KIT & GEAR: BLACK CAM

from Airsoft Action - June 2020

by Airsoft Action

LAST POST: AIRSOFT IN LOCKDOWN

BLACK CAM FOR RED CELL

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

IN THE LAST ISSUE OF AIRSOFT ACTION REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR STEVE T GAVE HIS THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST VCBLK GEAR FROM VIPER. THIS MONTH BILL TAKES IT A STEP FURTHER AND PUTS TOGETHER A COMPLETE SET OF GEAR ON A BUDGET THAT FEATURES “BLACK CAM” FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES!

As we continue to be stuck indoors, I’ve been using the money I normally spend heading out to games and events by creating myself a new loadout. It was with great interest that I saw last month that my “mucker”, Steve T, has been working along similar lines with his new VIPER V-CAM BLK clothing.

The whole “MCBLK” theme is one I’ve been toying with for a while but never got round to putting together as a complete loadout, largely because (like many of you reading this) my money usually seems to go on “guns n’ BBs”. However, with a bit of time and a bit of budget in hand, I decided that I’d quite like a new loadout for when games recommence, so it was time to get back in (MC) black!

As someone with a keen interest in rather “unique” military units, there’s one in particular that I seem to always return to when I’m looking for a theme for a new loadout, and that’s “Red Cell”. Made somewhat infamous during the 1980s under the command of former Team Six founding CO, Richard Marcinko, “Red Cells” were codenames for the US National Security Co-ordination Team (NSCT). These teams were designed to test the effectiveness of American tactics or personnel and the name was derived from “Red Team”, a term for the opposing force in war games by western nations during the Cold War and a reference to the predominantly red flags of Communist nations.

During the “Marcinko years” Red Cell members made merry with both training budgets and their role highlighting vulnerabilities of military installations and vessels, and would regularly “use fake IDs, jump fences, barricade buildings, take hostages, and kidnap high ranking officers and admirals.” The original “Red Cell” (OP-O6D) even went so far as to plant bombs near Air Force One and infiltrated submarine bases (that housed operational nuclear weapons!) and took them over. They would video their missions and show them to everyone monitoring the exercises. Many people that participated in the exercises felt embarrassed by their tactics because it exposed their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and you could say that Marcinko very quickly became “persona non grata” with his superiors!

Marcinko has claimed, among other things, that Red Cell successfully captured nuclear devices from United States Navy facilities and proved the viability of plans to penetrate and attack nuclear-powered submarines, destroy subs by using them as dirty bombs and capture launch codes for nuclear weapons aboard the subs. Former members of Red Cell maintain that these exercises were a cover to move special warfare operators around the world for covert missions against real-world terrorists but in 1990 Marcinko was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and fined $10,000 under charges of defrauding the government over the price of contractor acquisitions for hand grenades!

To this day Marcinko maintains that he was the subject of a “witch-hunt” for his work with Red Cell and that “MADE SOMEWHAT INFAMOUS DURING THE 1980S UNDER THE COMMAND OF FORMER TEAM SIX FOUNDING CO, RICHARD MARCINKO, “RED CELLS” WERE CODENAMES FOR

THE US NATIONAL SECURITY COORDINATION TEAM (NSCT).”

the fraud committed revealed the weaknesses of military security. Marcinko detailed his arrest and confinement in the last chapters of his autobiography and I actually had the great pleasure of meeting him in person at SHOT a few years back. Whatever the truth may be, Marcinko was one hell of an operator, from Vietnam through to who knows where and the story of the original “Red Cell”, of how they trained and operated, is still an inspiration to me!

BACK TO BLACK

When I got to thinking about “MCBLK” my immediate thought was “this is properly Red Cell shizzle” and from that moment on my plan for a new loadout REALLY started taking shape! Now I didn’t want to bankrupt myself going down the “real deal” route but at the same time I wanted a set of “infiltration gear” that would be functional and, if I’m totally honest, kind of cool too

Like Steve, my first stop was with VIPER for the basic clothing. For years now VIPER have been providing great entry level tactical clothing and gear but their latest additions take things up into a whole new level! Although they have produced all sorts of gear and clothing before, its superb to see the new “V-CAM BLK” range, which takes their clothing in exciting new directions. The fabrics used and the quality achieved are better than anything they’ve done before in my opinion and the designs are bang up to date.

Not only have they developed new products but they’ve obviously had a very close look at how trends have developed in the tactical world. The latest designs reflect a thorough understanding of the “light is right tactical athlete” approach and this can be seen in their MESH-TEC T and MESH-TECH ARMOUR TOP. Both these garments are made from high-performance polyester material and provide long-lasting comfort and durability, even during the most extreme workout. Lightweight and quick drying, these shirts features flatlock seams for reduced friction and raglan sleeves for improved range of motion. Thanks to their moisture wicking properties these all-purpose shirts will keep the torso cool and dry throughout the day and will definitely add comfort beneath a rig.

Within their updated clothing range for 2017, Viper extended their line of lighter-weight fleeces by adding three new models and the TACTICAL HOODIE is a fleece that I wear on pretty much a daily basis. Constructed of a lightweight and durable fleece it’s the absolutely perfect mid-layer, and although it does sport velcro on both arms it’s very low-key. Its quite close fitting, which is technically correct to maximise breathability but the hood and “kangaroo” pocket means that you can really warm yourself up easily.

VIPER’s ripstop polycotton Elite Trousers have now moved into Gen 2 of their design and these just keep getting better and better. Although the basic trouser can be had for less, the latest V-CAM BLK camo version is most definitely worth the extra money if you want something REALLY distinctive and that fits with this particular theme. With multiple adjustment features, these trousers can be modified to the user’s own shape for comfort and feel.

The only place where I ventured outside the VIPER range for clothing is in relation to some colder weather gear and this is only because, at the time of writing, VIPER haven’t yet added a V-CAM BLK jacket to their line. I chose a MT Black PATRIOT jacket from Kombat UK (mainly because my mate Pete from Platoon Stores had one that looked VERY sharp when I saw him wearing it!) which is a fleece-lined softshell garment that features many pockets, along with a storm-proof main zip and a fleece-lined hood. I also spotted on the Military1st website a really neat softshell vest from Mil-Tec in MULTITARN BLACK, which offered a little extra protection form the elements, or would act as an additional layering garment in cold weather, without adding serious weight or bulk to my clothing system.

BUCKLE UP

Whatever your style of airsoft may be, from full-on MilSim weekends to occasional skirmish days, the fact is that you’re going to need some way of carrying extra magazines, ammo, pyro and general sundries. I first

discovered the 8FIELDS “Buckle Up” range of gear lurking on the Taiwangun website a couple of years back, and I have to admit for the price that this system has given me great service since I added it to the “gear locker”! For relatively inexpensive tactical gear it’s stood up to some hard use both in games and in photoshoots for Airsoft Action - and it’s still going strong.

The premise of the Chinese-made “BUCKLE UP” system is really all about the plate carrier and how you set that up. Some of us have been around long enough that we have multiple sets of gear to use with different AEGs, with different pouch configurations to take that into account. What the “BUCKLE UP” system does is to take that principle and give you a solution that is totally customisable and that’s achieved by having different pouch panels which do indeed simply “buckle up” to a single plate carrier.

First off is the ASSAULT PLATE CARRIER in their “MB” camo pattern and whilst this looks like other, much more expensive items that I own, it retails for under £30! Now you might think that for that price you’ll be getting something “cheap and cheerful” and while the 8FIELDS gear probably wouldn’t stand up to a real-world combat zone, it’s certainly well enough put together to stand up to the rigours of your local airsoft field! The fabric used looks and feels to be a tough nylon mix and seems solid enough and the stitching is actually far, far better than I thought it might be and some attention has been given to this area, with reinforcement in all the right places.

The plate carrier features front and rear plate panel pockets (hard plastic “plates” are included but you might want to upgrade these to something like those sold by J-TAC Custom) with loads of MOLLE, good shoulder padding, a cummerbund for a great fit and a fast-clip/ velcro front panel for quick changes of your kit to save time. These clips and the large velcro panel are compatible with all “BUCKLE UP” pouch panels and chest rigs - and herein lies the clever bit!

Say you want to set up your plate carrier for general “recon”; well simply attach your panel of choice (say for “7.62 recce rifle” magazines) to the velcro and buckle it in place. Running hot and heavy CQB? No problem, just add the “AR or SMG” mag panel and you’re all set. Rocking an AK? Again, no issue as there’s even a panel specifically for this!

Basically, with the “BUCKLE UP” system you can have a plate carrier with magazine carriage options for under £50 which is a bargain in anyone’s book. If, however, you want to add even further to the modularity of your overall system, then there are even chest rigs that will slot right in, or by adding a few 8FIELDS pouches (I chose a larger UTILTY POUCH for a fiver and a MODULAR ADMIN POUCH for £4.50) and an integrated pack or back panel (the ASSAULT BACK PANEL for me, for reasons I’ll come onto…) you can really tailor your load exactly as you want it.

I’m impressed with the “BUCKLE UP” system and as well as running my original model at a few skirmish days it’s also been used on a couple of photoshoots. Not only does it look great but it’s already stood up to the same abuse as my “real world” gear and acquitted itself well. If money is tight but you fancy some great-looking, robust tactical gear then I’d say do have a look at the 8 FIELDS “BUCKLE UP” system as I believe it’s tremendous value for money!

LOAD HAULING

Thus far everything I’ve chosen for the new loadout is very much angled to creating it within a sensible budget but there’s one area where I’ve learned never, EVER to scrimp and that’s when it comes to gear haulers.

If you’re out on a skirmish site for the day and you can return to the Safe Zone pretty much whenever you like, then frankly there’s no real need for a pack but if you’re at a weekender, scenario game, or MilSim where you need to stay out on the field all day (and possibly longer!) then a decent pack is a crucial part of your loadout!

All too often - and not just in airsoft - I’ve seen folk have an absolutely terrible time because their pack didn’t fit correctly, or worse still, that a seam or shoulder strap failed and dumped their gear on the ground. Again, not a problem if you’re close to the Safe Zone but a major ballache if you’re humping your home on your back a mile or two away.

To this end, this is where I’ll spend some money and return to the Wisport pack range. As someone who worked with rucsac manufacture in my younger years, I’ve

been massively impressed by this Polish manufacturer. I wrote about them at length in Issue 109 (which you can check out via the BACK ISSUES section of the AA website) but suffice to say, they’re a well-respected supplier of packs to top-tier military units, so they’re more than good enough for me!

There are two models that I’ve picked up, the first being the ZIPPERFOX 40L. This is a pack that will suit me for multi-day MilSim excursions, as it’s big enough to hold all my essentials for operating in the field away from support (apart from water re-sup). The newest addition in Wisport’s line of military backpacks, the ZipperFox 40L was created as a modified, slightly larger and more versatile, version of their Silverfox 30L backpack that I’ve used before.

Designed for one or two-day long trips (I’ll stretch it to three!), this new generation of single compartment tactical backpack benefits from an extremely lightweight yet durable construction, great functionality and innovative technology. The main feature is an inverted “U”-shaped clamshell zip opening, which allows for quick and easy access to the main compartment from the top and both sides at the same time. The ZipperFox comes with re-designed SAS Plus back system which now includes profiled straps, removable buckled waist belt, rigid construction and highly breathable padding. Thanks to the ergonomically profiled straps sewn in permanently, the backpack provides excellent stability and is great under load!

Of course, you may not need a pack of this size for most one-day games, so another little Wisport gem to consider is the SPARROW 16L model. The smallest of Wisport Sparrow family, the Sparrow 16 is the latest generation of compact backpacks made of extremely durable 500D Cordura Nylon and developed in collaboration with Polish Military forces. The main advantages of the Sparrow 16 are the removable, ergonomically shaped and lightly padded shoulder straps, spacious hydration compatible main compartment and multiple MOLLE attachments points.

The main compartment of Sparrow 16 pack comes with an internal hydration sleeve pocket inside, a zipped pocket and multiple elastic loops for easy organisation. Additionally, above the sleeve pocket is a hook for

attachment of hydration bag and a conduit for hydration hose or antenna. The pack features a front compartment with zip closure and multiple quick release buckles allow it to be quickly dumped if required. The side compression straps allow the pack to be adapted to the size of carried kit and prevent it from shifting which may cause unnecessary noise, discomfort and disturbance of balance. This is a cracking little patrol pack and one that is, although it’s not the cheapest option out there, a companion that will see you through many airsoft encounters for years to come!

One thing I will quickly recap on before I close is the panel I chose for the back of the plate carrier. This I intend to leave in place even when I’m wearing a bigger pack, so it’s important that is goes down as flat as possible when not in use. If I’m using the 40L pack then this can be dumped at the Patrol Harbour where I set up my basha and essentials can be added to the back panel for operations and patrols; plan ahead, be effective and efficient!

Although all of the gear mentioned is still pretty new, I have the feeling that it’s all going to stand up well to some serious abuse and will acquit itself well. There are still more items in the overall loadout that I haven’t included (such as the excellent Emerson Multicam Black FAST helmet cover that also came from Taiwangun), not because they’re not good but because they are still to be added and fully tested. All of the items I have mentioned though are already through my first stage of evaluation and they are all working together well.

This is purely “my take” on a loadout with a “Red Cell” feel to it but it’s a loadout that will, quite literally, allow you to choose your gear from head to toe without breaking the bank! Now I just need to finish building my “Mutant AR/AK” and I’ll be good to go as soon as sites re-open.

My thanks go to the great teams at VIPER, Taiwangun, and Military1st for their assistance in pulling this article together. To keep up to date with the new VIPER tactical products as they become available please visit www. viperkit.co.uk. Do check out www.taiwangun.com for the 8FIELDS gear - and I’ve noticed that it is also beginning to appear now with certain retailers in the UK too. And of course, thanks to www.military1st.co.uk who stock not only VIPER gear but also a comprehensive range from Wisport. Do give them a look and check out the “Choose by Colour” function of their website if you’re looking to create a complete loadout from scratch! AA

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