GAME GEAR, NAMSOFTSTYLE!

SO YOU’VE DONE YOUR “DUE DILIGENCE” IN RELATION TO RESEARCH, AND YOU’VE MADE A DECISION ON EXACTLY HOW YOU WANT YOUR NAMSOFT LOADOUT TO LOOK; YOU’VE BOUGHT YOURSELF A SUITABLE RIFLE OR CARBINE, AND NOW YOU’RE READY TO START PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER! WORD OF WARNING… A SERVICEABLE NAMSOFT LOADOUT IS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER, TO GET IT RIGHT IS GOING TO TAKE TIME AND SOME MONEY… BUT NOT AS MUCH AS YOU MIGHT THINK!

Ihope that last bit of the intro hasn’t put you off, as the level of investment needed to get into NamSoft might not be as big an outlay as you think! Certainly, “going OPFOR” as I’ll discuss more as we progress is, as always, a relatively cheap way to get into NamSoft, especially if you already own some form of classic AK. If you want to go “full grunt” though, or certainly get into some of the more specialist units or indeed ANZAC forces recreation, then yes, it is going to cost you a bit more.

As you’ll see from the Special Report later in this issue though, most of the good guys running “Nam Ops” want you at the game, and although there are some restrictions and requirements, even for “allied forces” these can be quite easy and cost-effective to adhere to; green uniform, some form of web gear to carry all your game shizzle, and a rifle or carbine that reflects the period, a “positive mental attitude” and you’re good to go… remember, as much as some players will go the whole “living history standard hog”, this is airsoft, and ultimately it’s the playing that is most important!

As with all things these days though I’ve found that some of the airsoft groups that focus on era-correct kit and AEGs/GBBs can get a little “stitchy bitchy/ bean counter” and snippy about things, and whilst I’d be among the first to say that we should endeavour to get things as right as possible when it comes to creating a good “historical” loadout the fact is that we all start somewhere don’t we?

“Living History” is exactly as it states on the can, history brought to life through the re-enactment of period situations and events, and in this setting the gear and weapons portrayed and shown should be as accurate as they can possibly be. However, whilst we try our hardest to live up to any theme for airsoft games I for one am happy to allow a little leeway when it comes to “the look”, as long as players have

“AS YOU’LL SEE FROM THE SPECIAL REPORT LATER IN THIS ISSUE THOUGH, MOST OF THE GOOD GUYS RUNNING “NAM OPS” WANT YOU AT THE GAME, AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS, EVEN FOR “ALLIED FORCES” THESE CAN BE QUITE EASY AND COST-EFFECTIVE TO ADHERE TO” made an effort; I’m not looking for “living history standard” loadouts, more that fellow players have done their best to get into the spirit of the theme, and a starting point is exactly that, a place to begin a journey that can develop over time…

I count myself as truly blessed though to have spent time living in the USA, and the four years that I spent there were absolutely fantastic when it came to playing airsoft, running games, and being involved in thoroughly vibrant and energetic airsoft and living history communities. It also allowed me to delve deeper into one of the most fascinating of “modern wars” to me which was the “American War” fought in the jungles, paddy fields and streets of Vietnam. Having access to real “Vets” allowed me to hear stories first-hand from those that actually served and participated, and I was privileged to meet a number of spot-on guys that were willing to tell me about their experiences “in country”. Of course being in the USA also meant that I had free reign to pillage local “Army Navy” and surplus stores for all that “old green canvas crap” (M56 LBE) and the occasional period gem!

At the time I was living in the USA I was also part of a couple of Living History Groups and my regular trips back and forth to the UK usually resulted in me paying excess baggage fees for all that “old green canvas crap” that I’d haul back for them. I had great fun attending War & Peace and Military Odyssey with the groups, but what I really enjoyed most was the “NamSoft Community”, playing in themed games around the country, and having an annual haul to “In Country” (the much-missed Combat South NamSoftFest!) with the likes of my old friends “Tigerstripe” Paul, “Major” Andy, Tom and Neil, Gaz and the lads from Nottingham, J and the LRRPs, and Nicholas and the Wiltshire crew; thanks to all of you for sending me in some pictures from “the old days”, they bring back some very happy airsoft memories!

The UK Vietnam Airsoft Forum was a busy one back in the day, and was a source of great knowledge, but it was the wit and banter of the members that made it truly memorable. Sadly as with all things folk got on with their “real lives”, time and airsoft moved on, and “NamSofters” (apart from the truly dedicated few) quietly packed up their M16’s and Type 56’s and caught the “Freedom Bird” elsewhere...

Taking It Local

I’m absolutely thrilled to see that “Namsoft” is alive and healthy still though, and that a number of my fellow Airsoft Action contributors are actively involved in the living history side of things too. I’ve had great fun talking with them, and I sincerely hope that here I can give you some tips that will allow you to get started if this are of airsoft interests you as much as it does me!

So, with that thought in mind, where do you start when it comes to creating a credible “NamSoft” loadout for either Allied forces (it wasn’t ALL American you know!) or OPFOR? Well, to start you need to do your research before you spend a single cent, and I hope that our “NamSoft Intel” article will give you some pointers on where to look for this. You then need to decide what role you wish to play; infantry “grunt”, some form of special ops unit, ANZAC forces, or OPFOR… when you’ve made THIS decision you can start to plan accordingly!

When I discovered the world of NamSoft I

“HAVING ACCESS TO REAL “VETS” ALLOWED ME TO HEAR STORIES FIRST-HAND FROM THOSE THAT ACTUALLY SERVED AND PARTICIPATED, AND I WAS PRIVILEGED TO MEET A NUMBER OF SPOT-ON GUYS THAT WERE WILLING TO TELL ME ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES “IN COUNTRY”” remember that I already had a pair of VN style jungle boots, and then quickly bought some repro OD fatigues and a boonie hat online; initially I made do with some old ALICE gear and just used one of my M4s with all the modern stuff removed. Soon though the bug bit hard; a Classic Army M16A1 was quickly followed by an XM177E2 from the same brand and I found myself scouring online and at the shows for genuine period clothing, footwear, and equipment.

I also researched like you wouldn’t believe, reading books, watching DVDs, and trawling online forums for information. I joined the international Vietnam Airsoft Forum, and when one was created for the UK I was on that like a flash. To say that NamSoft became a passion would be an understatement and I’ve now been collecting genuine period and good quality reproduction items for a considerable time. I have loadouts from early war “Adviser” through to post-war MACV-SOG with everything in between, and even a couple of sets of “Aussie” kit; I even have clothing and equipment for VC and NVA just in case…

So first up, let’s look at possibly the easiest way to get into NamSoft, and that’s as OPFOR, and “going local” as always is the bomb for many players! As I said earlier, and also in Red Cell, when it comes to playing OPFOR it means that you can use just about any period AEG or GBB and you probably won’t be wrong, and when it comes to gear it really is simple!

Although “black pyjamas” and “tyre sandals” are available out there (I do have both!) the clothing is generally (and correctly) made of a very thin cotton and therefore not very robust, and the sandals totally impractical apart from at BBQ-time, so for NLF (“VC”) I simply use some loose black trousers and black or tan shirt, with a cheap “ChiCom” chest rig for my magazines. I have an old green canvas pack for hauling other gear around, and although I do have a rice hat (five buckeroos on evilbay!) and a clothstrip-covered fibre helmet, in-game I usually just wear a black bandana. The only item here that actually cost more than pennies is my boots, and these are a Palladium-brand pair based on the old French “Indochina” canvas model; these are also similar to those worn by the PAVN so they double up…

My PAVN (“NVA”) “main force” gear is a little more involved and cost a bit more… top to toe it goes Green Pith Helmet with an enamelled red star, an

“NVA Uniform Set” that came from Moore Militaria in the USA, and those Palladium boots. Gear-wise I can still use the chest rig, but I also have an SKS rig, and to that I add a “ChiCom” canteen, brown leather belt, brown leather Makarov holster, and a brown “pleather” map case. I also managed some years ago to find a pretty cool, high-quality repro of the lighttan coloured canvas chest rig, RPK pouch, and “NVA

““GOING LOCAL” AS ALWAYS IS THE BOMB FOR MANY PLAYERS! AS I SAID EARLIER, AND ALSO IN RED CELL, WHEN IT COMES TO PLAYING OPFOR IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN USE JUST ABOUT ANY PERIOD AEG OR GBB AND YOU PROBABLY WON’T BE WRONG, AND WHEN IT COMES TO GEAR IT REALLY IS SIMPLE!” small pack”, but these get kept for Living History events. The only other addition I have here is a “rice sack”, the cotton tube often seen being worn across the shoulder and some period utensils and a bowl… pretty much all of this can be easily found online, and the uniform can be easily swapped out for simple tan or light green shirt and trousers to give a very cool, more miltary look!

Going Grunt

Although I know that many of you, like in all things airsoft, will want to go for one of the “special units”, the fact is that every “US-themed NamSofter” should, in my opinion, have a simple set of “grunt gear”! Yes, you can play in just green clothing and some old web gear, but if you want to start really getting into it, then you’re going to need some iconic jungle boots, a set of fatigues, some M56 LBE and if you really want to “be all you can be”, an M1 Helmet with a “Mitchell Pattern” cover!

Okay, the helmet will show true dedication as they’re actually a right b’stard to wear (kudos to those that wore them for real!), so you’re probably going to plump for an OD Boonie which is comparatively inexpensive. In terms of uniforms I won’t get into the vagaries of OG107 Utilities, or 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Pattern uniforms here, but I’d say your best bet is to go for a set of 3rd Patterns and call it done; good repros can be had from specialist retailers, and once you know what you’re looking for then you can find half-way decent versions online for less money, although fabrics and colours here can be very much “pot luck”.

M49 black leather Shell Gloves or cut-down Nomex pilots gloves were often worn to contend with the harsh environment and vicious undergrowth and repros of these are easily and cheaply sourced. Olive green bandanas and small towels are also to be found cheaply online and will help to protect your neck from BBs!

Boots… OMG, I could go on and on about “Vietnam Jungle Boots” and the variations thereof, but the overall look is that classic black leather lower with the green canvas upper, and these are iconic to say the least! Once again, specialist retailers can sort you out here, but if you look around you can find decent versions for less money, although the current Mil-Tec versions (mine came from www.military1st.

“YOU CAN PLAY IN JUST GREEN CLOTHING AND SOME OLD WEB GEAR, BUT IF YOU WANT TO START REALLY GETTING INTO IT, THEN YOU’RE GOING TO NEED SOME ICONIC JUNGLE BOOTS, A SET OF FATIGUES, SOME M56 LBE AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO “BE ALL YOU CAN BE”, AN M1 HELMET WITH A “MITCHELL PATTERN” COVER!” co.uk) serve very well indeed! If you have the cash though, the Altama Jungle WX 10.5” boots are the bomb!

As the majority of ground forces in Vietnam used the M16A1 load bearing equipment (LBE) should reflect this; once again Soldier of Fortune here in the UK (www.sofmilitary.co.uk) do a cracking repro basic set of M56 Pattern LBE. This was the most popular type of webbing worn in Vietnam by the US troops, and for under UK£100 you’ll be pretty much set. This new M56 web set includes the universal ammo pouch that will hold an assortment of magazines including four “20rd” M16 mags, two “20rd” M14 mags, two hand grenades or three M79 (M203) grenade launcher MOSCARTs. The whole set comprises of two universal ammo pouches, suspenders, belt (regular size up to 42” waist), canteen and canteen cover and a butt pack. If you don’t want the whole set then all the items are available individually so you can tailor make your own setup, and I’d certainly add an extra canteen and cover!

A Claymore bag, M17 gas mask bag, or M3 magazine pouch by the way make a fine dump pouch, and if you want to go the whole nine yards then a Tropical Ruc, Lightweight Ruc, or ARVN ruc is the very thing… especially of you load it up with all the gubbins like links of inert rounds, smokes, an entrenching tool, and an “MRE sock” (look it up, it’s a thing!). However, genuine Nam-era US-rucs are solid gold these days, and have price-tags to match, so a repro ARVN pack or an ALICE pack can suit with a few modifications to the ALICE; there’s some superb videos online of just how you can carry out the transformation…

To give a little flavour I’ve added some images of some of my other gear, such as Tiger Stripe (for “MIKE Force”), ERDL (for LRRP), and mixi-matchy (for SEAL, including gen-yoo-ine “Zeke hair”!), but more of this one later! You’ll also see lots of little details like badging, accessories, grenades, knives (use a rubber version in-game please!), and associated “greeblies” that really bring your loadout to life; in this instance, as always with a period loadout further research is your friend, and I’d urge you to check out pictureheavy books such as “Running Recon” by Frank Greco, “Special Forces at War” by Shelby Stanton, and the books of Paul Miraldi; these are now hard to find at a sensible price, but SO worth the money! Also don’t be shy to dip into the OSPREY books Nam Series books and guides for help here too!

Counting The Cost

Now of course it may be the case that you’ll only want to attend the odd Vietnam Airsoft game now and again so laying out a lot of money on a full set of period correct kit will no doubt put you off, especially when it comes to an “allied forces” loadout. If that’s the case then never fear, I have a solution for you, one that I have, in complete transparency, offered before but I still feel is 100% valid!

One of the reasons that I specifically chose the SEALs as inspiration for one of my NamSoft loadouts is that it’s actually very, very easy to put together a set of gear that looks correct and gives a nod to Juliett Platoon who served in the Mekong Delta, along the Bassac River to be precise, in 1970. If you want a real overview and some fine detail on kit and operating procedures then “The Element of Surprise” by Darryl Young is a paperback worth its weight in gold.

On page 32 of the book Darryl Young gives us the lowdown:

“As we walked down the streets of Can Tho, we always drew a lot of hard stares and suspicious looks from military personnel and Vietnamese alike. Our hair was longer than military specs, some of us had beards, which were not then authorized, and we wore a mix of civilian and military clothing. Levi’s jeans, cammo top, protective coral booties or tennis shoes. And occasionally we packed Stoners. Even most military personnel didn’t recognise the Stoner. After taking a look at us, normal GIs would say “Who or what the f##k are you?”

This simple paragraph gives you an idea of where you can take things and where you can make everything affordable. First off you can save on the footwear by buying something like a pair of black converse-style boots which work well and of course can be worn every day, although I’ve stuck with my jungle boots. Blue jeans; seven bucks from the supermarket, and the ERDL pockets sewn onto these came from a trashed pair of XXS pants I found online, this time for UK£5.00; the addition of leg pockets was not a regular thing that you’d see, but it looks “airsoft-cool” and reference pictures do sometimes show the modification. Trousers

“I’D URGE YOU TO CHECK OUT PICTURE-HEAVY BOOKS SUCH AS “RUNNING RECON” BY FRANK GRECO, “SPECIAL FORCES AT WAR” BY SHELBY STANTON, AND THE BOOKS OF PAUL MIRALDI; THESE ARE NOW HARD TO FIND AT A SENSIBLE PRICE, BUT SO WORTH THE MONEY!”

(either camo or non) should be left unbloused so as not to hold water. I picked up an old, slightly ragged ERDL shirt from a friend for UK£10.00, and a couple of green bandanas cost just UK£2 from the market…. The “Zeke Hair” is a bit of an “in-joke” with the old and bold, and really just a bit of fun!

With the LBE you can make things really simple too; I’m lucky enough to have picked up one of the excellent Stoner replicas from G&P so I just run an M56 belt with a nylon first aid pouch, two canteens, a magazine pouch to carry grenades, a black leather K-Bar sheath with training knife and a leather holster for my “hush puppy”; this is a customised suppressed Ruger and the holster was made for me by a fellow ‘NamSofter for the price of materials and postage (cheers “Tigerstipe” Paul, love you long time GI!).

If you’re going to run an M16 and a 1911 with this loadout you can simply add a couple of M56 Universal Magazine Pouches and a regular black leather holster and you’re good to go.

So, there you have it. If you’re of a mind to give ‘Namsoft a go, then any of the loadouts illustrated will set you in good stead. You really don’t need to pay out silly amounts of money on your gear, but whichever way you decide to go, do your research and make sure that you’re doing the best job that you possibly can; historical airsoft honours the participants of horrific conflicts so do bear in mind you do carry the weight and responsibility of that with you. As always, research is your friend, and in this case really do make sure you do your homework!

Please note that any images shown without safety glasses are posed in made-safe conditions. AA www.mooremilitaria.com – based in the USA, Trey Moore ships his excellent repro uniforms and gear worldwide… and sometimes has some real nuggets of genuine kit too! www.whatpriceglory.com – Specialists in historical living history standard uniforms who ship worldwide, they have a small but excellent selection of Nam clothing. www.sofmilitary.co.uk – UK-based, Paul at SOF is an old mate who has a real passion for “The Nam” (he even came to a game with me once!), and their range of US uniforms and gear is truly excellent. www.amsmilitaria.com – Based in Belgium, they have quite a lot of Nam stuff (or at least had). www.pikebrothers.com - Pike Brothers in Germany regularly stocks great Tiger Stripe repros, and their Jungle Boots are not bad at all! www.hardscrabblefarm.com – A great place to find all sorts of Nam-related “printables”, including the iconic “Marlboro pack o’ ten” for your helmet band!

Thanks also to my friend and fellow living historian, Cedric, in Belgium, for chipping in to this section for me. If you’re looking for good repro gear, here are some of our fave suppliers and a few pointers for you!

You can also find great gear at shows such as: www.cineyexpo.be - Ciney Militaria in Belgium (twice-yearly at the Ciney Expo Centre) is still the biggest militaria fair in Europe, and there’s load of gear to be found there, sometimes for neat prices! www.militaryodyssey.com – Now one of the UK’s premier militaria and re-enactment shows, you’ll be able to find some great Nam-bargains and see some superb living history displays to inspire you!