpeaks.com. To win this superb prize, simply answer the following question:
Who was the ‘mad scientist’ behind Oakley, and what was Oakley’s first product? Answer Name Address
Postcode Country Telephone Email
Post your entry to: Oakley Competition, Airsoft Action, Blaze Publishing, Lawrence House, Morrell Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5SZ. Or, email your entries to competition@blazepublishing.co.uk, quoting ‘Airsoft Action Oakley Competition’ in the headline – please make sure to include your full name and address. Photocopied entry forms will be accepted. The first name we pull out of the editor’s hat will win; entries received after 26 October will not be valid. One entry per household only. Prize must be collected from Blaze Publishing office. Blaze Publishing would like to keep you informed of other offers and publications. Please tick here if you would NOT like to be contacted by post or email
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TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS
M
essages not only block the airwaves when other vital information may need to be communicated, they also increase the risk of detection by the enemy, either by listening in on the same channels or over-hearing the transmissions being made. There is nothing more frustrating than crawling undetected towards the enemy camp, only for the radio to bleep at the critical moment when a fellow team member gets a good kill and shouts “Get some!” over the radio.
FOR AIRSOFT After last month’s article on tactical hand signals, it naturally follows that players should know how to communicate using radio equipment and how to ensure messages are clear and to the point. The guys from Airborne Airsoft tell us how it’s done BASIC COMMS CHECK “Hello Charlie this is Zero. Radio check, over.” “Charlie ok, over.” “Zero ok, strength 5. Out.“
Basic Radio Operations Each radio in the field and at base will have a call sign, which is a short string of letters and numbers that identifies that station or the operator. These are usually associated with the team or unit’s organisation and composition and are often alpha-numeric: B10 (BRAVO ONE ZERO), or D20 (DELTA TWO ZERO) and so on. Each team member should have a call sign. The team commander will ideally be call sign Zero, with section commanders (for example) Charlie zero or Delta zero, indicating sub-leaders of the teams’ different elements . Or you could be creative and come up with your own snappy team call signs. As long as a good radio procedure is followed you can efficiently transmit and receive accurate information. n
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‘Strength 5’ indicates a strong signal in the military. In the police a similar code is used by reporting signals ‘R5’, which abbreviates ‘radio signal strength 5’. R5 is the best signal (loud and clear), R1 the worst (almost unreadable). All messages should be ‘clear, loud, as an order with pauses’ – I use the mnemonic CLAP to remember (Clear, Loud, As an order, Pauses). By following this basic format you can transmit good quality messages, even when under pressure. ‘Roger’ or ‘Received’ are commonlyused terms that indicate you understand a message. If a message is not correctly understood, or misheard, ‘Say again’ indicates to the unit transmitting they should re-send the message for whatever reason. This is usually followed by ‘over’, which indicates the first part of the message is complete, or ‘out’ which is used to conclude a message or series of transmissions.
LOCATION
SKILLS ROOM
“Hello Charlie this is Zero, send Loc-stat [location] over.” “Charlie. Jasmine Way, over.” “Zero. Roger, out.”
OVER AND OUT “Charlie receiving Zero.” “Go ahead Zero.” “RVP 1600HRS sf base, over.” “Received Zero, Charlie out.”
Here the team leader identified the location of one of his subsections and indicated that he has understood the transmission – and the communication is concluded. If the team had come under enemy contact a similar transmission might be as below (enemy engaged).
Here, I have asked part of my team to meet me at a specific time at a specific location and, in turn, have received a short message from the recipient that my orders have been understood. Short, accurate and to the point – this sort of transmission is effective as it is easily understood by both parties, and does not take unnecessary time.
PAX “Contact front, ridgeline, 100m, centre of axis, four pax.”
ENEMY ENGAGED “Zero this is Charlie. Contact Jasmine Way. Wait out.” The unit has signified to the team commander that he is being engaged by the enemy, and where. ‘Wait out’ indicates further transmission is not appropriate at that moment. When referring to enemy numbers, it is common for them to be referred to as pax.
Here the transmission indicates enemy contact, a rough indication of the enemy location, distance, direction and rough enemy numbers. I can illustrate how efficient communications can be effective in games of airsoft, using an event I attended with my small patrol team as an example. We had to hold a specific firebase for a certain length of time, and the enemy had to assault and capture it. If it was taken before the time was up we lost the game. If not, we won – so it was all to play for. I crawled forwards into the enemy area and secreted myself under a bramble bush where I couldn’t easily be seen. The enemy were planning their assaults well within earshot and I was using correct radio procedure to feed this information back to my team. By keeping transmissions short I reduced the chances of being overheard and was able to tell my team from which direction the next assault was coming. They were then able to re-deploy forces according to the direction of the next attack and defeat each assault. With the clock ticking down, the enemy team launched a full-frontal assault. I was then able to engage them from their own lines, with my team firing from their front. They were sent packing just as ‘Endex’ was called. By using good radio comms and not firing a shot until the very end of the game I had significantly altered the outcome and the objective for the day, winning by good radio communications rather than brute force and ignorance. This shows that effective communications can be mightier than… an AEG.
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Level Peaks supported a climbing expedition in Nepal this year
PEAK OF THEIR GAME Doug Kirkpatrick of Level Peaks Associates gives us an insight to his company
L
evel Peaks Associates was established just five years ago. The company had one simple goal when it was originally conceived: to deliver the most advanced and cutting-edge equipment and clothing in the world, to enhance the fighting soldier’s capability, all from a single company. Level Peaks Associates constantly strives to exceed this goal. It has successfully delivered everything from the EMAG for the SA80 and the latest MTP camouflage pattern (recently adopted by the UK Ministry of Defence), all the way to a set of the best combat
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apparel money can buy. Level Peaks Associates has proudly taken up a position among the world’s leading military kit and equipment suppliers. The company continues to grow in a range of arenas: clothing, cyber, surveillance and target acquisition, weapons and high-end consultancy. Based in Hereford and staffed mainly by ex-Special Forces personnel, Level Peaks Associates boasts an impressive military heritage and a wealth of operational and counter terrorist experience. The company also has a strong background in government
finance, government procurement, delivering successful programs to SF users and designing new capabilities. And as we all know, if it’s good enough for the Special Forces it’s probably good enough for airsofters! When solutions aren’t already available then Level Peaks Associates will develop the system required by the operator, be it through consultancy, communication system design, camouflage or clothing, to ensure a solution is found. The majority of Level Peaks’ staff have been on the ground doing the job the majority of their customers now do on a daily basis – working in harm’s
quality and means valuable feedback from experienced individuals can be fed back to manufacturers, often resulting in modifications to existing lines. The Telemark Challenge took place in Norway, in March this year. It reenacted Operation Grouse and Operation Gunnerside, which were conducted by British-trained, handpicked members of the Norwegian SOE. These Operations made heroes of all involved due to their remarkable courage, determination and commitment. These 11 ‘Heroes of Telemark’ survived in the wilderness of the Hardanga Vidda plateau in Norway for months on end, before successfully mounting two sabotage operations which severely handicapped the Nazis in the race to build the atomic bomb. way. From this experience the company 18(UKSF) Signal Regiment challenged has developed a deep understanding themselves to follow in their footsteps of its customers’ requirements. It also reenacting this historical event in three understands the urgency with which days. Level Peaks Associates supplied these requests need to be met in the ever-changing theatres across the world. specialist clothing and equipment for the team to complete the challenge. Level Peaks also supports many In May, Level Peaks supported the worthy causes, including national Joint Service Expedition to the North charities such as Children in Need and Buttress Route on Kusum Kanguru 2011, The Soldiers Charity (ABF). The company a climbing expedition to Nepal. The also supports local Herefordshire aim was to attempt to climb the North charities such as St Michael’s Hospice, buttress Route on Kusum Kanguru. If and are proud to support talented local the team managed to summit then this sportsmen and women – including the would be the fi rst British military ascent up-and-coming duathlete Rhys Parks, and, as far as the team could ascertain, who is currently Britain’s number one. only the second ever British ascent (the The British Army Rapid Fire Pistol first was by Doug Scott in 1979). Kusum Team also benefits from Level Peaks’ Kanguru stands at a height of 6,367m. support, with training camps and As a 100 per cent user-centric exposure to the wider media. Following company, Level Peaks their early achievements they have Associates listens to its been shooting at World Cup Events customers and delivers all over the world and have, over the products that they the last year, secured need – and while it their places in the may not be those Olympic Shooting with the highest Team with ISSF margins, or the qualification most easily scores, available, but placing in they are the the top 25 items that shooters in the man on the world. the ground In order to needs to test equipment in do his job extreme conditions effectively. the company backs With the a number of mantra ‘Light expeditions around is right’ many the world. This of the items helps ensure top Level Peaks’ Tactical Windproof
INSIDE AIRSOFT Oakley SI Assault Gloves (£39.99)
supplied are a balance between durability, fulfilling needs and weight. For example, the delivery of the EMAG reduced the weight of magazines by over 40 per cent per magazine, while eliminating the jamming issues soldiers were experiencing. It also reduced replacement costs for the MoD, as the magazines are not susceptible to the rusting or crushing issues that the previous magazines were. Level Peaks Associates can deliver many products from a vast repertoire of companies. If there’s something you need then get in touch, and the company will do what it can to meet your requirements. If everyone else has said it can’t be done, contact Level Peaks – you’ll be pleasantly surprised! And while you’re here – check out page 43 of this issue of Airsoft Action, to be in with a chance of winning a pair of Oakley Monster Dog glasses kindly supplied by Level Peaks!
Level Peaks Associates: 01432 341686; www.levelpeaks.com; info@levelpeaks.com. Find Level Peaks on Facebook and Twitter too!
Combat Smock (£160)
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TEAM PROFILE
UNIT
13 U
nit 13 has a MilSim-like approach to airsoft tactics, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously or have a ‘big team’ attitude. The team is unusual in the way it is broken into ever-growing squads of various sizes, at various home sites and locations. Each squad has its own name, badge and identity. Run locally by their Headhunters (Unit Admin), they work together and play under the Unit 13 flag. Squads are set up so friends and teammates that play in one area or site can come together and play without the breakdown or isolation large teams have over large areas. Each squad runs independently on a player level, but at our heart is a strong team spirit. Unit 13 has what we call a selection process for new players. Applicants are watched and skirmished with before
Unit 13 is one of the largest selection-based teams in the UK, with more than 50 members. Scott Finch (AKA Hex) tells us more… joining, to make sure they match the team’s high standard for sportsmanship and positive attitude. This can take some time but we believe that, by doing things this way, we get players we can all be proud to call teammates. The team includes all kinds of players, with various experiences and abilities. We all play with the simple goal of having a laugh and enjoying our sport, while embracing healthy competition. Unit 13 is a democracy and the team’s vote counts. To date the unit boasts some four squads: ■ UNIT 13 – Originals ■ UNIT 13 – Black Dragons ■ UNIT 13 – Vipers ■ UNIT 13 – Raptors We are also currently working on a new squad in Hong Kong. The unit welcomes new squads and new members that meet the selection
requirements and agree with the honour code the team boasts. The team isn’t an expansion team as such – the energy isn’t focused on handing out patches and trying to build huge numbers of players, but on playing with great airsofters all over the country. We don’t let geography get in the way… we build squads. ■
For more on Unit 13, or to find out how to join, head to the Team’s website at: www.unit-13.co.uk
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SOLDIER ‘I’ THE STORY OF AN SAS HERO Our resident bookworm gets stuck in to SAS soldier Pete Winner’s memoirs
O
n April 30, 1980, six armed Iranian terrorists stormed the Iranian embassy in London capturing 26 hostages. Peter Winner was among the SAS soldiers called in to rescue the hostages. Soldier I is a memoir of Staff Sergeant Peter Winner’s remarkable 18 years in the elite special force. The books tells the full story of operations in which Winner was involved: from the arduous training and selection process, through the Embassy siege when Winner led the assault on the rear of the building, to parachuting into the freezing waters of the Falklands. Soldier I also tells of lesserknown SAS activities: the grueling Operation Jaguar and the terrifying battle of Mirbat where a handful of SAS held back thousands of Yemeni tribesmen; undercover surveillance and raids of the IRA in Belfast; a trail of physical endurance in Hong Kong; and extreme danger underwater off the coast of Sudan. As well as describing the action, Winner tells of the pleasures and pressures of daily life in the SAS. Originally ghostwritten by Michael Kennedy the narrative is at once involved and accessible. The memoirs will obviously appeal most to those with an interest in the workings of the British special forces. Happily though the story is powerful and intriguing enough to hold the attention of readers lacking this interest, though at times it can get bogged down with military terms and acronyms. The Iranian Embassy siege is clearly the ‘highlight’ of Peter’s time
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Extract: The Battle of Mirbat (Chapter Nine)
in the SAS – the televised SAS raid brought the service into mainstream consciousness – but it’s the battle of Mirbat that brings home the nature of the life of an SAS hero. Outnumbered by the Adoo tribesmen by 30 to one, and hugely outgunned, the SAS faced an enemy desperate for success, with numerical and firepower advantages that should have been great enough to guarantee success. However, as the book states: “Gentleman, the boy Stirling [founder of the SAS] is mad. Quite, quite mad. But in war, there is a place for mad people.” For those that consider McNab the foremost authority on SAS operations, the short foreword should prove quite interesting reading too. n
The first ranging rounds from the Adoo mortars were already impacting just outside the perimeter wire as I leapt out of bed, pushed past Fuzz, Laba and Tak and scrambled up the half-pyramid of ammunition boxes that served as a ladder up to the roof. When I reached the top I threw myself behind the .50-calibre Browning, my standto position in the command-post sangar built on the flat roof of the Batt House. One moment fast asleep, the next under attack, I drew a sharp breath and cursed softly, my left hand closing instinctively on the first incendiary round protruding from the ammunition box. I snapped open the top cover of the .50-calibre and positioned the ammunition belt on the feed tray... With the links uppermost I manoeuvred the belt into position with my left hand. With my right hand I closed the hinged cover and cocked the action with a single practised twist of the wrist, feeding an incendiary round into the breech. The cold metal of the trigger felt comforting to the touch as I took up the first pressure, released the safety-catch and stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before me.
Soldier I: The Story of an SAS Hero Published by: Osprey Publishing Paperback; 408 pages; ISBN9781846039959 Visit www.virtualnewsagent.com or use the order form opposite
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ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING
Halkirk, KW14 01847 895111 combatnorth@groups.facebook.com
Worthing, BN13 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com
£
UKARA
£
UKARA
ELITE BATTLEZONE
Portsmouth, PO6 3LS 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk
Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
£
£ EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT
Fareham, PO17 5ND 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk
Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk
£
UKARA
CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL
FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS
Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5 01438 368177 www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk
Lewisham, SE13 5SU 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk
UKARA
£
UKARA
£
UKARA
FIRST AND ONLY – MANCHESTER WOODLAND Bolton, BL7 9TS 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
£
FIRST AND ONLY – THE ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
£
UKARA
COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND
£
Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
UKARA
COMBAT SOUTH URBAN
UKARA
Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 5SA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST AND ONLY – KHE SANH WOODS ELITE ACTION GAMES – EPSOM
UKARA
UKARA
UKARA
COMBAT ACTION GAMES
UKARA
Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9AP 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST AND ONLY – BUNKER WOOD
CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT
UKARA
AIRSOFT SITES
FIRST AND ONLY – THE EMBASSY Leicester, LE2 6EA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
£
UKARA
FIRST AND ONLY – THE MALL Reading, RG1 1NR 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
£
UKARA
COOL UNDER FIRE
FIFE WARGAMES
FREE FIRE ZONE
Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS 07960 532613 www.coolunderfire.co.uk
St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com
Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk
UKARA
£
£
£
CORNWALL AIRSOFT ASSAULT
FINMERE AIRSOFT
FRV AIRSOFT
Truro, Cornwall, TR2 07837 475012 www.cornwallairsoftassault.co.uk
Buckingham, MK18 4JT 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com
Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com
UKARA
UKARA
UKARA
£
CUMBRIA AIRSOFT
FIREBALL SQUADRON
GASS AIRSOFT – PENN
Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net www.cumbria-airsoft.com
Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com
Penn Bottom, Buckinghamshire, HP10 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk
UKARA
UKARA
£
UKARA
£
DOGS OF WAR
FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP
GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON
Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7BP 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk
Leek, ST13 8 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk
UKARA
£
UKARA
UKARA
£
www.airsoftactionmagazine.com
087
SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend… GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT
ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT
NORTHFLEET CQB
Leicester, LE9 9FP enquires@grangefarmairsoft.co.uk www.gingerliberationfront.com
Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk
Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
UKARA
£
UKARA
GREENZONE COMBAT
LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT
NSC AIRSOFT
Hamiltonsbawn, Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE 07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com
Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG 0131 654 2452 www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk
Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 07983 333521 www.nscairsoft.co.uk
UKARA
£
GROUND ZERO AIRSOFT – WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF 01329 849818 www.groundzerowoodland.com
UKARA
NTAC
Saxillby, LN1 2JW 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
Durham, DL4 2ER 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk
£
GROUND ZERO AIRSOFT – URBAN Bransgore, Dorset, BH23 8AU 01329 849818 www.groundzerourban.com
UKARA
LINCOLNSHIRE AIRSOFT CLUB
UKARA UKARA
£
£
£
UKARA
LINDSEY AIRSOFT
OBAN AIRSOFT – HILL ARGYLL
Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8 07895 011206 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk
Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com
MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES
OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS
Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com
Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk
UKARA
GUN HO AIRSOFT Guisborough, TS7 0PG 07525 435696 www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk
UKARA
UKARA
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6SE 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk UKARA
£
MAW
PHOENIX AIRSOFT
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 07562 479966 maw.airsoft@hotmail.com
Budby, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9FG 01623 812483 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk
£
UKARA
£
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – NORWICH Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk
MIA
PLATOON 1HQ
Cornwall, EX23 9JL 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk
Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ 01634 829063 www.ptt-1hq.co.uk
£
UKARA
UKARA
UKARA
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS Balsall Common, West Mids, CV7 7FP 01676 532384 www.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk
MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
PLAYERS OF WAR
Wrightington, WN6 9PL 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk
High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk
UKARA UKARA
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS RAF HONILEY Kenilworth, CV8 1NR 01676 532384 www.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk UKARA
£
HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com UKARA
INVICTA AIRSOFT – RAINDEN WOODS Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7AY 01227 763335 www.invictaairsoft.co.uk UKARA
November 2011
£
MILSIM UK
PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES
Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk
Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF 028 4377 0566 www.predatorcombat.com
UKARA
UKARA
£
NCIS AIRSOFT
RAVEN’S NEST
Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk
Suffolk, IP8 4 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk
UKARA
£
UKARA
£
NOMAD AIRSOFT
RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA
Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com
Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk
UKARA
£
UKARA
NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT
SWAT AIRSOFT
Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk
Neston, Merseyside, CH64 3TB 07703 177756 www.swatairsoft.eu
UKARA
088
UKARA
£
£
UKARA
SWAT AIRSOFT – URBAN
SUSSEX AIRSOFT
Chester, CH3 5UE 07703 177756 www.swaturban.com
Slinfold, RH12 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk
£ SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com
UCAP GREEN OPS
SW WAR GAMES – SCRAESDON FORT Antony, Cornwall, PL11 3AB 08456 345011 www.swwargames.co.uk
UKARA
UKARA
SW WAR GAMES – TREGANTLE FORT Antony, Cornwall, PL11 3AZ 08456 345011 www.swwargames.co.uk
Dover, Kent CT17 9PS 07707 632855 www.shadowopzairsoft.co.uk
SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX 01277 657777 www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk UKARA
£
SKIRMISH EXETER Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk UKARA
£
SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com UKARA
£
SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
£
STEALTH TACTICAL AIRSOFT Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4HP 07863 745191 www.stealthtacticalairsoft.co.uk
£
UKARA
UCAP SANDPIT
£ TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk
£
TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, South Glamorgan, CF71 7RQ 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk
£
£
UKARA
ULTIMATE AIRSOFT Tortworth, GL12 8 01179 353388 www.ultimateairsoft.co.uk UKARA
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
£
UKARA
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
£
UKARA
TECH BRIGADE Hertford, SG13 8NH 01438 235249 www.techbrigade.org UKARA
URBAN ASSAULT Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk
Redford, DD11 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk
£
UKARA
URBAN6AIRSOFT Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0QN 07432 291729 www.urban6airsoft.com UKARA
THE EX SITE Mold, CH7 4 07840 001975 www.theexsitewales.co.uk
£
UKARA
VIKING AIRSOFT Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN contactus@vikingairsoft.co.uk www.vikingairsoft.co.uk
£
THE WARGAMES CENTRE
UKARA
STIRLING AIRSOFT Coventry, CV3 6NX 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com
Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN 08456 434326 www.scottishadventurecentre.co.uk
£
STORMFORCE AIRSOFT
Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk
£
WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ 01985 211774 www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk UKARA
UCAP AIRSOFT
UKARA
UKARA
Hemel Hemstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7QB 07894 059794 www.ta-events.co.uk
UKARA
Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0BL 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT
UKARA
UKARA
TA EVENTS
UKARA
£
UKARA
Bean, Kent, DA2 8 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
£
SHADOWOPZ
Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
UCAP VIRUS
£ SG1 COMBAT GAMES Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk
AIRSOFT SITES
£
Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO17 6AR 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk UKARA
£
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www.airsoftactionmagazine.com
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