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T H E
A I R S O F T E R ’ S
M A G A Z I N E
O F
C H O I C E
AIRSOFT ACTION
COMPECTORIETFICO-11N9 WIN A FORCE
ARMOU-R119Y
FORECORE FC WE EU19 ASADA KWA/PTS GBB M
SITES
TROJAN AIRSOFT T ARENA HOCKLEY AIRSOF
EVENTSP DUSTOFF
‘NAMSOFT: O KEND OTT BATTLE WEE ASE 2015 AIRSOFT SHOWC HALLENGE THE CAMBRIAN C
INTERNWAEDETNIONAL PANDION - S
AUGUST 2015
SKILLS
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DEBATE
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SHOOT FAST… DON’T MISS!
CANADIAN COLD WAR COMBATANTS TEAM TRAINING
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SURVIVAL
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SITE DIRECTORY
AUGUST 2015 - £4.50
GREY IS THE NEW BLACK
IPAS
9 772047 348032
LOADED OR UNLOADED COLD WAR WARRIOR
08
>
PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS
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CASHBACK ON EVERY ORDER
The leading online airsoft equipment specialist and authorised distributor of all the brands below
Call: 0131 654 2452 or order online at
www.LandWarriorAirsoft.com
e
E c MIS pri PRO ny CE t a PRI bea
l ’l We
LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT
Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8JH. United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1684 273070 Fax +44 (0)1684 273052 Email rwuk.retail@redwolfairsoft.com
u k . r e d w o l f a i r s o f t . c o m www.facebook.com/redwolfuk.retail
www.youtube.com/user/redwolfairsoft
T H E
A I R S O F T E R ’ S
M A G A Z I N E
O F
C H O I C E
AIRSOFT ACTION
ON COMPETITI E FC-119 WIN A FORCECOR
ARMOUR19Y
FORECORE FC-1 WE EU19 ADA KWA/PTS GBB MAS
SITES
TROJAN AIRSOFT ARENA HOCKLEY AIRSOFT
EVENTSDUSTOFF
‘NAMSOFT: OP KEND OTT BATTLE WEE 2015 AIRSOFT SHOWCASE LENGE THE CAMBRIAN CHAL
12 - ARMOURY: FORCE CORE 119
IONAL INTERNAT DEN PANDION - SWE
AUGUST 2015
SKILLS
|
DEBATE
|
IPAS
SHOOT FAST… DON’T MISS!
CANADIAN COLD WAR COMBATANTS
TEAM TRAINING
|
SURVIVAL
08
>
GREY IS THE NEW BLACK
|
SITE DIRECTORY
9 772047 348032
LOADED OR UNLOADED COLD WAR WARRIOR
Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant editor: Gareth “Gadge” Harvey Graphic design: Havoc Design Ad design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter
UK 12 - issue subscription rate: £43 UK 6 - issue subscription rate: £24 For overseas prices visit: www.airsoft-action.co.uk
AUGUST 2015 - £4.50
PROUDLY SUPPORTING PILGRIM BANDITS
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49
REDWOLF AIRSOFT SHOWCASE
SITE: TROJAN AIRSOFT
Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.co.uk ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2015 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Calibre Publishing Limited 2015. 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 publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.
38 PANDION - SWEDEN
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Letter, idea or question? Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the editor (nige@airsoft-action.co.uk), write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.
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december 2014
68 HUNTEERING
SURVIVAL: LONE OPERATOR
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS AUGUST MARCH 2014 2015
AIRSOFT ACTION – AUGUST 2015 6
NEWS
What’s happening in the World of Airsoft
64 FEATURE: SHOPPING AT SHOWS
8
Thinking of buying a new loadout? On a tight budget? Usually you’d be right in thinking eBay is the place to grab a bargain but when it comes to military kit, it’s really a case of “the show’s the thing”, as Gadge found out.
THE ADVENTURES OF MAG
Mag continues his adventures in Airsoft Action’s exclusive cartoon. 10 ROGUE’S GALLERY Cool photos taken by Airsoft Action readers. 12 ARMOURY: FORCECORE FC-119
68 EVENT: HUNTEERING - THE CAMBRIAN CHALLENGE
As lightweight platforms go, the ForceCore 119 certainly packs a massive punch, as Scott Allan found out when he tested it recently.
Ron Mahoney reports from a niche event that challenges both the skill and determination of the participants to succeed.
16 ARMOURY: WE EU19
72 EVENT: WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT
Jerry Noone takes a look at one of the latest pistol models from WE Airsoft Europe, an innovative Slide Kit that will breathe new life into your old handgun and the NUPROL Holster System tailor made for both!
Nige went along to a unique event at West Midlands Airsoft, where a group of TA soldiers were running a training day for airsofters.
20 ARMOURY: KWA/PTS MASADA GBB
Championship shooter, Mark Hurding, continues his introduction to the disciplines involved when shooting AIPSC.
Scott Allan takes a look at a new version of the rifle named after a city made famous for its ultimate act of crushing defiance against the Roman Empire. 24 EVENT: OPERATION DUSTOFF Charlie’s on the rampage as Oscar P gives us a bird’s eye view of this pre-season ‘Nam event at Eversley. 28 KIT: ENOLA GAYE Kit aficionado, Richard Bell, finally gets to try Enola Gaye’s latest products and wonders why he hasn’t used them before! 32 SITE: TROJAN AIRSOFT Inspired by reading a short review in an earlier issue, Phil “Yosser” Hughes packs his kits and heads off to try out Trojan Airsoft for himself. 36 SITE: HOCKLEY AIRSOFT ARENA Airsoft by the hour? Oscar P tries out a “different” sort of gameplay at a brand-new, purpose-built arena in Hockley, Essex. 38 INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT: SWEDEN Pandion MilSim are renowned for putting on explosive MilSim games and their latest “Celebration” event was no exception. 42 EVENT: OTT BATTLE WEEKENDER
76 ACTION PISTOL SHOOTING: IPAS “SHOOT FAST… DON’T MISS!”
80 SKILLS: TRAINING PROGRAMS Pro-Tact Shooting’s Andy Nightingale outlines some fundamentals that will help you in training. 82 KIT & KABOODLE Once again, Richard Bell brings us his monthly round up of the kit that’s caught his eye. 84 SURVIVAL: LONE OPERATOR No support, no back up and no team to rely on. Paul Yelland writes about the advantages and challenges of playing a lone role. 88 SNIPER: BILLY THE ASSASIN Sniper One, Dan Mills, writes about a sniper who’s military career only started because a recruiting sergeant saw beyond his ethnicity. 92 BILLY BASICS: FAMOUS MISSIONS - FORT EBEN EMAEL In the second of his new series looking at famous missions that could make a great airsoft scenario, Billy Basics turns his attention to a raid that was the first of its kind. 96 WORLD WAR ONE: HILL 60
Iggy Roberts goes Over the Top at this epic weekender and, in real life, lives to tell the tale.
Continuing his journey through The Great War, Dan Mills writes about an event that, quite literally, shook the earth.
49 EVENT: AIRSOFT SHOWCASE 2015
99 COMPETITION: WIN A FORCECORE FC-119
Nige reports from the inaugural Airsoft Showcase, which took place on the 17th May.
Now you can win the rifle that Scott Allan reviewed on page 12 of this issue, curtesy of our good friends over at Gunfire, in Poland.
53 DEBATE: MULTICAM OR MULTISHAM? In this issue’s debate, Gadge addresses the subject of camouflage or, to be more precise, camouflage patterns. 56 LOADED OR UNLOADED: FADE TO GREY What inspires you to create a specific loadout? This month Jerry Noone takes a look at various sources for ideas and creates a set of gear based on a single photograph!
101 BOOK REVIEW: NO ESCAPE ZONE Kris Roberts writes about a book that seems to stir echoes of a film watched a few years ago but there is no Gene Hackman or Owen Wilson here… Just fear, raw fear… 102 SITE DIRECTORY If you’re looking for somewhere to play, you’re sure to find it here.
61 CWW: COLD WAR COMBATANTS CANADA
106 DEALER LISTING: AIRSOFT ACTION’S ADVERTISER INDEX
When you think “Cold War”, Canada is probably not the first country in your mind but they played a pivotal role, as Gadge Harvey explains…
Find who you are looking for in our listing of all the adverts that appear in this issue. www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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AIRSOFT NEWS SMS TACTICAL CLOTHING
SMS Surplus and Tactical clothing are delighted to announce the opening of their new retail premises in Essex. SMS are a resident clothing retailer at the hugely popular Skirmish Billericay and have rapidly gained a reputation for quality kit at an affordable price. Mike & Sarah of SMS says “Working with everyone at Skirmish Billericay is fantastic, however there is only so much you can bring with you on a weekend, as our range of equipment and stock levels go through the roof, we realised that for our customers to gain full advantage of this we would need a bigger full time premises. The opening of our new shop has enabled us to expand our range of Viper Tactical, Kombat UK , Lowa Boots , Highlander and coming soon snugpak plus increasing our range of grade 1 military clothing. This is a very busy and exciting time for us, with our continued presence at Skirmish Billericay and the opening of our new premises; this can only improve our ability to provide an excellent service to our customers.” Please visit us at SMS Surplus and Tactical Clothing 293 Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on – Sea, Essex. Contact Tel 01702 826776 Email info@ smssurplusclothing.co.uk Check out our website for opening times etc. wwwsmssurplusclothing.co.uk
UTG SUPER SLIM KEYMOD HAND STOP/ BARRICADE REST KIT Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best and that is certainly true of this new “2 in 1 Hand Stop Barricade Rest” from, Leapers Inc. Details: • UTG Keymod Accessory Kit for Hand Stop and Barricade Rest Applications • Aircraft Aluminum Alloy Construction with Matte Black Finish to Meet Harshest Requirements • Innovative Compact, Lightweight, Super Low Profile and Ergonomic Design for Best Weapon Handling and Control • Compatible with UTG PRO AR15 & AK47 Super Slim Keymod Handguard Systems and Variants with the Same Octagonal Contour for Most Solid and Repeatable Grip for Every Shot • Mount it as a Hand Stop or Reverse-mount with Flat Textured Side Forward as Barricade Rest to Provide Stable Support for More Accurate Shooting
6
august 2015
• Includes U.S. Made Keymod Compatible Steel Locking Nuts, Steel Allen Screws and Allen Wrench for Simple and User Friendly Installation, No Gunsmith Required Price: $17.97 from www.leapers.com
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AIRSOFT NEWS
HEXMAG
“Ekata Tatha Bhinnata” If you happen to be heading to Bali in October, make sure you take your kit with you as the 1st International Airsoft Event is taking place in Denpasar, which is towards the south of the island. The event takes place from the 9th-11th October and is being organised by the FAI (Federasi Airsoft Indonesia). It is being run in conjunction with FORMI, which stands for Federasi Olahraga Rekreasi Masyarakat Indonesia, a government organisation for recreational sports for the Indonesian community. In Indonesia airsoft is considered a recreational sport. This is the information Airsoft Action received:
NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM LAND WARRIOR
“In this event, we will hosting this: 1. 1st national Championship (for FAI member) that will compete for the trophy of “Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces” as a main trophy. This will be followed by at least 32 teams from all FAI Pengda (FAI have branches as regional administrators in almost every province in Indonesia and we named it “Pengda”. FAI have 23 Pengda and that means FAI have branches in 23 province in Indonesia). All the teams will play 2 categories: A. Team Category: a 3 on 3 battle that needs 3 players for each team, and B. Commander Category: Similar with team category but with 1 additional player to act as a commander that stays in an overwatch position, so they can see all players positions to make a right decisions in managing the team. The winner from Team category will face the winner from Commander category to compete the main trophy. 2. 1st international airsoft exhibition (for non-FAI members, including teams from outside Indonesia) Will play in Team Category (3 on 3 battle) to compete a trophy of Mr. Hayono Isman (President of FORMI). We invite all airsoft player around the world to this event and will send official invitation if needed. Both of them will played in 30m x 50m indoor field with obstacles, time based game 5-7 minutes each. 400fps for max. We will provide the airsoft unit, face protector, battery and bbs to use in this event so the team just bring their own bdu and vest - and it is a free pass event. Why we use indoor field? Because we want to explore the lighting, in each match we do not use a constant lighting, sometime there is a dark condition, low light condition, flash light and so on. There will be background music too. We try to make the match become an adrenalin-rush game.” So, if you are off to the beaches of Bali but still want to get your airsoft fix - and fancy something completely different then get in touch with Coker Onitoe of the FAI: coker@fai.or.id Just in case you are wondering, the title of this piece is from their logo, it means “Unity in Diversity”.
THE ADVENTURES OF MAG
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august 2015
From prices as low as £12.50 per magazine the licensed Hexmag is a great new polymer magazine and Land Warrior Airsoft is the exclusive stockist for the UK! Holding 120 rounds it is a great all round mag and it even has a changeable HexID colour empty indicator. HexID is a great way to personalise your magazines with different colour base Hexes and empty indicators, or to mark for different types and weights of ammunition. For more information, contact Land Warrior Airsoft on 0131 654 2452, or visit www. landwarriorairsoft.com
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AA GALLERY READERS PHOTOS
ROGUE’S GALLERY
STEPHEN AND BRIAN KING AT GROUND ZERO
GUNN, FROM TONY AM NTAC DURH
FROM LOZZY MULLINE X: JACK AKA J-A02 POPPING A TACTICAL SMOKE!
INFORMATION Fancy seeing yourself in Airsoft Action? Send in your photos via email (nige@airsoft-action.co.uk) or share on our Facebook page (/AirsoftAction), plus a few words describing what’s going on in the image.
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August 2015
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FROM: ASHLEY REN SHAW
MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES BLACK FOX SPECIAL FORCES.
FROM RYAN LEE
FROM OLLIE CHARLTON: MAX AT AWA HERTS WITH HIS PKM AND DEAG LE
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FORCE CORE 119
AS LIGHTWEIGHT PLATFORMS GO, THE FORCE CORE 119 CERTAINLY PACKS A MASSIVE PUNCH, AS SCOTT ALLAN FOUND OUT WHEN HE TESTED IT RECENTLY A FULL METAL AND MODERN Keymod M4 isn’t the newest thing on the market but then there is always space for one more surely? When you can get performance at a walletfriendly price, it is most definitely worth a look. “Force Core” is the badge on this Jing Gong OEM, which means the 119 is a Chinese ACM-type rifle. This isn’t always a bad thing but it does generally mean the QA can be hit or miss. Jing Gong have made some utterly fantastic rifles in the past, at an unbelievably good price. Being on mainland China it is all under the table, back-handers and bribes, as they need a license to manufacture these replicas. Every now and then China has a clamp down and makes a few arrests and destroys some equipment in a public display of communist might and authority. Of course this is all a bit of pantomime and really, so long as the cash keeps flowing, nobody really cares - you just don’t want to be the one holding the bag when the music stops! The next big issue with the Chinese brands, is most often they are not ROHS compliant and do not carry CE marks. Some people won’t care, or even be aware of the regulations but they are there and all European companies are meant to comply with them (even though they are enforced with different degrees of “enthusiasm” in each country). The UK is quite up to speed but some companies still run the risk by not having goods tested and this is all well and good until stocks are seized and fines are handed out. M4 rifles are always tricky to write about without saying the same thing over and over and over and… (you get the picture). 12
August 2015
Yet they are essentially the same thing, so here at Airsoft Action we try and find out what the pros and cons of the particular model are. The Force Core externally looks great. Full metal body work with laser engraved skull frog of the Navy Seals. The paintwork is a nice flat black but generally isn’t the hardest wearing, which can be good if you like the aged look on your rifles. The overall length and the standard carbine barrel means you have the flexibility to play indoor or outdoor, without any hindrance.
THE REAL VERSION AR15s are like belly buttons - everyone has them and some of them are really weird! You can tart it up with a variety of bling but at the end of the day it is still an M4. “M4” really is just a generic term these days for the 5.56mm platform that is readily available for the entire worldwide market. Manufacturers such as Colt, Stag Arms, Stoner, Mega Arms, Heckler & Koch and Armalite are all M4 producers, in one form or another. Most essentially play around the same design with a few design tweaks or material changes. The operation of the rifle remains the same pretty much from the first issued versions back in the 1960s, fifty years of use and the design has never really been changed. That is an impressive achievement only rivalled by ‘the more common than rats’ AK47. The 5.56mm NATO round is still the favourite round issued to Western troops, from SWAT teams to Afghanistan. Its lightweight design means troops can carry sufficient
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Armoury FORCE CORE 119
“THE EXTERNALS ARE SPOT ON, THE ADJUSTABLE STOCK IS POSITIVE AND SOLID-FEELING AND THE WHOLE RIFLE FEELS LIKE IT IS WELL MADE.”
ammunition without weighing themselves down too much and its limited penetration power means you should only be damaging the target that you aim at, which is beneficial when there are civilians mixed in with your targets. There are often claims that the 5.56mm round is not heavy enough and this is why we also see a 7.62mm version of the M4 platform, the SR25, HK 417 and British Army L129 rifle made by Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT).
yourself nearly £30 off the price. When you start looking at it this way, the FC119 is getting into the seriously good value category. 400fps out of the box is, well, just plain illegal in the UK. No site is going to knowingly let you use it and no player is going to thank you for using it. You are then faced with a downgrade cost. Often 5-10mm cut off the spring will work perfectly fine if you are a little technically minded. If not, a new spring will cost
BACK TO THE FC119 Admittedly it’s not the most attractive rifle name ever. One thing I disapprove of with companies these days, is not naming the rifle series. It’d take ten minutes to come up with a catchy name and it would be easier to identify the range for customers. Anyway the externals are spot on, the adjustable stock is positive and solid-feeling and the whole rifle feels like it is well made. The 2.4 kilo weight means it isn’t the heaviest either, which is great news for those longer summer days of playing. Most of the construction is a zinc aluminium alloy, which is standard in most brands and with some small parts, like the mock bolt, made of steel. The polymer stock and pistol grip are similar to their real counterparts in terms of look and feel and will survive the roughest of game players. The metal flip-up sights are removable copies of real steel versions, with them being flip up the need to remove them is almost nonexistent if you want to use a red dot of some type. The Version 2 Gearbox by Jing Gong is actually very decent for the money. Steel gears can be found as standard, held into the cast shell by 8mm bearings which is the high end standard these days. The motor is generally fair quality but with most of these companies it could probably use a replacement to get the very best out of the rifle. The version tested was unfortunately firing at 400fps which puts it over all of the UK limits for game sites, this is one of the main stumbling blocks with buying from overseas. The 300-round, high-capacity steel magazine is new, player-friendly and fed well throughout testing. Topping the set off is a free battery and charger, which tend to be fairly low quality but certainly usable to get you going. The list of features is what you would expect from a G&P rifle and this is around £40-50 cheaper than most G&P rifles. That said, the quality isn’t quite the same as a G&P but it’s not that far off either. With the addition of the high capacity magazine and the battery and charger you are probably saving www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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Armoury FORCE CORE 119
you £10-13 and then maybe a tech fee for fitting and testing. Thankfully the M4 platform is a copy, of a copy of a copy and even the most inexperienced technician should be able to work on the FC119. Personally I’d get it all stripped down and have it all checked once over. Probably fit an Ultimate 6.03 barrel and a Madbull hop rubber and then, possibly, an Ultimate Infinity 40000 Motor. With these minor changes the FC119 would undoubtedly be put in a firm performance zone and make you a force to be reckoned with on any game site. During extensive testing the rifle I got to like its look and feel even more. At first I wasn’t overly fussed for a Jing Gong M4 but I do like what they’ve done. They’ve got the simple things right, the price is certainly higher than they were 6 years ago when Jing Gong got into full swing but then the quality has also improved. The range was good, given it was pumping 400 fps that is hardly surprising though, the rate of fire wasn’t half bad given the Land Rover suspension spring in the gearbox. That said the whole firing process just didn’t feel quite as tight as I would like and I would personally see to sorting that before a lot of use.
“AR15S ARE LIKE BELLY BUTTONS – EVERYONE HAS THEM AND SOME OF THEM ARE REALLY WEIRD!”
List of features NAME: REPLIKA KARABINKA FC-119 MANUFACTURER: FORCECORE INDUSTRIES / JING GONG WARRANTY: 12 MONTHS POWER: 400FPS ON BLASTER 0.20G BB GEARBOX VERSION: VERSION 2 GEARBOX TYPE OF FIRE: SINGLE, AUTO
CONCLUSION Full metal for under £200 with a battery and charger is a hard bargain to beat. Yeah sure there are a few little rough edges but they are few and they are small things. The two biggest gripes is the lack of ROHS testing which means fewer stockists and the 400 fps power means you are going to have to have that sorted before use. This rifle is perfectly useable out of the box and it would give most standard rifles a good run for their money. The only thing I’ve found with any Jing Gong rifles is there is the odd “Friday afternoon” rifle that is extremely poor but under the Force Core banner I hope that the QA is higher, certainly the model tested appeared to be really good across the board. There are a lot of M4s out there and lots more in this price bracket, it is a littered market but the FC119 is a nice little gem and it is one of the more expensive Force Core rifles, the cheaper models are about £20-30 less and will all offer similar performance they just don’t have that nice Keymod rail.
WANT TO WIN AN FC-119? Thanks to our good friends over at Gunfire in Poland, who kindly provided the review weapon, Airsoft Action is giving away the gun that Scott reviewed – and all you have to do is turn to page 99, answer a few simple questions (Hint: the answers are in the article) and send your answers in before the closing date. For more information on the FC-119 and all their other products, visit Gunfire at: www,gunfire.pl
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August 2015
LENGTH: 770-870MM INNER BARREL LENGTH: 330MM WEIGHT: 2425G BATTERY CAPACITY: 1200MAH MAGAZINE TYPE: HIGH CAP M4 MAGAZINE MAGAZINE CAPACITY: ~300 BATTERY INCLUDED: NI-MH BATTERY VOLTAGE: 9.6V PRICE: €240 / £180
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WE AIRSOFT EUROPE EFORCE EU19, EU17 CUSTOM SLIDE KIT AND NUPROL PERFECT FIT HOLSTER SYSTEM
JERRY NOONE TAKES A LOOK AT ONE OF THE LATEST PISTOL MODELS FROM WE AIRSOFT EUROPE, AN INNOVATIVE SLIDE KIT THAT WILL BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR OLD HANDGUN AND THE NUPROL HOLSTER SYSTEM TAILOR MADE FOR BOTH! I’M A GREAT FAN OF PISTOLS from WE Airsoft Europe and have been for some considerable time, owning numerous models from them! Each and every one has been a joy to own, functioning flawlessly and giving great service. I own models from their 1911, Browning and Luger series in relation to historical models but when it comes time to bring things up to date, it’s their F226 and recently rebranded EU (the old G series) models that get my attention. Between the F226 and the EU17 you pretty much have both US and UK “SF” themed loadouts covered for skirmish purposes, right up to and including the very latest EU17 “Gen4” which is the current issue sidearm for the entire British Army. I’ve had an older “Gen3” 17 in my collection for some considerable time and it has always, from right out of the box, been an excellent pistol. Even as a totally stock model I’ve been in situations where the 17 has outranged other brand’s pistols that have had extensive custom work done on them, much the owners chagrin in most cases.
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August 2015
When I got the nod from my friend Ross Tucker, the enthusiastic and committed Marketing Manager at WEAE, that something pretty special was in the pipeline for the EU series I immediately got his assurance that something would be heading my way as soon as it landed in the UK warehouse. Having worked with the existing models for a good while I will admit that he had me scratching my head as to what would be forthcoming. He told me to get excited, that I would love it. So, a little time passed until I got another call from him inviting me to the WEAE offices just outside London. Driving up I will admit that the excitement did indeed start to build and I was not to be disappointed when Ross introduced me to the EFORCE EU19 Custom. There’s quite a big trend at the moment for performance pistols and pistol parts out in the real world, led by companies like Salient Arms International, with some big names in the “shooter world” getting behind them. These “tricked up” handguns feature ported slides, fibre optic front and rear sights
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aRmoury WE EU19
and striking “gold” and “chrome” finish barrel assemblies and up until now getting something airsoft to look even close meant a donor pistol and an expensive, aftermarket slide and barrel kit imported undoubtedly from the Far East. When I was handed the box and opened it up it was immediately apparent that someone at WEAE had been doing their homework rather seriously, as the handgun nestling in the packing was an EU19 on acid! Ported slide? Tick! Gold coloured barrel assembly? Tick again! Fibre optic front and rear sights? Yes! And so the list went on; the grip comes prestippled and fitted with a silver magwell extender as standard and the magazine itself has an oversized floorplate for ease of loading. The trigger is simply a work of art, looking more like a competition trigger than anything. Even the rear of the slide has a skull motif rather than just a flat plate! So far so good; the EFORCE EU19 certainly looked the part but how would it perform? In a word, staggeringly! Taking the pistol to the range proved it to be a beauty to work with, especially with the new holsters from WEAEs’ everexpanding NUPROL range. Ross sent me away with a nicely achieved roto-retention holster, twin magazine holder and a drop leg platform to test alongside the pistol. I’m not normally a drop leg fan, preferring the tried and tested “practical pistol” belt setup but I have to admit that the NUPROL panel being fully modular is easy to live with and works very well indeed. I’ll return to this in more detail later. I charged up the magazine with NUPROL 4.0 gas, loaded up with .20g BBs and got to work. The EU19 chronoed in at a solid 332fps and certainly went off with a crack. Whether it was my imagination I can’t tell you but as I blazed away it felt like the cycling of the slide actually got faster! Accuracy-wise at 10m the EU19 was absolutely spot on. Moving up to a .30g BB I did obviously see a drop in the FPS but the trajectory of the BB was flatter and the strikes on target solid; if you’re looking for a pistol out of the box that would let you compete in the “Standard” section of a competitive shoot then you really, really need to take a look at the EFORCE EU19 Custom. The EFORCE EU19 Custom is well priced at £159.99. You can have it Black/Silver Barrel, Black/Black, Black/Gold, Tan/ Black, Tan/Silver or Tan/Gold; whichever you choose they are all very, very attractive and no doubt shoot every bit as well as the model I had in for test.
OLD TO NEW! Now earlier in this article I did mention expensive slide kits from the Far East. As I also mentioned I already own a standard, stock EU17 and many is the time I’ve thought that it would be great to “trick” this up and make it a bit more of a “race gun”. Sadly though, although kits have been available for other brands there’s never really been a good one for the EU17. Until now that is! The other thing I was presented with during my visit was a rather fetching box that when opened revealed the same type of slide as the EU19, the same sights and a very nice “chrome” barrel assembly. Included in the kit are slide, outer barrel, hammer spring, spring guide spacer and a new hammer frame, in fact all you need to transform your old EU17 into something completely new. The kit also comes pre-installed with a blue nozzle rated for CO2 magazine use. You will need to use your existing EU17 as a donor pistol but the kit installs straightforwardly with a minimum of tools. Having put everything together I was interested to see if, apart from making my old 17 look exceedingly pretty, the new kit had any bearing on performance. Once again using NUPROL 4.0 gas and .20g BBs in a brand new magazine to keep things consistent, I ran the “new” pistol through the chrono. Pre-slide change I’d always got a pretty average 280fps; with the new slide on that shot up
to a very respectable 320fps and the slide once again seemed to cycle faster! These great kits retail for £54.99 so they are certainly not going to break the bank; if, like me you’re able to see a dramatic improvement in your old pistol then I think you’ll agree this is money well spent. The EU17 is now going to head off to Action Air UK (www.actionairuk.com) for some fine tuning, as I reckon Mark there can probably coax a few more FPS out of it and I’ll be having him stipple the grips while it’s with him. Slide kits are currently available for the EU17, EU18, EU34, and EU35 with more planned. WE Airsoft Europe are also looking to other models in their range to overhaul and there are some more pretty exciting things which they shared with me in confidence that are on the way. Keep your eyes peeled here in coming months as I’ll be ticking off the new additions as they arrive!
“WHETHER IT WAS MY IMAGINATION I CAN’T TELL YOU BUT AS I BLAZED AWAY IT FELT LIKE THE CYCLING OF THE SLIDE ACTUALLY GOT FASTER!”
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magazine pouch, once again dedicated by model to the different pistols. This also comes with a belt “paddle” as standard and is fully adjustable for tension, holding your magazines firmly in place and once again you can angle it for ease of draw simply by adjusting the central screw. For both the holsters and the magazine pouches you can remove the paddle entirely and then there are two options for mounting available to you. It has become popular for many airsofters to attach their holster directly to their plate carrier or chest rig so the NUPROL system makes use of an easily installed MOLLE adapter which slots into the webbing. Once this is in place it’s just a matter of screwing the holster or magazine pouch straight onto the adapter; once everything is set it’s rock solid. The adapter costs just £9.99 and fits all the different holster and pouch models. Should you wish to carry your pistol separate from your other gear but have clearance for draw away from the base edge of a plate carrier, then the NUPROL system has this nailed as well. Priced at £34.99 the Drop Leg Platform has three “roto” attachment points for the holster itself and two other accessories like magazine pouches. This is a cracking piece of kit which allows multiple configurations and its put together from the same high grade polymer as everything else along with top quality webbing, Velcro and buckles. It’s fully adjustable for length of draw and sits very comfortably on the thigh when properly adjusted. Overall this a really well thought out and achieved system and it comes with my thorough recommendation; yet again the NUPROL team have proved that they “know the game” by providing super equipment for players at a very reasonable price!
JOB DONE!
PERFECT FIT! I always find it particularly annoying when you buy a new handgun model and find that many “off the shelf” holsters need to have a fair bit of work done with the Dremel before things fit perfectly and work smoothly. The fact of the matter is that many airsoft manufacturers are slightly off in the frame sizes of their handgun RIFs, which results in the holster not accommodating your new pistol. WE Airsoft Europe have a considerable range of pistol replicas which is growing all the time and to make sure that you get something that works straight out of the package they have gone to great lengths to produce viable holsters as part of their NUPROL accessories range. Not only have they produced a range of holster models but they’ve also gone the extra mile to produce an entire system that works flawlessly together; say “Hello” to the NUPROL PERFECT FIT Holster System! Starting with the holsters themselves, there are currently for models in the NUPROL lineup for the 1911/MEU, EU, M92 and F series models. £19.99 will get you a dedicated holster for your replica made out of 100% bombproof Law Enforcement grade polymer. The holsters themselves offer Level II retention thanks to a lever inset to the body; when you holster your pistol the lever snaps closed over the trigger guard meaning that it’s not going to come out until you really want it to. Each holster comes with a belt “paddle” which can be rotated for a canted draw; this is easily adjusted through the centre of the retention lever with the hex wrench that comes as part of the package. In use the draw is smooth and intuitive and, after some practice with my own EU17 pistol, it was also super quick! This hex wrench also means that you can really start of play with the other components of the system. For £14.99 you can add a double 18
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To sum up then WE Airsoft Europe have once again proved they have their finger firmly on the pulse of new directions in the airsoft community. Practical style competitions are being spoken about more and more often and WEAE have placed themselves firmly ahead of the field in this respect. The holster system can be used belt mounted for competitions, and either drop leg or MOLLE mounted for skirmishing. For more information on new models, new accessories, and further additions to the NUPROL line please visit www. weairsofteurope.com
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Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8JH. United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1684 273070 Fax +44 (0)1684 273052 Email rwuk.retail@redwolfairsoft.com
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AA51-P_AA50 22/06/2015 15:20 Page 20
MASADA!
SCOTT ALLAN TAKES A LOOK AT A NEW VERSION OF THE RIFLE NAMED AFTER A CITY MADE FAMOUS FOR ITS ULTIMATE ACT OF CRUSHING DEFIANCE AGAINST THE ROMAN EMPIRE
DO YOU WANT CRUNCHING RECOIL and second to none performance? If so, then you really should take a very close look at this PTS Syndicate rifle, as they raise the bar once again with the Gas Blow Back Masada. This Masada is born of two companies KWA and PTS. Pretty much every airsofter will have heard of them but just who are KWA? These days KWA is one of the big hitters on the gas scene, generally seen to produce the best gas blow back pistols and rifles today. Unfortunately for everyone they have had huge distribution issues in the last few years. The fall out between Kriss Arms and KWA didn’t help and now there is no official European distribution for the products at the moment. As far as we are aware there is no real headway or plans for new distributors anytime soon. Unfortunately this means that players are left out of the loop and new releases are likely going to be difficult to get. Thankfully this rifle has been built under license for PTS, so it will come through their distribution channels instead. So what does this have to do with PTS?
PTS used to be known as “Magpul PTS” by most players but with the loss of the Magpul license recently and the other licenses that they have acquired, they go now solely by the name “PTS Syndicate”. PTS have commissioned these new Masada rifles partly under the old agreement and that is great news for them and us, the players. With the two organisations working together you can be confident that this rifle is going to be good. This is a near identical-looking (and feeling) version as the electric Masada, with a few differences that you would hardly notice without some close up looking.
THE REAL VERSION Magpul Industries out in the good old US of A, initially developed the Masada over a period of five months, unveiling its prototypes at the 2007 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, under the name Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System. You should check out the YouTube video “Future Weapons” with Chris Costa; there is lots of quite dramatic speaking but it gives a great overview of the platform. The original Magpul Masada was a combination of several rifle designs, incorporating what were considered to be the best features of each in a single, lightweight, modular tactical rifle platform all rolled into a single modern platform.
“IF YOU WANT 1300 ROUNDS PER MINUTE, THEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE WRONG PRODUCT. IF YOU WANT MILSIM, UNMATCHED, REALISTIC PERFORMANCE, THEN THE MASADA IS YOUR TOOL.” 20
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Armoury KWA/PTS MASADA GBB
Included in the Masada were design features from all of your favorite weapon systems, essentially using the best designed parts of each major manufacturer and combining it with their own design to create a multi caliber “mission adaptable” firearm. Magpul made some additional changes to its original design, the most obvious being the relocation of the ambidextrous operating handle to a forward position. This design made the Magpul Adaptive Combat Weapons System quite unique at the time. It is rapidly reconfigurable for length, calibre, magazine compatibility, stock type and firecontrol setup. In the end the design was sold to Bushmaster and rebranded as the ACR and Remington now manufactures it. Odd how things end up isn’t it?
THE AIRSOFT VERSION The airsoft version is made for PTS by the OEM manufacturer Yih Kai - the parent company of KWA, who also make OEM rifles for Umarex and various other large companies. The Masada uses the highly thought of Force Velocity system. This is the same system used in the LM4, Mega Arms MKM and KWA’s very own GBB range. This means that the new gas EPM magazines are cross-compatible – and that means many types should also be readily available worldwide. The external finish really cannot be faulted. The 14.5” barrel gives a good all round look and feel and will ensure an accurate and powerful shot on every trigger pull. The stock is adjustable and locks into position firmly and without any signs that it may give in to tight shouldering. The system inside the Masada had pre-filled me with confidence, as I’d used many of the KWA-based systems in the past. Simply put, they are by far the most realistic and best performing systems available for Airsoft players. The new EPM gas magazine is the newer version of the licensed EMAG/PMAG and I have always felt that a plastic/polymer coated magazine provides better performance, as the cover gives a protective
“WITH GAS OPERATED RECOIL AND BLOWBACK AND A REALISTIC CONSTRUCTION AND FIELD STRIPPING IT DOESN’T GET CLOSER TO THE REAL THING THAN THIS. TOP ALL THAT OFF WITH THE WORKING BOLT CATCH AND RELEASE YOU CAN’T GET A BETTER TRAINING TOOL AND SKIRMISH WEAPON THAN THE MASADA.” layer which helps reduce the cooling effect of outside air temperature. This is a casual observation and could be false, it certainly does seem to help though. The features provide quite a list (and it is quite a price tag), yet it is well within the normal prices for these types of rifles and certainly what I would expect from PTS or KWA. The realistic action of the GBB is the key attraction for any player. The PTS Masada ticks every box in this department, with gas operated recoil and blowback and a realistic construction and field stripping it doesn’t get closer to the real thing than this. Top all that off with the working bolt catch and release you can’t get a better training tool and skirmish weapon than the Masada. The furniture, from the stock and hand guard that are all compatible with the AEG versions, to the receiver and flip up sights are all perfectly executed. The finish across the whole system is tough and neatly done with a finely tuned trigger to finish it off. If you want 1300 rounds per minute, then you are looking at the wrong product. If you want MilSim, unmatched, realistic performance, then the Masada is your tool, and I don’t use the word “tool” lightly. A GBB is never about the endless spraying during a game and the Masada would not suit the drum magazine-loving white death machine. What it is, in gaming
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Armoury KWA/PTS MASADA GBB
terms, is a high-end training tool for those who want to operate a system as they would in real life. With a 38-round magazine you have a little more than a standard real steel AR15. Each time you claim a scalp during a game will be worth its weight in gold as a personal achievement. In the cold all gas products do suffer but with companies such as Nuprol producing some powerful gasses (and with even more powerful on the cards), you should see all year performance very soon. Couple these gases with the EPM magazines and you should be much more flexible all year round.
USE IN THE GAME FIELD The overall size and length of the Masada makes it great to use indoors or out, as well as vehicle use. Too often I find rifles are too small and you end up curling around them rather than driving them into the aiming position, or they are too bulky and are slow to work with. The Masada is a shooter’s rifle through and through. The spare magazines will hurt your pocket a little, at around £40-50 each and as they only hold around 40 rounds you might need four or five (at least) to keep you in the game. Then there is the weight of the magazine, they are near real weight so this isn’t a system for those who like to catapult through windows head first and commando roll at the other side…. Unless you like losing teeth from a stray magazine that is!
CONCLUSION If you loved the original Masada you will share a love for this version. If you are a fan of Gas Blow Back and the extra work involved in having one, then it certainly is a performing machine. This is a shooter’s rifle without any “THIS IS A SHOOTER’S doubt, a hard core MilSim player’s RIFLE WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, wet dream! The manipulation during A HARD CORE MILSIM reloads will increase the pressure on you as a player and this is why PLAYER’S WET DREAM!” you should definitely consider one. Do we play Airsoft to comfortably sit back with a 1,000-round magazine spraying endlessly into the surrounding area? Well yes, sometimes… but more often players are attracted to the sport by films like Black Hawk Down – to be in an intense fight against an enemy with many variables such as running out of ammunition, reloading and being forced to aim because you don’t have endless rounds to expend in fully automatic fire. Hmmm… gas…
Features KSC/KWA derived proprietary GBB system. Modular Design allows for high level of customization and multiple configurations to accommodate numerous situations and scenarios. Tool-less quick-change barrel system. CNC machined upper receiver (serialized). Precision CNC milled one piece upper receiver with continuous 37 slot milspec M1913 rail for mounting optics, iron sights, laser targeting and illumination devices, cameras, and/or other accessories Integrated Flip-Up Front Sight compatible with standard Airsoft M4/M16 rear sights. Reinforced polymer lower receiver. Fully ambidextrous controls include the fire selector, magazine release, and bolt release/bolt lock-back. Rail mounting points are integrated into the polymer handguard at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions (compatible accessory rails sold separately) 14 .5” Carbine length barrel assembly.
Package includes: 38 Round EPM M4 Magazine. Flip-Up Polymer Rear Sight Modular design and major gun components designed for rapid field stripping and simplified maintenance.
Compatibility: The PTS Masada AEG Handguards are fully compatible with the new PTS Masada GBBR. The PTS Masada AEG Stocks are compatible with the new PTS Masada GBBR (optional / additional parts may be required.) Masada Single Point Sling Mount (AEG) KSC/KWA LM4 GBB Magazine PTS EPM-G GBB Magazine
Specification: Color – Black Dimension – 873 x 239 x 85mm (approx. with packaging) Weight – 4.16kg (with packaging) / 3.46kg (without packaging) RRP £390
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’NAMSOFT: OPERATION DUSTOFF 2
CHARLIE’S ON THE RAMPAGE AS OSCAR P GIVES US A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THIS PRE-SEASON ‘NAM EVENT AT EVERSLEY THE RADIO’S GOING CRAZY! Wolf One and Two are bogged down around a bunker complex. They’ve taken casualties from VC booby traps… some Boot in Two, just in from the world, was staring at the trees rather than watching his feet. Tripwire hooked up to a grenade. A sharp snap, and he’s down. Wolf One are in a ditch on the other side of the clearing. No incoming follows up the bang. Charlie must have set the charge and didi’d. The LT shakes his head as he watched the corpsmen laying on the bandages. Nothing he can do. Swigs his coffee and goes back to trying to figure out which grid square he’s in. Charlie Bravo is digging in a couple of hundred yards away. Seabee guys. Navy, but you wouldn’t know from the way they dig their holes deep and line up the ammo next to their ‘16s. Been through hell already. Gooks been slinging rounds in their direction all day, every now and then getting their shit together and rushing the lines. Charlie Bravo coming up on the company push to report Seabees dropping the E-tools and pickaxes and spraying lead towards the treeline. Holding the line. Just. Spectre One are cutting through heavy bush. Snipers
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dropping rounds all around. Top Soldier comes up on the net, requesting orders. They’re Marines in a sector controlled by Army. Their ‘toon sergeant is riding on the edge of his training. Wants to unload everything on the enemy but is having to deal with an OC who’s keeping him and his guys in place for a counterstrike. He’s holding back their HMG gunner, Animal. Big Mother, ready to win the war on his own. Carrying that ’60 like it’s one of Fred Astaire’s dancin’ canes. Fury on his face a contrast with the tropical flower tucked through the runner band on his tin pot. Marines, Army and Navy guys are screaming in the contacts. Out wide, though, Bloodhound One and IVY Three Three – Mike Force and a Seal LRRP crews are whispering on the net. Men with green faces. They’ve pushed out across the border, walked through the DMZ and are deep into Laos. Play Charlie at his own games. They’re getting eyes on and letting the grunts know when units are pushing into Vietnam. Sometimes they set up an intercept. Sometimes there’s no one to cover all the routes and squads are slipping through. Just another day in Vietnam. Digger One don’t whisper. Aussie guys on attachment with us Yankees. Straight talking, spare with their words but free with their fire. Big guns, too. Long things with a hefty round. Gotta say, they’re quiet on their feet. Almost as many “danger close” messages coming in from them as from the boys in tigerstripe. Cowboy One’s running the show. We all know that Cowboy Actual’s the Boss Man but if you can’t convince his radio dude that you’re in deeper shit than everyone else, you ain’t getting nowhere. Poor grunt’s got a lot on his plate; carrying a hundred tonnes of PRC-25 on his back connected to the OC by the twisted wire on the handset. Bible in his pocket and a 1911 on his hip. If you argue with him on the net, he’ll wait until you’re back in the wire and settle matters with you. Sensible guys hope he’ll use the scriptures to make his point. Cowboy Actual’s a good guy. Keeps his boy’s moving, though. Plenty of ground to cover and no unit gets a quiet ride in that man’s army. And then there’s me, Kookabura 1, sitting up at 1500 feet whilst the chaos unfolds below. Transferred from fast jets and air-con bases to a tiny prop-plane launching out of a
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Event OPERATION DUSTOFF 2
mud and dust strip somewhere near the border. I’m a forward air controller, flying low and slow, spotting the enemy and reporting it back to Cowboy. If things get too hot for the boys on the ground, I’ve got wings full of Willie-Pete and a direct line to a flight of F-100s loaded for bear. Snake and Nape, boys. Ain’t safe up here, though. I’m high enough now that an AK would need to have some sort of divine assistance to reach it, but a 20mm will ruin my day. Had to abort a few runs already when the situation got too hot. Bug out and come around again until I can lay some ordnance amongst the enemy. Got a few confirmed kills so far, but most of the time, Victor Charles is smart enough to get his rice hat down low until the noise of my engines has passed. I can almost hear them calling “Airplane!” to each other as I pull my circuits. When I spot something definite, it’s onto the net and tell Cowboy to get Mother Green marching in my direction. Most of the activity is over the border, though. Beaucoup Charlie mustering around a tin shack well inside Laos. Bandit country, and woe betide any GI that strays over the line. Cowboy Actual will tear them a new one.
“SOMETIMES THEY SET UP AN INTERCEPT. SOMETIMES THERE’S NO ONE TO COVER ALL THE ROUTES AND SQUADS ARE SLIPPING THROUGH. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN VIETNAM.”
Surprised that the VC are still operating there. We know it’s a staging post for American POWs. Poor souls being kicked and pushed into a bamboo stockade to wilt in the sun. When the VC get bored they might haul one of them out and force them to play Russian roulette. Rumour is that the LRRPs mounted a raid, yesterday, and brought back some of our guys, still breathing. Had to leave too many behind, though. The ones that pulled the trigger when the one-in-six round was behind the barrel. VC came back soon enough. We can see their camp fires. Nope. No way I’m safe. I’m the third FAC on station in this sector. Bird Dog One had to punch out yesterday. Little Bronco he was flying was a tough bird, but eventually it took a round too many. Not surprising, though. He was supporting the Seabees up at FB Poontang. Sniper fire was picking up from all directions, so One was called over to spot. Charlie was dug in way deep, so the only thing to do was to fly lower and lower until some nervous rice-farmer lost it and took a shot at the plane. Worked, too. Probably too well. Two minutes later and the airframe was full of holes; but at least Charlie Bravo was able to get a direction to fire from. Escalated soon after that. Wave attacks coming in like the breakers at Camh Ranh bay. Bird dog was spotting snake and nape danger close all around the perimeter, but didn’t do no good. Position got overrun. Shame. Those boys had some nice holes dug. Proper homely. Few made it out with their lives. Bird Dog’s luck weren’t no better. He was redirected back towards Wolf’s position to support there, but VC had brought up some big guns, 20mm. Those shells go up a long way. First thing Bird Dog One know was when his rudder stopped working and his engine cut out. Had about 2 seconds to get his bearings and call in the Mayday before he punched out. Charlie must have seen the bird light up, because they took it as a signal to attack Fort William. Things got proper frisky over there for a while. Came to on the ground, leg busted up pretty bad. Drifted a ways on the chute, too. No clear idea. Took a coupla hours for the search teams to find him. Some of the same Seabees he’d
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Event OPERATION DUSTOFF 2
been covering for earlier then day. Comes around, goes around. Dragged his carcass back to Fort William. GI’s had repelled the attack just in time for Mail Call; getting letters from back in the world. Little reminders of life back home. Bird Dog Two came up after that. And that’s when things went wrong. Real wrong. Grunts on the ground were catching hell. Wolf One and Two had been searching a village, interpreters earning their pay trying to cut through to the truth. Grunts were unearthing
Bad Ju-Ju. Bird Dog 2 relieved of duty and all further airstrikes cancelled. And then it got worse. Word of the massacre at the village and the strike on the marines got round. Some GIs and VC decided that time had come to break away. No more killing, just wanted to go home and live in peace. Set themselves up some sort of commune up in the hills. Recruiting Americans and Vietnamese alike, dreaming some sort of beatnik dream and getting hopped up on bad drugs and worse poetry. Captured themselves a radio and started filling the airwaves with damn “TEMPERS AT FLASHPOINT, AND THEN A REAL SPARK WHEN fool stories of love and peace and everlasting forgiveness. A SUICIDE BOMBER TOOK HIMSELF AND HALF A DOZEN GIS That’s where I came into the OFF TO WHATEVER THEY CALL HEAVEN. EL-TEE IN CHARGE picture; called in to replace Bird Dog 2 on station, I tracked the beatniks LOST THE PLOT; WORD HAS IT HE APPOINTED HIMSELF down and called the position in JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.” to Cowboy Actual. He drummed up all the mobiles in the area and cached weapons, getting worked up, on edge. Tension so high vectored them in on the village. Called it Operation Peace Plan. you could feel it. Tempers at flashpoint, and then a real spark Operation Blow-Everything-to-Pieces, I called it. Looked great when a suicide bomber took himself and half a dozen GIs off to from the air. Tigerstripe and OG bodies rampaging around and whatever they call heaven. EL-Tee in charge lost the plot; word taking the revolution out at the knees. Get some! has it he appointed himself judge, jury and executioner. Fighting still hasn’t ended, though. Fort William is taking Meanwhile, Spectre One got into deep crapola in a swamp; fire. Charlie pushing hard, every chance he gets. Poontang bogged down and surrounded by angry VC who had heard changing hands every coupla hours, seems like. Fort William what went down in the village, not to mention a few French under fire, Grunts grabbing jackets and lids and dropping plantation workers who had thrown their lot in with Charlie coffee they just made. Don’t seem to protect their assets. Wolf One went tearing over to try and like it’ll ever end, up here on the Op Dustoff 2 was the second event in relieve them but got hooked up on a ridge overlooking the edge of the DMZ. And me, I’ll a series written and run by Denn and swap, pinned by sniper fire and unable to move. The LT, still just keep flying. Keep my eyes on Mike, two regular players at Eversley, raging, came up on the net and called Bird Dog 2 in to burn the ground and dare some VC to giving Namsofters an opportunity to out the snipers so Spectre One could extract. Problem was try a shot. If they do, we’ll bring warm up for the ‘Nam season! the LT was still struggling with his maps and got the location hell down on them. If they don’t, If you fancy giving ‘Namsoft a go and wrong. Called in Bird Dog 2 on Spectre’s position. First anyone well, I’ll just take another circuit are looking for a good supplier of kit, new about it was when the Marines got caught in the napalm. and try again… then try Soldier of Fortune (01490 412225), they have masses of it!
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KIT AFICIONADO, RICHARD BELL, FINALLY GETS TO TRY ENOLA GAYE’S LATEST PRODUCTS AND WONDERS WHY HE HASN’T USED THEM BEFORE!
“SMOKE IS USED FOR SCREENING PURPOSES” is a statement I am sure that many of us have heard in safety briefings for sites that allow the use of smoke. I for one am more likely to have smoke grenades on hand, than other forms of pyro-technics and I use them both for aggressive and defensive purposes when in games or at events. My most memorable use of smoke was to deny a large opposing team access to a two storey, semi-detached building at a big annual event and seeing as I did this single-handily (and which was incredibly successful) was later explained to me as a “big no-no”! Over the years I have tried many different manufacturer’s smoke grenades with mixed success but only recently have I tried “Enola Gaye” products. Around 2 months ago, Airsoft Action was given the opportunity to use and try out two different smoke grenades from “EG” (Enola Gaye) along with their new smoke grenade carry systems, the EG18 smoke grenade pouch and the “Hang Ten” smoke grenade belt/bandolier. Both of these systems have different attributes for various player styles and cover off both of the sports that EG has become increasingly popular in (Airsoft and Paintball). One of the key features of the Enola Gaye carry systems (EG18 pouches, Hang Ten belt and Deuce pouch) is the addition of a small plastic hook. This unique feature, combined with the design of the above carry systems allows a user to access and ignite the “wire-pull” grenades single handily!
EG18 SMOKE GRENADE POUCH We were sent both models of their EG18 Smoke Grenade pouches, which are available in either a single or double pouch. The pouches are constructed out of milspec cordura, with a combination of press stud and Velcro fastening and are incredibly well built. They are MOLLE compatible with the 28
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single grenade pouch needing 2x3 and the double needing 3x3 webbing space, allowing the user versatility of placement. These pouches are available in Olive Drab, Black or Tan. The weight of the pouches is minimal and a fully loaded double grenade pouch weighed in at 0.5lbs. Now although these are designed for the EG18 models, they can carry the normal “wire-pull” WP40 grenades (which are both longer and slimmer) due to the adjustable pouch flap that has x2 metal press studs as well as Velcro, meaning once your grenade is placed in the pouch it is not coming out until you need it. Now I mentioned earlier a small “black” hook that you can find located on the right-hand side of the pouches. This is to allow a user the ability, while using one hand, to activate the wire-pull grenades. Although text is not the most appropriate way to explain this process I shall endeavour… 1. Place your smoke grenade in your pouch and fasten using either the Velcro and/or press stud. 2. When required using your left or right hand (they are versatile) pull to one side the elasticated strap located at the bottom of the pouch. This elasticated strap has a small rubber tab located on the inside to stop any “grenade slippage” until required. 3. Pull the smoke grenade down and out of the pouch. This process will leave the “black plastic” cap at the top of the pouch. 4. Once the grenade is removed hook the wire-pull ring on to the “hook” found on the pouch and pull down and away. This will ignite the grenade. 5. Throw said grenade while still keeping one hand on your platform. This process not only allows you to retain one hand on your platform, it is incredibly quiet and even when you ignite the grenade, you are keeping noise levels to an absolute minimum. You can see some videos of this process in action on Enola Gaye’s Facebook page and we hope to have a small video for the Airsoft Action digital edition in the near future, however videos are not my forte so please bear with me. When I first used the EG18 smoke grenades and specifically
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Kit ENOLA GAYE
the purple and blue models, something peculiar happened… For some reason I thought of the classic movie Apocalypse Now which made my first experience more personal and a lot more fun. The EG18 and Wire-Pull grenades themselves are incredibly well constructed and using a huge variety of colours (they have 7 in total), myself and my colleagues were instantly drawn to their Purple and Blue models. The thickness and vivid colour of these smoke grenades is outstanding and certainly something different to the normal white, red or yellow you see at game days. All the EG18 are a “high smoke output” equivalent of 3 “other” manufacturer’s grenades and the effects can be seen lingering on the game field long after they fully discharged. The ignition system is incredibly well protected and unlike “strike” ignition grenades that can sometimes fail due to wear or environmental conditions, EG’s unique wire-pull ignition system is not prone to those failures and we had a 100% success rate.
HANG-TEN SMOKE GRENADE BELT/BANDOLIER. Now of the three carry systems I was provided this was my least preferred, mainly due to my personal set ups and playing style. But I have seen players utilising the Hang-Ten belt at events via social media. The Hang-Ten, as the name suggests, allows you to hang up to 10 regular WP40 wire-pull smoke grenades on an easily accessible carry system. However due to the sizing of the elasticated loops, you cannot use EG18 smoke grenades. It is constructed of the same milspec cordura, with a quick-release buckle and adjustable Velcro fastening tab to fit nearly all frames of body. It can be worn either as a belt or a bandolier and like the aforementioned pouches has the “hook” for
one-handed ignition, however this is located on the left-hand side but, unlike the pouches, this belt can switched over for right-handed use. When it is fully loaded the belt weighs in at 2.5lbs which in anyone’s book is a hell of a lot of smoke. Like the EG18 grenades the WP40 models have the same features and ignition system and although the output is slightly less, they are still an incredibly effective smoke grenade. This UK-based company has put a huge amount of thought into their grenades, including a simple users guide attached to each one of the grenades, cool burn technology (no flame produced on ignition), CE tested and approved for use across Europe, USA and Canada and available in a wide variety of colours. Enola Gaye do not just provide smoke grenades to our sport, they also provide them to the Military, Police and Emergency services for training purposes. The product that I did get excited about, but sadly falls into the above category is the “PSG”, however I have been informed by EG that they will be releasing a civilian version, the EG18X, that has the same “output” of the PSG but in a wire-pull version (as opposed to ring-pull/lever active system). So, apart from what we have already covered off in this article, what else could we look forward to from Enola Gaye? How about some ‘BLACK’ smoke grenades; something I Enola Gaye have seen small T&E videos of and for me is a “colour” that I can see being incredibly Unit 3, Lodge Farm, Lower Padworth, effective. Reading I would like to thank Enola Gaye for RG7 4HY allowing myself and Airsoft Action to get hands on with their products and systems Tel: +44 1189 714470 and I can say with certainty that they have www.enolagaye.com found a new customer.
Information
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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NEW G&P FRS AEG RANGE All metal recievers and barrels High quality internals and free ÀRDWLQJ UHFRLO V\VWHP IRU KDUG NLFN VKRRWLQJ 0RGHOV LQFOXGH 0 0 DQG ;0
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ROAD TRIP!
INSPIRED BY READING A SHORT REVIEW IN AN EARLIER ISSUE, PHIL “YOSSER” HUGHES PACKS HIS KITS AND HEADS OFF TO TRY OUT TROJAN AIRSOFT FOR HIMSELF “ROAD TRIP!” HOW THAT PHRASE sets many an airsofter’s heart pumping when the promise of ripping it up at a new site they’ve never played before is in the offing. Okay, I didn’t have to travel many miles but the trip to Trojan Airsoft’s Olympus CQB site had me back in the old routine of checking and prepping kit the night before, ready for an early start. We are so lucky in the North West of England, as we have a fair number of derelict industrial buildings left over from the 19th Century, which as they cannot be redeveloped easily due to listed status they wait in limbo for a future purpose, providing the opportunity for enterprising airsofters to get to use some of them for CQB airsoft action – which is exactly what the Trojan team have done at their premises at Weir Mill, on Viaduct Street, in Stockport. (Note to drivers: I would
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recommend a good reccie on Google Street view just to tackle the one way system the mill is located in the middle of but if you approach it from the Wellington Road South (A6) side you shouldn’t go far wrong following a sat nav etc.) There is car parking but it’s not limitless so arrive early to be sure of a space and once parked, head for the door topped by the large Trojan Airsoft banner. Head straight down the stairs to a large, almost subterranean safe zone which has plenty of seating and benches to put your kit on and which beats many of those sites where all you can do is operate out of the back of your car. As soon as I was able to dump my kit I was off back up the stairs to the booking in area and to check out the fullystocked, extensive kit and accessories the Trojan Airsoft Shop had to offer, which incidentally is open all week long as it’s the hub of the retail outlet. Wow! What a great shop this site has. Not only the usual stuff like BBs and gas but it also boasts a “gun wall” which many a shop would be jealous of. Plus a nice range in apparel and tactical gear, including helmets and masks. They even have a repair centre, if you have a problem there are guys who can sort it for you. The shop has separate counters for hire, sign in and snack purchases, it even has some comfy chairs should you pop in mid-week for a cuppa and a chat with the Trojan owner Ben Franklin, or members of his team. As is usual for a lot of indoor sites nowadays and to cater for their players they have a range of battery charging options, toilets and chrono facilities. Although not completed yet, the site is also promising a large covered smoking area out back for those of us that still indulge in those habits. Game on at this site is 10am prompt and the safety briefing is mandatory, as is chrono’ing your AEG or pistols. If you run CO2 gear that also needs to be checked over by marshals prior to using them in the game area, as does any HPA gear you have. The safety briefing was delivered very professionally in a clear and concise way by Site Manager Daryll Jones,
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Site TROJAN AIRSOFT
“FLOOR C IS VERY DARK, WATCH OUT YOU DON’T BUMP INTO THE SLAB STYLE TABLES, COMPLETE WITH SHROUDED BODIES IN BLOODY RAGS. THIS LEVEL IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED AS YOU MAY EVEN BUMP INTO THE ODD HANGING LIMB OR CORPSE WRAPPED IN BLOODY SHEETS.” covering everything from eye pro to proper BFG and pyro use. I particularly liked the briefing to players on cheat calling and the advice to see a marshal as well as a fair warning to players on the stance the site takes on such issues. Briefing over, I was just able to have a quick tour of the site courtesy of site owner Ben, before it was all due to kick off on the first game. So up the first flight of stairs - get used to these as you have 4 full stories of them, just watch for those tired aching calf muscles as the day goes on! If you have in mind large empty open spaces that are devoid of features, forget it – Ben and the team have put a lot of time and effort into creating great fighting zones. The first half of the building has floors labelled 1 through to 4. This is the “light” side of the mill and the future plan is for each floor to have a name, or theme, to help orientation around the building for players. Floor 1, “Street View” is light and has plenty of barricades and obstacles to traverse and defend or attack. While level 2, ‘Warehouse Level’ is much the same setup with the addition of some “Red Cross” hessian “tents” setup. Levels 3 and 4 again split up nicely, which makes for much better challenges when attacking or defending. Some areas even have extra rooms, twists and turns which means you get to really experience the full CQB experience, watching your corners, or bang and clear tactics. The other half of the building is known as the “Darkside” and you will most definitely find a torch most “enlightening” in this dark and half-light section. The floors are labelled from A through to D but more interesting delights await as well as floor names! So the most light level is A and is known as the “Kill House”. The team at Trojan have really gone to town in
this area and have created room upon room of CQB fun. In future the plan is to further develop this area with a viewing area so tactical training can be carried out, but currently its part of the weekend playing area, as well as being available for hire by teams hoping for some CQB training and practice. Level B is in half light and is an ex –paint ball section with readymade bunkers and fixed firing positions available, plenty of ways
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around it means it shouldn’t prove a bottle neck with all the tyre and box barricades. Now it begins to get a little creepy, which is fitting considering the site also runs Resident Evil and Zombie Apocalypse style events. Floor C is very dark, watch out you don’t bump into the slab style tables, complete with shrouded bodies in bloody rags. This level is not for the faint hearted as you may even bump into the odd hanging limb or corpse wrapped in bloody sheets and bandages of course. So watch what you shoot at, it may not be an opponent. No wonder they call this level “The Morgue”. Continuing the horror theme, level D is “Bio-Labs”; limbs, body parts, weird things and experiments again set in the dark with plenty of hiding places and if you are room clearing make sure you check every nook and cranny, it would be so easy to be caught out by not checking everywhere on any floor on this site. This place is enough to give a sane person nightmares! No time to get scared it’s nearly time for game on. Back in the safe zone I was able to chat with the site regulars. The site has a great “I ASKED IF THE LADIESmix of regulars, first-timers and seasoned veterans. A couple of younger female ONLY EVENTS WERE players even advised me that the site ran LESS FULL-ON AND regular ladies only events; all designed THE ANSWER WAS A to encourage the ladies to join in the airsofting fun. I asked if the Ladies Only RESOUNDING “NO!”” events were less full-on and the answer was a resounding “NO!” They told me the mixed games were much easier, as the male players tended to be more gentlemanly around them, whereas on ladies nights no quarter is given. The inclusion of Ladies Nights is a great selling point for Trojan and something for other sites to consider.
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The first game of the day was “Virus”, where 4 players start off “infected” and they have to wander the site “infecting” others to join their cause, a variation on a zombie game. Further games during the day ranged from “Capture the flag” and attack/retreat games conducted right across the entire gaming arena, with defending players retreating zone by zone. The ethos on game play is very much set by the marshals, who keep a good weather eye out and cheating and power play is not encouraged. Marshals will warn players if they suspect cheating is occurring but I didn’t hear a single complaint all day on this front. The stairs are a killer to tramp up and down all day (my calves were killing me) and although narrow, I didn’t feel they hampered play, which was partly helped in that only pistols can be used on stairs and the stair wells. Did I mention that the site is a semi fire only venue, well until the Juggernaut game that is! This game involves a Player Controlled person who can be directed with his fully automatic heavy weapon but only when a player from either team takes control of them by keeping one hand placed upon them at all times. Take your hand off him and he can turn “Berserker”, shooting anyone – or just stay inanimate, your guess is as good as mine as to what the Juggernaut will do. You only control him and guide him when a hand is placed upon him, you have been warned this game can turn at any point if you let go! Game over is about 17:00hrs and its time to pack up and head home but one of the great things about the site is that the next time you come along, the layout and games will probably have changed. Ben and his crew like to keep it fresh and so regular builds are taking place and with a long lease on a listed building, its likely to be around for some time, which is great news for players. Another plus is the venue is open week days and evenings so you don’t have to wait for the weekend. They organise regular mid-week games, ladies evenings and the site and rooms are available for hire for team practice, or you can book some professional training from ex-special forces staff. The shop is open 7 days per week and the staff will make you feel welcome as will the regulars who are very welcoming and happy to chat and show people the ropes - just make sure they don’t have a body dangling from one! •••••
Information Trojan Airsoft, Trojan Olympus CQB Weir Mill, Viaduct St, Chestergate, Stockport, SK3 0AG Walk on fee £30 none members £25 members (£15 mid-week) Hire kit with AEG £40 (£20 mid week) includes G36 AEG, BB’s, tac vest, full face protection & helmet Pistol &speed loader hire £10 Olympus CQB is available by prior arrangement for airsoft training, private games and parties http://trojan-airsoft.com
HOCKLEY AIRSOFT ARENA AIRSOFT BY THE HOUR? OSCAR P TRIES OUT A “DIFFERENT” SORT OF GAMEPLAY AT A BRAND-NEW, PURPOSE-BUILT ARENA IN HOCKLEY, ESSEX.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING completely different! I don’t about you, but one of the problems I have with airsoft is finding the time to get out and play. Work, DIY, Significant Others, kids – all of those block out big chunks of our diaries and can make finding a full day for a skirmish a tad difficult… especially when you factor in the time to sort out a rig, charge batteries and find the eye-pro that’s gone for a wander somewhere in the garage. Alternatively, sometimes all you want to do is to get out, sling some plastic downrange and burn off a bit of stress – and if all you need is an hour to shed some accumulated calories, shelling out for a full day’s skirmish can feel like a bit of an extravagance. But a new site – Hockley Airsoft Arena – may have found the answer to the challenges facing today’s busy airsofter! Hockley’s not a million miles from Chelmsford, in Essex and the team at MPA have set up a CQB arena, firing range and shop for players to enjoy. They dropped AA a note about the site, so with no further ado I headed over to take a look. The site is very easy to find – it’s on the second floor of a building fairly central to the town – and satnav will take you straight to the door. There’s plenty of parking straight outside, though as it’s a built up area you need to take good precautions when bringing your kit in from the motor. Now, this is a fairly unique site. As you enter you find a good sized prep room, adjacent to a well-stocked shop, where lots of goodies are in store, from tac gear to RIFs and ammo. Moving through from that is a shooting range, a facility that I
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think should be present at more sites. We all know the benefits of zeroing your optics (rather than just bolting them onto a rail so your weapon looks good) and having a range available makes last minute tweaks easy, especially if you’ve had to detach the sights to fit your RIF in its carrying case. But the first big difference is the way the site is run. You book in on an hourly basis, with the site open for play from 10am until 10pm six days a week. That means that if you want a quick blast after work one day, or find yourself with a bit of downtime to fill (or have a new toy you just need to test!) you get on the blower, book in and get rocking. Also, if you want to just use the range, you can book a firing point separately. The main area of the site, though, is the CQB arena. This is a purpose-built space, set up to emulate a hotel environment. There are eight rooms of various sizes and shapes, linked by corridors and connecting doors. Although it’s fairly
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Site HOCKLEY AIRSOFT ARENA
small, that’s by no means a problem because it means that play Want a quick game straight from the office? All you need is is fast and furious and perfect for teams and individuals to get eye/facepro and off you go! stuck in and have a blast! So, all in all this is a great little site. Being able to book The games, too, are snappy and swift, which fits well with for an hour at a time is a great way to get a fix of airsoft joy the nature of the site. In an hour you can expect to get through and it kind of felt like that an hour gave me the concentrated at least 4 or five scenarios, which are well tailored to the excitement that you might get in a morning at a normal environment and smaller groups and there is a separate safe skirmish - if only because it cut out all the downtime and area immediately next to the arena to facilitate rapid reloads bimbling you’d have in a normal morning’s skirmish! and the MPA team keep things moving at pace. They vary On top of that, if you’ve got a mate who might want to between death-match/elimination type games, bomb-disposals try the game this is an ideal place to introduce them to the and the like, mixed in with tenser lights-out battles and a sport. I also think that this would be a brilliant environment for wicked “Pirates” game, where opposing teams face off across team or individual training sessions; it’s perfect for honing your the main corridor and snipe at each other, as if they were on room clearance and snap-shooting skills, as well as polishing two galleons! Medic rules are varied by game, too – from one-hit-you’re“ALTHOUGH IT’S FAIRLY SMALL, THAT’S BY NO MEANS A PROBLEM out to tag-and-you’re-back. That means that games can be sneaky and BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT PLAY IS FAST AND FURIOUS AND PERFECT quiet or rip-roaringly fluid, with players FOR TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS TO GET STUCK IN AND HAVE A BLAST!” circling the environment to try and get their team back in play before all of their comrades are eliminated. up your team co-ordination. Additionally, the site is well set There is one aspect that some people might baulk at, up for practical pistol time trials and MPA run a local league though. The site has a lower FPS limit that many may not agree to track the best times. And I can’t leave without mentioning with – 250 for any gun. Given the very close nature of the site, that Albert and the rest of the team at the site run a really top that’s sensible, but some people might worry that they can’t notch, friendly, tight ship! use their own kit (my trusty P226 was topping that on red gas) So, take a look at the website http://www.mpa-airsoft. but that’s a really minor thing, as you can always use a site com/, find them on Facebook and Twitter, and have a look rental gun (which are Beretta ARX160s – unusual and kinda at the Arena. It’s a great little site, different to most skirmish sexy!). Additionally, the nature of the site means you don’t environments and to my mind fills a really nice niche in the need oodles of kit to play – one mag is more than enough for airsoft universe. most games and all of them are a SMG/Pistol player’s dream! Worth a look!
Information Hockley Airsoft Arena Unit 7, Eldon Way Industrial Estate, Eldon Way Hockley, Essex SS5 4AD 01702 202318 www.mpa-airsoft.com
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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EXPLOSIVE AIRSOFT: SWEDISH STYLE
PANDION MILSIM ARE RENOWNED FOR PUTTING ON EXPLOSIVE MILSIM GAMES AND THEIR LATEST “CELEBRATION” EVENT WAS NO EXCEPTION Written by Joakim Ryglert. Photography by Joakim Ryglert and Joakim Trulsson. ”PLEASE PUT YOUR CELLPHONES ON FLIGHT MODE, OR THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT WE’LL BLOW UP!” Anton set the bar right from when we jumped into his car for a 3 hour drive to the area outside of Gothenburg, Sweden where he would host another one of his Celebration games. Anton is famous in the Swedish airsoft community (and beyond) for his harsh 48 hour MilSims and his fast paced, explosive (literally) CQB games. But even to call this CQB event a game is an understatement. This is more of a simulation and an extreme stress test, than an airsoft game really. Usually one or a few teams of four to eight people will engage in a couple of short, fast-paced CQB missions, sometimes facing a smaller opposition force while the world around them are set in flames by Anton’s various explosives. To some this may sound nuts but the fact is, if you’re into airsoft and military simulations this is probably the most awesome arrangement you will ever be a part of! This however, will cost you a rather impressive deal of your hard-earned money, well
“TO SOME THIS MAY SOUND NUTS BUT THE FACT IS, IF YOU’RE INTO AIRSOFT AND MILITARY SIMULATIONS THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST AWESOME ARRANGEMENT YOU WILL EVER BE A PART OF!” 38
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worth it though. But it’s not for everyone. Anton is an expert, carrying all the necessary licenses to use the explosives he fields and safety is always more important than anything else - and expected by the participants too. If you don’t follow Anton’s instructions the worst part that can happen is probably far worse than a 10 minute respawn! Long story short, this is extremely fun – but it is NOT an ordinary game! The day is spent in an area in western Sweden called Bockaby. Built during the 70’s by the Swedish Armed Forces, this is like a small city square of 7 large buildings. Some 15 years ago it was given to the municipality and has since been used by the Fire Department and, for the last couple of years, a staging ground for airsoft and paintball games. Today however its best days are long gone. There used to be nine buildings, but two are completely burnt out and graffiti cover the walls. This is not necessarily something bad though, as it just changes the feel of the plot, giving the impression of a warzone rather than a training ground. Unfortunately it
won’t exist anymore in just a few months’ time, even though the Swedish airsoft community tried it’s best to keep it from demolishing. Someone higher up already made the decision. Following Anton around the area where he prepares the first mission for Swedish airsoft team GSA, the first thing that strikes me is - this guy is insane! He could be public enemy number one if he wanted to. The finesse he uses and his eye for detail makes his booby-traps impressively creative. Anton’s goal is to put the participating team through a huge amount of stress over a couple of missions of different difficulty levels. This is also where his professional safety measures clearly appears. He took us for a walk around the scene before each mission. I explained my thoughts and wishes of where I wanted to be to capture the action on camera and he made a few tweaks to let me fulfil my goal. He explained what was going to happen, were I could go and were I couldn’t. Anton leaves nothing to randomness, everything is well prepared for the safety of everyone.
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However, the team GSA knows nothing beforehand. They get briefed before each mission through a simple overview of the map. Anton sets the ROE (Rules Of Engagement) and shows the team where they are supposed to make entry and what their main goal is. The only time they can prepare for the “sh*t to hit the fan” is when they are to breach a door themselves. Anton has the door prepped and GSA gets into place to “push the button”. Everything else comes as a surprise to the team, as the whole point of this arrangement is to put them through extreme stress. The first mission has GSA clear out two buildings. They’ve met their opposition in the safe zone so they know they’re out there… but that’s it. They won’t know where, they won’t when and they won’t even know if. Just that they’re here, somewhere… GSA’s adrenaline is already pumping when they get into position right outside the first door. No bombs, no grenades, it’s all quiet. Going through the first building is a walk in the park, everything went according to plan and “THIS GUY IS GSA weren’t lured by Anton’s booby-traps. When they were moving between the first INSANE! HE COULD and second building for the next entry point the BE PUBLIC ENEMY opposing team were supposed to attack. They NUMBER ONE IF HE however misunderstood something and missed it all, which I believe only made the situation all the WANTED TO. THE more stressful, as nothing happened in the second FINESSE HE USES building either. You could almost see the confusion AND HIS EYE FOR in the eyes of GSA when they had cleared out the second building too and the first mission had come DETAIL MAKES to an end without a single explosion or shot fired!
HIS BOOBY-TRAPS IMPRESSIVELY CREATIVE.”
This probably made them all the more relaxed for the next one. Probably a bit too relaxed for their own good! They started out the second mission on their own terms, where they used a breaching charge to gain entry to another building. They could prepare for this one. However when the BBs started flying and they at the same time had to place three other charges inside the building to blow up “sensitive intelligence”, things got a bit more hectic. The opposing team had unlimited and timeless respawns, giving the illusion that they were way more than they actually were. GSA got through it though with no casualties and I bet they felt proud now. Then it all went crazy!! From that moment on I could barely believe what I saw. The explosives used here is not just something that you use to blow up your neighbour’s mailbox with on New Year’s Eve, this is the real deal! As the first huge bomb blurred my vision and had my ears ringing for a few seconds, I knew Anton really was onto something and the 20 meter high wall of fire later on blew my mind. The last mission was by far the most extreme one, where GSA had to clear out a three-story building with the windows covered, filled with smoke and a boombox playing loud techno music. All around Anton set off huge explosions while inside, the team had to breach doors and throw grenades around as they were facing an opposing and respawning team. Disorientation by variation - that seems to be the way Anton let the team engage their different missions. When one mission can include almost no explosives at all, except for a handful of fireworks or the breaching of a door, the next one totally blows you away - which really messes up your adrenaline rushes. I guess one of the guys in GSA sums it all up well enough after the last mission, right before we all went back home… “Now I don’t have to play airsoft anymore. I’m ready to die.” Long story short, this is probably the most advanced, hectic and awesome day you will ever spend in your airsoft career. If you think you’re man enough you should keep an eye out for Anton’s Pandion games. Having teams from all over Europe take the trip all the way to Sweden just for a day or two, I know he’s able to arrange something special just for you and your team, taking into account your own wishes and previous experiences. But don’t take my word for it. Come to Sweden, take part in a Pandion MilSim and you will find out for yourself.
For more information about past and future events, follow Pandion on facebook.com/ PandionMilsim
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IGGY ROBERTS GOES OVER THE TOP AT THIS EPIC WEEKENDER AND, IN REAL LIFE, LIVES TO TELL THE TALE
BATTLE WEEKEND THE ORDERS:
Ground: Pine forest with uneven footing on the forest floor. Areas of newer plantations creating very dense areas which are challenging to transit through. There is one rough track fit for all vehicle types and numerous footpaths covering the entire Area of Operations (AO). Structures of various conditions ranging from ruins, to fully functioning military strongholds can be found throughout the AO.
Situation: Mondovia lost its dictator and as a result, over the past few years chaos has taken over between various militia factions, all seeking to gain power over the country. There are two main factions that hold most of the country between them. They are both originally from the same faction and still respect the same leaders; “The Butcher” and “The Butcher Junior”. Aside from this in common they fight between themselves over control of the territories. Since the collapse of the dictatorship no outsiders know the situation in the country. There are various resources in the ground throughout the country that, in the wrong hands could aid global terrorist accounts.
Mission: You are a reconnaissance team sent in to gather information on the state of things on the ground in Mondovia. Observe which factions own which areas by the flags flying over the military strongholds. Capture or Kill VIP targets, “The Butcher” and “The Butcher Junior”. Find your way to the Rendezvous (RV) and extract out of the country.
Execution: Push out from the United Nations compound on foot or by air (helivan) and locate a safe location to set up a harbor 42
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area. From your harbor area conduct reconnaissance patrols throughout the AO to gather intelligence on what factions control where. Report this information back to HQ. Ideally Capture the Butcher and Butcher Junior and escort them to a location for helo extraction and processing. Failing that, if it’s not possible to capture them then kill them. If you can, take out any defended positions to weaken both factions in advance of our main assault. After 30 hours make your way to the RV for helo extraction.
Service and support: You will have “comms” with HQ. Through them you have the use of an I-STAR asset, a drone with the capacity of 6 hellfire missiles a day. You are all Field medic trained and can heal yourself after your first hit, using a white bandage. Your second hit the designated medic will heal you using a red bandage. Your third hit, you will report to a marshal and become a battlefield casualty replacement and re-join the team from 50 metres back.
Command and control: All your orders will be given to you via radio from the HQ. You are to report in over the radio and give a situation report (sitrep) every two hours by day and six hours by night unless you need air support or prisoner extraction then contact HQ straight away.
WHAT HAPPENED: So, that was the plan - but we all know what happens to the best-laid plans… Our team consisted of 4 riflemen, including myself and a sniper. We riflemen each had 1,000 rounds carried on us for primary and secondary weapon systems. Supply drops happened 3 times over the weekend, consisting of water and another 1,000 rounds each drop. The sniper had 400 rounds each time.
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Event OVER THE TOP
Once we completed our final kit checks all five of us formed up we decided to insert on foot (as opposed to helivan). This would mean we could be more covert because the helivan set-down areas were limited and risked us being seen and either followed or contacted, both of which would not be good carrying all our kit and setting up a harbor area. Inserting on foot had a moderate risk of us being caught whilst patrolling through the AO, lugging all our kit to our chosen harbor area. The safest way to our chosen location involved a lengthy trek around the outside of the AO, almost going full circle back to the UN compound. We had to get past one stronghold and through a choke point that is often guarded. We set out in single file, nominating a point man. Every time we came across a location that could potentially give away our location, or pose a threat to us, the point man pushed forward to make sure it was clear. We could hear fire fights occurring all over the AO between the two factions. We reached the other side of the AO at best speed and decided to drop our kit and send two guys forward to scout a known bunker system and, if it was clear, check the prominent choke point even further ahead. The rest of us hid the kit in a stream bed and pushed out slightly in all directions, giving us 360 degree visibility and defence while we waited for the two scouts to return. After a few anxious moments of silence I had a call over the radio from the two scouts, “Bunker system all clear! Want us to continue to the bridge?” The Choke point I referred to was a small foot bridge over a deep drainage trench. If defended then the only option would be to go through the deep trench away from the bridge, a slow and cumbersome task which would delay our official mission start time. After a few more minutes the radio piped up again; “Bridge clear! Heading back to you now.”
The scouts sprinted back and we got underway as soon as we could, to ensure the situation ahead didn’t have time to change. Skirting the bunker system you could see remnants of a skirmish in the form of used grenades and smokes littering the floor and above it all, flapping in the breeze, was a green flag. Sign of which faction were the victors here. We pushed on to the foot bridge conscious of the time it takes, always thinking of what to do if we were contacted now, where to extract to and regroup. That would not be fun!! Each one of us took a sigh of relief as we crossed the foot bridge knowing the hardest part should be behind us. Have we actually pulled this off? Are we in, without being seen? Fact is, we had done it! We were now in one of the new plantations. Okay, it was a bit of a struggle getting through this dense foliage with our full burgens and back packs but we found a location in the heart of the plantation, off any beaten
“A MENACING FIGURE GOT OUT, IT WAS THE BUTCHER JUNIOR! WE ALL HAD EYES ON AND ONE OF OUR RIFLEMEN BEGGED TO TAKE THE SHOT. WE REQUESTED PERMISSION FROM HQ BUT WE WERE STOOD DOWN AND HAD TO LET HIM GO.” path. We hid the bags under a low bush and covered them with branches. We rotated sentry duty whilst everyone took on water and a spot of lunch before reporting in to HQ. We were given a “Go” for our first mission of working our way through the whole AO gathering intelligence on which faction held what location. This could be quite tricky because if we were spotted it would be one hell of a fight trying to hold back either faction. We retraced our steps back to the bridge because it was our last known safe location - although we sent a scout ahead just to be sure. We didn’t want to risk giving our location away this close to our harbor area. The bridge was still clear. From the bridge we patrolled East getting eyes on a Forward Operating Base (FOB). We didn’t want to get too close but had to edge closer and closer to see what colour flag was flying. Green again. This part of the AO was clearly dominated by the green faction. The FOB however seemed very quiet. We agreed to advance to the FOB and check it out, maybe find something of interest in it. Nothing found in the FOB, so we had a quick water stop. Just as we were about to set off we heard a car approach and stop just the other side of the wall. We surrounded the vehicle without being seen. A menacing figure got out, it was The Butcher Junior! We all had eyes on and one of our riflemen begged to take the shot. We requested permission from HQ but we were stood down and had to let him go. They wanted more evidence on him first!!
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Event OVER THE TOP
Once he had gone we crossed the rest of the AO West to East and then headed north along the Eastern edge. We reached a ruin and decided to set up a perimeter defence here. Two of our guys went west along a plantation edge, heading towards the main vehicle track which was known to have fortifications along it. Once again over the radio; “Two enemy spotted! I think they might have seen us………” At this point everyone gripped their weapon a bit tighter in anticipation of our guys returning under fire, or worse, not at all and just a wave of militia advancing upon us! The next radio call put us a little more at ease; “It’s all good they didn’t see us. We are moving closer to see if we can spot a flag.” They returned soon after reporting a maroon flag flying above a supply depot. We marked all the various coloured flags and their locations on an A4 laminated map I had in my “Brecon pocket” (the space between your smock or shirt and t-shirt). We continued north and scaled some small cliffs to get on the high ground. We wanted to follow the ridge line back into the AO to get to a position our sniper could have eyes on a known stronghold, named as the “Mega Fort”. As soon as we reached the first shoulder up the cliff we saw a number of militants closing in on our position. We also spotted another group that had been tailing us and this is where the game changed....... We had been spotted… Time to go loud! (In fact they had spotted our sniper’s Ghillie suit, which didn’t blend into the surrounding of our current location.) One of the riflemen reported an enemy in his sights “Permission to engage?” All evasion was lost already. “Take him out!!” That was the first shot any of our team had taken. Yes! It was one shot one kill! This was followed by exchanges of fire from anyone that could see the enemy. One of them snuck up on our left flank and slotted me in my arm. “HIT!” Another of our riflemen sorted him out, with a double tap to his trunk rendering him out of action. I was able to self-medic. However not long after I took out my first enemy from our high up vantage point on the cliff side, did I get hit again. This time long range automatic fire potted the ground to my right (and then me) before I had a chance to avoid it. This time I required our medic to patch me up. He, along with another rifleman got hit also. “Well, this has gone to pot!” one of the riflemen shouted to me. Indeed! We needed a way out and fast!!! We were hemmed in to a corner, outnumbered… With a volley of accurate covering fire, we made good our escape one by one to the top of the cliffs and once there we regrouped. Our sniper told us he had made an executive, on-
“I FOUND THE BUTCHER’S CAR ABANDONED, DOORS OPEN. I PUSHED DOWN TO THE LOCATION WHERE OUR RIFLEMAN WAS HIT. APART FROM A FEW MILITIA STRAGGLERS WE CLEANED UP, THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND. THE BUTCHER SLIPPED THROUGH OUR HANDS!!”
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Event OVER THE TOP
the-spot decision; he had killed The Butcher Junior during all the chaos. We quickly made a decision. Is there anywhere else our sniper could get eyes on the Mega Fort? “No.” So stuck between a rock and a hard place (literally), we had no choice but continue and just as expected, we encountered resistance off the other end of the cliffs. We still had the vantage from being higher up and after taking out a number of enemy units, the militia withdrew and headed elsewhere to defend their territory from the other faction. This spot of luck allowed our sniper to get into position, report a maroon flag and get back. During this welcome distraction we reported the territorial layout of the AO to the HQ over the radio and made good our escape. The rest of the day saw us evading enemy patrols and taking over the FOB when it was lightly guarded. We stayed the night there instead of in a harbor area. Why be uncomfortable when we could live a bit more comfortably? After dinner we conducted a couple of night missions, sometimes firing a single shot at something that I felt looked a bit odd and I was very happy (and surprised) when my shot was followed by the word “Hit!”. Casualties on both sides meant we called an end to night operations. Without night vision and not wanting to give away our position with white light meant it was wise to withdraw to a defendable location... Our FOB. Next morning after our lovely rations of sausage and beans (a breakfast fit for Kings! Okay, maybe not) we were picked up by helivan and had two re-enforcements; a sharpshooter and a rifleman. This extra manpower gave us more confidence for our next mission… Set up an ambush on The Butcher. Intelligence reports stated that he was heading to a stronghold by car, for a meeting If you want to take part on either side or with one of the Militia faction find out when the next event takes place leaders, so we set up a road you can either follow the (OTT) Over The block and ambush positions all Top Adventures Facebook page, or contact around the blockade. the Over The Top Adventures site manager, The lead vehicle approached Colin Rigby, on 07731 744471. and stopped short of the
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blockade. Militia pushed out left and right of the road. We waited. Burst fire lit up both sides of the road. Our ambush didn’t go as planned. One of our riflemen was hit. Our only guy on the left. That meant the left side was open for The Butcher to slip through. Whilst our whole team was busy engaging the enemy, I slipped right and after a long diversion around an impassable plantation, I ended up at the back of the convoy. I reported my progress over the radio. I found The Butcher’s car abandoned, doors open. I pushed down to the location where our rifleman was hit. Apart from a few militia stragglers we cleaned up, there was no one around. The Butcher slipped through our hands!! The Helivan came and collected us, to get us out of the danger zone quickly. We had one thing left to do; get to the RV and extract out of Mondovia. We were dropped off individually and scattered all over the AO (this was done to simulate a parachute insertion back into the AO from the helivan). Once the last team member was dropped off we had to find each other and head to the RV in strength, or make our own way through enemy territory to the RV. I could hear enemy patrols nearby my location. I heard over the radio that four of our team had got together but were under contact. One by one they were being picked off. After a mammoth battle on the run, one of the four made it to the RV. Once there he was running low on ammunition, resorting to his side arm trying to hold back the militia single-handedly. Lo and behold he got over-run. 4 men down. I managed to link up with a rifleman. We chose the hardest route to walk, in the hope we wouldn’t find much resistance. We were correct – until we got to line of sight of the RV. By the time we got there heavy fighting was underway all over the area. It was our only other rifleman trying to fight his way to the RV. He was surrounded and we saw him being shot from many angles as we came into range, too late to assist. Two of us left. Can we make it out? From range we started our assault towards the RV. We were hitting targets and working well together. Literally 2 minutes after I mentioned we should check behind us, my lone surviving team mate got shot in the back. I didn’t realise the enemy’s location and tried to push forward, leaving my back open. A burst of BBs littered my back, rendering me out the game. Not one of us made it out. However we had weakened the militia and give a territorial layout of the AO in readiness for the next assignment later in the year.
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Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8JH. United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1684 273070 Fax +44 (0)1684 273052 Email rwuk.retail@redwolfairsoft.com
u k . r e d w o l f a i r s o f t . c o m www.facebook.com/redwolfuk.retail
www.youtube.com/user/redwolfairsoft
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Event AIRSOFT SHOWCASE 2015
AIRSOFT SHOWCASE 2015 NIGE REPORTS FROM THE INAUGURAL AIRSOFT SHOWCASE, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON THE 17TH MAY
I GUESS IT HAS BEEN ON THE CARDS for quite some time. What with increasing costs, diminishing returns and a pervasive feeling that maybe “airsoft” was not as important to the organisers as it should be, it was inevitable that an alternative would be found. In 2013 the British Airsoft Show was created, to run alongside The British Shooting Show at Stoneleigh Park and, although it felt like we were in a cold, damp cow-shed, was a resounding success. There were masses of trade stands, big crowds and plenty of business to be had. The event created a wonderful “buzz” and we were able to get our message across to even the most “anti” of “real” shooters (many of whom had preconceptions but once they got their hands on the kit we play with, could not believe just how good it was!). 2014 was also a pretty good show, although running it over three days as opposed to just the weekend did seem to “thin” the crowds out quite considerably and there was more than one occasion when it seemed very “quiet”. Still, the overall response was that it had been a good show, although there was no extra business to be had, it was just spread over three days. As the event came to a close, we were also very sad to learn of the death of the show’s organiser, John Bertrand. Being quite blunt about it, I have to say that this year’s show was a disappointment and for many of the exhibitors the perception was that “airsoft” was very much a “bolt-on”, rather than being an integral part of the show (which was now being run by a different company). This perception was not reduced by the fact that the first thing you saw as you entered The British Airsoft Show, was the new owner’s private collection of military vehicles! The mumblings of discontent grew louder. Everyone seemed to agree that something else was needed but nobody knew exactly what - until Chris Kong from RedWolf Airsoft announced that he was creating a brand new event, for airsoft only. It would be called “Airsoft Showcase” and anyone involved in airsoft, at any level was welcome to take part. The 2015 event had already been scheduled and the venue was as surprising as it was inspired! If airsofters want to have the opportunity to walk around a load of airsoft shops all in one place, where better to put those shops than in a shopping centre? It just so happened that is exactly what Chris had done, he had rented “The Mall”,
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a well-known airsoft site run by Zed Adventures in an empty shopping mall, in the centre of Reading. On the 17th May it would be transformed in a mecca for airsofters, with retailers, site operators, manufacturers, distributors and even “used-kit” sellers all being welcome. Each of the shops within the Mall would accommodate different companies, with the smaller areas having maybe just one or two, while the larger areas would be filled with as many as would be comfortable. By the date of the event, nearly 40 companies and individuals had signed up to be there - the only concern was the short amount of time in which to get it publicised but, as it turned out, that was not the biggest challenge.
THE GET IN As the venue had been in use for a game during the day on the Saturday, exhibitors pitched up at about 6:30pm and started to carry everything along corridors and up flights of stairs to the main shopping area. For some this was a quite simple, while for others it was an onerous task (I have to say a huge “thank you” to the guys from RedWolf and HTIS for lugging boxes of magazines upstairs for me). For Scott Allan and his crew from Land Warrior Airsoft it was more of a “challenge”, as he had brought along a huge, 350Kg, replica of Predator which I have to say was quite simply spectacular. The open-mouthed expression on the faces of two little boys who stood silently in front of it later was a picture I wish I had been quick enough to capture!
THE EVENT The doors opened at 09:30 and by 09:31 the first visitors started to appear. There was no mad rush of crowds like you see at The Harrods Sale but the stream was fairly consistent and by 10:00 the Mall had come back to life as a shopping centre. Down at the far end, loud music and the sound of helicopter rotor blades chopping through the air was almost drowned out by the ripple of heavy machine gun fire, as
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“DROOLING, BLOOD-SPLATTERED ZOMBIES SHUFFLED AROUND, WHILE ISAF SOLDIERS AND PRACTICAL SHOOTERS MIXED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY GENRE OF AIRSOFTER YOU CAN IMAGINE.”
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Event AIRSOFT SHOWCASE 2015
Incentive Designs showcased the latest iteration of their sound module. Drooling, blood-splattered zombies shuffled around, while ISAF soldiers and Practical Shooters mixed with just about every genre of airsofter you can imagine (and probably some you can’t!) The Pilgrim Bandits, along with Rusty Firmin, had set up opposite RedWolf and HTIS in one of the larger shops and it was great to see the level of support they received from everyone. Airsoft has really taken “The Bandits” to heart, something I think we can all be proud to be associated with and who’s ethos of “we don’t do sympathy” strikes a chord in many of us. Incidentally, Rusty is in the throes of releasing his new book “The Regiment: 15 Years In The SAS” and working on a film about the Iranian Embassy Siege, called “6 Days”, both of which we will be reviewing at a later date (I might even see if we can get some tickets to the Premiere to give away…) Across the way, Jim and Andy from The Grange were in a shop that was perfect for browsing customers to walk around the array of weaponry they had on display, while next door (once you’d got past the “doorman”) Land Warrior were being kept pretty busy. A few shops down and the glimpse of brightly-coloured Hawaiian shirts could only mean one thing… The BadgerTac boys were in the house. If you’ve never met Ratty and Billy then believe me, you really are missing out on something. These two guys have a certain attitude to life, business and airsoft in general which is (how can I put this)… “unique” and I have never left their company without a smile on my face. Opposite Incentive Designs, Watford Practical Shooting Club had set up some “mini-stages”, where airsofters could get their (for many) first taste of practical pistol. Airsoft Action has always been a supporter of practical shooting and it was great to see so many airsofters giving it a go. My 13-year-old daughter wandered down for a try and when I went to look for her nearly an hour later, she was still there. Mind you I shouldn’t have been surprised, as last year at the Airsoft Surgeon European Championship she had her very first lesson from none other than Clarence Lai himself!
THE GET OUT By 3pm the Mall had just about emptied and many exhibitors had started to pack up and enter the second phase of the “biggest challenge” I made mention of earlier in this article… getting out again! The Mall is an almost perfect venue for this sort of event. Is easy to get to, with a train station just around the corner, loads of busses and an NCP right opposite however without the use of a lift, it is not really designed for easy access to the individual shops. The original main entrance is closed by a full metal shutter and further boarded up on the inside, to protect from any chance of a stray shot reaching the street outside (and, I dare say, to prevent anyone getting into the premises while it is not in use). This would obviously be the ideal way to come in from street level (and I understand that this possibility is being looked at should The Showcase be held here again, which I hope it does) but, for now all that was available was the physically tiring, muscle-wearing, carry back down the stairs and through corridors, out to the rear of the building. I only had a few boxes, tables and screen to take down and I felt completely knackered by the time I’d finished. Goodness knows how the guys and gals from RedWolf and Land Warrior coped - but they did!
visitor numbers. The players I spoke were all pretty much of the same mind – a great event, in a good location and being able to wander around an “airsoft-only shopping centre” was bang on! They were generally (and genuinely) surprised at the number a variety of retailers and really liked the idea of having new and second-hand kit available in the same place. They were also pretty impressed with the effort everyone had made to make this an “inclusive” event, with many different genres being represented – being able to meet and talk to a real-life SAS legend also came high on many people’s “that was ace” lists! Personally, I think it was exactly what is needed and considering it was created from nothing within three months, Airsoft Showcase 2015 was a damn good effort and bodes well for the future. I understand that plans are already underway for other “showcases”, possibly even later this year but certainly in 2016. Either way, based on this year, I would go as far as to say that airsoft has found a new “home” event and I wish everyone who is involved the very best of luck – and you can be sure that Airsoft Action will support you all the way!
THE VERDICT So, when it was all over and the dust had settled, what was the verdict on Airsoft Showcase 2015? I spoke to a number of the companies there and also quite a few players who turned up and pretty much everyone said the same thing. They felt the event was a good success but there could/should have been more visitors, which I think is reflected in the comments of most retailers who said they hadn’t made a loss, but didn’t make as much profit as they expected and which they attributed to the lower than expected
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EUROPEAN PATENT No. 001832254-0001 U.S. PATENT No. US D696,487 S These 8,5’’ shorts are shorter variant of our Urban Tactical Shorts and keep all features of original UTP®. The construction was adapted for extremely hot weather conditions and features even more freedom of movement. Not only suitable solution for law enforcement and military use, the Urban Tactical Shorts® will fulfill expectations of outdoor enthusiasts for utility apparel.
Debate
MULTICAM OR MULTISHAM?
CAMOUFLAGE
IN THIS ISSUE’S DEBATE, GADGE ADDRESSES THE SUBJECT OF CAMOUFLAGE OR, TO BE MORE PRECISE, CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS. OUR MONTHLY DEBATE WAS ONCE again a hive of activity with very few of you able to agree on our posed question, which was simply: “Can you ever have an “all round” camo pattern”? Multicam was once touted as “great anywhere” – and I’ve always felt that was true as long as “anywhere” isn’t a wet European wood! But other, newer, commercial camouflages promise to give concealment in all terrains but can they live up to that promise? I also wondered if the introduction of “multicam tropic” isn’t something of a contradiction in terms. In the 50 to 70s the US army found out during trials that flat green worked better than any camo pattern in the jungle but special forces soon adopted “theatre specific” tiger stripes and similar camo. Then again, the USA also seemed to decide in the 90s that light blue and grey would be a good “universal camo”! So can you be a “jack of all trades”, or does it make you a “master of none”? What’s your favourite camo pattern and why? Perhaps the one thing that everyone did agree on is that it’s pretty much impossible with current fabrics and technologies to have a “one design that works anywhere” but the jury was still out over which one was actually best in a variety of scenarios and scenery. I recall attending a milsim weekender once and my team all changed in the evening to Russian police blue tiger stripe. We got some funny looks (and a fair bit of piss taking in the ready room of our side) but once in the shadows we were invisible (so much so that someone actually walked over my friend John as he lay on the ground!) - but in the daylight we looked like heavily armed Smurfs! Definitely a “situational” camo but one of my favourites for CQB and urban where you’re either moving fast or skulking in shadows. Many of you felt that it didn’t matter what you were wearing as long as you kept noise and movement to a minimum and a few of you felt that “3d” camo that broke up the outline, like ghillie suits and “Jack Pyke” type “3d” camo suits were the way forwards In essence we asked how do you keep yourself concealed and what’s your fave pattern, or are you a black sheep who doesn’t even bother trying to blend in - and your answers really did demonstrate how varied airsoft can be! Craig Hughes: “I don’t believe there is one camo that fits all terrains. I’m using Polish woodland at the moment, it has lighter hues than British DPM (which I was using until a few months ago) so can be used in arid/desert situations at a push.” Dan Nixon Lines: “You can’t beat simple black for CQB or
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Peter O’Connor: “Multicam Tropic is fantastic in woodland, as is Greenzone.” David W Brown: “I love my all black swat style camo, which doesn’t really work anywhere but makes me feel cool (I used to think I looked tough but at 38 with no hair and slightly overweight, I think that birds flown!). I do think it matters how it makes you feel, not just how you look.” Adam Quelch: “I use Truspec midnight digital for night games and CQB. You just vanish without leaving a silhouette, as for outdoors good old flecktarn.” Andrés Juan-Antonio Bolado: “I’m running with a modern take on the old British 1960’s olive drab with a DPM smock.” Dougie Stafford: “No camo works for everything, that would be impossible. Black stands out at night so it isn’t as good as people think. Complete black in nature is relatively rare, so at night it can make you more visible so grey is more effective. I love Russian camos but I still think Flecktarn is hugely effective.” John Danter: “Short answer is No. It’s impossible. Even in woodland the colour will change from one spot to the next. At least desert etc. is more uniform in shade. Krytek Mandrake is my favourite camo. It’s not in “service” anywhere for me, it’s awesome! Team mates lose track of you and if you’re still enough folks can look past you. That said, as above, go to the wrong spot and you’ll be spotted a mile off.” Erik Huveneers: “The camo I chose for our airsoft team seems to work in both winter, fall, spring and full green summer woodland. I only guessed it would do alright, it really works. It’s slightly darker and more green than Multicam (which I think is way too light). And although digi-cams were designed for counter acting night vision goggles, it is only digital up close. I’m talking about AOR2. After using it for over a year now, we can honestly say it works all year around. Is it the best for every situation? Of course not. PenCott Greenzone for spring and summer has my favour by a land slide. But time and time again on unedited pictures you see, it works really well.” Sean BE: Camo is a subjective thing, hence nearly every single country having their own or a variation of someone else’s. I collect Camo and have some very rare examples and in the several years I have been playing, what I wear is determined by the season we are in and the ground or site I am playing at. I am currently frustrated by the Bomb Dump for the simple reason that being a mix of bunkers/urban and the strangest colour grass/fen, I haven’t found a Camo yet that works. This Sunday I am going to see if Russian VSR 93 does the job.” Paul Harding: “I’m not too bothered to be honest? I buy what I like the look of. Had Brit DPM, got US woodland, a mix of Multicam/MTP and black overalls.”
night games but there is no camo that truly works everywhere. At House Of Wolves Airsoft we all run Kryptek Highlander but it’s limited to where it’s effective! But at least you know who we are on site!” Jez Armstrong: “Cadpat am bestest!” Dave Renniks: “Cadpat still outperforms pretty much everything going in woodland environments.” Milsim Tim Cleverly: “I wear whatever I want to really. Be it US Woodland, Marpat, Multicam or just a plain shade like Grey or Coyote. It suits me as I’m not much of the sneaky sneaky type. Some of my friends use a Ghillie and some others use the 3d leaf thingy and are very good at concealment. I’ve nearly stepped on a number of people who were in a ghillie in a bush, so it does work.” Darren Dunn: “I like Realtree design clothes, which are ideal for woodland.”
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Matt Keen: “Years ago, while playing paintball in Hook Wood a discussion turned to ASAT camo. I honestly don’t think a genuine All Season All Terrain camo exists. I use US M81 or digital Woodland for winter autumn and A-TACS FG for UK summer. I also try not to tread on sticks and shout.” (Ed’s note: Hook Wood? Blimey! I thought I was the only old fart left that remembered those days!) David Thompson: “I’ve been stood on in MC in UK woods so I know that works well. I prefer ATACS standard in the winter when the leaves all fall off though.” Stephen ‘Bushpig’ Mann: “Take a look at the American ‘Illusion camo’. It’s a situation-specific camo for hunting but almost impossible to pick out the hunter, even when they standing in front of a tree....” Muzz Frank Spartacus Murray: “MC Tropic is cool - but the PenCott range is awesome!” Matty Atkinson: “Depends on the location and time of day. My ghillie suit for the woods around here would be quite useless in an urban scenario or a desert, which is why I always look up where I’m playing, so I’m prepared.” Matthew Philpott: “I can’t say that I’ve ever found a camo
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Debate CAMOUFLAGE
round as when lying in leaf litter they disappear regardless of season.” Chris Hinds: “In my eyes, it depends on the situation. Personally I feel that the DPM is harder to get spotted during a game than the new multicam. But in a mix of lightly forest/cqb areas, the MTP works better but all round, DPM for the win.” Nicholas Ashman: “I believe in the right camouflage for the environment. If you’re in the woods, use something green. In the desert, use something sandy etc. I can see the attraction to military organisations for a camouflage that’s good in several environments. It cuts costs and reduces the logistical load but they are a jack of all trades and environment-specific patterns will always be better.” Lance Gilbert: “DPM or US woodland for me! Have Kryptek Highlander as well as multicam but honestly prefer British DPM!! Do a fair bit of Milsims and find at evening and night time hanging around garden and hedgerows like at Winny Hill Catterick works best!!” Jerry Noone: “As an old git and collector of camouflage for many moons, my current favourites are the PenCott Camouflage patterns from Hyde Definition. Greenzone is absolutely ideal for the woods right now and Badlands is great when everything “browns out” in the autumn. I’m looking forward to the winter in case I can get the Snowdrift out. Add to that the manufacturers Hyde Definition work with and you’ve got a righteous mash up!” Chris Alley: “I like Marpat myself, as it seems to blend reasonably well in most situations.”
that I thought was truly multi-region suitable. I’ve had very good results with Tiger stripe in mixed woodland. The WW2 Zeltbahn is actually spectacularly good in the rain and a fir tree forest. I’m sure it’s possible that the private sector will come up with a pattern that is valid for a large number of regions but I doubt it will ever be the best option for a specific theatre. Let’s face it, for airsoft purposes we all enjoy a bit of fancy dress in the woods after all.” Lawrence Holsworth: “For European woodland and “green” terrain, you can’t beat a ghillied up set of PenCott Camouflage GreenZone.” James W: “I find the best camouflage is wearing a set of old Y fronts, while carrying a broken broom handle and shouting “BANG! BANG!” works surprisingly well! No one ever shoots the crazy person!” Rich Upton: “ATACS-FG all year as when it’s new it’s a blend of lush greens but by autumn has faded to a duller brown/green and blends with the fallen leaves!” Andrew Lane: “Any Camo or non camo works if you don’t move. I’ve had Knife kills with ACU and it does work in woodland but not as well as Flecktarn. Twice I have been spotted in Ambush both in ACU and Flecktarn, when my colour armband was seen. Damn some people have good eyes!” Mike Roberts: “Started out with DPM but soon moved to ATACs-FG when I saw how effective it can be at the woodland site I play at. The Jack Pyke suits are extremely effective the green particularly once things get greener and the brown for autumn/winter. There are a number of snipers who use them and they can be a sod to see. Several stick with brown all year
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FADE TO GREY WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE A SPECIFIC LOADOUT? THIS MONTH JERRY NOONE TAKES A LOOK AT VARIOUS SOURCES FOR IDEAS AND CREATES A SET OF GEAR BASED ON A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH!
WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING a complete loadout together there are so many sources of inspiration and information to choose from, that the world is quite literally your lobster! Many airsofters I know don’t go for a particular look, or try to recreate any particular military unit, they just want comfortable, reliable and functional gear that is going to work well on a skirmish day. There are however many players, especially those that form themselves into teams, that want a particular look. This can be based on a historical theme such as WWII or Vietnam, 1980’s “Cold War”, or bang up to date “SF” inspired uniforms and equipment. I particularly approve when someone has obviously done their research well and it inspires me to see a really well done “Nam Grunt” or “Zero Dark Thirty” warrior. Let’s face it, there are just SO many sources of inspiration available these days and a whole industry has grown up to cater for our whimsies. Living History groups are increasingly finding that airsoft is a great way to take their passion to a whole new level and airsoft manufacturers produce specific RIFs to ensure that historical accuracy is adhered to. And in this respect the internet can be our very good friend or our worst enemy! We quite literally have a whole online world at our fingertips and even the loosest internet search will bring up information that you never even knew existed. Specialist websites exist to document and cover every loadout you could possibly dream of and the level of information is simply staggering.
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Kit LOADED OR UNLOADED
Then of course we get to movies and books! During my years playing airsoft at home and abroad I can’t actually remember the number of “BHD D-Boys” I’ve seen and in the last couple of years it’s been all about AOR1 and “Act of Valour/ZD30”. Probably the most common loadout (and a relatively easy one to pull off) though, is the generic “Contractor” and I’m sure, like me, that at some point in your playing career you have given that one a crack! I can be a bit “old skool” in my research though, in that I particularly like trawling through reference books to find that one little piece of clothing or gear that really turns a simple loadout into a full-on “impression”. My personal library has grown over the years and the books have been lovingly pored over time and again. Small Post-it notes protrude from the top of the books, denoting something unusual that has caught my eye and especially during the long dark winter months I’ll return to research time and again. But every so often something just catches your eye and sends you in a completely different direction. When I received my own copy of Airsoft Action with the Military1st 5:11 catalogue attached, I was immediately drawn to the cover shot showing a stack of guys decked out in “Grey Kit”, with Ops Core and MICH lids and some fancy tricked out rifles and carbines. As I’d just completed a rifle build of my own based on a PTS “Recoil” (more of that to come at a later date!) things just came together really, especially when I approached Military1st and asked for the loan of a full set of kit to work with. A good sized box duly arrived and it was time to drive on!
that have the luxury of being able to really work things through, rather than just jumping on the bandwagon for the sake of a quick buck. As much as 5:11 gear has always been popular with airsofters, they really do build for the “real world” so every single thing that they make has to be 100% fit for purpose. No corners are cut in terms of fabrics, materials and construction, so when you buy into 5:11 you really are getting the “real deal”, not a Far Eastern copy that’s going to “NO CORNERS ARE CUT come apart just because IN TERMS OF FABRICS, you look at it! This is an interesting MATERIALS AND topic in itself in a CONSTRUCTION, SO WHEN conversation that came YOU BUY INTO 5:11 YOU up very recently with my good mate Thomas REALLY ARE GETTING THE from Kireru Airoft in Denmark “REAL DEAL”, NOT A FAR (if you’ve not checked his Blog out EASTERN COPY THAT’S it is most definitely worth a visit, www.kireru.dk). He was kind enough GOING TO COME APART JUST to share with me a very thoughtBECAUSE YOU LOOK AT IT!” provoking article he had written which addressed the need for “real gear” in relation to airsoft and the conclusion that I personally drew from it, was that although we don’t need gear of this standard (hopefully our Sunday Skirmish is not going to put our lives on the line!), buying into it can actually be a financially sensible thing to do. As I always say, spend your money wisely! Yes, you’ll pay a little more for gear from brands like 5:11 but in the long term it will wear much, much better than cheap copies. I’ve got a pair of ten year old Tactical Pants that are still going to this day that attest to this fact!
THE FADE
INTO THE SHADOWS
The whole “Grey Thing” has been another of those trends in the tactical world that has just caught on and virtually every manufacturer out there have their “Wolf, Slate, Storm” or simply put, grey. Now the idea behind this is a straightforward one; in today’s modern urban environment we have a LOT of concrete and tarmac so grey is an obvious choice to “blend in” to the background. Previously, tactical teams would inevitably be drawn to the traditional “black gear”; in reality black actually sticks out like a sore thumb in most urban situations as black is not a naturally occurring colour. Are shadows black? Is it black at night? You could argue that in both cases the answer would be “yes” but in reality, if you’ll pardon the expression, it’s all shades of grey. Arc’teryx LEAF, in fairness, were probably the first of the “Big Names” to drive this forward in any meaningful way but others were lightning fast to follow their lead and numerous manufacturers came together to create mutually supportive and compatible clothing and tactical gear that all worked well together. 5:11 Tactical though took their time about things. They are a huge international company
As always with “Loaded or Unloaded” I wanted to create two separate loadouts based on one “core” set of gear, so the first choice I had to make was the basic uniform. 5:11 now offer a considerable range of shirts and trousers but something on their stand at IWA 2015 had really taken my eye; enter the STRYKE Tactical Duty Uniform (TDU)! This uniform is really a three component set that gives a lot of flexibility. Crafted from highly durable 4.84 oz. Flex-Tac mechanical stretch fabric and treated with DuPont Teflon Shield+ fabric protector for superb stain, liquid and soil resistance, the new Stryke TDU Shirt from 5.11 features two canted front chest pockets and sleeve pockets for increased storage, hidden document pocket, together with Velcro adjustable cuffs and mandarin collar for a truly personalised fit and overall comfort. Additionally, the Stryke TDU Shirt comes with a YKK concealed zip front, reinforced articulated elbows for added durability, loop patch platform and an epaulette kit which can be sewn on where you want them. This highly practical shirt features Flex-Tac, a revolutionary fabric utilising proprietary fibers and developed exclusively for 5.11 Tactical. The lightweight, breathable, Polycotton Ripstop incorporates mechanical stretch yarns,
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“5:11 OFFER SOME SUPER “LOW PROFILE” GEAR THAT’S MADE TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS THE UNIFORM PIECES BUT WILL BE EQUALLY AT HOME IN THE PUB AS IN A FIREFIGHT!”
meaning the stretch and recovery of the fabric is achieved without the use of Spandex. As a result, the breathability, colour retention and durability of Flex-Tac is superior to other Cotton/Spandex fabrics currently in the market. If you favour more of a UBACS-style shirt the Stryke TDU Rapid Shirt is probably the one to go for. This new model has a torso made from a highly flexible blend of Polyester and Spandex material, and the shoulders and sleeves are made of Flex-Tac mechanical stretch fabric, again treated with Teflon. The new Stryke TDU Pants are perfect for general use and are the perfect partner for either of the shirt models. The TDU pants feature canted ergonomic cargo pockets, double layered articulated knees and fully gusseted crotch for superb freedom of movement in virtually any tactical situation. The TDU pants come with stretch panels at the waist and behind each knee and are Teflon treated for stain, liquid and soil resistance, and enhanced bartacking is used throughout for increased durability and longevity. If however you like to run a little more “contractor”, then 5:11 offer some super “low profile” gear that’s made to the same standards as the uniform pieces but will be equally at home in the Pub as in a firefight! The Covert Flex shirt is something that I would wear daily as the “Volcanic” colourway mixes grey with a muted orange check and looks really good. Designed to grant immediate access to a holstered secondary, the new 5.11 Covert Shirt Double Flex is a comfortable and cool to wear, short-sleeve shirt with the unique 5.11 RAPIDraw placket, sewn-on “fake” buttons hide breakaway snaps. Crafted from a durable and highly breathable Polycotton moisture-wicking material, this concealed-carry shirt is extremely comfortable to wear; it’s a contemporary fit and style with hidden document pockets and fast, reliable sidearm accessibility in urgent situations. Keeping with the more relaxed vibe, a real favourite amongst the new pieces in the clothing line is the Diablo Hoodie. Made from 100% anti-pilling brushed Polyester fleecel, the Diablo features a classic kangaroo-style hand warmer pocket at the front, large protective hood with integrated adjustable draw cord and zippered utility pocket on left sleeve for additional storage. The Diablo Hoodie also comes with loop patch on the upper right sleeve and tonal contrast stitching gives it a great look. The Diablo features genuine YKK zippers for extra durability. Thanks to its reinforced pockets and weather resistant construction, the Diablo offers excellent freedom of movement with superb protection against the wind, rain, and weather; I feel like I may well be parting with my own pennies for one of these!
GETTING TACTICAL With clothing options sorted now it was time to get down to business. First up I wanted a simple belt system so that I could carry a backup handgun, it this case a G26 and affix a dump pouch. The 5.11 Traverse Double Buckle belt is a strong, durable and comfortable multi-purpose belt with a low profile design which makes it ideal for casual or tactical wear. It’s perfect to carry a holster and sidearm without rolling or deforming and it features two-tone lightweight aluminium anodized buckles, ribbed weave nylon webbing, a reinforced
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Kit LOADED OR UNLOADED
signature 5.11 belt-tip and subtle logo touches throughout. Talking of holsters, 5:11 have a great system which can be worn either belt-mounted or as a drop-leg, when combined with the correct platform. The Thumbdrive holster system is modelspecific and comes in both left and right hand variants; do bear in mind that these have been designed for use with real handguns so some of the airsoft replicas with slightly oversized frames won’t fit. That said Right handed the one I received for testing was suitable for Glock 17/22. It’s reinforced for increased Level II weapon retention. The basic holster package includes belt slide and paddle and the belt slide adjusts to fit up to 2.25” width. If you prefer a leg rig, there are drop and offset kits available as accessories. To complete my belt I went with another long-time favourite (I own three to date!), the 5:11 Large Dump Pouch. Carrying kit? No problem as 5:11 offers a multitude of solutions. I chose the Tac Tec Chest Rig as a) it’s the one shown in my reference pictures and b) because it’s a lightweight, breathable and versatile bit of kit! One size fits all and it has eminently customisable configurations. As standard you can carry up to six internal M4 mags with a either a nylon cover or bungee retention; the bungees are included. Two outside compartments can be converted to carry 500ml water bottles and there is an internal web platform for holster, pouch or knife attachment along with a map pocket. The front of the rig has extensive MOLLE so I decided to mount two further two cell magazine pouches and a spare pistol magazine pouch and a medical pouch to cover all eventualities. The final bit of gear required was a ruc and keeping with the more “covert” look, I decided (for once) to ditch all the MOLLE and have a look at something different. Designed for speed, agility, and dependability in any environment and crafted from abrasion resistant 1680D ballistic Polyester material, the 5:11 COVRT Boxpack is a lightweight and highly durable concealed carry tactical backpack with comfortable to wear construction and multiple externally-
accessible pockets. The pack features a quick roll top main compartment opening, durable padded carry handle, CCW pistol compartment, two side magazine pockets and fleece lined sunglass pocket. The COVRT Boxpack also comes with an internal hydration pouch and padded laptop storage, reinforced padded shoulder straps with minimal MOLLE and a sternum strap and waist belt for added security and custom fit. With all this pulled together I simply needed to add some boots, lightweight gloves, Ops Core helmet and 5:11 shooting glasses and I was good to go! For the “relaxed” look I simply added a ballcap, and 5:11 offer a whole range of these. So, my inspiration for this loadout came specifically from a single picture and then I let my mind wander to create something a little different that would work either on or off the field of play. All the gear is beautifully put together from first rate materials and even though this is by no means the cheapest loadout I’ve ever put together, everything is going to last for some considerable time and will work in virtually any environment (perhaps apart from full-on summer woodland). If you find something that inspires you then follow your heart and go for it, no matter what it may be, but as always I’ll say do your research, buy right and buy once! My thanks go to www.military1st.co.uk for their kind co-operation is pulling this article together. Please visit their excellent website for all your 5:11 Tactical needs and so much more!
All prices quoted were correct on www.military1st.co.uk at the time of writing. Please note that all models are available in multiple colours should “Storm Grey” really not be your thing! Stryke TDU Shirt Storm
£70.20
Stryke TDU Rapid Shirt Storm
£67.50
Stryke TDU Pant Storm
£72.00
Covert Flex Shirt Volcanic
£54.00
Diablo Hoodie Storm
£47.70
Traverse Double Buckle Belt Storm
£22.50
Thumbdrive Holster for G17/22 Black
£48.60
Large Dump Pouch Storm
£18.99
Tac Tec Chest Rig Storm
£72.00
Double Bungee AR/G36 Pouch Storm
£26.10
Single Bungee Pistol Pouch Storm
£13.50
Med Pouch Storm
£22.99
COVRT Boxpack Storm
£90.00
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Cold War Warriors CANADA
COLD WAR COMBATANT: CANADA WHEN YOU THINK “COLD WAR”, CANADA IS PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST COUNTRY IN YOUR MIND BUT THEY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE, AS GADGE HARVEY EXPLAINS… Pictures: Canadian Department of National Defence
MANY NATIONS WOULD ARISE from the struggle of World War II a much stronger force than they had entered the conflict and one of these was the vast expanses of Canada. Despite being one of the World’s biggest countries, Canada, like the USA, had relatively small armed forces and a respectable but agriculture-based economy. WWII would change all that and see Canada develop its heavy industry, its ship building and more importantly, its military, raising itself to Superpower Status in the early years of the Cold War. Canada was quick to join the UK and US in forming a mutual defence against the behemoth totalitarian state of Stalin’s post-war Soviet Union and was one of the founding members of the “North Atlantic Treaty Organisation”, better known simply as “NATO”. Keeping strong links with both their American neighbours and the UK (in WWII Canadian forces had been dressed, equipped and trained in the same style as the British), Canada proved to be a key player in the early stages of NATO. While dedicated to a “free world”, the Canadians were less paranoid about “communist expansion” and the “domino theory” than the USA but still agreed to send men to cold war “hot spots” around the globe, including the Vietnam and Korean wars. The huge post-war Canadian military was structured like its commonwealth ally, Great Britain, with a separate Air Force, Navy and Army for the early part of the Cold War but, in 1968 a massive restructuring took place. A 1964 government document recommended incorporating all three services under one command system, to provide an “all arms” service that could operate much like the US Marine Corps and do away with inter-service rivalry. This ambitious and bold move was implemented in 1968 and created the composite “Canadian Armed Forces”.
THE NORTHERN FLANK One of Canada’s key roles in any future war would be to help secure NATO’s northern flank. NATO could not be sure that weaker countries, such as Norway and Sweden, would be able to hold an assault from the Russians and so tasked the Canadians with the role of “holding the line in the North”. For many Canadians used to harsh freezing cold winters with heavy snowfall, the Northern Battle zones of Scandinavia would be a home from home. Many Canadian soldiers already possessed the skills of shooting, skiing and arctic survival from their pre-military lives and were able to adjust to arctic combat with little discomfort.
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PRINCESS PATRICIA’S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY Perhaps the best known Canadian military unit of the Cold War was the elite Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. “The Patricia’s” (as they are known) were formed in 1914 to assist the “mother nation” of the UK in the First World War and continued to serve alongside other commonwealth (or at the time, British Empire) forces through out both world wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Canadian Army (both as a separate entity and as part of the Canadian Armed Forces) was equipped and armed, as we have mentioned, in a similar war to British units of the time. For example, in Vietnam the Patricia’s wore jungle greens and high leg jungle boots of a British pattern and their small arms were distinctly British and consisted of the L1a1 SLR rifle, the Stirling SMG and the Browning high power 9mm pistol. Later in the Vietnam War, some units would exchange the heavy and lengthy SLR for a Canadian manufactured version of the M16, the C7. While uniform and small arms were initially based on UK designs, the Canadians would quickly produce their own variants such as the C1a1 rifle and C2 light machine gun.
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While personal kit (except helmets where the US/NATO M1 design was used after the Korean war) was very British, heavier equipment was more varied with the Canadians employing British tanks like the Centurion alongside US armoured personnel carriers, such as the M113. As with many nations who ended WWII with vast conventional forces, the Canadian military was downscaled in the late 40s and early 50s. The emergence of the Cold War, the birth of NATO and the Warsaw Pact and increasing world tension would, however, force Canada to rebuild its mighty forces. Canadian re-armament would still never reach the cyclopean levels the USA strove for but its contribution to NATO was not insignificant. Most notably, Canada aided the British Army by providing the vast open space known for ‘live fire exercises’ involving tanks, artillery and aircraft.
BATUS The UK is a relatively small country and a fairly urbanised one (even in the 60 and 70s at that). While Britain possessed military training grounds suitable to practice long range engagements with infantry small arms, modern tank and artillery could not use their weapons to full effect without a risk of danger to civilians. To circumvent this problem the Canadian government allowed the UK to set up “British Army Training Unit Suffield”. Suffield was leased to the UK in ten-year chunks by the Canadians, allowing the UK access to a research and training area that would allow up to six full battlegroups to undertake 24 day exercises and the Armoured Trials and Development Unit the expansive areas they needed to test out anti-tank weaponry and the like at extreme ranges. Like any 1st World country’s military, the Canadian Armed Forces employ a diverse variety of fighting men and women in numerous roles, from infantry, to combat engineers and military police through to dog handlers, education corps and artillery. In this article though we will look briefly at two notable Canadian Infantry units that have served with distinction cross the globe.
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Cold War Warriors
J. Reitter - AirsoftStrobist
CANADA
THE CANADIAN SPECIAL FORCES
ON THE SKIRMISH FIELD
During the Cold War years, Canada didn’t utilise traditional “special forces” like the US Green Berets, British SAS or Russian “spetsnaz” and had in fact disbanded its own WWII SAS regiment at around the time they joined NATO (many Canadians had also served in WWII as “special forces” in the joint US/Canadian 1st Special Service Force). To fill this role however, the Canadian Armed Forces did employ the more than adequate services of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. Considered by many to be Special Forces in all but name, this unit kept up the proud traditions and high standards of combat skills and fitness of the Canadian Parachute Battalions of WWII. Founded in WWII, the regiment was expected to be able to provide a re-enforced, battalion size rapid reaction force to anywhere in the world at short notice, to assist NATO or the United Nations (UN). In its original conception, soldiers in the regiment would serve short two or three year rotations as a break in their normal service career (as had been the case with many soldiers serving in the SAS), in an attempt to keep the brigade “young” and fitness standard at high levels. Before long the “rapid reaction” concept had been altered and now the regiment was tasked with providing tactical strikes to the enemy as part of a larger battle group (very much in the way that Soviet planners envisioned the role of Russian VDV airborne forces). The regiment would struggle with reshuffles, restructuring and even debate over its name. During the peak cold war years of the 70s it consisted of two separate sub units; one mostly French-speaking Canadians while the other consisted of mainly English-speakers (Canada as a country is bilingual in law, all road signs etc. are in French and English with most English speakers living in the Ontario area and French speakers living in Quebec). Regardless of their structure this para trained formation was one of NATO’s trump cards in any future war with the Warsaw Pact and would continue to operate until the Soviet Union was no more, being disbanded in 1994 after operations in Somalia.
Cold War Canadian kit is a rare sight on the skirmish field and you’d be forgiven for not noticing it. It’s a fairly nondescript olive drab uniform, with a US helmet and a UK or US rifle. Its only real distinguishing feature were the “Canadian buttons”, where a cloth loop replaces stitched holes to secure a button – a feature copied on the British “Soldier 95” uniform. All this changed when the Canadian army threw off its olive drab and began to clad itself in “Cadpat”. Cadpat was one of the first “digital” camo schemes and instantly surpassed all others in NATO trials. Although it was brought into service outside of the cold war years, we mention it here as its early life began in the mid-80s when cold war tensions still ran high.
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
THINKING OF BUYING A NEW LOADOUT? ON A TIGHT BUDGET? USUALLY YOU’D BE RIGHT IN THINKING EBAY IS THE PLACE TO GRAB A BARGAIN BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MILITARY KIT, IT’S REALLY A CASE OF “THE SHOW’S THE THING”, AS GADGE FOUND OUT. ACROSS THE UK HUNDREDS OF MILITARIA fairs take place every year. Some are as little as a handful of small dealers holding stalls at a village 40’s fete, all the way to the other end of the scale with some of the world’s largest kit dealers manning huge stands at legendary shows like War and Peace. On the whole, the “Trade Stand” side of things tend to be a section of a show that’s really intended to focus on family entertainment of the living history kind, the sort of show featuring dozes of re-enactment groups, mock battles and vintage aircraft flypasts but occasionally a show will be focussing on just one thing…. Getting great kit at great prices! This year Airsoft Action went along to one of the country’s biggest militaria fairs at the Stoneleigh Agricultural Showground. Held at the end of January every year the Stoneleigh show (which is also home to the British Shooting Show and British Airsoft Show) plays host to hundreds of traders, large and small, from all across the world. Whether you’re after something as mainstream as an MTP smock, or 64
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as obscure as the buckle from a WWI webbing pouch, you ARE going to find it at Stoneleigh. Put quite simply, the amount of kit on display (and nearly all of it is available at a price) is staggering. Vehicle parts, military books, models kits, Combat clothing, webbing, insignia, blank firing guns, de-acs… even airsoft guns; they’re all there! While many of the specialist traders sell rare and unique kit with a hefty price tag, there are also many vendors selling less exotic surplus at knock down prices. As a good example, my wife was looking for an original WWII women’s ATS cap, which retails around the £160 mark but across the aisle from these expensive vintage titfers was a chap selling genuine UK surplus combat gear at incredibly low prices; £3 for a pair of MTP trousers? Don’t mind if I do sir!
LEARN TO HAGGLE AND SAVE CASH! If you’re prepared to put in the leg work and engage in haggling (oddly as a nation we find haggling a bit embarrassing but many of the traders EXPECT you to start off offering them half of what an item is marked up at!), you can come home
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Feature SOPPING AT SHOWS
with some real steals (and real steels!). As a general rule, the bigger the show and the bigger the attendance, the more likely you are to find a seller who will meet you half way on the price. The less “formal” stands, with piles of kit laid out on the floor, are also more likely to take your “Will you do me these two for a tenner mate?” gambits, than the more organised and well set-up businesses. For the WWII re-enactors out there who don’t want to mess up an original set of US paratrooper fatigues by crawling around your local skirmish site in them, there are also plenty of very good quality repro vendors, who again will usually haggle to a degree. Dealers like Richard Underwood (WWII German kit), Steve Kiddle/Pegasus Militaria (WWI and WWII Brit kit) and, at nearly every big show in the country you can find the
excellent stand run by Soldier of Fortune, who really are the “one stop shop” for pretty much any loadout (and nice guys to chat to, to boot).WWI, WWII, Nam, Modern… you name it, they’ve got it! For collectors of old military tat (like myself) who often game in “retro” uniforms, shows like Stoneleigh are something of a Godsend. They provide a fantastic way of picking up lots of small, hard to find items, without having to pay twenty different companies across the globe silly money in postage for
“MY WIFE WAS LOOKING FOR AN ORIGINAL WWII WOMEN’S ATS CAP, WHICH RETAILS AROUND THE £160 MARK BUT ACROSS THE AISLE FROM THESE EXPENSIVE VINTAGE TITFERS WAS A CHAP SELLING GENUINE UK SURPLUS COMBAT GEAR AT INCREDIBLY LOW PRICES; £3 FOR A PAIR OF MTP TROUSERS? DON’T MIND IF I DO SIR!” a tiny badge or watch strap. Likewise, bulky items can be just flung in the back of the car and then you can get back into the action, whereas ordering a steel helmet from Russia at the moment is plagued with all sorts of problems (postage cost being the least of them) and many companies struggling with trade embargos.
BARGAIN OR RISK? The one downside however is that many shows charge a nominal entry fee and it’s really important to make sure you buy enough items to ensure that this fee doesn’t cancel out any “savings” you may have made. This year I went to the show with the intention of buying items needed to finish of a number of impressions for our popular “Cold War Warriors” column and was delighted to find almost everything I needed to create at least four new instalments of the feature. I was even more delighted when I got home and totted up what I had bought and realised I’d probably saved around £250! The simple fact is that while I wholly endorse online shopping from vendors you can trust (like those advertised in Airsoft Action), if you want hard to find or “retro” items, eBay is usually your only real option and eBay, particularly when buying militaria from overseas, is a risk. The item might not arrive and when it does it might not be quite what you were expecting to receive. It could be damaged, the wrong pattern (a misleading description perhaps) or it might not fit. Add to this you’ve got to pay to have it posted to you and possibly pay
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Feature SOPPING AT SHOWS
MASSIVE SAVINGS!
to post it back if it’s wrong and you might even get stung for Customs and all of a sudden you’ve no longer got a “bargain”. At a show you can get “hands on” with the kit, you can check it for faults, you can try it on (or at the very least hold it up against you to check the leg length etc.), you can compare it with other items on sale and most importantly, you don’t have to pay postage or Customs charges - and you can haggle over the price (which is a fun activity in itself). To give you an example of the kind of savings available at shows like Stoneleigh, Detling Military Odyssey, The Victory Show and War & Peace, I’ve listed the items bought at the show and then listed how much the same item would have cost me on eBay. To make things fair, I took the “average price” these items had gone for in the past, by averaging out the end price of “completed auctions” rather than sway the comparison by choosing a dealer with an unrealistic “buy it now” prices. I’ve also added separately the cost of posting the item to me (where it was possible to work out postage); on the whole though I was overly lenient towards eBay traders as a source but the difference on the wallet is still staggering.
H SHOW IG E L E N O T S MY SHOPPING
£15 ch’ rain cape Soviet ‘Plast ATS Hat £50 Original WWII t ‘kepi’ hat £8 nistan Sovie ha fg A s 0 8 19 £2 iency badge Soviet profic nd belt £15 WWII US Gara trousers £25 G107 sateen O r a W n ea Kor .50 Soviet belt £3 .50 map case £3 East German £3 oviet Y straps Top half of S £12 LICE’ Webbing Set of US ‘A £1 ttle for AK74 Soviet oil bo my cousin! £5 Lego set for orts £3 ll vintage sh WII Khaki Dri £5 AK 47 pouch East German 0 Show Entry £2
L £170 GRAND TOTA
I spent around £150 on kit - but the same items on eBay would have cost me at least £300! Now a 50 per cent saving is good enough but here’s the kicker… let’s add postage. Granted the show cost me £10 to get into (and about £20 in petrol to drive, a cost quartered by car sharing with three friends to make a day out of it… so really about a fiver in petrol) but the minimum postage for my eBay items would have been almost £100 and that didn’t include the US webbing which I couldn’t find a comparable set to compare postage on. So the message clearly is, get out there to your local militaria show. As well as being a great way to buy kit (isn’t that secretly every airsofters second favourite bit of the hobby?) you can also find that most shows have some really interesting re-enactors stands, military vehicles and displays. I was gutted to find out at Stoneleigh I had missed an appearance by Allo Alllo’s Guy Siner as “Leiutenant Gruber”, who was signing autographs and having pictures taken in his stage costume… I didn’t even get to find out if he’d come along to sell his “little tank”! And now the summer is really here and the show season in full swing, well what are you waiting for? Get out there and grab a bargain!
MY ‘VIRTUAL’ ONLINE SHOPPING
Soviet ‘Plastch’ rain cape £20 (postage ran ging from £3 to £20) WWII ATS Hat £125 (£1 0 postage) Afghanistan Soviet ‘Ke pi’ £10 with £10 posta ge) Soviet proficiency ba dge £3 (free postage ) WWII US Garand belt, average price £40 (po stage £15) Korean war OG107 sa teen trousers £18 (po stage £20) Soviet belt £9.99 (£3 postage) East German map ca se £15 (£3 postage) Top half of y straps, hard to quantify, a ful l set can go for £5 – £15 (£5 postage ) Set of US ‘ALICE’ We bbing £30 to purchas e components individually by eBay (postage dif ficult to qu antify but would have been high!) Soviet oil bottle £4 (w ith £8! Postage) Lego set £7 (free posta ge) WWII Khaki Drill short s £25 (£4 postage) East German AK47 po uch £6 (£3 postage)
EBAY GRAND TOTAL £3 07
Plus postage would ha ve been around…..£9 1 and that doesn’t include the we bbing!
TOTAL ‘ONLINE SHOP PING’ OF AT LEAST £4 00!
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HUNTEERING – THE CAMBRIAN CHALLENGE A FEW YEARS AGO, AIRSOFT ACTION contributor Matt Brazil wrote an article about a more niche element of our sport, called “Hunteering”. Played by a dedicated hard core of players, these events took place over anything from 24 to 72hrs at woodland sites. Participants take everything they need into the field and crack-on; come hail, rain or sunshine. For somebody ex-military who likes the Mil-Sim aspect of our sport, this caught my attention and I decided to find out more. Hunteering (as the name suggests) is a combination of “Hunting” and “Orienteering”. You have to negotiate your way to various control points that have been placed by opposing players, while both hunting them and knowing they are hunting you. Very limited ammunition is carried and games are won and lost on single points - as you may only get one shot to tag another player in 24hrs. It sounded like it all made for a very intense and nerve-wracking game. At my local site I’d been running what I termed a Close Quarter Quarry course for players, in an effort to teach them a few of the basic skills taught in the infantry and also a few of the rudimentary elements of a snipers cadre. The idea of CQQ was to get to grip with basic camouflage and concealment, observation, movement and stalking skills. For those that took part it felt like a mini-sniper course, so I was intrigued to read Matt’s article as this seemed to add a place to practise the skills after the course.
RON MAHONEY REPORTS FROM A NICHE EVENT THAT CHALLENGES BOTH THE SKILL AND DETERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANTS TO SUCCEED.
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The following year I went over to Scarborough to meet up with Lee Wade, better known as Phantom on many of the forums. Over the weekend we went over the course that he had developed to get players involved and to join the band of dedicated players known as the 6mm Hunters. They had been at this for years and had developed games such as “Classic Hunteering”, “Cross Country” and “Man-Hunt” events; the latter two don’t even involve the use of guns you may be interested (or shocked) to know. The 6mm Hunter’s ethos is more akin to woodsmen, survivalists, adventurers or mountain walkers than traditional airsoft skirmishers. To try and get more players involved, the idea of organising events at “commercial” woodland venues became a plan that we put a lot of effort into early in 2013; organising six sites that would allow us to use their venue from 12pm on a Saturday to 12pm on Sunday. Using commercial sites came with a price tag and so we knew that we needed a reasonable turnout of 10-12 players to cover the cost of each event. Like many things “Facebook” these days we had a big take-up of airsoft “snipers” who saw this as the ultimate way of testing their skills; however as the first event drew closer and deposits were needed, the oh-so-keen players started to find that they were “washing their hair” that weekend or other excuses. In the end we felt the same 4-5 players would be left holding the tab for the site costs so we binned the idea.
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We still had the idea of spreading the word for this aspect With our marker deployed it was time to think about hiding of the sport but at least now we knew how to factor in the the bergens we were carrying, before we could begin to think “Walter Mitty” element. about the navigation and stalk. We found a spot by a small At the end of last year I got the opportunity to work stream that was pretty secluded. with the Task Force Black Knights Mil-Sim team. One of the My Bergen had a Jack Pyke Light Leaf Camouflage System forestry sites they used in North Wales only charged for each covering it. I laid it down between two fallen trees, covered it of the players that turned up, so they could guarantee a game with foliage and even lifted some old moss covered wood from regardless of numbers. On hearing this my ears pricked up and nearby to blend in with the light green moss covering the fallen so the thought of getting a Hunteering event reared its head again. Soon the dates were chosen and ” PARTICIPANTS TAKE EVERYTHING THEY NEED INTO various posts saw a lot of interest – especially as the whole weekend was just £25. As we counted down AND CRACK-ON; COME HAIL, RAIN OR SUNSHINE.” the weeks our “green light” from Forestry Wales was suddenly a big fat red! They were far behind on their forestry operations and would now be working all trees. Looking back from a few metres back it was hard to Saturdays until the end of May… Bugger! even spot the gap between the trees where the Bergen lay. It With people having taken time off work for this there was perfect – or so I thought! was no way it wasn’t happening. As luck would have it, Mark The routine of the rest of the day was then moving off to Williams from Red Valley came to our rescue and offered us find the markers left by the other players, as well as trying to the use of their site and when the photos came across of this locate them. We chanced our arm with a bold move to crawl fantastic rolling Welsh woodland it looked even better than across the top of a field that could easily silhouette you against traditional forestry block. Game on! the skyline. We were protected by the line of hazel bushes Through the winter we’d developed some biodegradable behind us but as we neared the critical midway point, a number markers that meant at End-Ex you didn’t have to traipse around of wild horses appeared from the dead ground ahead. We the site for half an hour to retrieve your marker from your paused, trying not to alert them as it looked like someone had starting position. With a large site that each of the players was already spooked them in the bottom field. Slowly we inched unfamiliar with this would prove to be useful. As we approached the site I could see this was going to be pretty tough going as the hillside rose away from us. Meeting up with faces old and new at the safe zone the initial banter soon quietened into a routine of prepping yourself and your equipment. For this event the teams would be paired off and with four experienced and four novice hunters the balance couldn’t have been better. I was paired with Graham Tarby Herbert or “Tarby” for short and as we were probably – well let’s just say the two most “mature” players on the field – I was happy that at least we’d probably move at the same pace (not to mention ache about the same time)! The Hunters moved off at fifteen minute intervals so that nobody could watch the exact route you took. The last pair to set off is always the “Counter Hunters”. They don’t place a marker at a control point but earn points by tagging other teams. Using a combination of Google Earth maps and a graphic provided by Mark Williams, our turn to navigate to the position where we would place our marker soon came. The initial pull up the rutted track was hard going but we soon gained ground and found that the site levelled off slightly for a while, allowing the lactic acid in our legs to stop burning. Checking the map we saw it was another climb up to the corner of the field where we would place our marker; hey-ho, onwards and upwards!
THE FIELD
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another team and while Tarby teased them about our position I had doubled back and managed to take both out with my pistol. In the process I’d used a precious six rounds in three “double-taps”. With only 20 rounds for our rifles and 1 pistol mag, every shot counts and I was a bit annoyed that I’d doubletapped twice on the second contact. Having laid up for about an hour to see if our contact noise brought any of the other hunters in, we felt it was safe to move off and start the slow patrol back to our bergens that we’d collect at last light. We were still on the alert following our earlier contact so we took this approach very cautiously. We pulled into a treeline about 300m diagonally from our bergens and we then spent another fifty minutes to an “I SLOWLY TURNED MY FACE TO THE SIDE AND HISSED A FORCE-FULL hour just watching the opposite side “BEAT-IT” AT THE LEAD HORSE WHO WAS SOMEWHAT SHOCKED BY THIS of the field for any activity; apart from TALKING PLANT AND CANTERED BACK TOWARDS THE MAIN GROUP. the occasional Barn Owl that would sweep across the hedges looking for forward towards the dead-ground where we could stand up his evening snack everything was and move to where another marker should be. The horses quiet. It was now “half-light” – darker than twilight but not started to come towards us, we froze and they still carried on yet fully dark and we started the final approach up towards getting closer. One of them was now only about ten feet away, our bergens using the dead ground. We got to about forty I think they were thinking that the grass sticking out of my metres away, where there was a bank of earth. “You stay here boonie hat would make a nice snack. I slowly turned my face to and cover me” I whispered to Tarby “I’ll go in and recover my the side and hissed a force-full “beat-it” at the lead horse who Bergen then we’ll swap.” He took up a firing position and then was somewhat shocked by this talking plant and cantered back I approached the tree line. towards the main group. Knowing that anyone having seen I’d just reached it when I heard a “thup, thup” followed the horses spooked we broke from a “kitten crawl” (where by the “thwack” of a .30g BB into my chest. “Hit!” and arm you edge forward on elbows and push off with your toes) to a raised straight away; I couldn’t see my assailant so I wanted to faster “monkey crawl” (carrying your rifle in your left arm and make damn sure he knew I’d taken the hit. Only chance now running chimpanzee style with your free arm and legs) to get was that Tarby had spotted where the shots had come from into dead ground. and could put a couple of rounds into them. Thankfully all was quiet apart from the sound of Red Kites Now in regular skirmishing this wouldn’t be much of a calling to one another overhead. problem; you’d just hose the undergrowth with dozens if To describe the whole afternoon would probably put the not hundreds of BBs in the hope that you’d tag them. Not so most ardent reader asleep, as these games really do move at with only ten rounds in the magazine; he scanned the woods a slow and deliberate pace. By last light we were feeling quite trying to see anything. It was dark now and the advantage was good about our day; we had managed to get the drop on certainly with our opponents as they were in the pitch black 70
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Event THE CAMBRIAN CHALLENGE
while Tarby, although prone, was lying in a barely light field. A couple more “thup-thup” shots broke the silence and Tarby fired in the direction they had come from but without result. Then three more pistol shots came from two firing points and Tarby was also hit. “Oh dear, what a clever ambush you just sprang!” (or words to that effect) were blurted out from me as Lee and James emerged from the woods. “We’ve been waiting in that position for four hours” (yes reader’s that is 4 HOURS) Lee triumphantly stated “we were beginning to think you weren’t coming back.” But how the hell could they have known!! It turns out Lee and James had located our marker and then dropped back to see if any of the other players would move up. While sitting in ambush Lee had noticed a leaf that didn’t quite look natural about six feet away. He’d moved closer and then spotted about ½ an inch of black plastic and then realised they’d found my bergen. Armed with this knowledge they then decided rather than stalk, they would wait in ambush. Covering the two approaches James had actually been kneeling by a stream and getting wetter as the time went on. They were glad to shake hands and then disappear off into the night. We grabbed our bergens and then headed off to get some food and try to find a spot that we couldn’t be ambushed during the night. The games run for the full twenty four hours and you can be shot while lying in your sleeping bag. In fact as they made their return to where their bergens were stashed, Lee and James had happened upon two other players using one of the site bunkers as cover to grab some food and another precious couple of tags were gained. After a (thankfully) uneventful night, we carried on our routine of locating other markers until it was time for the final target to be called. This was placed by the Counter Hunters
and the location given over the radios. The teams then had an hour and a half to get to that position and score a hit on the target and then get to the finishing line before End-Ex, which was at 13:00 in our case. The approach to the final target saw three teams hitting the same bottle neck and there was a flurry of activity over about an hour period. In all the excitement we managed a couple more “tags” on other players but we got tagged ourselves more than once. As normally happens, we were all converging on the target from the best possible approach and maximising cover. In the end there was so much activity nobody got a chance to take a shot at the target as we’d been effectively cancelling each other out as the clock ticked down to End Ex. Trudging back down to retrieve our bergens there was a huge amount of positivity in the air about how the event had come together. We had proven that we could take the event to an unfamiliar site and still have a great day in the field, giving all the confidence to take the sport to new locations. Back at the safe zone I learned just how unlucky we had been (or how lucky Lee and James had been) to catch that glimpse of black plastic amid a 200 acre site. However that is the dedication and attention to detail that the 6mm Hunters pay to this level of the sport. Was this luck – I suppose it’s like the famous golfer Gary Player once said; “the more I practise, the luckier I get!” There will be further events running in England and Scotland throughout 2015, so for more information on the events, the equipment and the ethos search, for “Hunteering” on Facebook or look up any of “Phantom TMA” videos on YouTube.
“I HEARD A “THUP, THUP” FOLLOWED BY THE “THWACK” OF A .30G BB INTO MY CHEST. “HIT!” AND ARM RAISED STRAIGHT AWAY; I COULDN’T SEE MY ASSAILANT SO I WANTED TO MAKE DAMN SURE HE KNEW I’D TAKEN THE HIT.”
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GET FELL IN!
NIGE WENT ALONG TO A UNIQUE EVENT AT WEST MIDLANDS AIRSOFT, WHERE A GROUP OF TA SOLDIERS WERE RUNNING A TRAINING DAY FOR AIRSOFTERS. IT HAS BEEN SAID, SOMEWHAT harshly in my opinion, that trying to train airsofters is a bit like “herding kittens” - just as you think you’ve got them all together, one jumps out of the box! This is not surprising when you consider how the vast majority of us play the game, either on our own or, at best, with a couple of mates. Sure, there are those that have organised themselves into teams and when you see a wellpracticed, well-drilled (and well-trained) team working together in-game, it is obvious they know what they are doing. Putting all that aside for a moment, we all know in our heart of hearts that if we want to win we cannot do it on our own, we have to emulate what happens in the military and work together to achieve a common goal. That may be storming building, taking a ridge, or simply being the “eyes and ears” but, the bottom line is that most of us play for one thing and one thing only - the sheer buzz and excitement of a firefight! Nothing comes close to the feeling you get when the plastic is flying, your heart is pounding and the endorphins are flowing. So what happens if you take a group of airsofters and hand them over to a team of soldiers and put them through a snapshot training session on how to move and manoeuvre as a team? A few weeks back West Midlands Airsoft ran just such a day, in conjunction with 126 Field Company - 101 Force Support Battalion REME. So far as I am aware, this was the first time that a squad of soldiers had provided a training session to a group of airsofters and, what was even more interesting, the final action of the day would be the Reserves (they are not called the “TA” any more) defending a location against all the airsofters. 126 Field Company is based not far from West Midlands Airsoft, in Coventry and at the start of the day (and following
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an excellent Safety Briefing to everyone) they introduced themselves individually. Some people’s impression of the Reserves is that they are made up of a certain “type” of person, mostly middle-aged, male “wanna-be” soldiers, which believe me, could not be further from the truth. In just this small group of soldiers there were male and female, young and erm… not so young, with experience ranging from just starting out to involvement in some of the biggest conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Each gave a very brief overview of who there were and what they get out of being in the Reserves and the one thing that came across loud and clear, was that they all felt they learned new skills, gained new qualifications and it made them a better person but, best of all, they got paid to do so! Oh… and it was also a lot of fun too! Briefing over, the assembled players were split into two groups and moved off to separate areas of the site. I tagged along with one group and we moved down to a small clearing for a short session on basic patrolling and movement skills. I have always believed that the best training is by demonstration. Let’s face it, if you don’t know what you are supposed to be doing, how are you ever a) going to be able to do it and b) do it correctly? So to kick things off, a small group of soldiers demonstrated a few patrol techniques, including how to both advance and withdraw. Now I don’t know about you but I always find it fascinating to watch when
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you are looking at (what I guess some would call) a “well-oiled machine” in motion. When something has been practised over and over, until it becomes second nature and you don’t have to consciously think about what to do, you just do it, kind of on “auto-pilot”. These guys had obviously been through this drill many times and from the simple “drop to one knee and take up a watch position when you stop”, through to “follow the path of the man in front when moving off the trail”, it was clear that they had done this many times before. Before going any further, I want to take a step back for a moment… As individual players we learn from our mistakes and we find out what works for us, that’s what we tend to use over and again - because it works. The player next to you may have been in an identical situation but found something else worked for them - and that is what they will tend to use. The same situation but two different solutions and each player convinced theirs is the “right” one because it has worked for them in maybe hundreds of games. What military training has done is taken hundreds of years of experience and distilled it down to simple actions that work. OK, we don’t fire longbows at our enemies anymore but today’s weapons are the modern equivalent, so our tactics need to be just as sharp now, as they were then. Watching groups of airsofters copying what they had just seen the Reservists do, it was clear that we have some catching up to do but also (and probably more importantly) we catch on really quickly! Across at the other area, the training was all about advancing to (and withdrawing from) a contact. Half a dozen soldiers had dug themselves in behind defensive positons and players practiced moving forward to contact in line-abreast formation. Then, once contact had been made, practicing how to give covering fire as half the team moved forward and then again as they withdrew. The key here was all about movement and verbal communication, using two simple words “moving” and “covering”. In squads of four, two players would call “moving” and the other two “covering”. The “moving” section would then move forward as the other two players gave “covering”
fire to keep the enemy supressed. Once a few yards in front of the “covering” section, the “moving” players would stop and call “covering”. The “covering” players would then call “moving” and the action would be repeated as first one section, then the other swapped roles and the squad moved forwards as a whole. This would then be repeated as the squad withdrew. Think about it for a moment. How many times have you been in a game where something as simple as this might have made a difference? This was training and under “controlled” circumstances but things would be different after lunch, when all this practice would be put to the test. I am not going to go into too much detail about the West Midlands Airsoft site, as I will most definitely be coming back here to do a full review. Suffice to say that it is a cracking place to play - big enough to get lost in, with loads of features (both natural and man-made) and great topography. The afternoon would see a series of games played across the whole site and included a tremendous “attack and defend” scenario based around the site’s village setting. The Reservists were split between the two sides and is was fascinating to see how they would merge within the teams. To be honest (and not unexpected), they immediately gravitated to each other and formed a squad amongst themselves with other players joining on. It was fascinating to watch the defenders putting up a huge effort only to slowly fall back behind copious amounts of smoke, away from the buildings and barricades, picking off their attackers as they came into a well-laid trap - caught in the cross fire of defenders who had fallen back to flank left and right. Sneaky but very effective! I’ve seen this happen before at MilSim events I have covered but this was the first time I’d seen it in an “open” game and suspected that the “Army guys” had an influence on the outcome! The afternoon continued with a number of other scenarios, including rescuing items from a downed aircraft that had
WHAT MILITARY TRAINING HAS DONE IS TAKEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND DISTILLED IT DOWN TO SIMPLE ACTIONS THAT WORK.” www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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been rigged to blow up (the aircraft, not the items!) and more attack and defend games but the highlight was the final game… Back at the safe zone everyone bombed up and seemingly filled whatever empty space they had left on their rigs with pyro, this was set to be an epic battle… Just 14 Reservists facing an attacking force of about 60 airsofters. Visions of “Rorke’s Drift” came to mind but the soldiers seemed in good heart and spirit as I walked out with them. They took up positon in “The Fort”, a small wooden defensive structure near the top of a slope and surrounded on all sides by plenty of vegetation. The Reserves quickly got themselves organised and some melted away into the shrubbery, while others took up fire positions both in and around the Fort. “Game on” was called and them something quite unexpected happened… it went quiet! I mean really, really quiet - even with my ears out on stalks, I could barely hear any movement, let alone the usual give away of chattering voices! We’ve all been there at some time; knowing what’s about to happen and just waiting for all hell to break loose. The anticipation is almost palpable and all you can do is watch, listen and wait some more. The first indication was a flurry of smoke grenades that came flying over the top of the bushes, followed by a massed attack on the rear-right flank. The defenders were going down rapidly and the situation deteriorated even more rapidly as the second wave of attackers struck from the opposite corner. The defenders quickly reorganised themselves and pulled back into the protection of the Fort, where a perfectly thrown grenade landed amongst them and took out all but two. A few moments later it was all over. With those kind of odds it was always going to be very difficult but in the end, the sheer weight of numbers was just too much to defend against, just like at Rorke’s drift! Back at the safe zone it was just like every other game I have ever been to; the same banter, the same smiles and the same buzz from people who have had a really good day. Had the airsofters learnt anything? I would answer a positive “Yes” to that but I guess the real proof of the pudding will be if they take their knowledge away with them and into other games. I do know that four of them (at least) were so enthused by what they had experienced they are considering signing up to join the Reserves. Maybe this would make a good topic for one of Gadge’s debates but I left with the distinct impression that pretty much everybody got a lot out of the day – and I include the members of 126 Field Company in that statement. If you would like to know more about joining the Reserves, there is loads of information on the Army’s website: www.army.mod.uk For information about 126 Field Company, they can be contacted on: 024 7660 0550. West Midland Airsoft are based in Stafford and can be contacted via their website: www.wmairsoft.co.uk
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SHOOT FAST… DON’T MISS!
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOOTER, MARK HURDING, CONTINUES HIS INTRODUCTION TO THE DISCIPLINES INVOLVED WHEN SHOOTING AIPSC. IN THIS ISSUE WE ARE GOING TO look at some more techniques for shooting AIPSC and in particular: shooting on the move, strong hand and weak hand shooting, shooting from the prone position and barricades. Being able to master the various techniques required for AIPSC, given the many shooting challenges you might be faced with, is invaluable if you are to have a successful AIPSC career. Being able to move through a course of fire with speed, while engaging the targets with a high degree of accuracy is key for a good score and although the scoring system sounds simple (score divided by time), a computer programme (WINMSS) is still required to work out the final positions. It’s therefore not always (mostly never!) possible to know where you are during the competition, so with that in mind then you just need to focus on the following “mantra”…
“Shoot fast... don’t miss!” Practical shooting requires the competitor to move with a loaded gun and be able to shoot on the move, unlike other shooting disciplines where the competitor remains in one place. The first consideration then is of course safety, yours, other competitors and Range Officers and any spectators that may be watching. Always, always have the gun pointing down range - that’s obvious, right? But when you’re on the move and you whizz past a target, miss it, then realizing your mistake
and you track back to engage it, please make sure your gun is still pointing in a safe direction. It can be quite scary seeing a competitor coming back towards you with his loaded gun pointing towards everyone watching and of course it’s an automatic disqualification!! Even very experienced shooters sometimes fall foul of this, it only takes a single lapse in concentration.
SHOOTING ON THE MOVE So, how do you move and shoot and the same time? You can run from one position to another, stop and shoot then run to the next target but stopping and starting like this might not be as quick as it feels. Then again, it’s highly unlikely that you will hit a target if you try to shoot at it while running at the same time, so what’s the answer? Well, there is a technique which is known as “heel toe” and once learned will enable you to improve your speed - and your score. The “heel toe” technique will enable you to walk quickly but stay on target and shoot while moving. A great way to practice this is by getting yourself a small plastic, clear bottle of water that is half full, with marker pen draw a line all the way around the water level, turn it upside down (with the lid on!), hold it “pistol fashion” then walk around with it extended in front of you and see how level you can keep the water while moving. Then just keep practising!
STRONG HAND/WEAK HAND Another very important technique to learn is strong hand and weak hand shooting. In every competition you enter, there is almost always a strong hand or weak hand stage (or both!) Let’s look at strong hand shooting first. Shooting single-handed may not seem that difficult but when you have been used to shooting “freestyle” it can present quite a challenge, especially if you are required to engage multiple targets. The big problem is that under AIPSC rules you are not allowed to support your strong hand in any way (same for weak hand shooting too!) but a good way to ensure you maintain your balance and accuracy (and at the same time ensuring you do not fall foul of the rules), is to place your weak hand (in a fist) against your chest on the opposite side (the same side as the hand the pistol is in). So for righthanded shooters, the left hand would be somewhere near the right shoulder and some shooters will even grasp their shirt to make sure they are in the most comfortable position. Weak-handed shooting can present even more of challenge (unless you practise a lot!). It can be tricky to line up your sights with your dominate eye when the gun is in the other hand, although “canting” the gun to one side (about 45 degrees) 76
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AIPSC INTRODUCTION – PART 4
“KNEE PADS ARE OF COURSE VERY USEFUL IF YOU INTEND TO DROP TO THE FLOOR, WHILE A MORE SEDATE METHOD OF LOWERING YOURSELF DOWN AND USING THE WEAK HAND TO SUPPORT YOURSELF IS ALSO EMPLOYED A LOT – ESPECIALLY BY US OLDER SHOOTERS WITH DODGY KNEES!”
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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AIPSC INTRODUCTION – PART 4
There are dozens of videos online and various instructional DVDs that you can purchase too, all of which will help you improve your technique but there is nothing quite like getting out there and doing it for yourself. Getting some experience under your belt and watching first hand to see how others tackle a problem and whether it worked out well for them. If so, there’s something you can commit to memory and maybe go away and practice yourself.
IPAS & PSP
really helps when shooting weak hand only. Again, practise the technique until it becomes second nature.
SHOOTING PRONE It some competitions you may find yourself needing to “go prone”, i.e. lying on the floor and taking your shots from that position. It is highly likely that the gun will be loaded as you assume the position (and when you get back up again), so be aware of the direction of your pistol so as to maintain range safety. There are number of ways to get into the position and these depend on your physical attributes, knee pads are of course very useful if you intend to drop to the floor, while a more sedate method of lowering yourself down and using the weak hand to support yourself is also employed a lot - especially by us older shooters with dodgy knees!
BARRICADES
As well as AIPSC there are also other action shooting disciplines you may enjoy that will test your skills, in both speed and accuracy. You can use your airsoft pistol or a CO2 multi-shot air pistol, as there are separate divisions for each. Iron Plate Action Shooting (IPAS) is a pure speed shooting event; 5 metal plates that must be engaged as fast as possible with the gun holstered to begin with. Start on the audible single and finish on the stop plate. The competitor with the fastest time wins. A fast draw and a steady nerve are required but with practice some incredibly fast times are achievable. An IPAS competition will contain between 8 to 10 different stages, there is little or no movement required from the competitor apart from drawing the pistol and engaging the five steel plates down range. Speed and accuracy are vital and this is a particularly dynamic shooting event, Practical Speed Plate (PSP) is simply a combination of AIPSC and IPAS. It involves all the skills AND elements of Practical Pistol, such as shooting on the move and barricades but shooting at static steel plates and knock down targets. As in IPAS, your time to complete each stage is your score so it does away with the complicated scoring system of AIPSC and of course, the targets do not require patching. PSP also runs Man v Man stages, with two competitors shooting at the same time. Each competitor has 6 steel knock down plates to shoot at and the winner is the first one to finish. There are also two (and three)-gun events where both pistols and rifles are used on the same stage. As you can imagine, these disciplines are dynamic, exhilarating and a lot of fun to shoot!
Shooting around, over, under or through barricades is part and parcel of shooting AIPSC and they come in many different shapes and sizes. There is no hard and fast rule about what a barricade should look like, it is simply an obstacle that you, the competitor, must decide how best to tackle. Doors, windows and flaps can add excitement and opportunity but make sure you open and close these to see how they work during the walk through because if in your enthusiasm to open it, you push really hard on a door, you want to make sure it’s not going to swing back with equal force as before you pass through it! And, as always, as you go through the course if you push on a flap and your hand goes in front of the muzzle of your pistol… Not good.
THE CHALLENGE There are the many different shooting situations that makes AIPSC Practical Pistol such a challenge and there is no set way to complete a stage. Each shooter gets the opportunity for a “walk through” during the stage briefing so you may see a way of engaging the targets completely differently from the next guy and your way may turn out to be the most efficient and effective way of doing it. Therefore you produce a better score (or maybe even the best score) for that stage... Clever old you! Apertures can cause a few issues, particularly if you shoot in open division. If you sight the target through the aperture with your red dot, make sure the barrel of the pistol is above the bottom edge of the aperture and not slightly below at, as your bbs will simply hit the barricade and bounce back. Of course it takes some experience but in this kind of shooting you need to think about not only what you’re doing but also (and perhaps more importantly), how you are going to shoot the stage and if there is there a way to shoot it faster and get a better a score.
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Unit Tew GL2
Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Unit C1, Northway Trading Estate, Northway Lane, GL20 8JH. United Kingdom. Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8JH. United Kingdom.
Tel +44 (0)1684 273070 Fax +44 (0)1684 273052 Tel +44 (0)1684 273070 Email chris.kong@redwolfairsoft.com Fax +44 (0)1684 273052 Email chris.kong@redwolfairsoft.com
u k . r e d w o l f a i r s o f t . c o m uwww.facebook.com/redwolfuk.retail k . r e d w o l f a www.youtube.com/user/redwolfairsoft i r s o f t . c o m www.facebook.com/redwolfuk.retail
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TRAIN TO THE MAX!
PRO-TACT SHOOTING’S ANDY NIGHTINGALE OUTLINES SOME FUNDAMENTALS THAT WILL HELP YOU IN TRAINING. OUT OF ALL THE PASTIME activities I have done since being a small boy, airsoft has to be in the top three. Not only has it given me many years of fun on the skirmish circuit but it has also given me the opportunity to practice my love of shooting in a safe and professional way. But by far the biggest enjoyment I have got out of airsoft is the chance to develop new shooting skills. Another of my pastimes is studying the development of combative and defensive firearms training programs, from right back when firearms were first used on the battle field, right up to the present day. Airsoft weapons allow me to recreate some of those skills and also to refine some of the old skills taught and used by some of the world’s elite fighting men and women. Airsoft weapons also enable me to practice in the comfort of my home without the danger posed by real firearms. It allows me to concentrate on the skill-set without having to worry too much about safety. Safety, however, is our biggest concern and a skillset that we must master. Just because Airsoft weapons won’t harm someone in the same way real bullets can, we still must be sure of our safe gun handling at all times. Some of my favourite training programs are the basic ones I teach at Pro-Tact to students that have little, or no, previous gun handling skills. It gives me the opportunity to really get to grips with the basic safety and fundamentals without freaking the student out. Keeping safety in mind all the time
“FORGET ALL THAT YOU HAVE NEVER TRAINED IN OR LEARNED ON A TRAINING COURSE. FORGET ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE MOVIES AND IN THE VIDEO GAMES BECAUSE THAT’S THE SORT OF STUFF THAT WILL HAVE YOU HEADING OFF BACK TO THE SAFE ZONE!”
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and treating the airsoft weapon as a real firearm, we can concentrate on more complex motions that we just couldn’t do with real firearms in the UK. The lack of 360 degree ranges, the danger of injury and death associated with live rounds and the time it would take to run live firing exercises in a combative scenario really puts airsoft weaponry and training out in front. So it is with all this in mind that we should embrace the chance to train to the max when the opportunity arises. How we train (and what we train for) depends on our own personal interests. When training for competitions, although speed is probably the most important skill to learn, (apart from safety), you will be pretty much restricted by rules and regulations on what you can and can’t do during your training program. As for combative/defensive types of training, the door is pretty much open for you to develop a whole new world of skills.
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SKILLS UNDERSTANDING TRAINING PROGRAMS
The difference between live fire drills and airsoft drills is minimal. Stoppages are the only things that are different and the way we clear them. The fundamentals of marksmanship, how we hold, aim and fire the weapon, are all the same. When you have decided on the type of combative/defensive training you want to do, the first thing we must master is forgetting. “Forgetting?” Yes, that’s right, forgetting. Forget all that you have never trained in or learned on a training course. Forget all the things you have seen in the movies and in the video games because that’s the sort of stuff that will have you heading off back to the safe zone! When training, if you haven’t already had some form of proper firearms training, you need to start off with a blank canvas. You will need to learn from the beginning and work forwards until you reach your goal. This can be disheartening at times as many of us, me included, want to progress as quickly as possible and get on to the real “black ops”-type skills. You must be patient when starting out. I regularly teach students that have been shooting firearms for many, many years and strip them right back to basics. At times I feel like I am insulting their intelligence and patronising them but when it comes to the end of the program, they have all learned something new or something important that they had forgotten. Take time and care when training and set yourself goals to reach and move on the next one once you have mastered and reached your goal. To achieve your goal you will need all the right tools to be able to win the fight – and not just your weapon. The mind is also a weapon and must be trained in the same way our fitness and weapon handling skills should be... fully! Don’t skip on anything during your training program just because you can already do it or think you can. Shooting, no matter what type, is a perishable skill and regular practice should be done, even if you already know and have mastered a skill, you should still practice the basic stuff. Study and observation of others is another way to train, if you are serious about excelling in performance. Take on board what others around you are doing and decide for yourself if what they are doing is correct and if it will work for you. Don’t just copy someone because it looks cool. Study their skills and criticise everything that they do. This will help you to understand the mechanics of a gun fight. Learn from other’s mistakes. Putting together a training program is simple. First you must know what type of shooting you want to do and the level that you want to achieve. Don’t be too enthusiastic here, you will need to stick to the very basics. You can always put a more complex program together at a later date. The first skill to master is safety and no other training should take place until you have done so. Once safety is mastered you must continue to apply this to all your future training sessions and never relax them. With safety fully ingrained in the mind and your training programs you can move on to the basic
fundamentals. For most of us it seems like second nature to pick up a gun point it at a target and pull the trigger but not many of us really got the chance to learn how to fire a gun properly. If you have ever fired a real firearm, you will appreciate the importance of gun control. The gun wants to do many things when you fire it – most notably jump right out of your grip during the firing sequence. This in turn will lead to missing the target and airsoft is no exception. Although the ballistics is minimal and the recoil light we still need to manage the effects of recoil as best we can to hit our target with any degree of accuracy. This is where fundamentals come into play, practice and master the basic fundamentals of marksmanship before moving on to the next step in your training. You will need to plan your training program in phases or progressive steps and move from one to the other as you
“THE MIND IS ALSO A WEAPON AND MUST BE TRAINED IN THE SAME WAY OUR FITNESS AND WEAPON HANDLING SKILLS SHOULD BE... FULLY!” master them. Keep it realistic. Diving and rolling about the floor is Hollywood material. The most effective shooting skills are the simplest ones. So keep it simple and to the point. Repetition is also a key element in training so you will want plenty of time to practice. I have attended many training sessions where we were rushed through the program because we were limited to time. This was not what we paid our money for as we ended up learning only a fraction of what was taught due to information overload. Set yourself a realistic time frame for your training sessions and use all that time to practice and don’t just use it to stand around talking and showing off your shiny new toy, there’s plenty of time for that later. When you have completed one phase in your training and go on to another don’t neglect what you have already learned. It must be incorporated into your next training phase. Continue until you have reached your goal. Then and only then can you progress onto further training and your next goal. Stay safe and happy shooting.
Pro-Tact run firearms courses specially designed for the Airsoft skirmish community and private security forces. For more information on training courses run by Pro-Tact contact them via email: protactshooting@gmai.com or phone 07788501184
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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Kit KIT & KABOODLE
KIT & KABOODLE
ONCE AGAIN, RICHARD BELL BRINGS US HIS MONTHLY ROUND UP OF THE KIT THAT’S CAUGHT HIS EYE
Haley Strategic Partners – “Flat Pack Expandable Compact Assault Pack” Salomon Forces – “XA Pro 3D Forces Footwear” Earlier this year Salomon released their new range of “Forces” foot wear. There are a variety of models in the range: XA Pro 3D Low-cut, XA PRO 3D Mid-cut, QUEST 4D, TOUNDRA MID WP and SPEEDCROSS. The model pictured is the XA Pro 3D Low-cut and are non-GTX (Gortex/waterproof) model which are ideal for everyday use; however various models do come with a waterproof lining. The “Forces” range is very similar to the civilian models that are available from Salomon but with colours called Iguana green, Asphalt, Autobahn and Nile green as well as your standard Black and Khaki, which are aimed more at the military/tactical user. Each model has a number of great features and the model pictured is very comfortable, lightweight and sturdy and I already have my eyes on a pair of Mid-cut. Retailer: www.armamat.com
Haley Strategic Partners have recently released the much anticipated (and much needed) pack for integration to their very popular fixed pouch chest rig systems (D3CR + D3CR-H). The “Flat Pack Expandable Compact Assault Pack” can be used as a standalone pack, married with the D3CR systems, or attached to a MOLLE/PALS compatible Plate Carrier. When fully collapsed it has the carry capacity of 4L but when fully expanded can be increased to 11+ L, has 3 primary pockets excluding the hydration bladder pouch and port (this can carry either 1L or 2L bladder). It is currently available in Ranger Green, Multicam, Black or Coyote Brown but they have hinted that a future model could be in their “Disruptive Grey”. As you can see it has a huge amount of versatility for a user, from everyday use to more active tactical based needs. Retailer: www.landwarriorairsoft.com
Ferro Concepts – “Slingster” sling The Ferro Concepts “Slingster” is the updated version of their previous and popular sling. It has a number of similar attributes to its predecessor being lightweight, comfortable and versatile but now it includes an adjustable pad, larger rubber pull tab and has the ability (hardware required) to be both a 2-point and 1-point sling. This system is available in Multicam, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown and Black. Ferro Concepts have used top of the line hardware, materials and the construction is second to none, again showing us why this small Canadian company is becoming a successful global player in the military and tactical kit market. Retailer: www.hueys.co.uk
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NO SUPPORT, NO BACK UP AND NO TEAM TO RELY ON. PAUL YELLAND WRITES ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES OF PLAYING A LONE ROLE
LONE OPERATOR TEAMWORK IS A BIG PART OF AIRSOFT, with many groups of airsofters having formed teams to play at various skirmish sites within the UK and across the globe. But what if you are not in a team? If you turn up to an event on your own, can you be just as effective and hard-hitting as the different groups of strangers who are kitting up around you? Why of course you can! Operating on your own requires a different state of mind from when you are skirmishing as part of a team. On your own, there is nobody else for you to rely on for motivation or making decisions. Neither is there anyone with you to watch your back and cover you when moving under fire. You have to carry all of the equipment which is required for the task - and become resilient to the conditions that you find yourself in. On a personal note, I really enjoy working on my own, as I find it far more challenging. Although sometimes difficult, there are certain benefits to skirmishing in this way. Firstly, one person is harder to find than a group, so you will not be as obvious to the enemy team. Secondly, you can choose how you achieve the objective – ambush, pyro, knife, or you can try to avoid contact with the enemy in an attempt to covertly get the job done.
FITNESS TRAINING
Running is a great way to improve your fitness
There is a very fine line between trying to improve your ability and taking things too seriously. I try not to cross this line but I cannot see any harm in trying to improve your fitness and skills, just as you would do for any other hobby. Before starting any fitness training programme, it is advisable to consult your doctor and also get some advice from a qualified fitness instructor. I was inspired by military styles of fitness training, so I started to undertake a mixture of running (road and cross country), load carrying over Dartmoor and circuit training. There are plenty of fitness training programmes available but the ones that I enjoyed following were found on the British Army website (army. Load carrying will improve mod.uk) and from the book titled strength and endurance “Fighting Fit – The Complete SAS Fitness Training Guide”, which is written by Adrian Weale. As your fitness improves, you will find that when skirmishing, you will be able to do more due to not feeling so knackered after walking up a hill or running in kit.
skills which are useful include first aid and survival. The Soldier’s Pocket Book is a very good guide on the subject of field craft, whilst the Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide, written by John Wiseman is a great book about survival.
ROLES
Keep your field craft skills sharp
As an individual, you will have the flexibility to take on varying roles depending on the type of scenario that you are faced with. This will depend largely on what equipment and weapons that you have at your disposal but can include basic assault, sniper, reconnaissance and surveillance. It is not just a case of dressing up to look the part and having all of the gear, you need to learn and practice the specific skills required for each role. There are some excellent military training manuals available to purchase through places such as Amazon but just by reading a book about a subject will not make you any good at it. You need to get out onto the ground and practice. It could be that you spend a few hours rehearsing basic patrol and contact drills at your local site, or sharpen your camouflage and surveillance skills by taking your optics out into the woods and observing the wildlife. Once, whilst I was practicing my concealment and observation techniques in some woods, a deer broke cover and walked right passed me – almost within touching distance. The wild animal was completely unaware of my presence. This encounter was a true test to the effectiveness of my field craft. I was doing nothing special to allow this to happen, only observing the basic rules of camouflage and concealment. This also confirmed that if I could remain undetected by a normally nervous and illusive deer, then I would be able to use the same skills to remain unseen by my chosen human subjects, even at close quarters.
EQUIPMENT The load that you carry will depend on your assumed role, duration of the event and the task in hand. As a minimum, you are going to need to carry magazines and a water bottle, so will require something to carry the items in. The choice of load carrying systems is huge and is purely down to personal
THE BASICS Follow a good training program like this one
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Your ability to work effectively by yourself depends on being capable on many fronts, starting with field craft. This core skill is vital to master if you are going to stand any chance of surviving on your own. Practice camouflage and concealment methods and start to understand the basic principles of what you are trying to achieve. Sometimes, remaining hidden and unseen by the enemy is the most effective weapon to use. Also, tactical movement and navigation are important subjects to learn as this knowledge will help you to decide on the best route to follow whilst you avoid becoming a target. Other basic
“THERE IS A VERY FINE LINE BETWEEN TRYING TO IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY AND TAKING THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY. I TRY NOT TO CROSS THIS LINE BUT I CANNOT SEE ANY HARM IN TRYING TO IMPROVE YOUR FITNESS AND SKILLS, JUST AS YOU WOULD DO FOR ANY OTHER HOBBY. ”
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Survival LONE OPERATOR
1. PLCE webbing 2. Magazines 3. Weapon cleaning kit 4. Plastic bag S. Comms cord 6. Carabiner 7. Cyalumes 8. Head torch / spare batteries 9. Binoculars 10. Blacktape 11. Crusader stove 12. Hexi blocks, Iighter and matches 13. MRE’s 14. Spoon 15. 58 pattern mug 16. Brew klt 17. Water bottle 18. Chocolate bars 19. Grenades 20. Medical Kit 21. Wire cutters 22. Folding saw
preference. I tend to use PLCE belt kit to carry ammo, water, food and medical items. Larger pieces of equipment such as optics, ropes and pyro systems are carried in a patrol pack which can be easily removed when needed.
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF When on your own for the duration of the skirmish, you will not have team mates to make sure that you are okay, so if you do have an accident or become unwell then nobody will know. There is nothing wrong with hooking up with a friendly team and telling them where you are planning to go. Also, the team may be able to update you on the status of the game. A PMR (radio) is a really useful piece of kit to invest in as it will allow you to keep in touch with friendly forces. The radio will also give you a means of contacting the site marshals should the need arise. On larger sites where radio signal strength can vary, also consider carrying a whistle which you can blow to attract the attention of the marshals and other players should you get into difficulties. As well as communication equipment, you might want to carry a small first aid kit which is capable of dealing with minor wounds. The kit should also contain any medications that you have been prescribed for conditions such as asthma. Being in the middle of a wood, on your own whilst suffering from an asthma attack is the wrong time to discover that you have not got your inhaler!
Radio sets are a must for staying in contact
SPECIALIST SKILLS Specialist skills such as infiltration and surveillance will only be effective if the operator has a sound understanding of basic field craft. If this foundation knowledge is flawed, then any advanced skills that are attempted will be weak in execution.
INFILTRATION Infiltrating an enemy position requires stealth and nerve As I mentioned earlier, one person is less detectable than a group, so the lone operator has the advantage. The operator can move silently across ground, at a speed and direction of their choice. Along rivers, through forests and up or down steep hillsides, any fitness training that the individual has undertaken prior to this “operation” will prove its benefits here. You can be fast when the enemy is slow and will have the ability to strike at them by infiltrating areas which are under their control. Stealth and nerve are the keys to getting closer to your target, which will give you the opportunity to bring the fight to their front door.
If you have received the correct training, specialist skills such as abseiling can be used
Infiltrating an enemy position requires stealth and nerve
If you suffer from asthma, don’t forget your inhaler!
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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Survival LONE OPERATOR
SABOTAGE AND DISRUPTION
Remote controlled ignition units such as this one can be used to fire pyrotechnics during an ambush
This is when you get to cause chaos and confusion, perhaps by launching a diversionary attack while your main force assaults the primary target. You could also disrupt enemy movements by carrying out ambushes. An ambush will be more effective if your targets are channelled into the killing ground. The best way to achieve this is by identifying a pinch point, such as where The blank firing trip wire mine a bridge crosses a river, or by locating a section of track which has high banks or other impassable obstacles on either side of it. Chose the moment to initiate the ambush well to ensure maximum casualties are inflicted on the enemy. The advance of the opposing team can be further hindered by placing pyrotechnic charges along routes or in buildings that you suspect the enemy to use. There are many safe ways to detonate mil-sim pyros, including remote control and tripwire. Always use approved pyrotechnics and seek the advice of the site marshals if you have any queries before using them. Never try to alter or customise pyrotechnics, as they have been designed to be as safe as possible and manufactured using strict quality controls. Also, remember that pyrotechnics are explosives which can cause injury if not used with care.
“A DEER BROKE COVER AND WALKED RIGHT PASSED ME – ALMOST WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE. THE WILD ANIMAL WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF MY PRESENCE. THIS ENCOUNTER WAS A TRUE TEST TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MY FIELD CRAFT.”
FIRE POWER When it comes to fire power, as a lone operative you really do need to be capable of punching above your weight. There will need to be a trade-off between the ability to move quickly and the types of weaponry that you carry. Using an M16 with adequate amounts of ammunition will keep you light and mobile, especially when negotiating obstacles. However, a heavier weapon such as the M249 would be more effective in suppressing targets but carrying it would make movement slower and at times, clumsy. Grenade launchers can be carried, such as the M203. When fitted to the M16, it will make those more up close and personal engagements with the enemy somewhat more unpleasant for them. Sniper rifles will give you that extra range, allowing you to engage targets which are further away. The down side with a sniper rifle is their low rate of fire and at close quarters you could find your position quickly overrun as the enemy rushes you. Consider carrying a small assault rifle or a sub machine Choose your weapons wisely
SURVEILLANCE When carrying out surveillance, you become the eyes and ears for the other players on your side. The emphasis for you now is not to engage the enemy, but to watch them covertly from an observation post (OP) in a bid to gather intelligence. It takes a great deal of personal discipline to undertake surveillance work. As well as the physical discomforts such as the cramp that is suffered by laying still for long periods of time, mental fatigue is also an obstacle that must be overcome. You need to remain mentally switched on when in the OP, which becomes difficult after laying on the ground for hours whilst waiting for the target to appear. You also need to be aware of the constant threat of being discovered by the opposing force.
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5. Sand bag 6. Spotting scope 7. Radio 8. Night vision scope
9. Rations 10. Thermos flasks 11. Warm clothing 12. Kip mat
13. Assault rifle 14. Grenade launcher
gun in addition to the sniper rifle which can be used when the fighting gets very close. Pistols are great to carry as a backup, just in case your primary weapon breaks, or you manage to run out of ammunition. Pistols, however are easily lost and tend to drop out of holsters when diving around on the ground. Try using a lanyard to attach the pistol to your kit, as this will solve the problem. Pyrotechnics are a must! Fragmentation grenades are best carried – as many as you can. Carry smoke grenades as well. Smoke can be used to screen your movements when under fire. The only down side to using pyros when on your own, is that you have to stop firing your weapon before you throw them. Not having a buddy to give you covering fire as you lob the grenade can make you vulnerable to being shot by an unsuppressed enemy. Try to avoid being tied down in prolonged firefights as this will just use up your ammo and it won’t take long for the other side to turn the tables, as you will soon become out numbered. Operating on your own is a true test of spirit and determination, with your nerve and stamina being pushed to their limits. To succeed, you must be resourceful and adaptable to any situation, with an appetite to wreak havoc wherever you can cause it!
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“BILLY THE ASSASSIN” SNIPER ONE, DAN MILLS, WRITES ABOUT A SNIPER WHO’S MILITARY CAREER ONLY STARTED BECAUSE A RECRUITING SERGEANT SAW BEYOND HIS ETHNICITY. BILLY SING WAS BORN THE SON of a Chinese Father and English mother in Australia on 2nd March 1886 in Clermont, Queensland and grew up alongside two siblings on the family farm. As he grew up Sing became well known for kangaroo shooting as well as a competition shooter, being a member of the local club, Proserpine Rifle Club. He grew up working as stockman, timber hauler and picked sugar cane to get by until the outset of the Great War. Two months after the war’s outbreak, Sing enlisted into the AIF, the Australian Imperial Force. Back then life was hard for the Chinese in Australia and he fought against much prejudice and he only made it through to enlistment due to a recruiting sergeant turning a blind eye to the “Chinese part” of him! Because of prejudice only those of European ancestry were generally considered suitable for Australian military service. So on the 24th of October 1914 William Edward Sing
“Chatham’s Post”, named after an officer of the Light Horse. Sing used the SMLE 1908 Lee Enfield standard rifle of the time, without any scope fitted, so basically used a regular rifle’s iron sights to shoot with. Once he had settled down into his task he was given the nickname “Assassin”, it was known that he was very judicious in his target selection, he would not shoot at any stretcher bearers or medical aid personnel. At the other end of the scale he would comment about an injured soldier lying wounded and abandoned perhaps in “No Man’s Land”, then shoot them dead to relieve their suffering. At some point he held the nickname of “Murderer”, perhaps due to some callous comments he had made when shooting his enemy. For certain his name was passed about at General level, he became “Mentioned in Despatches” several times and his skill was mentioned in a comment to Lord Kitchener, most certainly in a good light and as an example. Unbelievably when he first deployed he did so without having had the chance to “zero” his weapon properly, this he only managed to “BILLY FOUND HIS SIGHT PICTURE FILLED WITH ABDUL. WITH do whilst out stalking, by a process of trial and BOTH LOOKING AT EACH OTHER TRYING TO REMAIN UNSEEN, error. Therefore after each shot he would alter BOTH WENT THROUGH THEIR OWN SEQUENCE OF FIRING. SING his sight settings until he was regularly hitting his target and therefore was “on”. RELEASED HIS SHOT FIRST, KILLING ABDUL THE TERRIBLE.” The Gallipoli Campaign is well recorded to have been a disaster but whilst battened down became 355A Trooper W.E Sing of the 5th Australian Light in static trench warfare we have seen typical of the Great War, Horse Regiment. it was stories such as the likes of Billy Sing’s exploits that helped Billy Sing was sent off to join the ANZAC forces building up to raise the low morale amongst the troops. Each day his tally in the Gallipoli Campaign, an apparent sniper’s paradise due to would be passed around the lines; “Billy got two today!” Word the fact that positions on both sides overlooked each other’s of the tragic toll Sing was taking did not go unnoticed on he trench systems, proving fruitful when observing for opportunity Turk side either, it was said “the widows were wailing back targets. Both sides quickly saw the value of these skilled home”, down to sniper Billy Sing! So much so, that Turkish craftsmen and swiftly employed them, sending out their best sniping hero “Abdul the Terrible” was sent out to hunt Sing shots to stalk and snipe those opposing them. down and destroy him. After some time Turkish soldiers could Sing soon became well known as a crack shot. He determine which shooter was Billy from experience, when this operated from several final fire positions in the area known as happened the information was passed to Abdul, who then acted on it. Billy Sing and Spotter The Turkish sniper had worked out from angle of entry, position and so forth that his enemy, Billy Sing was predominantly using the area of Chatham’s Post to shoot from and stalked into a firing position. Some days later Sing’s spotter gave a target indication to Billy and, on setting up in the general direction from which he intended to identify then shoot the new indicated target, Billy found his sight picture filled with Abdul. With both looking at each other trying to remain unseen, both went through their own sequence of firing. Sing released his shot first killing, Abdul the Terrible. More news to raise the morale of the beleaguered troops and much more sorrow for the hated Turks. On March 10th 1916 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, his citation reading: “For conspicuous gallantry from May to September, 1915, 88
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Sniper WILLIAM EDWARD SING, DCM
” Captured Turk Sniper
at Anzac, as a sniper. His courage and skill were most marked, and he was responsible for a very large number of casualties among the enemy, no risk being too great for him to take.” As well as medallic recognition he was also mentioned regularly in both British and Australian newspapers. Billy himself would go on to be injured many times whilst out sniping. The first time he got hit was when a round deflected off his spotter’s telescope, striking Billy in the shoulder. Sing was fit for service after about one week’s recovery though he lost his spotter who was sent back to Australia to recover from hand and facial injuries. Normal medical problems associated with living rough, diet, soldiering, trench warfare also took their toll. Influenza hit home and knocked him out of action for four days, various other illnesses caused Billy to be confined to a hospital warship, taking him out of the line and his unit, to Egypt. It was there in Egypt, after recovering from mumps that Billy Sing transferred to the 31st Infantry Battalion, AIF at Tel el Kibir. It was now July 1916 and he sailed to England for training and preparations
for service on the Western Front in W.E. Sing DCM France and Belgium, possibly the reason for his transfer. Whilst sniping on the Western Front he was again wounded several times, this time whilst recovering in Scotland he met and married his wife, a waitress named Elizabeth Stewart. At this time Sing had been recommended for awards and commendations numerous times. He led a small unit action in the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917, in charge of a counter-sniping unit attack and for this action he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre by the Belgians. He was also nominated for the Military Medal but never received it. At this stage of the war Billy was suffering from many old wounds, most notably a leg wound but in particular lung disease, due to his exposure to one of the newest methods of warfare, gas. This finally brought his soldiering career to an end. His final recorded confirmed tally was 150 kills, although there have been several records of unconfirmed kill tallies by senior officers levelled at 201 and 300. Billy Sing was sent home to Australia, he sailed back during July 1918 as a guard on a submarine, another new weapon of war. On demob his notes recorded he suffered from wounds to his chest, back, leg, heart and the lungs from gas. He was not in a good way though it stated his health was ‘Good’ on his records! Despite his military fame, during difficult times after returning to Australia time quickly moved on and he was soon forgotten. William Edward Sing died a pauper from a ruptured heart, alone in a mining hovel in Brisbane. His wife had either left him or had not travelled to Australia to settle with him there. Billy Sing Memorial
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THE FALL OF
FORT EBEN EMAEL: THE FIRST GLIDER BORNE ASSAULT IN HISTORY IN THE SECOND OF HIS NEW SERIES LOOKING AT FAMOUS MISSIONS THAT COULD MAKE A GREAT AIRSOFT SCENARIO, BILLY BASICS TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO A RAID THAT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND I WAS AT A MEETING only a few days ago and the message that was being rammed down our throats was “Communication is key”, jeepers it was dull but a message that I heartily agree with by the way. But little did the super dull fella talking at me know, despite the fact that I was nodding and looking his way, my eyes were ever so slightly unfocussed and I was in fact thinking about the piece I was just about to write for this month’s edition of Ed’s marvellous magazine. An audacious, well executed plan undertaken by fit young men who had practised until they could do it in their sleep - and one in which communication played a decisive factor. Now I did say that I wasn’t going to concentrate just on our brave boys in the British Army and, true to my word, this is about the assault on Fort Eben Mael in Belgium, by German Paratroopers on 10th May 1940. Fort Eben Mael was part of a defensive string of “super fortresses” along the Maginot line, keeping France-Belgium on one side apart from Germany on the other, with poor old Holland at the top feeling rather exposed. After WW1, the Belgians decided to build a series of
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these impregnable (or so they thought) super forts that would prove a blocker to any German advances and to give the Allies a chance to assemble behind them and to give them an allimportant time window to prepare their counter attack. Fort Eben Mael was positioned to cover a series of bridges between Maastricht to the north and Liege to the south, over which is was thought that the German Army would roll into Belgium on its way to Paris and conquering Europe. The fort would be alerted that the invasion was on, it would destroy the bridges and it would then hold out as long as possible, while blasting anything it could see with a German flag on it until they were relieved. Now this thing was absolutely massive, the top alone was the size of 13 football pitches and covered in grass. It was surrounded by un-scalable anti-tank ditches and canals and rivers. On each corner was a bloody great concrete block, with slit windows, bristling with machine guns and canons. Fields of fire were interlocking and connected so that an attack on one could be covered by another 300-400 metres away. All the natural cover had been stripped away, so there was nowhere for the assaulters to shelter. On the flanks were vast gun emplacements reminiscent of The Guns of Navarone (Google it, it’s an awesome movie) and within the fort itself were up to 800 men, ranging from armourers, officers, SNCOs, gun layers, a chaplain, secretaries
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Famous Missions FORT EBEN EMAEL
but, crucially, not that many trained signallers (I hope I am “How do we break in once we’re on the roof?” The top of the not giving too much away here). A network of tunnels and fort was covered by Cupolas made of solid steel and concrete staircases, trolley systems, lifts, steel doors connected everyone that would be unbreakable even by direct hit from a Stuka dive together. bomber, so even if the Paratroopers landed on the top, what And yet…. morale within the fort was rock bottom. I mean was he expecting them to do? it sounds like a laugh, sitting in an impregnable fortress with a In secret the German boffins had invented the “shaped tonne of ammunition, just waiting to give the arrogant German hollow charge” and the Paratroopers, once they were on the Army a bloody nose when they rolled across your border. Who wouldn’t take some pleasure in “IN FRUSTRATION SOME OF THE FORT’S GUNNERS BEGAN FIRING BLANKS that? After all, the whole world TO ALERT THE SURROUNDING UNITS WHAT WAS HAPPENING BUT, IN TRUE knew they were going to do it. BENNY HILL FASHION, THE BLANKS SET FIRE TO THE CAM NETS AND SO But things were not all so pleasant under the turf of Eben THE OBSERVERS COULDN’T SEE OUT OF THE OBSERVATION CUPOLAS!” Mael. The concrete they had used in construction was a poor quality and as a result it was damp and crumbly. Many of the lads top of the fort, would (if they could get them in position) were suffering chest complaints inside the dark, dank tunnels. break open the fort roof and allow them to disable the guns. Meanwhile Adolf Hitler had tasked one of his top Generals to The shaped charges had never been used before but once deal with Eben Mael - and he had a plan up his sleeve. the Paratroopers were shown the destructive force at their Lt. General Kurt Student was a keen glider pilot (in civvy fingertips, they were itching to get on with it. street) and he decided to put this to good use. Now Germany At 01:45 on the 10th of May 1940 the Paratroopers were was not allowed to have an Air Force (after their misbehaviour roused from their beds, breakfasted, checked their 50Kg of WW1) but they were not forbidden from practising gliding, shaped charges and boarded the gliders before they swept into so Hitler assembled the nation’s gliding champions and set the sky above Germany, heading for Belgium. them the task of doing a feasibility study of landing a force on the roof of Eben Mael. After a few months of practising (and a few nearly fatal accidents), they reported back to the Fuhrer that they could in fact land up to 13 gliders on the top of the fort. Meanwhile, back in the fort the lads were bored and irritated, they were subject to numerous drills and false alarms to test their response and they were starting to ignore the sirens and drills and get sloppy. Leave was cancelled and, unlike the other forts that were near to lively cities, around Eben Mael there was nothing to do. The fort was short of people too and so in typical Army fashion, when a call for manpower was sent out units locally would send their feckless, workshy troublemakers that they wanted to get rid of. So a pretty lousy team in defence was being assembled by the Belgians and add to this the curious fact that half Belgians speak French and the other half Flemish, it’s all heading downhill quickly. The OC was a pressed man (he didn’t want the job) and some of his officers were Reservist and not very popular. Back in the German dressing room spirits were high and The Fuhrer finally revealed his secret weapon to solve a problem that had been vexing the assaulters since the planning started;
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Famous Missions FORT EBEN EMAEL
When the alert was sounded that something was going on, the inept command group within the fort panicked and ordered every free hand to rush to the fort entrance and empty a couple of buildings that were outside, so that they could be raised to the ground, in order that it wouldn’t provide cover for enemy troops. As a result of this decision most of the positions were chronically undermanned when the Germans struck. The forts appalling comms set up (they were lacking adequate properly trained signallers and those they did have were emptying the blocks outside) meant that the defenders were unaware of what was going on around them, or on the roof. In frustration some of the fort’s gunners began firing blanks to alert the surrounding units what was happening but, in true Benny Hill fashion, the blanks set fire to the cam nets and so the observers couldn’t see out of the observation cupolas! As the German gliders came into land one by one, with astonishing accuracy and sometimes as little as 10 metres from their targets, the Paratroopers leapt out and manhandled their 50 kg shaped charges onto the armoured cupolas. One of the threats that the pilots and planners had been most worried about was the number of pintel-mounted machine guns, dug in and that would have raked the slow moving gliders with gun fire, finishing off the Paratroopers inside before they’d even set foot on the grassy top. One of the only signals, fatally, that did find its way through to the defenders was to “Hold Fire, we think it’s a British Rescue party!” so it was not until it was too late and the weapons were unusable against ground troops did they realise their error. One of the gliders landed so close anyway that it chopped the barrels off all of the guns in one position. By 06:00 the grassy top was covered in German Paratroopers who were engaged in light small arms fire with the defenders. One by one however, the 50Kg shaped charges were positioned and initiated, sending devastating shockwaves through the fort’s structure, killing men inside (and a couple of the assaulters) with a mixture of flying concrete and blasting pressure shock waves that popped anything with air in it, including lungs and other internal organs.
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As panic spread through the dark, dank tunnels of the Eben Emael the defenders realised that resistance was futile. The Germans had been aided enormously by the sloppy drills of the Belgians, all the gun layers, armourers had been humping boxes about, away from their posts and they had been utterly outmatched by an innovative, motivated force that communicated and had the skills and drills required. And the rest, as they say, is History…
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ROYAL ENGINEER TUNNELLING COMPANIES were formed to dig tunnels under enemy lines during the Great War. They were specialist units created as a means of breaking the trench stalemate that the war had become. The static method of warfare saw mining and tunnelling emerge into military use once more as a military tactic. Like siege warfare, mining was again used due to the nature of the fighting. First used by Imperial Germany towards the end of 1914, when the Germans exploded numerous mines after digging tunnels extensively underneath the trench systems of the Indian Brigade. They had secretly dug and placed up to ten mines of approximately 100lbs of explosive material, after detonation the massed German Infantry sprinted across No Man’s Land into what was the British Line. They needn’t have bothered, the 800-man Indian Garrison had disappeared, obliterated in seconds. As a direct result of this costly experience, in early 1915 RE tunnelling companies were formed and placed under command of British Army Major and Member of Parliament, John Norton-Griffiths. Norton-Griffiths had his own civil engineering company and noticed that the methods used by his company employees to dig sewage pipelines and tunnels through the clay would be of similar use in the terrain on the Western Front, he duly wrote a letter to command stating the fact, which was duly “noted and filed”. However, after the Major John Norton-Griffiths wake-up experience of the Indian Brigade the
HILL 60
THE FIRST BRITISH MINING OPERATION ON THE WESTERN FRONT CONTINUING HIS JOURNEY THROUGH THE GREAT WAR, DAN MILLS WRITES ABOUT AN EVENT THAT, QUITE LITERALLY, SHOOK THE EARTH.
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letter and the Major was duly summoned and the tunnel units were “born”, mostly from civilian industry that used miners as a work force. Once he had the green light, Norton-Griffiths returned to his company and made his staff redundant. Four days later they were stood, in uniform, no longer civilians, on the Western Front! The first few RE tunnelling companies numbered from 170 to 178. These were each commanded by a regular officer and consisted of 5 officers and 269 sappers and each company had a contingent of “PBI” (Poor Bloody Infantry) to use as labour, sentries and later as it developed, to fight the war underground. These men, often well above the normal age requirement, brought with them their own industry expertise and with their well-known method of digging, known as “clay-kicking”, they quickly dug through the clay underground at a rate of 8 metres a day, compared to the German 2 metres, some achievement. A typical “Clay Kicking” team consisted of 3 men; one man, the “Kicker”, sat on a wooden crucifix-type device did the actual digging. With a shovel between his legs he forced the tool forward into the clay wall with a kick, then tipped the deposit below on to the ground. Beneath him lay the “Bagger” who gathered into him all the spoil and placed it into bags. He then passed these to the “Trapper”, who piled the heavilyladen bags onto a trap/tram-type system from where it was hauled back along the tunnels to be disposed of. This whole system operated not unlike the tunnel system seen in the classic film “The Great Escape”.
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WW1 HILL 60
THE FIRST ACTION – HILL 60 IN THE YPRES SALIENT, APRIL 1915 First deployed in the Ypres Salient, the tunneller’s laid six mines leading up to the 10th of April 1915. These mines were then packed tight with approximately 10,000lbs of ammonal explosives. At a given signal the charge was pressed and the resulting explosions ripped Hill 60 apart, flinging men, earth, concrete and flame some 300ft into the air. Many, many German soldiers were disintegrated in seconds. Numbers of them ran away in fear for their lives, having never witnessed such horror before. The positon and its garrison literally disappeared in ten seconds of exploding hell, there were even casualties amongst the watching British who were massed ready to rush over the top and seven were killed. The British Infantry quickly, without opposition took the Hill, though several days later the German counter attack retook the area which had been captured. The example of how the new method of mine warfare could be used successfully to counter the German threat proved its worth and more companies were ordered to be formed. By mid-1916 up to a quarter of a million men were employed within these specialist companies. Having proved their worth Major NG handed over command and returned to Parliament, leaving behind his plans for mine warfare which would be put to good use later in the war, particularly at Messines. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his efforts and promoted to half Colonel. There soon developed a labyrinth of tunnels within a cat and mouse-like game of tunnelling and methods of countertunnelling. As the tactics and counter-tactics used against each opposing foe bore less fruit, others were introduced. The depth at which the tunnels needed to be dug became deeper and deeper, bringing with it other dangers. This led to longer time required to complete digs, leading to secrecy problems, discovery and so on. Many tunnellers were lost underground to gassing, collapsing tunnels, drowned or being blown up, never seen of again. Vulnerable to attack, each dig was kept a close secret, often guarded by infantry sentries, noise and light discipline was enforced. With energy at a minimum candles were used, metal was covered to disguise the sound, digging was shrouded by artillery fire missions, conditions were terrible, rats were rife, morale could be low. As a result of so much underground mining activity by both sides, detection and breakthrough into each other’s tunnels became a priority, having witnessed the devastation for themselves both sides now furiously acted to discover each other’s underground systems. Methods of prepared charges were deployed, to be used in emergencies, these were mines on long poles, forced through into suspected enemy tunnels and detonated, often sealing the enemy within, called “Camouflets”. At other times hand to hand fighting ensued when one side would burst into another’s trench in the dark. Because of the restrictions rifles were often
left behind, the combatants much preferring short stabbing implements like knuckle dusters and knives, crudely made bayonets and revolvers. Listening posts were set up to detect the slightest sound or ground movement, with some remarkable methods being deployed; one was grasping the end of a stick in one’s mouth with the other having been grounded, any vibration travelled up the stick into the mouth! A second was to place a barrel of water into the tunnel and place ones ear into the water to listen for vibration (not great in winter conditions). Both sides had to develop counter tactics, the first was the use of large mines placed in one’s own tunnels, these, when detonated would bring down the enemy tunnel above or below. Another was simply to deny the ground in the path of an enemy tunnel by blowing it, thereby creating unstable earth, cracks and holes, making it unsuitable. This was costly to the digging side making all the previous time and effort wasted. As mentioned the Camouflet was used, often to destroy the tunnel but also the tunneller too, experienced miners were hard to come by. Discharging these Camouflets was a dangerous business as it could lead to friendly miners and dig losses too, as methods progressed these large mines were detonated from safe distances, and often witnessed and sometimes filmed. In all a horrible existence, a horrible way of warfare and a horrible way to die for your country!
“THE MASSED GERMAN INFANTRY SPRINTED ACROSS NO MAN’S LAND INTO WHAT WAS THE BRITISH LINE. THEY NEEDN’T HAVE BOTHERED, THE 800MAN INDIAN GARRISON HAD DISAPPEARED, OBLITERATED IN SECONDS.” www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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COMPETITION COMPETITION | WIN A FORCECORE 119
COMPETITION WIN A FORCECORE 119 Scott Allan said about this full-metal M4; “the externals are spot on, the adjustable stock is positive and solid-feeling and the whole rifle feels like it is well made. The 2.4 kilo weight means it isn’t the heaviest either, which is great news for those longer summer days of playing... The polymer stock and pistol grip are similar to their real counterparts in terms of look and feel and will survive the roughest of game players.” - he also said it packed a massive punch! Now you can win the actual rifle he reviewed (starting on page 12 of this issue), curtesy of our good friends over at Gunfire, in Poland. All you have to do is answer five simple questions (hint: you will find the answers in Scott’s article) and get them back to Airsoft Action HQ before the closing date. If you don’t fancy cutting up your copy of the mag, you can always enter online, at: www.airsoft-action.co.uk.
So, here’s the questions: 1)
Who is the OEM that manufactures the ForceCore 119?
2)
What does Scott say AR15s are like?
3)
How many rounds does the supplied hi-cap magazine hold?
4)
How much does the ForceCore 119 weigh?
5)
Which type of rail is fitted as standard?
That’s it! Just five easy to answer questions and this punchy M4 could be winging its way to your door!
The five answers are: 1.
………………………..........................
2.
………………………..........................
3.
………………………..........................
4.
………………………..........................
5.
………………………..........................
Name __________________________________________________
Postcode ________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________
Post your entries to: ForceCore 119 Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@ airsoft-action.co.uk with “ForceCore 119 Competition” in the subject line. Entries received after 29th July 2015 will not be valid. One entry per household. The winner will be the first name pulled from the Ed’s hat that he uses to hide his big, bald, shiny head. Calibre 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
Q
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BOOK REVIEW NO ESCAPE ZONE
NO ESCAPE ZONE BY NICK RICHARDSON
KRIS ROBERTS WRITES ABOUT A BOOK THAT SEEMS TO STIR ECHOES OF A FILM WATCHED A FEW YEARS AGO – BUT THERE IS NO GENE HACKMAN OR OWEN WILSON HERE… JUST FEAR, RAW FEAR…
“I tried to move the parachute, but it was stuck in the branches. I had no idea whether I’d fallen on Muslim- or Serb-held territory. The clouds had rolled back in again now but my brief glimpse of the sun had allowed me to get my bearings. I fumbled for my Walther PPK that was tucked into a holster in my survival vest. I had twenty rounds. Twenty rounds to protect myself against people who were reputed to skin their enemies like rabbits, or burn them alive, or impale them on stakes, just for the hell of it... For the first time, I felt cold, really cold, and I began to shiver uncontrollably.”
Content Nick Richardson was already an experienced Naval Pilot serving with 801 Squadron by 1994, a time when the war in Bosnia was reaching fever pitch. Having already spent six months of the previous year in the Bosnian theatre of operations the squadron was well aware of the need for further UN involvement, and their inevitable redeployment. Equipped with the infamous Sea Harrier, 801Sqn trained for a multi-task role which required both “Air to Air” and “Air to Ground” tactics. Facing multiple threats from all corners, the men’s greatest concern came in the form of the Russian made Mig-29, which was rumoured to be in the possession of the Serbian Air Force. It was well known to them that the performance of this formidable plane far outstripped that of their Sea Harriers. With deployment imminent, Richardson and his team prepared for life aboard the carrier HMS Ark Royal and the long journey that would take them to the Adriatic Sea. Along the way their advanced training would continue with an ever-increasing certainty of seeing action. But the immediacy of the situation in the Balkans forced the squadron to cut their training short, and all too soon Richardson found himself patrolling the skies over a warzone. On 16th April, Richardson and his wingman were diverted to provide air support for British Special Forces operating near the besieged city of Gorazde. In the attempt to bomb two Serbian tanks, Richardson’s Harrier was hit by enemy fire and he was forced to bail out. Alone in the middle of a warzone, and with no clear definition of who was friend or foe, Richardson had to put his trust in people who could turn on him at a moment’s notice.
and relationships that can be found while serving on ship. At times these sections run the risk of becoming tedious, but the author manages to keep the momentum alive with the inclusion of classic British humour and dry wit and by giving the reader a rare insight into the use and abilities of the Harrier itself. It is undoubtedly, though, the second half of the book that will capture the reader’s attention the most. Here Richardson applies the same concise detail as before but the trauma and shock of being shot down are recalled with a brutal honesty. Not only do the events change at this halfway point, but also the tone and tempo with which the author delivers the tale. Gone is the confidence and swagger that typifies the jet pilot and in its place comes the guttural fear and crippling disbelief of a “human being” suddenly caught in a situation over which they have no control. “In a Sea Harrier I’d felt several steps removed from death. If it came, the chances were I wouldn’t know a thing about it. A missile in the fuel tanks and, boom, out go the lights. Here, I felt death of the most terrifying kind stalking me: a guy with his face in mine, twisting his bayonet in my guts, his hand clamped over my mouth. Training, I realised, was a wonderful thing. It had taught me how to cope; to manage my fear. But all the dangers I had experienced in the cockpit seemed trivial compared with what I faced here. It was as if all along I’d been engaged in something that had been no more hazardous than a super-realistic Nintendo game.” An insightful book in many ways, a well written account told from a rare perspective.
Impressions No Escape Zone is clearly defined by its two halves. The first describes the weeks preceding the squadron’s arrival in Bosnia, with huge amounts of detail being offered on the intricacies of flying the Sea Harrier, down to the nuances
INFORMATION Published by Warner Books, priced £6.99.
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ALL ARMS AIRSOFT
Allt-lywd Wood Farm, outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales. 07511554740 www.aberairsoft.co.uk
Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 07718 032541 robinsonm24@btinternet.com
Near Trawden, BB8 8SN 07909 683464 www.allarmsairsoft.co.uk
AIRSOFT ASYLUM
ALPHA 55
North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com
Halkyn wood, North Wales CH8 8DF 0845 257 6937 www.alpha55.co.uk
ARENA AIRSOFT
ALPHA ELITE GAMING
AWA HERTS
Le Mont de Rozel, Jersey, JE3 5 01534 733697 www.aegairsoft.je
Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM23 4BJ 07732 184957 www.awaherts.com
AMAZON EVENTS
BADLANDS AIRSOFT
Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4HL 0844 2570433 www.amazonoutdoorevents.co.uk
Rowlands Castle, Hamps PO9 6DP 07534 465589 www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk
AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM
BARNSLEY AIRSOFT
ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT Maidenhead, SL6 3SS 07871 314951 www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk
AMBUSH ADVENTURES SOUTHAMPTON New Forest National Park, SP5 2DW 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk
APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QP 07872 348 576 www.apocalypseairsoft.com
Grimsby, DN31 3JD 07752 404060 www.arenaairsoft.com
AIRSOFT COMMANDOS ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169), Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk
Sutton, near Ferrybridge 07723 061386 andyace@ntlworld.com
AIRSOFT KGB
ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES
Porkellis Moor near Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0 Chef1322@hotmail.com www.kgbairsoft.com
Tong Wood, Newport Road Wolverhampton TF11 8PN 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk
AIRSOFT SKIRMISH
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Stoulton, WR7 4QW 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk
Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8SL 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk
Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8RE 07779 236166 www.barnsleypaintball.co.uk
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SITE DIRECTORY
Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data
FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
BATTLETEC AIRSOFT La Couture, Guernsey, GY1 2 07781 104068 www.battletec.co.uk
BETTER BATTLES Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9DH 07967 940043 www.better-battles.com
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT Bradford, BD2 1BQ 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE Keighley, BD20 0LS 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT
ELITE BATTLEZONE
Truro, Cornwall, TR2 07863 240153 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.co.uk
Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
COTSWOLD AIRSOFT
EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT
Bourton Woods On the B4479, Blockley Near Bourton-on-the-hill www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140
Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk
BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT Grasscroft Wood, Barlow Lees Lane, Dronfield, S18 7UR www.blackdagger-airsoft.co.uk
BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Aylesbury, HP18 0XB 01296 658600 www.bluestreak-airsoft.co.uk
CERBERUS AIRSOFT – SHEFFIELD WOODLAND Sheffield, S6 6JE 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT Brimington, Chesterfield, S43 1DQ www.cia-airsoft.co.uk
CUMBRIA AIRSOFT Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net www.cumbria-airsoft.com
DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT Ellough Lark Raceway, Benacre Road, Ellough, Norfolk 07455906132
BORDERLINE AIRSOFT 51 Green Road, Ballyclare,Co. Antrim Northern Ireland, BT39 9PH 028 9303 7030 or 07729219341 www.borderlinecombat.com
BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport. PR46JX 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com
BRISTOL AIRSOFT Bristol, BS1 2HQ 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com
CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT
DARKWATER AIRSOFT
Corby, NN17 3BB 07740 165787 www.close-action.co.uk
Hythe, Kent CT21 5SL 07947 558433 www.darkwaterairsoft.co.uk
COMBAT ACTION GAMES
DELTA TEAM 3
FIFE WARGAMES St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com
Maryland, Norfolk, NR10 4 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/ combatactiongames
Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk
Buckingham, MK18 4JT 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com
FIREBALL SQUADRON
COMBAT AIRSOFT Just off the A11 outside Thetford Norfolk follow signs for Combat Paintball -tel: 07703 045849 www.combatairsoftgames.co.uk
DOGS OF WAR Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7BP 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk
DRAGON’S LAIR COMBAT SOUTH URBAN Portsmouth, PO6 3LS 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk
Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA 07703 530189 www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk
BUNKER 51
DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT
Charlton, SE7 8NJ 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk
Caerwent Training Area, South Wales, NP26 5XL 07921 336360 www.dragonvalley.co.uk
COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND Fareham, PO17 5ND 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk
C3 TACTICAL Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH 07597 938011 www.c3tactical.co.uk
Lewisham, SE13 5SU 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk
FINMERE AIRSOFT
BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT Sheffield, S2 5TR 07795 631331 www.brittacairsoft.com
FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS
CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5 01438 368177 www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk
DOG TAG AIRSOFT Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SE TEL 01293 852 314 www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk/airsoft
CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE COMPLEX
COOL UNDER FIRE
ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING
Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk
Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS 07960 532613 www.coolunderfire.co.uk
Worthing, BN13 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com
Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com
FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP Leek, ST13 8 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST AND ONLY – BUNKER WOOD Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST AND ONLY – KHE SANH WOODS Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
FIRST AND ONLY – MANCHESTER WOODLAND Bolton, BL7 9TS 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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FIRST AND ONLY – ASYLUM
GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON
LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT
NCIS AIRSOFT
Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com
Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk
Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG 0131 654 2452 www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk
Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk
FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE
GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT
LAC SITE 1
NOMAD AIRSOFT
Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ 0161 727 8863
Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com
Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
Fenwick, Ayrshire, KA3 6AY 07904 998250 www.nomadairsoft.com
FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY
GREENZONE COMBAT
Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG 0161 727 8863
Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE 07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com
FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF 0161 727 8863
FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 0161 727 8863
FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST Kidderminster, DY11 5SA 0161 727 8863
FIRST & ONLY: SLEEPY HOLLOW Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5LS 0161 727 8863
GUN HO AIRSOFT Guisborough, TS7 0PG 07525 435696 www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS RAF Honiley/The Grange Frogmore Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Mids CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384 info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk www.shop. suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk
LAC SITE 2 Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
FIRST & ONLY: THE DEPOT
GUNMAN AIRSOFT – NORWICH Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk
LAC SITE 3 Saxillby, LN1 2JW 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com
HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com
FREE FIRE ZONE Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk
LAC SITE 5 Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk
LINDSEY AIRSOFT Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk
Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT 07971 560249 facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft
FRV AIRSOFT Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com
Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 07562 479966 maw.airsoft@hotmail.com
MIA HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT
Cornwall, EX23 9JL 01288 331748 www.airsoftsouthwest.co.uk
MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES HUMBER AIRSOFT North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk 07792 680297
Wrightington, WN6 9PL 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk
GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk
MILSIM UK ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk
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AUGUST 2015
Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk
NSC AIRSOFT
MAW
GROUND ZERO WOODLAND
Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk
NORTHFLEET CQB
MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES Glasgow, G45 9SB 0161 727 8863
NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT
Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk
Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 07983 333521 www.nscairsoft.co.uk
NTAC Durham, DL4 2ER 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk
OBAN AIRSOFT – HILL ARGYLL Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com
OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk
OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk 07731 744471
PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION Former RAF Camp Sopley/ Merryfield Park, Hants, BH23 02380 899369
PHOENIX AIRSOFT Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road, Notts NG20 9JX 07956 587213/01623 812483 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk
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Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data
SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…
PLATOON 1HQ
SG1 COMBAT GAMES
TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT
UCAP AIRSOFT
Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ 01634 829063 www.ptt-1hq.co.uk
Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk
Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk
Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
PLAYERS OF WAR
SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY
TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT
UCAP GREEN OPS
High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk
Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX 01277 657777 www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk
Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk
Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES
SKIRMISH EXETER
TECH BRIGADE
Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com
Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk
Newgate Street, Hertfordshire. SG13 8NH 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org
RAVEN’S NEST
SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT
Suffolk, IP8 4 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk
Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com
RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA
SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH
THE BUNKER
Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
Aberystwyth, www.aberairsoft.co.uk 07841 462806
Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk
RED1AIRSOFT Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk co.uk
RED1AIRSOFT CQB Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk
RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com
RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM) Cambridge, CB24 8RL 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com
SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, N Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com
Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk
Bean, Kent, DA2 8 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH www.ultimatewargames.co.uk
URBAN6AIRSOFT – ZONE 13 SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – THE ROCK
THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT
Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk
Redford, DD11 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk
Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0QN 07432 291729 www.urban6airsoft.com
URBAN6AIRSOFT – THE BLOCK STIRLING AIRSOFT
THE EX SITE
Coventry, CV3 6NX 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com
Mold, CH7 4 07840 001975 www.theexsitewales.co.uk
Wood Street, Butron-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 £AB www.urban6airsoft.com
URBAN ASSAULT STORMFORCE AIRSOFT
THE WARGAMES CENTRE
Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk
Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com
SUSSEX AIRSOFT Slinfold, RH12 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk
S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu 07703 177756
SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com
TASK FORCE SKIRMISH
UCAP SANDPIT
TA EVENTS Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB 07894 059794 www.ta-events.co.uk
TROJAN AIRSOFT Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com
TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP 07428024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com
Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk
VIKING AIRSOFT Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN www.vikingairsoft.co.uk
WARMINSTER AIRSOFT Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk
XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST Dunstable, LU6 2EE 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk
XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END High Wycombe, HP14 3NP 01494 881430
www.airsoft-action.co.uk
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DEALER LISTINGS
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Land Warrior Airsoft 2 RedWolf Airsoft 3 + 19 + 48 Airsoft Zone 7 + 44 JD Airsoft 9 + 35 + 95 WE Airsoft Europe 15 Airsoft World 23 Soldier of Fortune 26 Crawley Surplus Supplies 26 FireSupport 30 + 31 BadgerTac 41 VIPER Tactical 47 + 60 Helikon-Tex 52 ActionSportGames 66 ActionAirUK 75 Airsoft Surgeon Euro Championship 79 Pro Airsoft Supplies 83 Gunman Airsoft 87 Airsoft Action Subscriptions 90 Sly Photography 91 BombUpAirsoft 91 NoVAT 91 Dragon Valley 91 Military Outdoor 91 Airsoft Action Digital Subscriptions 98 Percy Publishing 100 Advertisers Index 106 Military 1st 107 Airsoft World 108
106
OD8J 2014
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