Issue 03 - Dec 2011 by Airsoft Action

ACTION

THE Airsoft Magazine

DECEMBER 2011 - £3.95

WINeapon

Gunmunki Wn worth Customisatio

£350

East Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan: WELCOME TO THE COLD WAR, COMRADE!

Tier 1:Rolling Thunder ■ Airsoft Arms Fair ■ Ladies Airsoft ■ Gunmunki

December 2011

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AIRSOFT ACTION - DECEMBER 2011

CONTENTS 7

AIRSOFT NEWS BB BASTARDS, NEW TOKYO MARUI RELEASES AND MORE

RIFLE REVIEW HOW DOES CLASSIC ARMY’S BUDGET B&T MP5K PERFORM?

16 19

INTRODUCING GUNMUNKI MEET THE GUNMUNKI

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CAMO COMPETITION KNOW THE PATTERN BELOW?

CUSTOM PAINT JOB GUNMUNKI TALKS US THROUGH DOING OUR OWN PAINT JOB

TIER 1: ROLLING THUNDER THINGS HEAT UP AS THE TASK FORCE MOVES IN ON HVTS

INSIDE AIRSOFT: ASPUK A LOOK INSIDE AIRSOFT SNIPER PARTS UK

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TEAM PROFILE GREY FOX: SERIOUS STUFF

TARGET INDICATION HOW TO TELL YOUR TEAM WHERE THE ENEMY IS

THE HILL, DUNDEE SCOTT ALLEN’S FIRST TRIP TO SCOTLAND’S FIRST SITE

YOUNG GUNS JEZ BLUME ON WHY MAKING MISTAKES IS IMPORTANT

BIG CALIBRE AIRSOFT EVER FANCIED AN AIRSOFT .50 CAL BROWNING M2?

ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT, BERKS AIRSOFT ACTION CHECKS OUT ANOTHER WOODLAND VENUE

BOOKSHOP BUY WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING THIS MONTH!

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LADIES’ AIRSOFT A MAN’S SPORT? THINK AGAIN.

AIRSOFT ARMS FAIR WE REPORT FROM THE FOURTH AIRSOFT ARMS FAIR

AIRBANA SITE DIRECTORY FOUR PAGES OF WHERE TO PLAY

BIG BOYZ TOYZ GETTING TECHNICAL WITH, ER, TECHNICALS

GLOVES ‘N’ GLASSES DAN PARKES HAS TESTED THE FIRST LOT OF KIT TO DEATH

SUBSCRIPTION FORM SUBSCRIBE FOR A SUPER SPECIAL PRICE

COLD WAR AIRSOFT COLD WAR AIRSOFT OFFERS HUGE SCOPE FOR GAMES

GAME REVIEW HANDS ON WITH GEARS OF WAR 3

SEE PAGE 43 FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR HUGE MONTHLY CAMOUFLAGE COMPETITION!

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December 2011

READY FOR WINTER? THE AIRSOFT ACTION GUIDE TO STAYING ALIVE THIS WINTER

limbing onto soapboxes isn’t a regular hobby of mine but something has been bugging me recently, and I need to get it off my chest. It is of course that wonderful piece of legislation, The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (VCRA) and the confusion surrounding it. The VCRA, so far as I am aware, is the only piece of UK legislation that has passed through Parliament and into British law that directly impacts airsoft. The VCRA makes it an offence to manufacture, create (from an imitation firearm), sell or import (directly or indirectly) a realistic imitation firearm (RIF) into Great Britain. Defences exist in the law to allow the importation of airsoft weapons for business purposes, and of course the VCRA created specific defences for players. It does not make it an offence to buy, own, use, give as a gift, award as a prize or donate a RIF. Since I became editor of Airsoft Action I have heard so many different interpretations of the VCRA it is no wonder so many airsofters out there are confused by it. Here’s some of the crap I’ve heard

recently: apparently there’s a UKARA law; you need a license to play airsoft; you can’t legally play if you are under 18; you must be a member of UKARA to purchase a RIF; and you’re not allowed to give a RIF as a present. These and many other ‘facts’ are utterly untrue. As a buyer, the only stipulation the VCRA makes is that you must not be “under the age of eighteen” when purchasing an imitation firearm. So I make this simple request: When discussing the VCRA, whether commenting or advising on, making a statement about or quoting from the act, please make sure you have read and understood it first. Anything else just propagates this confusion. I recently had a conversation with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) about this very subject. BASC has produced an excellent guide to the whole of the VCRA which you can download from its website (visit bit.ly/VCRAct) and, in the not too distant future, may well be producing a guide specifically relating to RIFs, so watch this space. Now, time to get off the soapbox! Keep safe, Nige

Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant editor: Anthony Platt Art Director: Chris Sweeney Ad design: Ryan Dixon, Steve Dawson 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 AIR A AI IIR RSO RSO RS SOFT SOF OFT O FT FT

NEWS NE N E EW W WS S BB BASTARDS The BB Bastard range of BBs launched in the UK at the Airsoft Arms Fair. Edgar Brothers, newlyappointed UK distributor for the product, launched the new BBs at its stand while retailer Patrol Base had stock to sell onsite. Endorsed by Stirling Airsoft as its ammunition of choice, BB Bastard BBs are double polished to prevent wear on hop rubber and improve consistency. Brent Lucas of BB Bastard said: “The ﬁrst thing you should change if you’re trying to improve your gun is your ammunition. That’s the easiest way to improve your accuracy.

WINNING ATTITUDE Airsoft Action can reveal that Glen Jackson was the delighted winner of Issue One’s G1098 competition. He is pictured collecting his prize from G1098’s Mark Convery. Glen, from Hythe in Kent, was doubly delighted as he has not been playing airsoft long and had previously bought some kit from G1098 which he really liked. “I only entered the competition because I saw it on the cover and G1098’s fairly local to me – I’ve never won anything before!” Glen said. Glen won £500-worth of G1098 kit

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for correctly answering the question, ‘In British Military terms, what is a G1098?’ The answer, in case you were wondering, is: The Army Form G1098 is a Unit Equipment Table giving the entitlement of stores and equipment, in accordance with general staff policy, for the establishment and prepared by the ‘owning’ arm or service directorate’s staff quartermasters. Congratulations Glen, from all at Airsoft Action, and thanks to Mark at G1098 for putting up such a great prize for our ﬁrst Issue!

“What makes BB Bastards different is the manufacturing process and the polish. We produce ammunition that we’d use ourselves at the highest levels, and we take care at every stage of the process to ensure our BBs are always ﬂawless.” They are only available in bags of 2,000, though UK-standard 3,000-count bags are in production. Available in 0.20g and 0.25g. BB Bastards: Distributed in the UK by Edgar Brothers (01625 613177, www.edgarbrothers.com). SRP: £8.99 (2,000 0.20g); £10.98 (2,000 0.25g) Available from Patrol Base: 01484 644709, www.patrolbase.co.uk

AIRSOFT NEWS

NEW TOKYO MARUI RELEASES Tokyo Marui has unveiled several new releases at the 50th Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan. Shown here is the new SCAR-L CQC, released in Japan in October. Release dates for Europe have not yet been confirmed. Tokyo Marui’s SCAR-L CQC features the same recoil shock system as the SCAR-L. The 10in barrel comes complete with suppressor and a six-stage extendable stock makes it ideal for CQB skirmishing. The official price in Japan is around £500. Also on show was the new Custom Steyr High Cycle, based on the Steyr Aug A3 design but capable of firing 25 rounds per second thanks to a EG-30000HC motor. Other new releases include a Hi-Capa Custom Match, the Hi-Capa version of TM’s best selling pistol; the Biohazard Samurai Edge Chris Redfield, a limited edition pistol based on the one used by Chris Redfield in the Resident Evil series which is celebrating its 15th anniversary; and a Sig Sauer P226 E2 GBB pistol. Tokyo Marui: www.tokyo-marui.co.jp

GEIGERRIG

WINS AWARDS Geigerrig hydration engines, as featured in last month’s Airsoft Action, was awarded Best Overall Product and Best Accessory awards at this year’s Outdoor Trade Show. The unique Geigerrig hydration system, which uses a pressure system to spray water instead of users sucking it from the bladder, also won the 2011 In-New-Vation Award for best new product at the Outdoor Retailer Show in America. Garry Woodhouse, Marketing Director for Whitby & Co said: “It is very satisfying that the beneﬁts offered by the Geigerrig have been recognised by so many industry experts both here in the UK and the USA. The independent endorsement by the OTS judging panel of outdoor buyers, experts and enthusiasts and the resulting ‘Overall Best Product’ Award will give a tremendous boost

to Whitby & Co. in the coming weeks.” Curt Geiger, CEO of Geigerrig said: “Geigerrig hydration engines were developed to provide a more effective way of drinking and using water while on the move. By drinking from an automatic pressurised stream of water as opposed to sucking from a engine and bite valve often contaminated with ‘backwash’, users can take on 30 per cent more water. SRP: from £79.95 Solely distributed in the UK by Whitby & Co: 01539 721032, www.whitbyandco.co.uk

NEWS Retailers JD Airsoft and BadgerTac now offer discounts to all UKAPU members. Phil at JD Airsoft (www.jdairsoft.net) has kindly agreed a 5 per cent discount on all items (both online and face-to-face sales) while Ratty at BadgerTac (www. badgertac.com) will give 5 per cent on orders up to £200 and a fantastic 10 per cent off on orders over £200 through the online store. Since its inception UKAPU has been keen to establish links with retailers to help give something back to the airsoft community. The association is delighted to have secured the support of BadgerTac and JD Airsoft, with much hard work from membership beneﬁts manager Phil Bucknall. If you have any feedback on these incentives, or if you run a site, shop or other retail outlet and want to show support for UKAPU, then contact Phil at discount@ukapu.org.uk. Full details on how to claim these discounts can be found on the members section of the UKAPU forum. This month brings the second UKAPU AGM, to be held on Saturday 19 November. A number of key issues will be discussed, so if you aren’t planning to attend in person do make sure you keep an eye on the UKAPU website for all the details. As always, a big thank you to all players that have already joined UKAPU. Annual membership to UKAPU is available for just £5 from www.ukapu. org.uk. Existing members can renew their memberships at www.ukapu.org. uk/renew. It only takes seconds to renew so be sure not to miss out. Chris Neill United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union

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EAA The world’s first airsoft meeting at an international level will take place on 30 October. Organised by the European Airsoft Association (EAA), the meeting will involve the national airsoft associations of European countries. The EAA has confirmed that membership criteria and the future constitution of the EAA will be discussed. Matt Furey-King, UK-based member of the EAA Steering Committee and UKAPU Chairman, said: “The meeting is symbolic of the current exponential progress of global airsoft, and it is a source of pride that European airsoft has become so strong despite airsoft being a relatively recent trend in Europe compared to the old markets like East Asia and the USA. “One of the difficulties faced by the EAA is how to select the proper representatives from each country. As airsoft is still in its infancy there are a number of countries with multiple governing associations without a

cohesive national structure. The UK has three associations, though in our case each represents a distinct section of the community with unique interests (retailers, sites and players) and all associations work toward a common goal. But in places like France there are a large number of similar associations. It is not the place of the EAA to decide which of these should be the representative association, as only the residents of that country have the right to decide this. As such, we are discussing mechanisms that will allow each national association a fair say, while providing an equal voice to each member state.” Matt said: “Not only will participation in the EAA strengthen airsoft at a European level it will also provide the motivation for future national associations to be founded and run on democratic and philanthropic values.” If your county’s national association is not involved in EAA then invite them to get in touch at info@ europeanairsoftassociation.eu or visit the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/europeanairsoft.

READER

OFFER LONEX M4 FLASH MAGS

Firestorm has agreed to give an exclusive special price on Lonex M4 Flash mags to all Airsoft Action readers – just £21.95! (SRP £29.95) The Lonex Flash mags feature a unique pull-cord speed loading system. The high-cap magazines hold 360 rounds, and ﬁve pulls on the cord should be more than enough to ensure the mag empties – no more constant winding! To see it in action visit: bit.ly/qN0Yo4.

LIKE FREE STUFF? Airsoft Action has teamed up with online retailer Flashlight Heaven in a Facebookexclusive competition. Up for grabs is a CREE LED Torch / Laser Combo and a 12-month subscription to Airsoft Action! Interested? For your chance to win visit: on.fb.me/FHFBComp.

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SUPPORTING

COMBAT STRESS Shell Shock: the diary of Tommy Atkins was published by FireStep Publishing last month. Author Neil Blower served five years with the Royal Tank Regiment before being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2004. Charity Combat Stress receives £1 from every sale. The diary-style novel follows 23-year-old squaddie Tommy as he struggles to cope with PTSD. The story highlights the work of Combat Stress in rehabilitating returning troops. Colonel Timothy Collins OBE said: “[Shell Shock is] an important book because it addresses a very modern problem... [it gives] a glimpse into that world of confusion, doubt and dislocation. While it is a fiction, perhaps for the young man next to you on the train or on the football terrace, it is a reality.” SRP: £8.95 FireStep Publishing: 0845 745 1945, www.firesteppublishing.com

UKARA UPDATE ■ More than 80 retailers have now signed up to the UKARA scheme ■ Currently 176 game sites – almost all in the UK – have registered and added entries to the database ■ More than 15,000 players are registered on the database ■ The database has been used to look up players 74,000 times Players must become a member of their local game site to be added to the UKARA database – this means they must play at one site three times in no less than 56 days. Being on the database allows players to buy their own RiFs. For second hand sales, the seller should contact a retailer and ask them to check the buyer’s eligibility. The retailer will provide a code (beginning with the letters ‘SLR’) to prove it has checked the status of the buyer. Traders that ignore the restrictions of the VCRA put our sport in danger. Report them to Crime Stoppers (0800 555111) and Trading Standards (08454 040506). The more calls, the more likely they will be closed down or ﬁned.

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READERS’ WRITE LETTERS Got a letter, question, picture or something that’ll make us giggle? Email it to anthonyp@blazepublishing. co.uk and you could win two tickets to a Gunman Airsoft event! Dear Airsoft Action, I have been playing airsoft now for six months, but had a strong interest in it for about three years and spent much time chairsofting before I ﬁnally saved up and picked myself a nice cheap AEG. My problem with the airsoft world, and many that play it, is that too many are either hypocritical or just plain rude. On my second game of airsoft I was immediately laid into about not having the right kit or not having a ‘decent’ gun – my ﬁrst gun is a G36C made by JG, which set me back about £135 (from novatcombat. com). So my immediate response was to question what the right kit was, or what the perfect gun would be. And to no surprise at all I got the same old: I had to spend hundreds of pounds on gun and kit to get the right ‘look’. For many of us money is tight or hard come by, and I certainly wasn’t going to spend money I didn’t have looking good for these guys, so I bought some cheap desert DPMs and had done. Six months on I have learned my lesson; I now dress in all black for all my

games, aiming for a special ops look – and also as a big F you to all those who said I looked like a plumber or Bob the Builder. I understand that for many airsoft is an important hobby, as well as a chance to imitate their favourite squadron or taskforce. But really, come on guys, it’s just a game to have a bit of fun and get out the house once or twice a month and do something different. So to all airsoft veterans: if a new player comes up and starts asking stupid questions don’t shove that player away. Encourage them and pass on your knowledge to help them to become a better player. My advice to all newbies is this: don’t worry about what you look like so long as you’re comfortable. You can play in what you like to wear; it shouldn’t matter much to anyone else. Start off cheap because we all have to start somewhere, and your weapon can easily be upgraded, as can your kit over time. I hope this helps all of those who are starting airsoft. Ben Thanks for your letter Ben – here’s two free entry tickets for a Gunman Airsoft event. Now get out there and play!

PINK ARMY RISING Dear Nigel, I would like to congratulate you on your first issue of Airsoft Action. I received my copy free at Ground Zero’s National Airsoft Event (NAE 2011). I was impressed with the content and articles in your magazine. Having attended GZ for more than five years I have learned a lot about airsoft, but more than that I know Ground Zero Woodland and the regulars who attend. Your article ‘Ground Zero Woodland Walk-On Day’ was a fair but not quite accurate account of a typical GZ walk-on day. I am speaking for the ladies here – we are many, not just one! GZ must have more women players than most, and we are equal to our male counterparts – although your article was right that most males apologise when they shoot a lady, though we can take a hit as well as them! The point I am trying to make is that GZ welcomes all: young, old, male, female. I feel your article did not make that point. Other than that you did a great job. I am going to subscribe to your magazine for a year at least, as I think it has a lot to offer and I will be interested to see how it progresses. My favourite article was ‘Skills Room: Communicate in Silence’. I would like to see this become an ongoing item. Again, congrats on your first issue. Only when you go to a site and look closer will you see that numbers of female players are rising, and there are probably more than you realise. Like the young ‘uns we are multiplying! Sincerely, Female airsofter, GZ Woodland

HOMEGROWN SUCCESS

KNEEPAD MISHAP

Hi to everyone at Airsoft Action, I’d like to congratulate you on a fantastic ﬁrst edition. I am amazed at how well it has been put together in just three months. Ian Lawrence (founder of Lincolnshire Airsoft Club) advised us that a new airsoft magazine was hitting the shelves and I was one of the ﬁrst members at the club to reserve a copy from him, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed – I really like the idea that you are promoting and supporting our community. We could do with a healthy homegrown magazine. Kind regards and best wishes for the magazine’s future success, Mike Buttrick Airsofter and Assistant Marshal

Hey guys, Just picked up the ﬁrst issue Launch Edition, and really enjoying the format, pictures, features and articles. I hope future editions will have a readers’ letter of the month type thing going, and a few more FPS games included as I think many airsofters – young and old – enjoy a good shooter when not on the skirmish ﬁeld. I also liked the Real Load Outs and hope that’s a regular feature - funny how they both have their kneepads around their ankles though! Great mag – can’t wait for the next one. Phil ‘Yosser’ Hughes

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THE ARMOURY

CLASSIC ARMY SPORTLINE B&T MP5 K Classic Army’s Sportline Series is aimed at airsofters on a limited budget, but does it suffer because of that? Ratty takes a look at its MP5K to find out MP5: A brief history The Heckler & Koch MP5 series is now an icon in the firearms industry, used by Special Forces, law enforcement, intelligence and security services round the world. It is now made under licence in at least five other countries outside of Germany and there are many variants, developed as the usage of the MP5 has grown. As a government agency you can pretty much custom-build your MP5 from a selection of stocks, front-ends and trigger assemblies. All of this has helped it become (perhaps) the most

famous SMG of all time – an accolade probably aided in no short measure by its appearance on a certain balcony in West London on 5 May 1980! The original MP5 started life in 1964 and, not two years later, was adopted by the German Federal Police, Border Guard Force and German Special Forces, GSG-9. Trials and modifications were undertaken by many Western governments. On top of all the standard MP5 configurations, silenced versions soon followed and there were also other demands. In 1976 a shortened version of the MP5 A2 was introduced, designed specifically

for counter terrorism, clandestine operations, close protection and security tasks. The MP5 Kurz (German for short) could be concealed easily under clothes, in the glove box of a car or even in its specific carry/fire suitcase, all of which afforded it high mobility in confined spaces and made it ideal for Close Quarter Battle (CQB) situations. The Kurz was easily identified by its lack of stock (which was replaced with a flat end cap and sling loop), a much shorter barrel and cocking lever, and a vertical handgrip in place of the standard grip. The short barrel ends at the base

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“The MP5 feels like it’s struggling to get out of your hands as it bounces around with a proper ‘clacker, clacker, clacker’ sound” of the foresight, and with no muzzle to speak of this prevents the use of add-on suppressor units. The pay-off for having such a short weapon is its effective range, which is only about 25 metres. However, because it is built using a lighter bolt it has a higher rate of ﬁre than that of a normal MP5, at around 900 rounds per minute. The Kurz is light too, weighing in at slightly less than 2kg without magazine. A 15-round magazine was designed speciﬁcally for the K to help keep it as compact as possible, but it was still possible to use the standard 30-round mag as well. In the 1990s H&K developed a derivative of the basic MP5K, called the MP5 K-PDW (Personal Defence Weapon) which was intended for issue to military personnel who were usually issued with a pistol. That is an article for another day though…

Classic Army Sportline B&T MP5 K Classic Army has been around for some years now. The company originally made

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accessories and metal bodies for Tokyo Marui MP5s and Armalites. However, it has been making AEGs in its own right for over 10 years now, and started off with just seven models in its range. From there Classic Army has gone from strength to strength – today it has more than 80-

odd models in its top of the range Pro Line Series alone. Then along came the Chinese clones, and cheaper guns became the name of the game. It wasn’t long before Classic Army fought back with the introduction of the Sportline Series. The concept was to have good quality internals but in less costly ABS/plastic bodies. The M15 Sportlines were hugely successful on their release, and since then Classic Army has launched AUGs and AKs as well as the MP5 A2 and A3. The Sportline series has been specifically aimed at people on a very tight budget (that’s nearly all of us these days!) and those just getting into the sport. Although launched a while ago the Sportline MP5K hasn’t been available for some time, so when I finally got the chance I grabbed one to review. First impressions of the Sportline MP5 K are good. It is well presented in its box and comes with a value pack – this means you also get a 200BB hi-cap magazine, a European 2-pin battery trickle charger, an 8.4v 1100mah NiMh stick type battery, a sling, some safety glasses and a small bag of 500 0.20g BBs. Personally, I would throw away the sling and also buy a higher mah battery for skirmishing with, and keep the one it comes with as a spare. But then, that’s just me! The gun itself is just what you would expect from a Sportline. It’s really nice and light, weighing in at just 1.35kg without a battery or loaded mag, making it absolutely ideal for running around your local CQB venue with. Even better with a pair! Apart from the end cap, foresight, cocking lever and paddle mag release, the receiver is of ABS construction. Do not be put off by this fact: it’s still robust enough to take a normal bash or drop. Based on the original style A2/A3 receiver, it has the SEF selector, located on the left hand side of the receiver (unlike the TM MP5K which had the A4 ambidextrous fire selector switch). The selector gives a definite, audible click when it engages into whatever position you are after. Classic Army is licenced by Brugger & Thomet of Switzerland, which makes the real MP5, so you will see the logos on the receiver. Overall length is

THE ARMOURY is more than enough for use in a CQB scenario. With the hop fully off it was achieving a respectable 283-300fps. With hop set for a 0.20g, this dropped to 270-285fps.

Summary If you are thinking of playing at a CQB event and are looking for something to use other than a pistol, or if you’re not convinced by gas blow back SMGs, then this is an ideal bit of kit. Alternatively, you might be looking for a backup AEG for your sniper load-out and don’t fancy spending a fortune. Either way, for the money the Classic Army B&T MP5K represents fantastic value and it’s guaranteed to leave a smile on your face as you blatt away! n

SPECIFICATIONS

only 315mm with a barrel length of just 110mm. Fitting or changing the battery is a bit awkward, but after a few goes it becomes much easier. With the two rear pins and end cap off and the front sling hook out and the foregrip off, the stick battery then slides in the top of the receiver sitting on top of the version three gearbox. While the foregrip is off you will see the hop-up adjuster, which is a sliding bar located on the left hand side of the receiver. This is covered when the

foregrip is fitted. So with my 200BB magazine loaded and battery fitted, off I went to test this fine little SMG. On single shot she is no different to any other AEG – but flick her to auto and she springs to life. The MP5 feels like it’s struggling to get out of your hands as it bounces around with a proper ‘clacker, clacker, clacker’ sound. A stream of BBs came out of the end and were flying a good 20 metres before heading skyward. Considering that this was straight out of the box then the CA Sportline MP5K

Weight: 1,350 grams Build: ABS body/receiver (some steel parts) Length: 315mm Hop-up: Adjustable Mag capacity: Battery: 8.4v 1100mah NiMh stick supplied Velocity: 270-285 (hop on) 283-300 (hop off) Price: Around £140 for Value Pack (includes battery, charger, safety glasses, sling, 200 BBs) Distributed by ASG, (+45) 8928 1888, www.actionsportgames.com Review riﬂe supplied by BadgerTac, 01296 658600, www.badgertac.com

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THE If you want your gun to look ultra-special, let Gunmunki work his brand of magic on it

Photos courtesy of Gabrielle Smith

alk into The Shop at The Grange. Pause for a moment. Turn to your right. Stare in wonder at the incredible guns hanging there. A beautifully-polished Thompson sits right above a stunning Winchester, and a breathtaking MP5 based on the Norwegian Special Forces’ woodstocked design. If you like your guns to look real, this is as about as real as it gets. The man behind these works of airsoft art is Andi Coulton, aka Gunmunki. In a series of articles he will share his knowledge (and some of his secrets) with Airsoft Action readers.

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Surprisingly, Andi has only been involved in airsoft for about three and a half years. On leaving school he worked in plastic injection moulding before taking up archaeology, searching Ilkley Moor for remnants and remains (as any true Yorkshire lad would). During this time he became passionate about LARP (Live Action Role Play) and, in 1984, started his company Second Skin which made armour and weapons for use in roleplay.

Here he created the ﬁrst ‘safe’ arrowhead. Airsoft was just another hobby until he helped with the initial site creation, development and building at The Grange. A guy called Roman taught Andi how to strip down the site guns and re-spring them to work at the correct muzzle velocity. Andi soon realised the potential for customisation airsoft guns offer. That moment got his creative juices ﬂowing and Gunmunki was born. For Andi, customisation isn’t about bolting on loads of bling accessories – it’s about

Photos courtesy of Gabrielle Smith

“Keep in mind the British Army’s ‘7 Ps’ (Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance) and you won’t go too far wrong” taking the gun back to its component parts and starting from there. Wooden furniture isn’t bought off the shelf – it’s fashioned from scratch using the correct type of wood. Plastic parts are painted in layers to slowly build up the required effect, and then lacquered to achieve the ﬁnal result – but the really special treatment is reserved for external metal parts. Andi has a few words of caution for anyone thinking of undertaking this kind of DIY job: “Do not attempt to customise your gun unless you know what you are doing, or are prepared to pay the cost to get it ﬁxed if it goes wrong.”

Before you think about modding your gun, put it away in another room and sit down with a pencil and some paper. Write down what you want to achieve and how you are going to do it. Think about the effect you want to create and how you want the gun to look when it’s ﬁnished. Keep in mind the British Army’s ‘7 Ps’ (Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance) and you won’t go too far wrong. Andi created his ﬁrst customised gun for a 1920-style game and it was an obvious choice – the ubiquitous Thompson submachine gun, invented in 1919 by John T

WORKSHOP Thompson and made famous by the likes of Al Capone and a million Gangster films. The gun was stripped down and all external metal parts, including the drum magazine, taken back to bare metal before being given his ‘blue steel’ treatment. The stock and grip were re-created and the internals were fully inspected before being reassembled into a gun that any film star (or gangster) would be proud to hold. Next was the Winchester and the result is so good, you can almost imagine it being cradled in John Wayne’s arms as he says “Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway.” The MP5 was more of a challenge as some of the major external parts are plastic. After many hours’ painting layer upon layer the effect is simply stunning and the gun has a real ‘don’t mess with me’ look about it. Check out page 70 in this issue of Airsoft Action for Andi’s first article featuring basic gun maintenance and customisation. If you have a question for the Gunmunki you can find contact details in the box below. He will also be running some basic gun maintenance courses at The Grange – Airsoft Action will bring you details of those as they become available. Meanwhile, if you want your gun to look like one of Gunmunki’s specials, check out this month’s competition on page 74! ■

Got a question for the Gunmunki? Email it to: anthonyp@blazepublishing.co.uk Contact the Gunmunki: The Shop at The Grange, 01676 532384, www.suspensionofdisbelif.co.uk. Find Gunmunki on Facebook for more pictures of his work!

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SITE REVIEW

THE HILL

DUNDEE

It’s the oldest skirmish site in Scotland but it’s taken until now for Scott Allan to ﬁnally visit Dundee’s The Hill

had known of The Hill since taking up airsoft many years ago. Given that it was the first airsoft establishment of any kind in Scotland it wasn’t surprising I’d heard so much about it. What did surprise me is that it has taken me until now to visit, so we took a group of 10: a mixture of Land Warrior staff, Airsoft Edinburgh players and some players that don’t really have a home. The journey isn’t too far from our HQ in Dalkeith, around 75 miles with a nice stop for breakfast at the Forth Road Bridge. It was a sunny morning and the banter was already flying thick and fast. We talk about

what we’ve heard about the site and what we are expecting. We all pretty much drew a blank, so it was a case of wait-and-see. We arrived nice and sharp (for a change) at around 9am. Warren, the site owner, was setting up with a couple of marshals. After a warm welcome from all the staff Warren offered to show us around before everyone arrived so we had a rough idea where we were going during the day’s games. The Hill isn’t massive but the use of space in this woodland site, and the number of trench systems (not knee deep in mud and water which is brilliant), forts, towers and bunkers is outstanding.

We soon happen across the village, a patchwork affair of scenery from a local theatre that’s very impressive to stumble upon in a woodland site. When fighting around the several large two- and three-storey buildings, The Hill feels an impressively tight area. It is one of those places you could run around in for hours and not get bored with the number of tight corners, crawl spaces and cubby holes. We got tooled up, signed in and excited to experience the site we’d feasted our eyes on just moments before. Mark, one of the Airsoft Edinburgh marshals, had a gun failure within five shots of setting his hop. A look of despair swamped his face so, as

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designated as bridges. We play the part of the German forces and dig into the first trench system. The Allies hit us hard; they are fighting uphill but make it look pretty easy. Our first position falls reasonably fast, much quicker than I had hoped. We fell back over the bridge and set up in a much deeper trench system. We had a good position. The bridge area is around 40 metres long so the Allies have to get close to the open area of the bridge to attempt a crossing, which is good news for us. Gradually we were worn down

we began to laugh, he borrowed another rifle and the banter continued. As it’s a WWII themed day the first game is A Bridge Too Far. Essentially this game sees us fall back over two areas

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by the Allied sharpshooters, particularly Warren and his lovely custom-built Lee Enfield rifle. We ended up in the village and quickly worked out where the enemy might attack from and the obvious points of cover they would advance through. Despite arranging a defensive front that kept the Allies back for a long time we were slowly worn down, though we did hold on much better here than at any of the other points. It had been a long game, the better part of two hours – finally it was time for lunch and rehydration, big time.

“Despite arranging a defensive front that kept the Allies back for a long time we were slowly worn down, though we didn’t hold on much better here”

Afterwards we played a similar style long game. We joke that it’s D-Day but with the Germans doing the beach assault. We fought uphill trying to get through barbed wire (okay, unbarbed wire, but close enough). The hill was steep and the shots rained endlessly upon us. We were fighting across a fairly large front from a confined space and our movements were slow and careful so we could get into a firm position. The defenders were forced back into the village area and we regrouped, checked our ammo and planned our assault. Having already defended the village we knew we had to contend with multiple angles and elevations. With the allies lying in wait sucking us into kill zones we

took another round of heavy losses. Getting to grips with the defenders’ locations we hit them hard and got our foothold before taking the village and pushing them back over the bridge, into the trenches. The angle onto the bridge makes it really tough for us to cross, and what seems a lifetime passed before we could carry enough weight of fire to push across; once across though we steamed through the trenches to the final bridge. Most of our troops were down to their last magazine. The last bridge is longer than the first, with a tower at the end, and to make it worse there was a good sniper dug in. The range meant our rifles barely reached from cover so we had to push out and try and suppress where possible. Slowly, surely, finally we made our way across to end the game. It is a rare thing that I fire over 3,000 rounds in a day, but by 3pm at The Hill I had. Warren was running a King of the Hill style game in the village but unfortunately most of our guys were out of ammunition

SITE REVIEW

(and energy) and decided to call it a day. We were battered, beaten, scraped, sweaty and tired… and we all had massive grins on our faces! It was a longer than usual drive for us but well worth it. We got a warm reception, well-organised games, and got to play against nice guys on a nice site. Although the first site in Scotland this was my first time playing at The Hill. It’s a wonder it took so long, and I am certain my travels will take me back there soon. If you live near Dundee, or fancy a trip up north, The Hill certainly makes for a worthwhile weekend. n

THE HILL Near Strathmartine, Dundee Date visited: 25 September 2011 Site type: Woodland Specialising in dedicated MilSim days and themed days (WW1, WW2 Vietnam and modern) Date opened: 1999 Green Fee: £20 Riﬂe Hire: £10 Contact: 01796 482582, www.thehilldundee.co.uk

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EXOTIC AIRSOFT WEAPONS Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not all lucky enough to own a 3.5l V8 Land Rover with an airsoft .50 cal Browning M2 and an M240 Bravo mounted on top. Scott Allen is, though

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any airsofters have a particular love for big guns – well, who doesn’t? They look intimidating, feel impressive and carry a lot of ammunition. In this article I’ll take a look at some of the biggest on the market, and it’s going to get messy. We have a Land Rover with a 3.5 V8 engine that can mount a Brown M2 – commonly known as the .50 cal – in addition to a M240 Bravo mounted on the passenger side. The vehicle itself has a busy schedule over the year, what with Stirling Airsoft games, trade shows and being hired by the BBC to film the second series of Gary: Tank

the 10mph mark. From experience it can be damned tough to resist the urge to just put your foot down, either to get into or out of a fight. This is why drivers are strictly designated for vehicles. I remember driving at a Stirling Airsoft event where they had taken control of the garage for the vehicles; without this area, friendly forces couldn’t use vehicles. We’d been blown up via an agreed method and were merrily trundling back to our garage for 30 minutes of ‘dead’ time. When we arrived we noticed we’d lost control of the garage so we parked up anyway. Advising the enemy we were dead and just parking up one player pulls the door open and

BIG GUNS I’ve fought with and against vehicles and generally find that they add to the feel of a game but don’t influence the swing of a fight. They can’t hide, clear buildings or ambush players. They can’t be taken out of the game easily, but at the same time they can’t take down a large number of players either. But would I rather not have them? Not a chance: it adds something inspiring to a game when something rolls up the road and people dive out into action. Airsoft is about immersion and the big guns certainly help with that side of things. The two systems that are on our Land Rover are great replicas. Firstly the commander weapon is a Trigger Happy M240B. The M240 is the US version of what the British forces call a GPMG. There are a few differences between the two but only the flash hider looks different really. It’s heavy, weighing in at 6kg, but I’ve used it off vehicle and it’s extremely accurate. Prefitted with a MOSFET, microswitch trigger and silver plated wiring it can happily blaze away for extended periods of time. The

“I’ve fought with and against vehicles and generally find that they add to to the feel of the game but generally don’t influence the swing of a fight”

Commander. When used at the Stirling Airsoft games, the vehicle is used as a weapons platform, troop transport or rapid response vehicle, to help Special Forces teams gain advantages. That doesn’t mean the rules don’t work to our advantage though. Gunners tend to be on ‘pain rules’ – let’s face it, a lone gunner propped up on a mount on a road surrounded by targets is a sitting duck. So essentially it acts as a big weapon set that can’t really be killed. Stirling Airsoft also has access to another two WMIK Land Rovers which can be a very intimidating sight. It’s easy to see the drawback of a big airsoft gun: it can’t really do much more than your bog-standard M4 with a big battery and a high-capacity magazine. This is why rules have to be adapted to make use of these platforms. A vehicle obviously presents a new set of safety issues regarding players moving randomly around the game area. It wouldn’t be the first time a player had sprung out in front of the driver, firing from the hip and forcing the driver to slam on the brakes (proving that putting anything rifle shaped into some peoples’ hands does seem to lower their sense of fear… or their sense in general). To keep things safe a speed limit is normally strictly enforced, usually around

sticks the barrel of his gun in my face saying: “Hand over the keys, this is mine now.” My stern response isn’t printable but the player was advised the error of his ways and he left in a huff that he wasn’t getting to drive.

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only downside was the box magazine. I have little idea what they were thinking but I can only assume they built it out of spare parts. The mechanism all feeds perfect but Trigger Happy has put a 10mm hole in the bottom of the magazine that allows BBs to fall into a void under the magazine. When this is covered the rifle works brilliant. Using off-vehicle the weapon is long, heavy and slow to shoulder effectively, halving a player’s ability to do anything except get shot. If you can deploy it and set up, though, nothing should really be able to get near you. Again, with airsoft all the power limits are nearly the same so you are counting purely on rate of fire and the capacity of your magazine. The primary weapon is a custom-built Browning M2 .50 Cal. We had the outer shell constructed by an engineering company which put together an impressive package. For the guts we chose a Classic Army M249. It was built by Alan Lawson, head technician at Land Warrior Airsoft and no stranger to challenges. Trained by Real Sword, Classic Army, G&P and Magpul, Alan has a technical background Road rage: Scott’s 3.5L V8 Landy complete with .50 Browning M2 and M240 Bravo on top

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that places him at the forefront of airsoft knowledge. The box magazine from the M249 was dismantled and rebuilt into a real ammunition tin allowing around 10,000 BBs to be loaded at once. To fire, Alan wired up two push switches to the butterfly trigger on the rear. The left trigger feeds BBs through the spring feedtube into the hop chamber while the right trigger fires them at around 370fps. Because this has been custom built we found various challenges over a period of a few months. The hop chamber was being pushed away by the gearbox rattle, the feedtube kept getting a kink and not feeding, crap landed in the box magazine and clogged it up… Every hiccough meant an ineffective vehicle, so I suppose it is realistic from that point of view. Without exception, every time I’ve played a game and a vehicle gets involved the dynamic of the event itself gets warped. Even if it is just a transport, the ability to move quickly around a site can be a tactical advantage. So, truth time: are big guns the best thing in airsoft? I’d have to say no. But if all

you want is something that looks and feels great and still manages to add something new to the game, then your answer will probably be ‘yes’. As with everything in our industry it’s all about personal tastes – for me it is immersion, heavy metal and the smell of petrol first thing in the morning! ■

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GIRLS 'N' GUNS

FROM GUCCI TO 5.11 Airsoft is a male-dominated, testosterone-driven sport – but for how much longer? Linzi McGuire speaks up for the ladies

uys, if your other halves are complaining about you spending your weekends at an airsoft site, then bring them along with you next time – they’ll love it! Across the country hordes of women are abandoning their designer dresses and heels and donning camouﬂage and boots instead.

Weekday handbags casually slung over shoulders are being replaced by AEGs. So what’s going on? I started playing airsoft just over a year ago and, like many women in the UK, I love it. When my other half started playing 10 years ago very few girls attended the games – but now there are loads of us. We recently

attended the Ground Zero Weekender where I was joined by many other girls. At C3 Tactical (my regular site) girls are welcomed by everyone and treated like one of the lads (although that is not always the best thing). All the men in my family were in the forces and I’m sure this is why I love the realistic style of play at C3.

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gathered some info about why other girls love playing. Many of the girls said that they play airsoft with their other halves and that, while originally sceptical, found they love the adrenaline rush that getting a kill gives you. Others have commented on the fact that it’s a great way to keep ﬁt – and what’s more you don’t even notice the exercise because you’re having too much fun. Whatever your reasons, I highly recommend airsoft for girls everywhere. If you’ve not played before get your man to take you along to the next event… and then shoot him… twice… even if he’s on your side! ■

My gun of choice is the L96 sniper riﬂe. Mine used to belong to my other half (until I stole it) but I still normally use my MP5 – the L96 is mostly used as a special treat (headshots are my speciality). So why do I play airsoft? I have so much on my plate during the week, from looking after the kids to the cooking and cleaning and, on top of all this, like many other women I hold down a full-time job. Why should our men get the easy stuff to do at home, and then get to spend the weekends having all the fun? Why can’t we join in? Well, we can! I’m a full-time teacher at secondary level, so you can probably imagine the stresses

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I deal with on a daily basis. Since I began playing airsoft I’ve found that whatever stresses I have to deal with during the week seem to fade away when I’m shooting the hell out of the guys and girls on the opposing team. It’s like my personal haven: dressing up as a soldier and forgetting that the kids at school exist for the weekend helps keep me sane. After chatting to some other female airsofters and contacting the National Airsoft Girls (NAG) members, I have

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From Mr Jones’ butcher’s van to pick-ups mounted with anti-aircraft guns, Technicals have made a big impact. Ratty takes a look at where they’re from and how to get your own

LET’S GET TECHNICAL

f you have seen the news over the last few months, watched any modern-day war ﬁlms or played any up to date war games on your console, you will have undoubtedly seen or heard the word ‘Technical’. But what are its origins, who uses them and. most importantly how can I get my hands on one?

So just what is a Technical? A Technical has become the accepted term (thanks to the Americans) for when a civilian vehicle, usually a van or pick-up truck, has been adapted or converted into a weapons platform. This can be a simple adaption – for example to mount a heavy machine gun – and the vehicle can still be used in its primary role. More recently these modiﬁcations have become

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somewhat more permanent and exotic, such as multi-launch rocket systems and sophisticated anti-aircraft platforms. Both good guys (Libyan rebels) and bad guys (Terry Taliban) have used Technicals to great effect, but the origins go much further back. When the Great War broke out, motor transport was generally the preserve of the wealthy (though commercial vehicles were used for business). In France some of these vehicles were commandeered and used by both Axis and Allied forces, mainly for transportation

of supplies to the frontline. This was early days for military vehicles – even the tank wasn’t in service at this time – so some were modiﬁed to afford more protection to the occupants. In the years after 1918 armoured vehicles were developed to carry out a multitude of tasks, from carrying troops to being weapons platforms, but these were only in service in limited numbers with the military. The outbreak of WWII made it clear that there simply weren’t enough vehicles in any Army to carry out the various tasks required. Civilian vehicles of all shapes

BIG BOYZ TOYZ

“I can hear the call to Aviva now: ‘What vehicle do I want to insure? A 1996 Toyota Hi-Lux… Mounted with twin 50 .cal machine guns, a rocket pod and four grenade launchers. Hello… Hello?’” and sizes were requisitioned for use by military and war departments. Who can forget Mr Jones and his butcher’s van from Dads Army? Such conversions were very simple but others were much more heavily modified; some were even converted into armoured fighting vehicles. Skip forward a fair few years to the outbreak of civil war in the Balkans and what we class as the modern day Technical came to light. Again, all sides used otherwise normal civilian vehicles and converted them into everything from weapons carriers to weapons platforms. Pick-ups were the most popular as they are easy to modify, but even little Yugo cars were adapted and used as high mobility heavy machine gun platforms. Bringing it right up to date, Technicals are in wide use in Africa and the Middle East by militias and rebel forces alike. Using captured weapons systems, sometimes crudely mounted, these homemade war machines have been used to devastating effect in conflicts and wars over the last 20 years.

The ﬁlm Blackhawk Down has a wonderful scene showing how effective a Technical can be. More recently in Libya the Technical has come into its own and for me, has become the star of the campaign. Looking at the ingenuity that has gone into adapting

these vehicles to allow then to take on, and conquer, proper military vehicles with heavy armour is amazing. Scaffold poles cut down and welded together, mounted on the back of an old beaten up Toyota Hi-Lux, make it a simple yet effective multilaunch rocket system (maybe don’t try that at home). Of course, something similar to this was evident in Northern Ireland back in the 70s and 80s, but not on the sort of scale we’re seeing in Libya. Other classy conversions seen recently include a Nissan pick-up with a liberated Russian-made multi-barrel anti-aircraft gun mounted on the back. There was even one I saw a few weeks ago where a ﬁghter jet’s rocket pod had been mounted on the back, with a simple wiring system and an ordinary doorbell for a ﬁring switch.

I want one! With the scope of themed airsoft skirmish and MilSim games that are around, a Technical could ﬁt right into most scenarios, adding to the gameplay and ambiance. Depending on how much modiﬁcation you carry out, it could still be used as an everyday ‘grocery getter’ and then at the weekend, dripping with weapons, lead the charge on an enemy position! If there are a few of you in a team it could also be a very cost effective way of getting you and your kit to and from the games. Plus the more input you get, the more awesome you can make it.

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BIG BOYZ TOYZ

First things first though… Select your base vehicle and what you want to convert it into. As I said, the majority of Technicals start life as pick-up trucks or transit-sized flat-beds – but perhaps you fancy something completely oddball? There is so much choice out there. Set yourself a budget including cost of vehicle, tax, insurance and materials needed to carry out the modifications. Don’t forget any labour costs involved if necessary. Any adaptions or modifications must comply with current UK legislation and your vehicle must still be roadworthy and road legal. Mind you, I can hear the call to Aviva now: “What vehicle do I want to insure? A 1996 Toyota Hi-Lux… Mounted with twin .50 cal machine guns, a rocket pod and four grenade launchers. Hello… Hello?”

Due to where most Technicals have been used and are in use, the most popular brands are of Japanese origin. This is handy really, as generally they are the most reliable too. ‘Tatty’ is the look that you want to achieve, so scratches and the odd dent here and there will help. Paintwork is entirely down to you. Most are left in their original factory colours with just the addition of painted call signs, names and flags. However, if you fancy it, give it an odd camo paint job – ‘battlefield modification’ is the key phrase here. Something simple that can be done quickly can help give it that authentic look. Nudge bars and extra lights, for example, are not necessary but will add to the overall look. Inside, an extra comms system will give it that modified feel. Anything from

a CB radio up to a military comms set up will do the job. The advantage of a more professional comms setup is that your team can buy compatible kit and allow you to communicate during the heat of battle. It is the rear bed though, if you have a pick-up or similar, that your imagination and budget can run wild! Most start with some steel sheeting tacked in to act as extra armour and a homemade mantle so you can mount your M249, M60 or your team’s LMG/ GPMG. You could mount an airsoft mortar in the back using just three bolts. Looking through military hardware for sale, rocket pods and other such products are available, at a price. With many of these a similar look could be replicated in any decent workshop. When I ﬁrst had the idea of writing about Technicals for Big Boyz Toyz I did not quite realise how widely used they had become, nor how far back their origins went. Most can be reproduced cost effectively, or become a major project. As I said earlier, it could be your everyday drive during the week and the ultimate weapon in your airsoft arsenal at weekends! Think I’ll ﬁnish there. I’m going on Auto Trader to start looking for my base vehicle… ■

Don’t forget, if you do build a Technical and intend to use it on public roads it has to comply with ALL regulations, including tax, MOT and insurance. Just one other cautionary note: You wouldn’t walk down your local high street carrying your riﬂe or pistol, so please don’t drive your Technical around town in all its glory for the same reasons – the police would not be impressed!

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Gareth ‘Gadge’ Harvey takes a look into the phenomenon of Cold War airsoft

ost people are a little confused by the idea of Cold War airsoft. “Surely there weren’t any Cold War battles?” is the usual response – and that’s partly true, and part of what makes Cold War airsoft such damn good fun. So with no big battles to recreate, what on earth is there to get excited about? For a start you’ve got to look at the whole Cold War thing from two points: ﬁrst the very

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real shooting wars fought by the USSR and the USA by proxy in other peoples’ backyards (such as Vietnam), and second the European ‘Mexican Standoff’ on the German plains that, in the mid1980s, was just a stone’s throw away from kicking off into nuclear war. It’s within this ‘two minutes to midnight’ setting of central Europe circa-1985 that the new genre of Cold War games are being set. Imagine an alternative timeline, a universe where diplomacy fails. The balloon has gone up and, engines revving, the 3rd Soviet Shock Army is on the edge of the Iron Curtain, sights ﬁrmly on Europe! But I’m getting ahead of myself. For many older airsofters the Cold War (and it’s multitude of associated global small wars) was a worrying fact of life; to those

COLD WAR

“Imagine an alternative timeline, a universe where diplomacy fails. The balloon has gone up and, engines revving, the 3rd Soviet Shock Army is on the edge of the Iron Curtain, sights ﬁrmly on Europe” of you born after 1980 it’s either a historical footnote or a complete mystery – so what’s it all about then? In a nutshell it boiled down to an East/ West struggle between the capitalist nations of the West and the communist nations of the East. As allies during World War Two, the Americans and British had made a Faustian pact with the Russian leader Stalin to divide post-war Europe into zones of control, under the auspices of Moscow and Washington (with us Brits having that ’special relationship’ with the USA). To further cut the corners of history I’ll brieﬂy say that ‘liberated’ nations of WWII like Poland, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia were effectively sold down the river by the West, in order to keep Uncle Joe Stalin happy and create a safe ‘buffer zone’ of Soviet-controlled satellite

states (known as the Warsaw Pact). This was a measure the Russians insisted on to protect the Motherland from yet another world war. Most problematic of all, however, was Germany. Demonised by both sides the unlucky Germans found their country split down the middle into West Germany and Soviet-controlled East Germany. As if that were not enough of a headache, neither side wanted to relinquish control of the traditional capital of Berlin, so that was further divided up like some unhealthy birthday cake into a French, US and British ‘West Berlin’

and the Soviet Communist controlled ‘East Berlin’ – the fact that Berlin was over 100km into the Soviet side of Germany was just one more problem to contend with. You’d probably think everyone was happy at that, but unfortunately Russian Communism and Western Democracy really can’t see eye to eye. Both sides faced off against each other across Europe – with Germany in the spotlight. While the continental forces stockpiled arms and invented newer and better ways of killing each other, both sides put almost as much effort into trying to pull all the other countries of the world into their gang. Many post-war countries had seen the way the old order of things almost destroyed the world, and welcomed Communism as the new way forwards. But the USA couldn’t stand by and let that happen. It believed that if one country accepted Moscow’s leadership then their neighbour was bound to follow (the socalled domino effect). So with both sides squaring up across Europe and unwilling to risk an all-out battle just yet, numerous small wars across the globe were funded by the world super powers… Welcome to the Cold War.

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So that’s about it: sorry if you’ve fallen asleep but at the time it was scary stuff. The Russians were the ‘evil empire’ about to invade the world, school kids watched programmes about surviving a nuclear blast and spies were doing real life James Bond stuff on a daily basis and getting in the newspapers – all in all a perfect setting for an airsoft adventure! The best part about Cold War airsoft is that, with its ‘what if’ premise, there is no real limit, other than your imagination, for scenarios. I’m a great fan of WWII airsoft, and to a lesser extent ‘Nam airsoft, but both of these themed settings require players (to varying degrees) to get things right and have a limited amount of real battles you can recreate. Take the 101st Airborne in WWII for example: they only took part in around four operations historically, but the 101st airborne of an alternative 1985 can be involved in as many battles as you like. As a regular player in Gunman Airsoft’s Cold War campaign I’ve seen players expand on this to an even greater degree, creating ﬁctional units of their own such as the Royal Union Riﬂes British infantry regiment (complete with custom-made cap badges!) and their own East German paratrooper battalion. I was recently at a Gunman game called ‘The Launcher’. The scenario was thus: in the opening stages of the Third World War NATO reconnaissance had revealed Soviet forces deploying a new type of chemical weapons launcher, deep in the Polish forests. Fearing a weapon capable

of accurate strikes against the free world a combined US and UK recce force was sent to ﬁnd out more. Both sides (an impressive 30+ players on each team) spent a weekend scouting positions, putting in raiding attacks, patrolling and defending. At one point a leak from the chemical storage units forced players into chemical warfare NBC suits – a horrifying, sweaty and claustrophobic reminder of how a real WWIII would probably have ended up! At the end of the weekender NATO forces had been hounded out of Poland with their tails between their legs, but with enough intel gathered to return for revenge.

If the ‘what if’ scenario doesn’t float your boat you can play Cold War games in a bewildering amount of real world conflicts. Indeed, any world conflict from the end of WWII to the first Gulf War counts – if the Soviet Union existed then it’s Cold War. So whether it’s a Russian VDV paratrooper in 1980s Afghanistan, an SAS trooper in Malaya, an NVA infantryman in the Iron Triangle or an embittered merc in the Belgian Congo, the Cold War setting has huge scope for scenarios, load-outs and adventure. Over the coming months Airsoft Action will be bringing a new feature called Cold War Warriors, and each month we’ll look at a real Cold War loadout worn by a real airsofter. It won’t be about a ‘stitch counter’ re-enactment impression (though I daresay a few may be that good) and it won’t be a shopping list of expensive Gucci kit that most folk can’t afford to buy. What it will be is real Cold War kit worn by guys who love their gaming! Kicking off next issue we’ll be looking at a classic old-school British Army of the Rhine skirmish load-out, with planned future episodes looking at US, Soviet and Warsaw Pact units – and we’d like you to feature in these articles too! So if you’ve got a cracking Cold War load-out get in touch with Airsoft Action and send in your pics! ■

Got a picture for us? Send them into: anthonyp@blazepublishing.co.uk! Gunman Airsoft runs Cold War themed events. Contact them on: 07854 277264.

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WIN...WIN...WIN... CAMOUFLAGE COMPETITION COMPETITION

Three Issues in and our Camo Comp prize pot is growing! This month we add glasses, guns and more!

fter three issues you should all know the score – but just in case, here's a very quick recap. 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. Fill out what you think each is 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. Last month 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 was put in. This month we will add: a pair of ESS Crosshair, ASG Franchi SAS 12 3-burst shotgun and a few bags of BB Bastard BBs. The pot's ﬁlling nicely now! Don't forget to grab a copy of Issue Four to keep up with the camo patterns. Good luck! n

CURRENT PRIZE POT ■ Set of A-TACS camouﬂage (pictured) ■ Airsoft Innovations Tornado Impact and Timer grenades (pictured) ■ M&C Weapon Systems AK (pictured – but remember you only get one!) ■ ESS Crosshair glasses ■ Franchi SAS 12 3-burst shotgun ■ Bag (2,000) 0.20g BB Bastards ■ Bag (2,000) 0.25g BB Bastards Thanks for supplying prizes go to: Gunman Airsoft Midlands Airsoft Innovations M&C Weapons Systems Edgar Brothers ASG

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N O I T A R E P O

MILSIM

As the hunt for Taliban High Value Targets continues James Phillips ﬁnds himself on the frontline again, embedded in a covert Task Force operation as part of Tier 1’s Operation Rolling Thunder

t was sometime after 02:00. The grass under my face was cold and wet and I could feel the remnants of last night’s rain seeping through my trousers as I tried to force myself even closer to the ground. The searchlight blinked back on and its ghostly beam swept back and forth just above my head. I knew the staccato chatter of a machine gun would soon weave a more deadly path if I was spotted. The light moved away and we moved

too – on our bellies, our elbows and knees and sometimes crouched over like a line of old men in the dark. Somewhere up ahead, the patrol we were to link up with was waiting – and so were the Taliban. “Get yourself out to Bagram,” my editor told me, “you’re going to accompany a Joint Special Operations Command covert mission into Pakistan.” A few days later I found myself standing in the searing heat and noise that is Bagram Airbase, just a couple of hundred miles from the Pakistani border, wondering what the hell

I was doing there – and more to the point, would I be coming back. I was whisked through Kabul and onto somewhere close to the border. Listening in to the brieﬁng much later that night, I realised what the guys were going to be up against and how deadly their mission could become. The last effort to capture Mullah Kazim Numair (designated Objective Kingston, aka Panther), a high ranking Al Qaeda leader, resulted in near-disaster and Panther escaping with the aid of militia ﬁghters.

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New intelligence had been received that an unidentified, senior Al Qaeda leader was about to attend a meeting with local Taliban chief Fazal Mesud (Objective Chaplain) in the Taliban stronghold of Ali Sherzai, Pakistan (designated Operational Area (OA) Ratrun). This information had been fed to a Senior CIA Case Officer (codenamed Spider). His only directive from the Agency was to kill or capture Numair and any known associates. Convinced that this could only be Panther, permission for a covert cross-border mission had been sought and granted. Spider, together with his attached 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta Liaison Officer (call-sign Townhouse), had planned a

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direct action strike within OA Ratrun. Task Force (TF) Viper, consisting of operators from Seal Team Six, Special Boat Service (SBS) Commandos and Rangers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, had been assembled to carry out the strike. The SBS were to deploy into the target area, confirm the new intelligence and get “eyes on” the final target, a compound designated Alpha 04. The Rangers would deploy and establish inner and outer cordons, surrounding Alpha 04 in order to protect the strike. At first light Seal Team Six would make a rapid helicopter assault, with orders to

capture or kill both Kingston and Chaplain and any other targets found within the compound. Due to the extreme sensitivity of the mission, my request to accompany ST6 was denied. Instead I found myself bouncing around the inside of a support vehicle as we tore across the Border towards Ali Sherzai, arriving just as the helos touched down. I was surprised at how little resistance there was as the Seals assaulted the building and stormed inside. I was convinced that the intel had been faulty and there was nobody home. But within minutes the ﬁring ceased and a line of prisoners were led from the building, loaded into waiting vehicles and driven at high-speed back to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) – but were Kingston or Chaplain among them? I got back just as the prisoners were being escorted from the vehicles and handed over to Spider for interrogation. Unfortunately, neither Kingston nor Chaplain was among them – they either hadn’t been in the compound or had escaped as the Seals moved in. With little or no information to go on the prisoners were quickly processed and transported onwards for further questioning. With the lack of immediate success, it was decided to establish a FOB much closer to the Taliban’s Area of Operation. This would allow the TF to operate much more effectively (with shorter lines of communication and supply) and the hunt for Kingston and Chaplain to continue. As they prepared to move out, in their own transport and an acquired Russian BDRM 2, Taliban ﬁghters were spotted in the distance

MILSIM

“Wave after wave of Taliban ﬁghters fell upon the building and, despite a huge effort from the defenders (ﬁghting in clouds of choking smoke), by sheer weight of numbers the Taliban forced an entry”

There was a commotion at the door and two men dressed in traditional village clothing were led into the FOB. It turned out they were the Village Elder and his son, who had requested a Shura (Arabic for consultation) with the TF Commander. The elder was worried that the presence of the soldiers would result in Taliban reprisals against the villagers and wanted assurances that they would be protected if that happened. These assurances were given but, in return, Townhouse and Spider insisted on knowing whether Mullah Kazim Numair was in the village and, if so, where? With understandable reluctance and after some discussion with his son, the elder indicated to a point on a map, conﬁrming both Panther’s presence and location. As soon as they left a plan was formulated to capture or kill him. From just after midnight squads would move out and approach the target under cover of darkness, in preparation for an all-out assault on the location scheduled for 03:00. I was to accompany one of the Ranger squads and that is how I found myself at 2:00am with a face full of wet grass, trying to make myself invisible! Although sure that every little sound I made could be heard 100 miles away, the squad safely made their rendezvous and prepared for the attack. At the allotted time they silently moved forwards, and all hell

moving towards the FOB. Seeing the strength of the defence they quickly melted away and the convoy moved out – straight into an ambush. The Taliban weren’t planning to attack the FOB, they were covertly moving men up to attack the vehicles at a choke point. A fierce fire-fight ensued, with casualties taken on both sides. The Taliban fell back, forcing the TF to follow them across a large area of open ground, harried every step of the way. As the exchange came to an end the TF continued to the new FOB and some much-needed food and a period of enforced rest. I have no idea what time it was when I collapsed onto my sleeping bag and shut my eyes, only to be shaken awake again what seemed like just two minutes later.

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broke loose. Although the Taliban sentries had been dealt with the rest weren’t giving up without a fight and opened up with everything they could – but it was too late. TF soldiers breached the building from all directions, making short work of everyone inside and capturing Panther in the process. He was extracted back to the FOB for interrogation without fuss, while those that remained behind prepared for the inevitable counter-attack. It was four hours later, just as the sun was coming up, that the first murky figure was spotted moving through the early morning mist, and then another – and another… Wave after wave of Taliban fighters fell upon the building and, despite a huge effort from the defenders (fighting in clouds of choking smoke), by sheer weight of numbers the Taliban forced an entry and systematically wiped them out. This was a heavy defeat for the Task Force, but they at least captured Panther and who knows what information he might be able to supply? Conscious of what might happen to the villagers, Townhouse decided on a fullfrontal, high-speed assault, using all means to find Chaplain, wipe out the remaining Taliban and prevent any reprisal killings. In vehicles and on foot, TF squads poured into the village only to be met by a barrage of heavy machine gun fire and IEDs. The vehicles were disabled by the blasts while the Taliban cleverly wheeled their defence to isolate individual squads before mowing them down. With nearly 90 per cent of their number dead or wounded, Task Force Viper withdrew from Ali Sherzai – for now. The cost had indeed been very steep

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but with Panther captured, the Taliban had been considerably weakened at a high level. Together with the recent success in Yemen, they will ﬁnd it hard to recover from their losses. It had been a seriously hard 36 hours and

I can honestly say I have never experienced anything like it before. I slept all the way back to Bagram where, following a hot shower and some food, I climbed aboard my ﬂight back to the UK and was asleep again before the wheels left the ground. ■

Operation Rolling Thunder was part of an ongoing scenario developed and executed by Tier 1 Military Simulation. Tier 1 prides itself on producing events that are as close to the real thing as possible. You don’t get a serial number and you don’t actually die – but in every other respect the experience simulates what soldiers face on a day-to-day basis. Contact Tier 1 Military Simulation: www.tier1militarysimulation.com

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SKILLS ROOM

TARGET INDICATION FOR URBAN AIRSOFT Being able to quickly communicate where enemies are in urban areas will prevent your team taking unnecessary hits. Brian Jackson explains

arget indication is all about identifying a threat and directing sufficient fire onto the enemy engaging you. This will enable your assaulting elements to close, engage and breach the target building, taking the battle to the enemy. At this stage I will focus on the process of target indication rather than on the actual building assault, and will take you through the essential steps of identifying where the enemy is to your team with relation to buildings (and large vehicles such as planes and trains). These tactics are similar to those used by tactical firearms teams in police and specialist military units, but obviously slightly adapted for airsoft use. You need a simple but efficient system of describing to your team where to find the enemy once things have ‘gone loud’. To do this you need to allocate zones (also known as aspects) to the target venue to be contained or assaulted. The purpose of this is to tell your team

where the enemy is and to direct them to certain aspects of the venue by safe routes. This can help prevent unnecessary time in regen. Used for real, this reduces unnecessary trips to the operating theatre! Picture an aerial view of a typical detached house (see ﬁgure one). This illustrates an effective form of CQB target indication, used to identify the sides of a house. The ‘white’ aspect is usually designated as the side

most obviously at the front of the premises or, if a commercial property, the main entrance. The back of the venue is the ‘black’ aspect. The right aspect is designated ‘red’ and the left ‘green’. During training I was taught the following phrases to help me learn which is which: ‘white and black, black is back’ and ‘go green for left and red for right’.Hey, it worked for me! This system can be used to contain a specific building or vehicle or to quickly direct teammates to a particular area that needs to be reinforced. In one real-life example, an armed suspect had exited an address through the back door into the rear garden, where he was challenged and subsequently engaged by the team containing the black aspect, as well as those covering arcs on both the sides. Once the threat was neutralised, support was needed and called for efficiently by a simple command: “Support. Black.” The reserve, waiting to be deployed, knew where they were needed and could maintain covering fire for the force already holding black aspect until the building was cleared and the casualty could be evacuated safely. Simple and efficient.

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FIGURE ONE To further narrow your communications, consider coding specific openings such as doors and windows. If you are spotting for enemy or being engaged you can call in fire quickly and efficiently, either taking down the target or at least forcing them to get their head down, allowing assaulters to move forwards and breach. I recommend a safe and simple numbers system. “Target, white, 2-2.” Referring to figure one, this communication means that an enemy has been spotted (or engaged) in the right bedroom on the front of the house. The system works from the ground floor up, with the first number relating to each storey (one for ground level, two for first floor and so on). Each aperture is also numbered (from left to right) in the same way, regardless of whether it’s a door or window, and its position is the second number. Split windows are not numbered individually as this would cause confusion – it’s the window area as a whole you

take into account when using the number system. So an enemy player leaning out of a ﬁrst ﬂoor window, two windows along from the left at the back of the venue would be indicated by the command: “Target, black, 2-2.”

I now know immediately that there is a target or suspected threat at the rear of the venue, on the ﬁrst ﬂoor, two windows along – so that is where I look to engage or identify the threat. It’s quick, simple and effective.

FIGURE TWO Figure two shows one of the buildings we used as a feature in a recent MilSim event. It represented a laboratory and was one of the main objectives. This picture was taken at the rear (black) aspect and also shows some of the left (green) aspect as well. If I was to use simple target indication to identify this building I would work systematically, from left to right starting at the ground ﬂoor and working up. My aspect report based on this image would be communicated to my control room or comms centre as: “Black aspect 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2. Green aspect 1-1, 2-1.” Anyone trained in this system would be able to quickly (and, of course, roughly) sketch this aspect for planning purposes or, if calling out a ﬁre control order, identify the opening being used by the enemy.

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SKILLS ROOM

FIGURE THREE Coding figure three for target indication purposes would go something like: White aspect ground floor 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, garage. White aspect first floor 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4. As a rule you wouldn’t necessarily need to say ‘ground’, ‘first’ or ‘second floor’ as the code would identify the floor level. It might be helpful while you’re still learning the system though. I specifically pointed out the garage as it is an obvious feature and if a fire control order was called to a suspect firing from it, it would be easier to say: “Target. White. Garage,” than have your team counting windows. A big front door with side windows would be identified as one opening, so you don’t need to go and give the cat flap its own code! By using a simple system of target indication you can really improve your team’s ability to identify and quickly neutralise threats. If a venue has a basement, keep it simple: the command would be ‘basement’ but any openings would still be numbered left to right, so ‘basement one’, ‘basement two’ and so on (the code starts at the ground

floor, as most houses don’t have basements). Similarly, if you were going to give target indication for a train or aeroplane you could use the same method just as efficiently to identify and locate your target. If it was a plane, train or coach, you would classify the front cabin as white, any rear stowage entrances or emergency exits as black, the left/port side as green and the right/starboard as red. As for the windows, there would be a lot of counting if you used it as one long section. To make it easier for everybody you would count the total windows and divide it into three sections, using markings on the vehicle to locate a natural break in each section as a marker – this would give commands such as: ‘Red one, window two’ or ‘Green three, window six’. On a train you would count carriages and then code each window left to right. It’s unlikely (as airsofters) you will be assaulting too many aircraft or trains but, by applying this procedure, you can indicate targets in pretty much anything. This simple technique can significantly increase your chances of defeating your opponents and winning the day.

In previous articles we learnt how to communicate silently using basic hand signals and use correct, efficient radio procedure to improve tactical game play. Now you can specifically identify aspects and openings of buildings to locate the enemy and win the battle by directing overwhelming firepower onto the correct area. Or, if it’s not all going to plan you can call for support and, using this system, it should be easy for your mates to come directly to your assistance. The next series of Skills Room articles will focus on adapting military tactics for use in airsoft. ■

Brian Jackson is MD at Airborne Airsoft, which offers team training in a variety of basic military skills. The guys at Airborne have over 40 years’ military experience between them, and eight years’ with Police SO19. This article is the product of their joint knowledge and experience gained in the military, police and as airsofters. Contact Airbourne Airsoft: 07938 620635, www.airborne-airsoft.co.uk

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G N YOU

GUNS T

he whole sport of airsoft is based around one principle: honesty. No matter the circumstances we’re always expected to uphold that one principle and if you don’t then you’re not going to have an enjoyable time, and could ruin the experience for other players. Take your hits, even if you don’t know where the BB came from or you think you could get away with it. Even if you’re playing against someone who isn’t taking their hits, you do yourself no favours by following their standard. Take your hit – then tell a marshal if someone’s not playing fair. That way you’ll earn yourself a good reputation and decent respect from the adults.

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When I was just starting out I found myself being looked down upon a lot and made it my goal to prove them wrong. Look where it’s got me – I’m writing for Airsoft Action about the sport I love! Never let older players demean you just because you’re inexperienced. You will encounter players who seem to have forgotten they were in the same situation once, but just ignore them. Above all don’t let them bring you down or put you off airsoft. Step up and play – be the best you can be, learn from better players and use your head. It’s not all about running, guns blazing, into areas infested with enemy. In one example, after putting up with a morning of snide comments because I was younger, I

This month Jez Blume discusses how to handle tricky situations and learn from your mistakes to become a better player

managed to sneak around a place we call Prison Camp on my own, taking out six or seven people before being surrounded. They thought there was more than one of me and I caused them a huge delay in securing an objective. How? Because I thought before I moved and, more importantly, because I didn’t let what people said get to me, I ignored it and carried on. Over six years I’ve learnt my tactics and which ones I prefer to use. I’ve also learnt a lot about what to do in certain situations and, just as importantly, what not to do. You can’t just learn from me though, or from any article in a magazine. The most

it can do is give you a rough idea. The key to learning tactics and how to deal with given situations is making mistakes – but never the same one twice. Don’t go hard on yourself if you fail at something, just look back on what you did and fix up next time. Practice makes perfect after all! There will be times in a game when you wish you’d done something different. For example, if you’re lying in a bush surrounded by enemies and they haven’t spotted you yet, don’t just open fire. Sure you might kill a few and feel good about it, but it will alert the rest to your position. Patience is a vital quality in airsoft. So if you are sat in a bush and the enemy is approaching, keep calm, wait for them to either get in front of you or walk past and then open fire – I guarantee you will nail more of them. When I find myself in a situation I’m unsure how to handle, I use a system I call CRAJR – consider, revise, assess, judge and react.

Consider the situation you’re in: How many teammates do you have with you and how many enemies are there? Revise the situation: What are you going to do? Who’s going where? Assess your decision: Is it worth it? What’s the likelihood of success, or casualties? What’s the point of doing this? Will it help the team? Judge the developments (make the correct judgments): When do I open fire? Who do I shoot first? Where do I move? React to the enemy: The quicker you do it, the more likely you are to succeed. Of course you can’t sit there with your squad for five minutes deciding what to do. CRAJR is something to have running in the back of your mind every time you enter a new situation. You won’t always succeed, and sometimes you will fail miserably, but as I said before that’s the best way to learn. You’ll get it right next time. And while things won’t go perfectly in every assault

YOUNG GUNS or defence situation you’re faced with, over time your decision making and leadership skills will improve. Sometimes airsoft feels like you’re playing Call of Duty in real life, and that’s amazing. But here’s a tip: It’s not Call of Duty. I’ve seen players who act as if it was – I’ve even seen someone playing exactly how you play on Rainbow Six: Vegas! Admittedly tactics used on Rainbow Six can be good but even they have to be used at the right time, not at every corner you go around. I know when you have a rifle in your hands you feel like a superhero but you’re just another player and can’t drop shot players or blind fire. Games like Call of Duty can help make your reaction times a hell of a lot faster but airsoft isn’t a video game – it’s the real life definition of awesome! n

“The key to learning tactics and how to deal with given situations is making mistakes – but never the same one twice” Jericho Squad (Stirling Airsoft, Op: Huntsman): Aaron, Will, Ben and Balentine

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ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT Absolute Airsoft was once home to some of the world’s biggest paintball tournaments. It’s now a dedicated airsoft site, and Airsoft Action went to check it out

n a mild October morning I made my way to Absolute Airsoft’s woodland site near White Waltham, in Berkshire. At the safe zone I was greeted by site operator Mark, who has over 20 years’ experience in airsoft. I was impressed to see more than 60 players busying themselves in the safe zone, so while Mark was booking them in I had a wander round to see what sort of facilities Absolute Airsoft offered. The layout of the safe zone allows for plenty of undercover seating and bench space for players to get ready and prep their kit. Once all the players were checked in Mark asked me how long I would be about, and would I

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like lunch – to which I replied “all day” and “yes please.” There was up to four choices of freshly cooked food – I can most deﬁnitely recommend the chilli! Mark also introduced me to his wife Sarah, who manages the kitchen area and snack bar, which offers hot and cold food and drink throughout the day. But enough about my belly – back to the site. Before the game started Mark and I managed to grab ﬁve minutes to talk about the site. It has been running as an airsoft site for three years and is set on around 20 acres of woodland with structures built inside. Mark runs the onsite shop, which provides everything from BBs and pyros all the way up to pistols and AEGs, plus everything in

SITE REVIEW

“The ﬁnal games were extremely engaging though, involving a very clever mineﬁeld – but I won’t give too many of Mark’s secrets away – you’ll have to see for yourself”

between. Mark also offers a full repair and maintenance service onsite, so if your gun does go down he will do everything he can to get you back into the game ASAP. If all else fails, gun rental is available – meaning the site is equally accommodating whether you’re a seasoned veteran or ﬁrst-timer. Plus there’s the luxury of ﬂushing toilets and running water – something pretty special on a woodland site. Absolute Airsoft runs regular charity days. All walk on fees are donated to a

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worthy cause – this year the named charity is the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SAFFA). Soon enough a loud shout to order had everyone gathering round to listen to the comprehensive site safety brieﬁng, given by one of the eight marshals. After that we were out for the ﬁrst game, a 15 minute warm-up. The players were split into two teams, but it was done a little differently at Absolute Airsoft and I liked it. The players were asked to stand in two lines, one behind the other; the front rank was asked to move forward, the rear rank backward – and those were the two teams. This put mates who had arrived together against one another and also evened the teams out, mixing both experienced and new players together. The teams then went off to their respective areas and were briefed again by the marshals on how the game would run. Then

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another shout went up and the game was underway. The first game is always fast-paced to get everyone’s blood pumping and in the mood for the rest of the day, and this was achieved very well. Everyone then made their way back to the safe zone to rearm and get back out for the next game, all done quickly and without fuss. The games continued until lunchtime, when everyone came back in for a well-deserved break. Then it was back out for more. The first two games of the afternoon were nice and easy, allowing for everyone’s full stomachs. The final two were extremely engaging though, involving a very clever minefield, but I won’t give too many of Mark’s secrets away – you’ll just have to come and see for yourselves. Overall this is a great little site, one I had never visited before. It caters for every level of experience, from young guns to

the regular weekend warriors. Another thing I noticed is that Mark welcomes players who use two-tone guns and actively encourages them to get involved. The site is professionally-run with very experienced marshals and some great regular players with fantastic attitudes to the sport. I didn’t once hear a complaint of cheating or of a player not taking hits, and every person I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves, including the staff. Recommended! ■

ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3SS www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk, 07871 314951 Prices Walk-on fee: £20 (includes lunch and a can of drink) Hire fee: £40 (includes lunch, can of drink, hire gun, safety gear and a bottle of BBs) Evening game fees: Walk on £10, rentals £22 (pre-booking only).

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ARMS FAIR ACTION Practical pistol, CQB training and fending off armed attackers – Airsoft Action explores the Arms Fair

eld twice a year at The Grange in Balsall Common, this was the fourth Airsoft Arms Fair and the ﬁrst over two days. Due to local Council restrictions, on-site numbers were strictly

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limited and tickets for both days were sold out. Although many retailers in the main marquee would have preferred greater numbers, everyone knew that those who had bought tickets would deﬁnitely be coming and, hopefully, coming to buy. Alongside the

main marquee was an open area for private sellers, where a large array of kit and clothing was up for sale and many bargains were soon snapped up. Airsofters, of course, don’t just want to look at and buy kit – they want to play. The Grange had organised something a bit special for those wanting to have a go: Edgar Brothers and Stirling Airsoft collaborated on some training sessions, conducted under the watchful eyes of an ex-UKSF member. Each session was split into two parts. The first was an against-the-clock competition involving rifle (double-tap, mag-change, double-tap) and rifle and sidearm (rifle double-tap, sidearm double-tap) on a target, with scores and times recorded. The second part was a compound assault, in which two buildings and a watchtower had to be cleared and a captured, and a potentially wounded comrade rescued.

ARMS FAIR REPORT COMPETITION RESULT

Not having played for a while I was a little reticent at first, but it was really good to feel the buzz again – and I definitely need to practice my pistol drills some more! There were plenty of other activities going on but two in particular that caught my attention. Pro-Tact runs courses on a variety of subjects, including basic and tactical airsoft weapon handling. At the Arms Fair it was offering practical advice on personal defence (how to disarm an attacker). With the recent increase in both gun and knife violence, even the snapshot that participants received here could well help should they find themselves faced with a similar situation in real life. We were really impressed by what Pro-Tact offers, and its completely not-for-profit with all proceeds going to Help for Heroes. For more info check out the website: www.pro-tact.co.uk. AIPSC (Airsoft International Practical Shooting Confederation) is a discipline that I had heard of before and is hugely popular internationally, particularly in the Philippines. A short AIPSC course had been set up for the weekend, allowing participants to compete against the clock while moving through the course, shooting 15 targets and an end bell. AIPSC requires speed, concentration, a

sharp eye and a steady hand, and what I really like about it is that anyone can do it. It is not difﬁcult, does not require a load of kit yet promotes good discipline and techniques. I highly recommend it to any airsofter that carries a sidearm. Back in the main marquee and the star attraction was obviously Juan, our Airsoft Action man! Juan was clad in over £750-worth of kit that we were giving away in a free-to enter ‘How many BBs in the box’ competition. Judging by the number of entries we had to sift through it seems nearly every visitor to AAF must have had a crack at it! Check the box right for the result. Most retailers had done a good trade (the boys at Swindon Airsoft Supplies, who were on the stand next to ours, may have turned up with every scrap of stock they had but they certainly didn’t lug it all home!), though some reported the Sunday was too slow. Despite that almost all said they’d be back next time – as will Airsoft Action. All in all it was an awesome weekend that most retailers, exhibitors and, very importantly, visitors seemed to thoroughly enjoy. Congratulations to Jim, Marie and everyone at The Grange for working so hard to make The Airsoft Arms Fair a success – thanks guys, see you next time! ■

Question: How many BBs in the box? Answer: 23,927! Winning answer: 24,000 Congratulations to Taylor Culey – the lucky sod won more than £750 of kit, including a G&G CM16 Raider, ASG CZ P-07 Duty and Blackhawk STRIKE plate carrier harness. Well done Taylor! For supplying prizes huge thanks go to: Landwarrior: 0131 654 2452 www.landwarriorairsoft.com Edgar Bros: 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com Patrol Base: 01484 644709 www.patrolbase.co.uk BadgerTac: 01296 658600 www.badgertac.com ASG: (+45) 8928 1888 www.actionsportgames.com

PROTACT: DEALING WITH A GUNMAN

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GLASSES AND GLOVES Dan Parkes put two pairs of glasses and two pairs of gloves through intensive use in part one of our glasses ‘n’ gloves kit test Oakley SI Pilot gloves These gloves were tested in an urban environment and really did have their work cut out. The Oakley SI Pilots have a very good fit and are quite comfortable to wear, even after long hours of use. Unlike some other brands I’ve used in the past the Oakleys gave me no problems when changing magazines or feeling the trigger of my weapon while wearing them. Like the Blackhawk SOLAGs, these gloves feature hard knuckle protection and a leather palm (which was added at the request of the US military). The leather palm, from my day’s experience, is a great idea and personally saved my hands a lot of damage or injury when I was wearing them. It’s difficult to judge which pair is ‘better’; both were put through punishing tests and neither failed on me, so they’re both worth the money paid. But at £30 cheaper and with that added leather palm, it’s difficult not to choose the Oakleys. A good glove with a decent price tag.

Blackhawk SOLAG HD Gloves with Kevlar I used these gloves on a 36-hour MilSim – they didn’t once let me down that entire time. I wore the gloves while handling weapons and, although they are of a leather construction and give plenty of protection, they are thin enough to allow you to feel the trigger and other features. The Blackhawk HD (that’s Heavy Duty, if you were wondering) features hard knuckle protection and it wasn’t until the end of the game I noticed how much punishment the knuckle of the glove had received. They must have taken quite a few knocks as there were plenty of marks on them, but I hadn’t felt anything. Most of the time I simply didn’t realise I was wearing them they were that comfortable. I always try to look after my hands and these gloves did a great job – they’re not cheap, but worth every penny.

SRP: £32.82 Supplied by Level Peaks, 01432 341686, www.levelpeaks.com

SRP: £62.99

Supplied by Intelligent Armour, 01453 700574, www.body-armour-protection.co.uk

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Bolle Contour Clear Glasses These glasses were tested at a skirmish game where I was doing a lot of running around, trying to keep up with both sides of the game. They didn’t have any major issues with misting which surprised me considering the amount of sweating I did. For a cheaper pair of shooting glasses that’s quite a rare quality. They are very lightweight and offer reasonable eye protection, though the Oakleys covered slightly more skin. I took a number of direct shots to the lens which left a few tiny marks on the glasses at the end of the day. Bolle Contours are at the lower end of the price bracket, but if all you need is a decent, cheap and cheerful pair of glasses to have in your bag, these are ideal. Essentially, Bolle Contours are ﬁne glasses if you only skirmish.

Oakley SI M Frame Glasses The Oakley SI M Frames were also tested on a 36 hour MilSim and were worn for 36 hours straight. They are really comfortable and I generally I forgot I was wearing them. They come with interchangeable lenses – a dark lens and a clear lens – which are really easy to swap. They didn’t suffer from misting at any point either, which can be a problem with others. Oakley tests its glasses with a shotgun blast to the lens and, after taking a couple of hits, I am happy to say they withstood everything that thrown at them with no visible marks remaining (which if they can take a shotgun blast is no great surprise!). As with most things Oakley they are a well-made, quality piece of kit, but come at a price (and a rather hefty one, compared to the Bolles). They are supplied complete with a hard protective case for when they get chucked into your bag at the end of the game. If you’re looking for eye protection and are willing to shell out £80 for it, the M Frames are a solid offering. SRP: £80.85 Supplied by Level Peaks, 01432 341686, www.levelpeaks.com

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SRP: £12.99

Supplied by BadgerTac, 01296 658600, www.badgertac.com

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One of the bext-looking games of the year, Gears of War 3 has been an eagerly-awaited release. Alex Wharton gets to grips with Gears 3

ig men (and now women) shooting big guns at really big enemies – the ﬁrst two Gears of War games have stuck to this general theme, and it works so why change it? Gears of War 3 is the ﬁnal part of the trilogy and takes the story to new and amazing places.

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In case you haven’t played the others, Sera is a world in serious trouble. Humans are spread out, living in small camps or on roaming ships. The Locust, having lost all their caves in the second game, are trying to scratch out a living wherever they can – and now there’s the Lambent, a race born from the fuel deep down inside the planet. To be honest, though, the Lambent just reminded

me of the Flood from Halo and the mutations from Resident Evil 4 and 5. Supposedly the last in the series (we’ll wait and see if they pull a Halo ‘no more… oh ok, have another’), the tale takes the familiar Delta squad from cities to planes to sewers to ships and back. Some of the set-pieces in Gears 3 are the most impressive yet – the game starts with you taking on a Lambent Kraken from your ship, and it just gets bigger from there! The same complement of weapons have arrived from GOW 2 with a few additions – most notably, from the early trailers, is a double-barrelled shotgun. But I found that I needed to be so close that I could have kissed them to make it actually do any damage, so generally didn’t use it and stuck with the pump shotgun. They’ve also introduced the Retro Lancer – kicks like a mule but has a huge bayonet on the front and a cool stabby charge. Of course, the regular lancer is the best by far, and the one which saw the most use. Multiplayer is a staple part of this game and the regular modes from the previous

GAME REVIEW

“Beast mode gives players a chance to reverse the roles of horde. Players will be able to choose a Locust creature and attack a squad of humans” games have been included. You can gain access to new characters or new weapon skills thanks to an unlock system. Horde is a welcome return with more levels and enemies added just to make it that much harder. Making it to the ﬁnal wave of this will be even more of a challenge though, and that much greater a reward if you do make it. A new mode has also been created. Beast mode gives players a chance to reverse

the roles of horde. Players will be able to choose a Locust creature and attack a squad of humans. This is a great new addition to the game and really is a new twist. Almost every creature from the games are included, so where in normal multiplayer one team will be locust drones and the other soldiers, Beast mode gives players a chance to play as a ticker or grub all the way up to the heavy boomers and controlling classes that can

resurrect other locust! The game also has a surprisingly long play time. The habit of many studios has been to make games look better but sacriﬁcing length and story. GOW3 lasted me a good 10 hours or so, which isn’t a monolothic play time but that’s just the singleplayer mode of course. Taking multiplayer into consideration adds as many zeros to the end of that number as you like. Overall, Gears of War 3 is an excellent game. I’ll be honest, I loved the previous two as well so am slightly biased. The characters are large and clunky but that suits the world – which is huge, and the guns are huge and the enemies are huge. You can’t take this game too seriously (after all it’s from Epic Games, and big and loud is what they do!). If you want to play through a huge story arc about the fate of an entire planet, then you can do a lot worse than Gears of War! n

GEARS OF WAR 3 Developed by: Epic Games Published by: Microsoft Studios Out now exclusively on Xbox 360 SRP: £49.99 Gears of War 3 was developed by Epic Games exclusively for Xbox 360. Microsoft and Epic games recently announced the ﬁrst game add-on would be the Horde Command Pack, which adds new maps, playable characters and Horde upgrades.

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CUSTOM PAINT JOB In his ﬁrst article Gunmunki tells us how to completely change the look of your gun

irst things ﬁrst: be absolutely sure you want to change your gun before you start as it can be difﬁcult to reverse the process. I suggest testing your skill on a slightly cheaper airsoft part, such as a magazine, before moving onto your more valuable kit. Also be aware that painting will invalidate any warranty with the shop you purchased it from. So, no free repair service for your electric blue M14 if you break it!

Preparation When painting or changing the ﬁnish on your gun you need to spend some time on preparation. Protective gloves and glasses are essential – and seeing as these are standard airsoft attire you should be used to wearing them by now. Some paints and chemicals can

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cause skin cancer so please be sensible. Choosing the correct paint or effect is essential, especially if working on ABS plastic parts, as some paints can react with the plastic and cause the surface to bubble. You will also need to decide on the lustre of the paint finish: matt, satin or gloss? I would generally recommend matt if you are the sneaky type, as reflective surfaces rarely add to the value of camouflage! There are paints specifically manufactured for use on airsoft guns. The main manufacturer is Krylon which makes a vast range of colours. More importantly though, Krylon has re-released its popular

camouflage shades in its ‘Fusion’ range. The next stage is masking off or stripping down your gun. It is vital that you do not spray or paint your gun without protecting the moving parts and barrel opening. DIY masking tape is ideal for this. If your gun is older and has been through the wars it might also be a good idea to clean the mud and debris of battle off the bodywork before painting. After choosing your colour or preferred camouflage pattern you need to decide on how to achieve the final result most efficiently. This could be straight from the can, through an airbrush, sponge application

WORKSHOP probably the most effective method as the edges blend together well and break up the silhouette of the gun at a distance.

Masking If the design is fairly linear, such as a tiger-stripe pattern, then masking off is the simplest method. Take your masking tape and start to lay it upon the surface leaving the areas you want to spray uncovered. With each colour build up the overlaying shapes until you are happy with the depth of camouﬂage.

Hand painting

or painting by hand. Some paints may require a primer coat before you can apply the coloured layers. Always read the instructions on the can before rushing ahead to paint your ATACS pattern.

Base layer Regardless of the detail of any camouﬂage pattern you always begin by applying the base layer. Look at the camouﬂage and see which of the colours is dominant. This is your base layer, the colour you will cover the entire piece with. Spray in a well-ventilated area. If outside, spraying into wind is not advisable. Gun metal grey: polished technique

Try not to hold the spray too close to the surface as that will cause the paint to build up and may cause it to run. Apply the layers gradually for a smoother effect.

Freehand camouflage If your design is not well defined then you can go right ahead with a spray can, sponge or airbrush. Once the base layer is dry you can simply pick up the next colour in your camouflage range and have fun applying it at random. If you are not happy with your first attempt just re-spray it. This technique is the easiest and Tiger stripes: masking technique

For more ﬂuid, complex camouﬂage (such as standard DPM), painting with a brush is sometimes the only way. You can attempt to do these more abstract patterns with a spray can or airbrush but you will need to employ another masking technique with liquid latex. This can be painted on and, after spraying, rubbed off to leave the base layer unaffected.

Polished metal Okay, this is taking a metal section of the gun and removing any paint or powder coating. To do this you need to either sand away the paint layer or use paint stripper. Please remember, if using paint stripper, to make sure there are no ABS plastic parts anywhere near the area being stripped. They will melt! Art attack: freehand technique

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WORKSHOP

“‘Liquid gun blue’ is a clear chemical mixture containing selenium dioxide which, when applied to iron, oxidises on the surface to create a very desirable effect. It is very difﬁcult to apply evenly though and will only work on metals with iron content” Once you have got down to the base metal you can create a brightly-polished surface with wire wool and plenty of elbow grease.

Blueing ‘Blueing’ is a technique usually used on real steel firearms to prevent both rusting and glare from the barrel, and is named after its blue-black appearance. ‘Liquid gun blue’ is a clear chemical mixture containing selenium dioxide which, when applied to iron, oxidises on the surface to create a very desirable effect. It is very difficult to apply evenly though and will only work on metals with iron content. As many airsoft guns are

made of non-ferrous metal this effect is limited. After applying gun blue the surface needs to be oiled to prevent the chemical continuing to react. Note: I do not advise anyone attempts gun blueing without applying the proper safety procedures, as it does involve poisonous substances.

Lacquer Finally, to protect your precious paintwork and effects I recommended a couple of layers of matt lacquer. This will protect from rubbing and slight knocks and give a smooth feel to the surface. Obviously, most paint will wear away

over time as airsoft is a fairly full-on sport. When your fantastic paintwork is looking a bit battered, just take this as a good opportunity to try out a different paint scheme. n

Gunmunki can be found at The Grange, Balsall Common, where he works his magic and keeps the site guns in tip-top condition. If you have a question, or would like more information, contact the Gunmunki via email to: anthonyp@blazepublishing. co.uk The Grange: 01676 532384, www.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

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WIN...WIN...WIN... THE GUNMUNKI TREATMENT FOR YOUR WEAPON Has Gunmunki’s ﬁrst gun customisation article got you desperate for your own awesome custom weapon? Well you’re in luck – Gunmunki has generously agreed to offer his services as this month’s competition prize! Gunmunki will take your base gun – that is, whatever you’re using now – and pimp it up however you like. You’ve seen some of his work and what he can do, and Gunmunki will endeavour to achieve precisely the look you want. Good, eh? To win this fantastic prize just answer the following simple question:

What is Gunmunki’s real name? Answer Name Address

Postcode Country Telephone Email

Post your entry to: Gunmunki 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 Gunmunki 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 November will not be valid. One entry per household only. Prize must be collected from Gunmunki at The Grange, Balsall Common, West Mids. 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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See your ad here Call Hannah on 01926 339808

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AIRSOFT SNIPER PARTS UK Airsoft Sniper Parts may be new to the airsoft scene but it is already enjoying good success. Bossman Darren White tells us more

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INSIDE AIRSOFT

irsoft Sniper Parts is little known at present. It only recently appeared on the airsoft scene – within the last three months – but already the response has been great. So who are we and why now? We are a family-run distributer of sniper rifle upgrade and replacement parts. Currently we are focusing on spring-based rifles such as the TM VSR and Maruzen L96, and their clones such as JG Bar10, ASG Covert Ops and the common Well/Warrior Type 96. We enjoy sniping, and it’s the primary role we’ll take up at a skirmish. But you will probably be aware of the poor-quality internals some rifles offer, making it either unreliable or simply unusable. In the past some leading brands provided upgrade parts, but recently these have become rare or are no longer manufactured at all. When we have been lucky enough to find any of these parts they are usually very expensive and often not sold by the same retailer, forcing us to buy from different suppliers with different warranty terms. We saw a gap in the market which really needed to be addressed. The role of sniping isn’t as popular as toting an AEG commandostyle but still should not be neglected. Here at ASPUK we have teamed up with a supplier who has access to CNC machinery and reasonable lead times, which helped us become the UK’s distributer. If you regularly browse our online store

Metalwork: Various components used by ASPUK to improve airsoft sniper riﬂes, including the popular L96

you might notice an increasing amount of items; this is because we are not content just with what’s currently on offer and are still designing more new and exciting upgrades. We have just released new Dragunov hop units, and the much-needed metal L96 hop lever as a direct replacement for the current stock plastic version, which could snap and render your clone L96 useless – but not anymore. We’ve got other things in the pipeline too: our machinist is looking into developing a steel piston sear for the L96, VSR stainless steel cylinder and a VSR aluminium piston

with stainless steel end. Having very little overheads and no middle man enables us to keep costs down without sacrificing quality, so don’t be alarmed when you see how competitive we are! On top of custom parts we offer an upgrade service. Our three technicians have been in airsoft for many years and are very experienced with the VSR, APS and Type96 based rifles. If we can source the parts we’re also more than happy to do repair work. If you have a question or are just looking for advice, please get in touch. We offer impartial advice and will always try to help you get the best from your rifle. ■

Got a question for Airsoft Sniper Parts? Email it to: anthonyp@blazepublishing.co.uk Contact Airsoft Sniper Parts: 0116 269 3200, www.airsoftsniperparts.com

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UKARA LISTING APPROVED UKARA RETAILERS As an airsoft player or retailer it is your sport, or living, which the VCR Act threatened to extinguish. It is our joint responsibility to make sure we do not cause the exception we gained to be removed by foolish acts which, although perhaps not technically breaking the law, might lead to a threat to the concessions we worked so hard to gain. An example is the purchase and gift of a realistic imitation ﬁrearm. This may be quite legal but, to do this with intent to supply a non-registered person would not be if, in reality, it was just a ‘back-door’ sale.

FOUNDING MEMBERS AIRSOFT ARMOURY

WOLF ARMOURIES

3 Chalfont House Chalfont Station Road Little Chalfont Buckinghamshire HP7 9PS 01494 766373 www.airsoftarmoury.co.uk

203 Royal College St. Camden Town London NW1 0SG 0870 754 9653 0207 284 0001 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk

AIRSOFT WORLD

Unit 9, Branksome Business Park Bourne Valley Road Poole Dorset BH12 1DW 01202 769614 www.zerooneairsoft.com

4 Main Street, Crossgates Cowdenbeath Fife KY4 8AJ 08453 700433 www.airsoftworld.net

FIRESUPPORT The Court Yard Conquest Drove Farcet Peterborough PE7 3DH 01733 247171 www.ﬁre-support.co.uk

IRONFOOT INDUSTRIES Hollygrove Morwenstow Bude EX23 9JL 01288 331748 www.ironfoot.co.uk

REDWOLF AIRSOFT UK Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate Northway Lane Tewkesbury Gloucs GL20 8JH Wholesale Only 01684 273070 www.redwolfairsoft.com

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ZERO ONE AIRSOFT

MEMBERS ACTION GAMERS UK

BLACK VIPER

MAD BADGER AIRSOFT

01978 853033 www.bbgunsuk.co.uk

0845 388 5294 07956 030255 www.madbadgerairsoft.com

BULLSEYE COUNTRY SPORT 02837 569908 www.bullseyecountrysport. co.uk

MILSPEC SOLUTIONS

CRAWLEY SURPLUS STORE

MMG TRADING

01293 525880 www.surplusstore.co.uk

Telephone not listed www.military1st.co.uk

D&B MILITARIA

PATROL BASE

01342 312716 07782 188138 www.dandbmilitaria.com

01484 644709 www.patrolbase.co.uk

PET PET PET DINGODOGS AIRSOFT 08448 462826 www.dingodogsairsoft.co.uk

PLATOON STORES 01634 829063 www.platoonstores.co.uk

01702 554503 www.eliteessex.co.uk

RED1 AIRSOFT

ELITE SHOOTING CENTRE 07816 992417 www.eliteshootingcentre.co.uk

01727 846069 07837 424565 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

SG1 COMBAT STORES FIRESTORM UK 01262 469904 www.airsoftaps.co.uk

FROGMORE GRANGE (SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF)

08456 190020 www.actiongamers.co.uk

ACTION HOBBIES (TITAN IMPORTS)

G1098 TACTICAL

AIRSOFT DIRECT

01273 884949 www.getairgun.co.uk

ELITE AIRSOFT ESSEX (RULES OF ENGAGEMENT)

01676 532384 www.suspensionofdisbelief. co.uk

01908 376556 www.actionhobbies.co.uk

01257 453689 www.milspecsolutions.com

0845 269 9473 www.g1098tactical.com

GONE FISHIN & AIRSOFT

02825 658761 www: Not Listed

SWINDON AIRSOFT SUPPLIES 01793 435999 www.swindonairsoft.co.uk

TACTICAL AIRSOFT 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalairsoft.co.uk

TACTICAL QUARTERMASTER 0208 665 4646 www.tacticalquartermaster. co.uk

07757 368767 www.airsoft-direct.co.uk

Telephone not listed www.goneﬁshin.carboncookie. com

AIRSOFT HUT

GREEN ZONE COMBAT

TOY SOLDIERS AIRSOFT (NI)

Telephone not listed www.airsofthut.co.uk

07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com

02890 297398 www.toysoldiersairsoft.com

ALL ABOUT AIRSOFT

JD AIRSOFT

TRIGGER HAPPY

01353 860171 www.allaboutairsoft.co.uk

01543 466356 www.jdairsoft.net

07561 561331 www.triggerhappyfun.com

AMBUSH ADVENTURES

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

XSITE AIRSOFT

01252 315225 / 07595 948760 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

0131 654 2452 www.landwarriorairsoft.com

01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

TEAM PROFILE

GRAY

FOX

Team Gray Fox members all share one goal: to represent their chosen theme as accurately as possible. Team member Dan Tyler tells us more…

ray Fox was formed in 2004 by current members Adam Knights and Kieran Oakman. The team still ﬁelds 10 active playing ‘operators’, out of a pool of 24 across its seven-year lifespan. Each team ‘operator’ is assigned a ‘Fox’ call sign and that number retires with them when they leave the team. The team’s theme is United States Special Operations Forces. Members are recruited due to this common interest and often take their kit choices very seriously, theming their uniform and weaponry around their chosen unit or a variety of units. Popular units within the team are Navy SEALs, Combat Applications Group, Army Special Forces and Special Tactics Squadron (PJs/Combat Controllers). Team members have come from a variety of backgrounds including sales, club doormen, watch repairs and paramedic, all the way to active duty United States and United Kingdom military personnel.

The size of the team has been a huge beneﬁt over the years, as its survival was not based upon the need for every member to attend every event, but to send smaller units and keep an ever-present Gray Fox contingent on many of the UK’s battleﬁelds. A second key factor in our longevity was the decision from the outset that the originators of the team would not hold an overall leadership role. The role of Ground Commander at each event is passed around on a volunteer basis and changes regularly. This gives everybody a chance, while any decisions or new additions involving the whole team are made by a majority vote. Gray Fox does not currently have what could be considered a home site, but takes on a nomadic existence of travelling to where the best games are being held, especially weekend themed events run by companies such as Stirling Airsoft. The team’s reputation among players and event organisers has been built on the foundations of accuracy of kit choices

balanced with a desire to be just as highly effective in our combined gameplay as we are in making the theme events visually more accurate to other participants. On top of that our members are well known on a number of airsoft and gear forums for our extensive knowledge and helpful attitude in supporting newer participants in the niche hobby of airsoft geardo’ism. ■

Editor’s note: I’ve bumped into these guys a couple of times. I’ve got to say their kit looks pretty damn awesome and they are no slouches when it comes to gameplay either! If you’d like to see your Team featured in Airsoft Action, send your proﬁle and photos to: nigels@blazepublishing.co.uk

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COPING WITH

COLD

Winter brings its own risks – especially for those who spend time outdoors. Stuck in the snow on your way to the skirmish site? Toes dropping off in the safe zone? Well it’s too late for you – you should’ve used Airsoft Action’s cold survival guide...

ight, first things first: there’s little chance of your toes dropping off with frostbite after a morning playing airsoft. But it’s still important to understand the risks associated with cold weather and how to avoid problems. The US Army Centre for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine published guidelines for preventing cold weather injuries. They suggest the typical victim of these injuries in Afghanistan is a 20-something male from a warm climate who neglects proper foot care and smokes, drinks or both. Sound familiar? Granted, the report refers to soldiers serving in Afghanistan where winters are fiercely cold and soldiers will be exposed to harsh conditions for months at a time. But anyone can get cold weather injuries if they’re not properly prepared or fail to take steps to prevent them.

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Packing the car A handy list of things you ought to pack this winter – because it’s never fun spending the night in your car on the side of the road without it! These are things you can pack into a box and, boot space permitting, leave there just in case. ■ Boil in the bag food ■ Sweets (for energy) ■ Brew kit (for making hot drinks)

WINTER PREP

■ A couple of torches ■ Cooker for boiling water ■ First aid kit ■ Thermos ﬂask ■ Wash kit and towel ■ Toilet roll and plastic bags ■ Spork ■ Sleeping bag ■ Warm, waterproof jacket ■ Thermal gloves and socks ■ Boots

■ Folding shovel ■ Folding water carrier holding 12 litres of water. ■ Hi-viz vest ■ Warning triangle ■ Reading material (Airsoft Action preferred!)

Cold weather injuries So you’ve got all the kit you need to brave the Arctic Circle – but do you know when you’re at risk? First off, it’ll be cold. Funny, that. Speciﬁcally, temperatures below 5°C are likely to cause cold weather injuries if proper care isn’t taken. Things get worse if it’s wet or windy. Rain, snow, ice and high humidity, coupled with wind speeds 5mph and higher, make for a miserable experience. And if you’re caught out without adequate shelter, a change of clothes and food and water, you’re highly susceptible to a whole host of nasty injuries. It would take a whole magazine to describe these all in detail and give speciﬁc instructions on how to prevent, recognise and deal with these injuries, so we won’t try – the important thing is that if you’re properly prepared you won’t need to know what they look like! ■ Hypothermia ■ Frostbite ■ Chilblains ■ Trenchfoot ■ Dehydration

■ Frostnip ■ Snow blindness ■ Sunburn ■ Cold diuresis (excessive urination) For more on these injuries visit: bit.ly/coldinjuries

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Airsoft: cold war survival And what does this all mean to an airsofter? Well, if you’re doing a weekend MilSim you really need to take care of yourself. Make sure you have adequate waterproof clothing, changes of underwear and base layers, and avoid being wet through for long periods at a time. Ensure you drink enough liquids and eat plenty of hot food to keep energy levels up. For those of us that prefer a morning-and-afternoon at the local skirmish site, things are a little easier but it’s important not to get complacent. It’s again important to take spare underwear and base layers. If your feet get wet, get your boots off in the safe zone, dry your feet off and stick some fresh socks on. Again, it’s important to eat well and drink plenty of ﬂuids throughout the day. Remember the US Army’s C.O.L.D (right).

In the safe zone A quick guide to how to stay warm and dry between games in winter conditions 1 Take off any damp layers and put on a warm, dry jacket or jumper 2 Get some liquid on board – if there’s time for a cuppa then great, if not water will do 3 Get your boots off – dry your feet if wet, change socks if necessary 4 Avoid staying inactive for long periods – just get up and walk around a bit, keep those main muscles moving 5 Sort your layers out again and stick on a waterproof if necessary/practical 6 Sort your mags out, check your rig and get back in the game!

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C.O.L.D C

Clean clothes Always have changes of underwear and base layers

Avoid overheating If you’re wearing nine layers yet not moving, you’re gonna boil

Layers of loose clothing More effective than a Windstopper over a T-shirt

Keep it dry Because it sucks to be wet and miserable

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AIRSOFT

ACTION Elite:160 World War II Infantry Assault Tactics AA Price £10

Elite:168 World War II Street Fighting Tactics AA Price £10

(normally £11.99)

BOOKSHOP Visit www.virtualnewsagent.com for these fantastic offers. Either ﬁll in the form below – don’t forget to put a tick by the books you’re ordering – and post/fax to us, or call us on the number at the bottom

Soldier I – The Story of an SAS Hero AA Price £7.50 (normally £8.99)

Raid:11 Pegasus Bridge – Benouville D-Day 1944 AA Price £10 (normally £11.99)

Title

Code

Price

World War II Infantry Assault Tactics

1211-001

£10.00

World War II Street Fighting Tactics

1211-002

£10.00

Pegasus Bridge – Benouville D-Day

1211-003

£10.00

The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Dagger

1211-004

£8.50

Soldier I – The Story of an SAS Hero

1211-005

£7.50

Elite:170 Special Operations Forces in Iraq AA Price £8.50

Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan

1211-006

£8.50

(normally £11.99)

Special Operations Forces in Iraq

1211-009

£8.50

The Rocket Propelled Grenade

1211-010

£8.50

Total + £4 P&P (free on orders over £30)

Elite:163 Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan AA Price £8.50 (normally £11.99)

Name ........................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... Address ....................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................... Postcode/Zip Code ........................................................................................................ Country ........................................................................................................................ Telephone ................................................................................................................... Email............................................................................................................................ Signature ...................................................................................................................... Date .............................................................................................................................. I enclose a cheque for ______ payable to Blaze Publishing Ltd. Please debit my Switch/VISA/Mastercard/Maestro for _____ (No Electron or Amex please)

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Weapon:2 The Rocket Propelled Grenade AA Price £8.50 (normally £12.99)

Weapon:7 The Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Dagger AA Price £8.50 (normally £12.99)

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085

SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend… SYMBOL KEY Is it woodland or urban? Check the key! UKARA

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Woodland

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Urban

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Pyros allowed

Repair service

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UKARA

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BETTER BATTLES

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UKARA

AIRSOFT COMMANDOS

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086

December 2011

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UKARA

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UKARA

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UKARA

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£ EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

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UKARA

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UKARA

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UKARA

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FIRST AND ONLY – THE EMBASSY Leicester, LE2 6EA 07862 288359 www.ﬁrstandonlyairsoft.com

UKARA

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UKARA

COOL UNDER FIRE

FIFE WARGAMES

FREE FIRE ZONE

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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

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

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UKARA

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FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON

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Leek, ST13 8 07862 288359 www.ﬁrstandonlyairsoft.com

Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

UKARA

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087

SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend… GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

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Leicester, LE9 9FP enquires@grangefarmairsoft.co.uk www.gingerliberationfront.com

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UKARA

GREENZONE COMBAT

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NTAC

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UKARA

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LINDSEY AIRSOFT

OBAN AIRSOFT – HILL ARGYLL

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8 07895 011206 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

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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

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MAW

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UKARA

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MIA

PLATOON 1HQ

Cornwall, EX23 9JL 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk

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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

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December 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

NCIS AIRSOFT

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UKARA

NOMAD AIRSOFT

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA

Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com

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UKARA

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

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UKARA

088

UKARA

SWAT AIRSOFT – URBAN

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

Chester, CH3 5UE 07703 177756 www.swaturban.com

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£ SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

UCAP GREEN OPS

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UKARA

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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

STIRLING AIRSOFT Coventry, CV3 6NX 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com

UKARA

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TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, South Glamorgan, CF71 7RQ 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

UKARA

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UKARA

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UKARA

TECH BRIGADE Hertford, SG13 8NH 01438 235249 www.techbrigade.org UKARA

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UKARA

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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

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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

TA EVENTS

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

Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN 08456 434326 www.scottishadventurecentre.co.uk

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ 01985 211774 www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk UKARA

UCAP AIRSOFT

Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO17 6AR 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk UKARA

Email anthonyp@blazepublishing.co.uk to add or change a site listing

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December 2011