Issue 69 - Xmas 2016 by Airsoft Action

T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E !

AIRSOFT ACTION

ARMOURY

ASG AW.308 GAS SNIPER TM KEL-TEC KSG SHOTGUN FAREWELL TO FAMAS BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9

KIT

JETBOIL FLASH BLUEYE EYEPRO ENOLA GAYE BLACK SMOKE

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T H E

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O N E

A I R S O F T

M A G A Z I N E !

AIRSOFT ACTION

ARMOURY

ASG AW.308 GAS SNIPER TM KEL-TEC KSG SHOTGUN FAREWELL TO FAMAS BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9

KIT

JETBOIL FLASH BLUEYE EYEPRO ENOLA GAYE BLACK SMOKE

ARMOURY: TM KEL-TEC

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ARMOURY: AU REVOIR FAMAS

Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant Editor: Gareth “Gadge” Harvey Graphic Design: Havoc Design Ad Design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover Image: James Murray UK 13-issue subscription rate: £46.50 UK 6-issue subscription rate: £24.00 For overseas prices email: subs@airsoft-action.co.uk

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FEATURE: SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.online ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2016 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Calibre Publishing Limited 2016. 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.

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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.

CONTENTS MARCH XMAS 2016 2014

CONTENTS XMAS 2016 6 NEWS 10 ROGUE’S GALLERY Cool photos taken by Airsoft Action readers. 11 THE ADVENTURES OF MAG Mag continues his adventures in Airsoft Action’s exclusive cartoon. 12 ARMOURY: ASG AW.308 GAS SNIPER If you fancy having a go at being an airsoft Sniper, Jerry Noone comes up with a new gas rifle model from ASG that will let you get on the field without breaking the bank! 16 ARMOURY: TM KEL-TEC KSG Airsoft shotguns are not everyone’s cup of tea but every now and then one comes along that makes you think, as Scott Allan finds out… 20 ARMOURY: AU REVOIR FAMAS Frenchie takes a look back as a famous name in both real-steel and airsoft worlds is finally retired. 24 PYRO: ENOLA GAYE Kelly “Femme Fatale” Hardwick likes to play with pyro and so was delighted when she finally got to try Enola Gaye’s latest offering. 26 KIT: BLUEYE EYEPRO Ioan “Iggy” Roberts takes a look at a name and product that is new to the airsoft market, as he checks out some eyepro worn by Military and Security personnel. 30 EVENT: OPERATION URGENT FURY Chris Wray reports from a game based on the historical events of 1983, when the USA invaded Granada. 34 SITE: INVICTA BATTLEFIELD Airsoft Action’s very own “Action Man”, Les Lee, once again dives into the wilds of Kent to discover yet another superb place to play. 38 INSIDE AIRSOFT: FUBAR BUNDY Les Lee meets and talks to the man behind one of airsoft’s most unusually-named companies. 42 EVENT: RED MIST 24: THE BATTLE LINE Gareth “Gadge” Harvey took part in Gunman’s latest instalment of their “Red Mist” series and discovered he has not lost his passion for “Cold War” airsoft – quite the opposite!

46 INTERNATIONAL: SOUTH AFRICA Continuing with his roaming remit to bring news of airsoft around the globe, this month Bill Thomas takes you to the “dark continent” and finds out a little more about the state of the game in South Africa. 50 GITAG: OPERATOR EDITOR Jerry Noone found the Operator Editor website/app online and tracked down the creators to find out more. 54 EVENT: MIDLANDS AIRSOFT FAIR Kelly Hardwick reports from an event that is growing in both size and popularity and which attracts both airsoft players and companies from across the UK. 56 POCKET ROCKETS: B&T MP9 In this instalment of his new column, Jerry Noone takes a close look at a really compact little replica that’s sure to bring a smile to the face of any airsofter, the Brügger & Thomet MP9 GBB from ASG. 60 AA DEBATE: AIRSOFT “CELEBRITIES” As airsoft social media continues to explode, with it comes a new phenomenon, the “Airsoft Celebrity”. In this month’s Debate, Gadge asks “Are Airsoft Celebrities a Good Thing?” 65 EVENT: WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATIONS Ioan “Iggy” Roberts reports from an event run by a new airsoft company that focusses on “hard core” play. 70 KIT: JETBOIL FLASH Survival expert, Paul Yelland, offers his views on a well-known cooking system that has become part of “standard kit” when doing an airsoft weekender. 72 INTERNATIONAL: FRANCE In her first article for Airsoft Action, French airsofter, Diane Montagnier, tells us how she turned an ordinary King Arms M&P 15 into something a bit special. 76 LOADED OR UNLOADED: FIRST TACTICAL Jerry Noone is always on the lookout for emerging brands and although they are well known and respected in the USA, First Tactical launched in Europe at IWA 2016 and are really making some inroads. 80 TECH TALK: UPPING THE ANTE Frenchie is asked to cover specific technical matters from time to time and this month’s article covers one of the most common requests – changing the velocity of an airsoft gun, specifically an AEG.

84 WARRIORS: BRITISH BERLIN BRIGADE Gadge continues his “Warriors” series with a look back to the 1960s and the British defenders of West Berlin, at that time deep within Soviet territory. 88 BOOK REVIEW: PRISONERS OF THE BRITISH Photographer and expert Battlefield Guide, Matt Limb OBE, writes about a book that covers a subject which probably very few of us think about… First World War prisoners held here in the UK.

91 AA COMPETITION: WIN AN ASG AW.308 GAS SNIPER An ASG Accuracy International AW .308, Strike Systems Scope, B&T Suppressor and ASG Bipod… all this could be yours if you enter this month’s exclusive Airsoft Action Competition! 92 FEATURE: STARTING OUT Thinking about getting into airsoft but not sure how? Gadge Harvey gives us his “Top 10 Tips” for starting out in airsoft. 96 FEATURE: SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS A question Andy Nightingale was asked recently was, “Why are snub nose revolvers, apart from the barrel size, in a different class than other revolvers?” A good and reasonable question, so he’ll try to explain here… 98 FAMOUS RAIDS: POINTE DU HOC On the 6th June 1944 things might have gone very differently were it not for the preparations that had taken place beforehand. Billy Basics writes about a mission that was pivotal to the success of D Day. 101 SITE DIRECTORY & PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUBS With the ever-growing popularity of Practical Shooting, we thought it was about time we started listing where you can go and take part – as well as over four pages of awesome airsoft venues! 106 DEALER LISTING: AIRSOFT ACTION’S ADVERTISER INDEX Find who you are looking for in our listing of all the adverts that appear in this issue.

S W E N T F O S AIR CERAKOTE COATINGS

AND THE WINNER IS… YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE like giving stuff away and one of the delights of running competitions is being able to ring people up and tell they have won… which is exactly what we did with the winner of our recent Competition to win Lars Hagemann’s ASG CZ SP-01 Shadow and a Team CZ Shooting Shirt. …and the winner is… Gary Davies, who works for the Port of London Authority. Gary answered the three questions correctly and his prize is winging its way to him as this is being typed. Many congratulations Gary, we are sure you will enjoy the SP-01 Shadow, it didn’t miss a beat all weekend and Lars used it to become the first ever Action Air European Production Division Champion. When we asked Lars why he chose the ASG SP-01, his answer was simple: “Because it is the best!” – and you can’t say fairer than that! Gary has promised to send us a picture of him with his prize, which we will publish in a future issue and don’t forget, in this issue you can win an ASG AW.308 gas sniper rifle, along with a scope, suppressor and bipod, simply by spotting the five differences between two photos on Page 91.

FISHBONE AIRSOFT FISHBONE AIRSOFT is a small company designing velcro patches and clothing, all related to airsoft. Our aim is to keep prices reasonably low and at the same time deliver top quality products. All products are limited up to few hundred pieces max. Hopefully, with increased sales, we will expand and be able to deliver even more exciting stuff. Please check it yourself at www.fishboneairsoft.com 6

Xmas 2016

HIGH CALIBRE COATING offers Cerakote Firearms coatings. As a factory trained NIC Certified applicator, I can offer the very best in service and advice to my customers. My aim is to offer a quality service at an affordable price with designs available in single colour, two-tone and multi-tone or let High Calibre Coatings create unique designs for you. With many years of experience as a Gunsmith you can guaranty your pride and joy is safe with me RFD : Suffolk 37RFD267. Don’t forget you can use Cerakote on Steel, Plastic, Polymers and wood . We also offer Cerakote High Temp coatings for Motorcycle and Car exhausts, manifolds etc.. The unique formulation of Cerakote ceramic coatings enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact, strength and hardness. Each of these properties is rigorously tested to guarantee that Cerakote products remain at the forefront of the ceramic coatings market. Cerakote ceramic coatings utilize state-ofthe-art technology to outperform any competitive coating in both laboratory settings and real world applications. Cerakote is the world leader in thin film ceramic coating technology. Please get in touch for more information and to discuss your requirements. mark@hccoatings 07941668265 www.hccoatings.co.uk www.facebook.com/hccoatings/

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THE ADVENTURES OF MAG

CARTOON

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Armoury ASG AW .308 GAS RIFLE

IF YOU FANCY HAVING A GO AT BEING AN AIRSOFT SNIPER, JERRY NOONE COMES UP WITH A NEW GAS RIFLE MODEL FROM ASG THAT WILL LET YOU GET ON THE FIELD WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK!

SERIOUS SNIP DURING MY MANY YEARS involved with airsoft from time to time I’ve toyed with the idea of adding a bolt-action sniper rifle to the armoury. I’ve tried many models from different manufacturers, from super cheap to mega expensive and enjoyed shooting them all but I’ve usually found myself thinking “I wish I could get just a bit more…”, which of course means investing more time and money into a replica that, in all honesty, I’m not going to use very often. It’s not just the rifle itself that I’m talking about either as, of course, to get a good setup you’re going to need the accessories to go with it; an optic, decent rings or mounts, a bipod and possibly even a suppressor all add to the overall cost of the build and when it comes to optics, well the sky is the limit. I have to admit that also I don’t really have the “sniper mind-set” which is really a must to be effective on the field; yes, I’ll happily hit a game with a semi-auto only DMR but the

thought of laying patiently in wait for my quarry is not really my style! A good sniper is worth their weight in gold though and I do truly admire those that embrace the role fully as over the years there are many times that I’ve taken a hit seemingly from nowhere and called out “Bloody good shot mate!” As I get older though, I seem to spend as much time happily on the range as on the skirmish field, tuning the accuracy and performance of my RIFs and just enjoying being out shooting, so recently my thoughts turned again to a bolt-action rifle. As it would happen, this neatly coincided with the release of a new gas bolt-action rifle from ActionSportGames (ASG) so I contacted UK and Ireland Sales Manager, Paul Wignell, to see if I could lay my hands on one to test. ASG are always very generous when it comes to getting review samples out to me and swiftly an Accuracy International AW .308 bolt-action rifle was dispatched direct from their head office in Denmark for me to try, along with all the accessories I would need! They also kindly agreed that once my testing and evaluation was complete that the rifle and accessories would stay in the UK and become a prize for one lucky Airsoft Action reader, proving yet again that they are all about supporting the community and getting high quality replicas into player’s hands! (For your chance to win this superb prize, turn to Page 91.)

A FINE HERITAGE

Accuracy International was originally formed in 1978. In 2005, it was bought out of administration by a small group of investors, including the two original designers. The newly formed company started with seven employees and, as of April 2015, had grown to 83 employees, including nine based at a facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.A. Under the leadership of Directors Tom Irwin and Dave Walls, Accuracy International designs, develops and manufactures sniper rifles for military and law enforcement groups as well as civilian competition shooters in over 60 countries. Considered the world’s premiere rifles, British forces have used AI rifles since 1985 and, in 2008 the Ministry of Defence re-equipped all U.K. forces with the company’s L115A3 sniper rifle system. 12

Xmas 2016

Armoury ASG AW .308 GAS RIFLE

IPING DEVELOPMENT FLAIR

In the early 1980’s the British Army started the search for the replacement of the aging L42 Lee Enfield sniper rifles. ParkerHale submitted for evaluation their Model 85 bolt action rifle and Accuracy International, their Precision Marksman, or PM rifle. The Accuracy International rifle was selected over the Parker Hale M85 and the British Army adopted into service in 1982 as the L96A1 in 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) and outfitted the rifle with Schmidt & Bender 6×42 telescopic sights; the rifle was supplied with the telescopic sight, a bipod, five magazines, sling, cleaning kit and tool roll, encased in a fitted transport case. One of the most unusual features of the PM rifle was design of the stock. Instead of the solid polymer or wooden stock, PM / L96 rifle used a hollow polymer stock, made from two halves and assembled around an aluminium bedding block, “ASG HAVE A LICENCE AGREEMENT WITH ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL, SO which extended its entire length. In the mid-1980s ANYTHING WITH THEIR BRANDING IS FULLY APPROVED BY THE REAL FIREARMS Swedish armed forces MANUFACTURER AND THE REPLICA ITSELF IN NO WAY DISAPPOINTS.” began their own search for a new sniper rifle, which could survive the cold and under the designation of L96A1, as did many other militaries harsh Nordic environments, so Accuracy International provided and Law Enforcement agencies around the world. In1998, an upgraded version of the PM, now known as the AW or the Bundeswehr also adopted the AW Super Magnum rifle “Arctic Warfare”. This was the start of the Arctic Warfare chambered in 7.62x67mm (.300 Winchester magnum) as the name, which became the primary name of the rifle family Scharfschutzengewehr G22. The free-floating, heavy, stainless despite its earlier names. steel barrels (stainless steel resists erosion better than normal The Swedish forces also adopted the AW rifle in barrels) available for the different cartridges all have a different 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester); the model they received length, groove cutting and rifling twist rate optimised for their though featured special de-icing features which allowed it to be chambering and intended ammunition. used effectively at temperatures as low as −40 °C (−40 °F). The The Accuracy International AW model has gone on to AW rifle featured a modified bolt with milled slots to prevent spawn an entire family of sniper rifles using the Arctic Warfare freezing and problems caused by penetrating water, dirt or name and has been adopted by a number of other countries, similar disturbances and the stock hole, bolt handle, magazine including Australia, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, release and trigger guard on the AW were enlarged to allow Latvia, Malaysia, Norway, the Netherlands, New Zealand, use with heavy Arctic mittens. This version was accepted into Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. use by the Swedish Army in 1991 as the Prickskyttegevär 90 This line-up of sniper rifles is among the best in the world (Psg 90). The British Army also adopted this improved design today. www.airsoft-action.online

Armoury ASG AW .308 GAS RIFLE

HOME ON THE RANGE

When the package arrived from Denmark to say I was excited would be a gross understatement! Whilst I have both SVD and AR-based gas DMRs, it’s been some time since I had a bolt-action to play with and the fact that what I received was also a gas model, made it particularly alluring. Gas has come on leaps and bounds in recent years and is more reliable than ever before. As well as the rifle itself, ASG kindly provided a Strike Systems 3-9x50E optic, a very neat folding bipod and a long Brugger & Thomet “ROTEX III” suppressor, so I was good to go! As regular readers of Airsoft Action know, ASG have a licence agreement with Accuracy International, so anything with their branding is fully approved by the real firearms manufacturer and the replica itself in no way disappoints; at 1055mm long, with a 448mm inner barrel it seriously looks business-like. The rifle is finished in black throughout, mimicking the AWP (Police) and AW AE (civilian) variants rather than the military models. I have to admit that I personally like this greatly as it means that the rifle can be used with many different loadouts and if you want to take the “mil” route then it’s just crying out for a custom paintjob! The outer barrel (which is full metal) comes with a cap at the sharp end covering a 14mm CCW threaded section, which means that you can simply add the flash-hider or suppressor of your choice should you wish to. The beautifully achieved

doddle as the fill valve is positioned on the top right centre of the bolt and is easily accessible even with the optic in place. The 32BB magazine, which comes with a loading tube, drops free smoothly from the bottom of the rifle when the large release is moved to the rear; I comment on the size of the release as a positive feature as it’s easy to use even when wearing gloves. With .20g BBs loaded I chrono’d the rifle and was very pleasantly surprised to obtain a very consistent mean velocity of 1.66Joule/424fps. With the ammo changed out to .25g I proceeded to re-zero the scope, which is straightforward due to some very nicely pronounced turrets which screw off easily to access the windage and elevation adjustment screws. The scope comes with a very useful little instruction sheet which “THE ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AW .308 FROM ASG TICKS ALL THE tells you how to zero it if you’ve never done this before. With the BOXES AND MAKES A SUPERB RANGE AND FIELD RIFLE. IT LOOKS GREAT, zero achieved it was down to IS ROCK SOLID IN CONSTRUCTION, USES GREAT MATERIALS THROUGHOUT business; at 30m it was easy to hits a sandbag each and every AND PERFORMS BEAUTIFULLY OUT OF THE BOX.” time; the bolt has a great, smooth action and a relatively short pull ergonomic two piece body looks every bit as realistic as compared to springer’s I’ve used in the past, clicking audibly you’d expect with a fully licenced replica and there is both an when cocked and returning easily to battery and the trigger adjustable cheek-riser and buttpad, so you can tailor it just as pull is nice and crisp. The rotary hop is operated simply as well, you like it. Front and rear there are metal sling points on both as it has a large adjustment wheel placed at the rearmost point sides. Over the action is a section of rail to mount your optic of the outer barrel. Once cocked the safety is easily engaged, and the lower front has another section to attach your bipod. sitting as it does immediately over the trigger beside the bolt. With the accessories fitted and the scope balanced and in Moving out to 50m the .25g BBs began to drift slightly, true, it was time to hit the range and I took with me a selection so I moved up to .28g and adjusted the scope and hop of BLASTER BBs in different weights and some of the new accordingly; with this done the sandbags were once again hit “Dave Walls/Accuracy International” branded .40g precision accurately. Taking this as my model I moved the sandbags out BBs that ASG have recently released. Gassing up the rifle is a to 75m and upped the BB weight to .30g… bingo! I did try the precision .40g BBs at this distance and I felt that with the rifle as standard they were just a little too much, although they did feed and fire very well indeed. I believe that if the rifle were upgraded to the 2.3Joule/500fps mark then the new, heavier weight BBs would be the perfect fodder for it. For me the Accuracy International AW .308 from ASG ticks all the boxes and makes a superb range and field rifle. It looks great, is rock solid in construction, uses great materials throughout and performs beautifully out of the box. The Strike Systems (ASG’s own brand) optic is clear as a bell, easy to adjust and once zeroed stays that way; I particularly like the red illuminated reticle which is very easy on the eye. The ASG folding bipod is of sturdy construction and is extremely straightforward to adjust and set. In closing though, the best is still to come as this super rifle is already in the shops and is selling for just £130-£135! This is outstanding value for what you’re getting I can assure you! The Strike Systems scope comes in around the 45 quid mark (plus rings) and a bipod can be had relatively inexpensively these days so that means you could have a viable sniper setup for under the £200 mark. This is outstanding and let’s face it, for those of you that want to don your Ghillie and get out in the woods a few cans of camo paint aren’t going to break the bank, are they? For more information on licenced products from Accuracy International, Strike Systems and all the other great brands they carry please do pay a visit to www.actionsportgames.com

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Armoury TM KEL-TEC KSG

HARD ASS GAS SHOTTIE AIRSOFT SHOTGUNS ARE NOT EVERYONE’S CUP OF TEA BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN ONE COMES ALONG THAT MAKES YOU THINK, AS SCOTT ALLAN FINDS OUT… “OVER THE CENTURIES, mankind has tried many ways of combating the forces of evil... prayer, fasting, good works and so on. Up until Doom, no one seemed to have thought about the double-barrel shotgun.” – Terry Pratchett Tokyo Marui have taken their third shotgun down the gas route and this time it is the mighty Kel-Tec KSG. The thing is with gas Airsoft products is they are very hard to replicate cheaply. I’ve seen enough of the cheap M500s to know most of them were garbage. The Marui KSG is riding on the coattails of the M870s they released previously - and man is it cool! Tokyo Marui is the true origin of Airsoft as we know it. They have been making Airsoft rifles since the dawn of our beloved sport and they are the actual designers of every major rifle you will see today. When I first saw the KSG I liked it but was concerned it would be a fiddle to use but I was also confident that Marui would make it a success. Everyone loves a shotgun. Zombie apocalypse survivor wannabes, trench clearing hard asses and CQB ninjas all get positively moist over the prospect of an epic shotgun kill

Xmas 2016

during a game. Not to mention those who are John Wick fans. Marushin used to hold the crown for the gas shotguns even though they were very fickle beasts. Their shell-ejecting series looked fantastic but are almost unusable for a highspeed gaming environment area unless the player has a friend wander along behind to pick up the expensive shells. The other model is the Mossberg 500 style; again it is lovely but the loading process was difficult, slow and not unlike an old black powder muzzle loader. There is a trade-off between function and realism in every aspect of Airsoft, more recent innovations like the Marui 416D and the PTS ERG do close the gap for the assault rifles. Other than this the Tokyo Marui SPAS 12 and M3, as well as the clones of these, were the main reliable shotgun. Being spring-powered they were a little slow to fire and re-cock but they were undoubtedly effective, albeit suffering with shorter ranges.

Armoury TM KEL-TEC KSG

“EVERYONE LOVES A SHOTGUN. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVOR WANNABES, TRENCH CLEARING HARD ASSES AND CQB NINJAS ALL GET POSITIVELY MOIST OVER THE PROSPECT OF AN EPIC SHOTGUN KILL DURING A GAME.”

THE REAL STEEL VERSION The Kel-Tec KSG is a pump-action, bullpup shotgun. It's tubefed, not unlike a Remington M870, except the KSG uses two separate tubes to hold a maximum of seven shells, instead of a single tube. The concept is good but I fear slightly flawed. The idea is you can have two different shot types, one in each tube. By switching from one to the other you do not have to reload. If you have buckshot in one and slugs in the other you would simply switch but the issue is what if you have already chambered a shell? The only way to remove it is to fire it or eject the live shell. Not a massive issue but certainly a consideration. Having 14 shots is pretty decent especially in a compact package like the KSG, although I imagine loading them under a stressful situation wouldn’t be the easiest. Shotguns are so good for many reasons, one of which is the spread of the shell, so you don’t have to be dead on accurate to hit your target. But unlike a 5.56mm assault rifle which uses a fairly narrow range of ammunition, a shotgun can use a huge range of shell types, loads and power for any circumstances. From bird shot that pretty-much fires a fine grain ammunition over a large area, to a 12 gauge grenade round and a bean bag round (like Johnny Knoxville experienced hilariously in Jackass) and everything in between. To give you a rough idea, you can watch the trailer on YouTube for the “Magpul Art of the Tactical Shotgun” and you can see a quick overview of why the shotgun is popular and so versatile.

THE AIRSOFT VERSION

Tokyo Marui always present your new pride and joy in a lovely box with a blue ribbon. The KSG is much more compact than the M870 due to the bullpup design. There is an evident plastic look about the whole shotgun yet this is exactly how the real version appears. The sights aren’t the best looking either but they aren’t overly important for this type of replica.

Performance is key with any Airsoft “primary”. The days of the ineffective skirmish weapon being accepted in the UK market are long gone. Players and the size of their wallets now drive the Airsoft market, not collectors and these players want 300-370fps and plenty of range. They also want ease of use so that they can continue to play almost unhindered over longer periods of time. While the shell holds ten shots and the dummy tube holds a spare you are going to want to practice reloads and it isn’t going to be very fast.

How do you do a gas system? Pistols have gas in the magazine as well as the BBs, this makes the magazines more expensive, heavy and the gas reservoir takes up space – which there isn’t enough of in a shotgun shell. This leaves the shotgun itself to hold the gas. Classically you would gas the actual rifle itself, this means you have to carry gas with you and fill it during play which is a little fiddly. This leaves what Tokyo Marui came up with; a gas tank that fits into the stock that boasts a quick release so spares can be carried on the player. Each tank should hold enough gas to fire 150 rounds – now that is pretty impressive.

Can I load different shot like a real version? Well not quite, unfortunately there is no 12 gauge High Explosive shell available but the Marui KSG does sport a fire

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Armoury TM KEL-TEC KSG

Use in the game field Shotguns are like the AK47 in Airsoft. Almost everyone loves them but few take the plunge and buy one but those who use them are die-hard converts and swear by their beloved buckshot slugging pump guns. In fairness, I respect any player who breaks away from the norm massively, mainly because they are doing something they love rather than following a crowd of M4-touting sheep (a flock I belong to myself). Indoor and close in game sites should be home turf for the KSG, the close range and larger spread should give you a definite edge against a single shot opponent. In woodland where range and rate of fire are a bigger element you might find yourself on the back foot. This is where the KSG does move away from the mainstream average player even though they are immensely good fun. The changing of shells during play does give the player that additional element of realism and the choice of running 3 or 6 shots gives you great in-game choice. With the KSG you are definitely going to want a vertical grip to help pump it and it’ll also look more cool.

Conclusion

“TOKYO MARUI CAME UP WITH A GAS TANK THAT FITS INTO THE STOCK THAT BOASTS A QUICK RELEASE SO SPARES CAN BE CARRIED ON THE PLAYER. EACH TANK SHOULD HOLD ENOUGH GAS TO FIRE 150 ROUNDS – NOW THAT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.”

selector which is a first. You can quickly cock the arm back and change from 3 to 6 rounds and simply cock it forward again. There is a slight drop off in power as you punt double the number of rounds out of the barrel but it is immensely satisfying to see the white wall of death crash into your target.

Summary of the features

The power doesn’t seem to shake the Earth but bear in mind this is 3 rounds travelling, or even 6! You could be tempted to use something with a little bit more “oomph” to up the power but bear in mind that Tokyo Marui are not designed to run high powered gas. It’s not really designed to pump out 350 fps, more of a large light slap from a boxing glove than a sniper heavy stab. The weight of the KSG is quite low compared to the M870 and while it definitely doesn’t feel flimsy it does feel small and like a small M4. This does mean it is nimble and quick to manipulate in the game area, you won’t tire out running this over a longer period of time.

This is not a crazy expensive shotgun and is it particularly simple to use and run. For starters the spare gas tanks are expensive at around £35-40, the shells on the other hand are compatible with some of the third party types like the ASG shells.

So should you bother? Well if depends on your budget. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone but those who really want to play with a shotgun and of those I’d only really go for one indoors. While it carries the TM high price tag, being a Japanese product it is great fun and enjoyable. Now all I need is a Mustang, a nice suit and a puppy’s death to avenge!

features Weight 2.5 kilos Length 660mm Power 260fps on 3 Round (Nuprol Gas) Magazine TM Shotgun Shell 30 rounds (10 shots at 3 rounds, 5 shots at 6 rounds) Gas Tank holds 150 rounds of gas Construction Metal Receiver and barrel, polymer stock RRP £380

Xmas 2016

Armoury FAMAS

FRENCHIE TAKES A LOOK BACK AS A FAMOUS NAME IN BOTH REAL-STEEL AND AIRSOFT WORLDS IS FINALLY RETIRED.

AU REVOIR FAMAS “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, the more they stay the same …apparently. I’m not sure that this is really relevant to this article but it’s in French and since the subject of this piece is quintessentially French, it’ll do. It has finally happened – the French military has decided upon a replacement for the venerable FAMAS, so as a fanboy of “Le Clarion” I thought it was time to look back at the FAMAS, both as a military arm but also because it has a unique place in airsoft history. FAMAS is a contraction of Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de St-Etienne (Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory, which is a member of the French Government-owned GIAT Industries concern) and was developed, starting in 1967, as a replacement for a number of then-serving French weapons;

Xmas 2016

MAS Mle.49/56 semi-automatic rifles, MAT-49 submachine gun and possibly some light machine guns. There seems to have been extensive testing of potential calibres but the US adoption of the 5.56mm round and its subsequent insistence that other NATO members do likewise, seems to have concentrated French minds. Being French, however, their 5.56 wasn’t quite the same as other 5.56… The new rifle was ready for testing in 1972 but wasn’t formally adopted and issued until 1978 and the French army used licence-built Sig540s to bridge the gap. The FAMAS is a unique weapon. It was not wholly unprecedented in using the bullpup format, with the action mounted behind the trigger. The Austrian Army had adopted a (much better) AUG a year earlier and the British had developed the highly promising EM2 before it’s development was stymied – by US insistence that NATO adopt the 7.62x51mm round, only to abandon their main battle rifle chambered for that round in record time. Thanks ‘Murica! The FAMAS is built from plastic and steel and it will be no surprise (given experiences here in the UK) that French troops were soon complaining that the plastic parts had a tendency to break, especially the plastic cheek piece that covered the unused ejection port, which must have been fun. One of the most unusual features of the FAMAS was its method of operation. Eschewing the (largely) common gas operation, the FAMAS used a lever-delayed blowback system derived from the work of the Hungarian designer Paul de Kiraly, which was further developed by Paul Tellie at MAS. This system had been used in the AAT52 machine gun and while elegant and effective, it did mean that chamber pressure at the point of extraction was considerably higher than with more “traditional” systems. As a consequence, the French 5.56mm round was steel-cased and the French military sought to ensure that only their ammunition was used in the rifle. Use of NATO brass-cased ammunition tended to result in torn cases and failed extractions. If the minutiae of this kind of thing interests you, Ian McColm of Forgotten Weapons on YouTube does an excellent take down and explanation of the inner working of the FAMAS. Indulge your inner geek! In another typically Gallic nod to standardisation, the FAMAS was issued with a non-STANAG (Standardisation Agreement) 25-round, disposable magazine. Unfortunately as

Armoury FAMAS

has ever been the case, the French Army quickly discovered that disposable magazines were far too expensive to actually dispose of and so the poor French soldier had to reuse magazines that were never intended to be reused. Many of the problems encountered with FAMAS in the early days were down to feed issues from worn magazines. Ultimately the French had to ensure a supply of better-made reusable magazines for the F1 variant, while the later G2 would only accept STANAG 30-round M16 style magazines. This variant was not widely issued, being used predominantly by the French Navy although the army purchased some. Overall production of all variants was in the region of 400,000 rifles. All variants of the FAMAS, with the exception of the shortest “Commando” version, are capable of launching rifle grenades and will accept a bayonet which unusually fits over the barrel rather than under it. Later variants could accept a M203 40mm grenade launcher which mounted under the foregrip. Sights were a combination of rear diopter (peep hole) and front post and were fully adjustable. They were protected by the distinctive carry handle which led to the nickname “Clarion”, or Bugle. Despite its shortcomings the FAMAS did many of the things that a bullpup rifle has to, unlike the L85 in British service. With decent ammo and magazines it is reliable and it is capable of shooting accurately with most NATO ammo (operating issues notwithstanding). It is completely ambidextrous - the charging handle is mounted along the centre line within the carry handle, the rifle can be easily converted to eject to either left or right and the controls, again mounted on the centreline are easily operated by both left and right-handed users. The combined safety/fire selector is mounted ahead of the trigger and there is a full/three-round burst selector mounted behind the magazine well at the rear of the rifle. In August 2016 it was confirmed that the French military would be replacing its ageing FAMAS stocks with the Heckler & Koch 416F – the “F” designation denoting “French”. As far as I can see the major difference is the furniture but expect to see a bayonet mount, as befits a military rifle. I cannot criticise the French for their choice of weapon, the 416 is as good an AR-15 variant as will be found today and it is reported that the French expect to get 30 years of service from them. That’s one for all the M4 critics to get their heads round. Personally I think we are likely to see the few nations that currently use bullpup rifles replace them with more traditional weapons in the future. The theory behind bullpups is sound but in practice the problems associated with them seem to outweigh those advantages.

THE TOKYO MARUI FAMAS F1

1992 WAS IN SOME RESPECT Year Zero for airsoft as Tokyo Marui (TM) introduced the F1 to the world. It seems an odd choice of weapon and that may have been more for technical reasons than anything else but the FAMAS was the first Automatic Electric Gun (AEG) and it revolutionised airsoft. Previously airsoft guns had been either spring powered or used

a gas system, often HPA (High Pressure Air). Both systems had their drawbacks as far as players were concerned and the F1 at a stroke wiped these issues aside. Powered by a rechargeable battery pack the FAMAS was compact and reliable – like the real thing all a player needed was charged batteries and a supply of ammo and they were good to go. Compared to earlier HPA setups this was the very definition of freedom. Nearly a quarter of a century later, with AEGs the predominant gun design, it is difficult to believe that things were ever otherwise. The FAMAS was, therefore, quite literally unique and in most respects it remains so. The Version One gearbox and the EG560 motor are found only in the FAMAS. The gearbox is so relaxed that you could be forgiven for thinking it’s asleep. FPS has never been high; out of the box expect around 280 fps with 0.2g ammo but the EG560 delivered a rate of fire that far exceeded even Marui’s later models – as I remember to my cost in terms of ammo and magazines. Originally there was no hop unit (since Marui hadn’t developed it) but once available it was incorporated into the F1 giving it much improved range. In some respects the FAMAS from Marui was a developmental dead-end as nothing in it was used in subsequent models. The design of AR-15s and AK variants is so different that new gearboxes and hop units had to be designed along with new motors. The FAMAS remains frozen in time, much as originally designed. It is highly unlikely

“THE BRITISH HAD DEVELOPED THE HIGHLY PROMISING EM2 BEFORE IT’S DEVELOPMENT WAS STYMIED - BY US INSISTENCE THAT NATO ADOPT THE 7.62X51MM ROUND, ONLY TO ABANDON THEIR MAIN BATTLE RIFLE CHAMBERED FOR THAT ROUND IN RECORD TIME.” that we will ever see a recoil version of the FAMAS, not even an upgraded version of the original. It stands as testament to the brilliant, ground-breaking work that Marui did at the start of the 1990s. As a player I loved the FAMAS, I think I have owned 6 of them over the last decade and a bit. As a tech I have never found them worth the effort of upgrading, you can do minor things like hop rubbers and maybe improved bushings and gears but the EG560 motor limits how big a spring you can pull and that imposes a limit on fps. It was however very reliable and its rate of fire, even on 8.4v batteries, would empty 300-round high caps in about 10 seconds. It was as accurate as any airsoft gun and I personally found it a pleasant gun to use, the bipod was great for keeping the gun off muddy sites between games although it was rotten to shoot off as it lacked any provision for slew. It was (at the time) amongst the cheaper models available and

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Armoury FAMAS

”ORIGINALLY THERE WAS NO HOP UNIT (SINCE MARUI HADN’T DEVELOPED IT) BUT ONCE AVAILABLE IT WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE F1 GIVING IT MUCH IMPROVED RANGE. IN SOME RESPECTS THE FAMAS FROM MARUI WAS A DEVELOPMENTAL DEAD-END AS NOTHING IN IT WAS USED IN SUBSEQUENT MODELS.”

Xmas 2016

that probably contributed to its popularity for a while. These days it is no longer a cheap option and although it remains in Marui’s catalogue I cannot remember when I last saw one new in a box and although I don’t frequent sites as often as I used to, it has been a very long time since I saw one used by a player. Compared to modern AEGs which outperform it by a substantial factor this isn’t really that surprising but I do find it a little sad. The FAMAS represents the beginning of airsoft as all players who have taken up the pastime in the last decade know it. It quite literally changed everything and airsoft hasn’t looked back. Although HPA has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence and is an easier option than it was back in the day and gas rifles and pistols are far better than they were, the electric rifle is the mainstay of airsoft here and abroad. It is unlikely that we will see a significant change in that situation either, like the 5.56mm round and the rifles that fire it, there may be better options out there but they are not so much better as to make economic sense for there to be a wholesale change of approach amongst airsofters. The Marui FAMAS sits proudly at the heart of this development, it was the first and it established a new standard for guns that were effective and useable. Like the rifle that it replicated it is fading into the past, overtaken by developments that build directly upon its ground-breaking innovation. For all its flaws (and it has them), the Marui FAMAS is the giant upon whose shoulders all subsequent makers and designers stand, so I will bid it, and its real counterpart a fond “Au revoir et merci!”

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KIT PYROTECHNICS – ENOLA GAYE

BLACK SMOKE HYPE

KELLY “FEMME FATALE” HARDWICK LIKES TO PLAY WITH PYRO AND SO WAS DELIGHTED WHEN SHE FINALLY GOT TO TRY ENOLA GAYE’S LATEST OFFERING. Image: James Murray

AS 2016 BEGINS TO REACH its end, in December we see the release of one of the most anticipated Airsoft products of 2016! We have seen the sneak peeks on social media from across the pond in the US but now the UK is finally able to get its hands on the exclusive Enola Gaye black smoke! Firstly, let’s chat a little bit about Enola Gaye and who they are. Enola Gaye are a worldwide (and Europe’s longest serving) pyrotechnics company that manufactures products for both the Airsoft and Paintball industries. Enola Gaye was founded in 1996 with the idea of manufacturing a paintball grenade that looked similar to real steel grenades and was biodegradable so it could be used at outdoor paintball fields. Over the course of the last 20 years we have seen their name become an “Airsoft Household name” and their product lines expand from the humble

Xmas 2016

paintball grenade, to Thunderflashes, MK 5s, flash grenades and, of course, smoke grenades in their 7 colours. Now they have added another colour to their portfolio and a range of new products to go with it. In October I travelled to Reading to spend a day at Enola Gaye HQ, to test the new black smoke and to see what new products will be making their way to UK Airsofters over the next 12 months! So the first products that we take a look at are the products that will now be available in black: ● The WP40 – A 90 second, steady outburst, wire pull smoke grenade that is available in all 7 colours that fits into standard 40mm pouches. ● The EG18 – A 90 second, high output, thick density wire pull smoke grenade. Designed as a crossover between Airsoft/ Paintball pyrotechnics and Military specification pyro. ● The EG18X – Designed to create a massive smoke cloud

KIT PYROTECHNICS – ENOLA GAYE

in the shortest time possible to give a thick cover smoke when it’s needed the most. A 45 second, steady output, thick density wire pull smoke grenade. ● The Wire Pull Burst – My personal favourite, designed for the more aggressive Airsofter – the 25 second, high output, wire pull smoke grenade that releases the product from both sides. Now here’s a preview of the products we can expect to be dropping in 2017! ● SD75 – The SD75 (or Smoke Device 75) is similar to the new Cloud Maker wire pull smoke grenade that EG will be releasing in early 2017, it is a 3 minute – yep you read that correctly – a 3 minute, high coverage wire pull smoke grenade. This will be the

“ALTHOUGH MY FAVOURITE COLOURS OF THEIR RANGES ARE ORANGE, BLUE AND PURPLE, WHEN ENOLA GAYE SAY THEIR NEW BLACK SMOKE IS “PROBABLY THE BEST COLOUR OF SMOKE GRENADE WE HAVE MADE” I DON’T THINK THEY’RE WRONG.” in those rooms and clear your opponents out. These are best for low light, urban and CQB game play to get the most out of the effects! I use a lot of the current flash grenades and find them really useful when a solid state grenade won’t reach the end of a corridor/room before deploying its munitions and a light, timed pyro is needed. Unlike the M5s the munitions are deployed from the bottom of the tube so the tube is not destroyed – this makes them easier to clear away after use (good news for site owners and marshals!) ● MK 7 – The new MK 7 is a louder, harder hitting bang than the MK 5 that we can expect to see in early 2017, and it will work in a similar way to the current MK 5 – via a friction ignition and upon detonation its shell is completely destroyed. ● Wire Pull Micro Smoke EG25 – This is the product I am probably most excited about – lightweight and no bigger than a “Pritt” stick but packs an epic 25 second burst of thick smoke; perfect for if you need a short burst of cover to gain access to a room quickly. The Micro Smoke will be available in all 8 colours including black. The reason I am so excited about the EG25 is because of how cute it looks – how can a smoke grenade be cute right? But just like mini toothpastes and shampoos, these are functional and space-saving, meaning you can carry more smoke onto the field and take up less space in your tactical kit.

longest lasting smoke grenade designed specifically for Airsoft and Paintball use. Although this particular smoke will be more suited to big scenarios rather than being carried in a pouch due to its weight and size, it is sure to be a hit. ● Wire pull flash grenade 3.0 – The next generation of the friction flash grenade 1.0 that is currently on the market, easier ignition but the same low level bang and a white light that is designed to confuse opponent so you can get

Enola Gaye are consistently creating new and innovative products to push the Airsofter’s and Paintballer’s experience of the game further and I can’t wait to see and use these products in game! Although my favourite colours of their ranges are orange, blue and purple, when Enola Gaye say their new black smoke is “probably the best colour of smoke grenade we have made” I don’t think they’re wrong. 25

KIT BLUEYE EYEPRO

IOAN “IGGY” ROBERTS TAKES A LOOK AT A NAME AND PRODUCT THAT IS NEW TO THE AIRSOFT MARKET, AS HE CHECKS OUT SOME EYEPRO WORN BY MILITARY AND SECURITY PERSONNEL.

BLUEYE EYE PROTECTION AS WE ALL KNOW, EYE PROTECTION is the foremost important thing in our beloved sport. So when a company offers a new option to review, I like to asses a few things that cause an issue. They are: durability, comfort and whether or not they steam up. The company that supplied the eyepro I am reviewing here is called “Blueye Eyewear”. The company was formed in December 1995, when Dean Bennell (Director and Founder) came up with a new eyewear concept for jockeys in horse racing. Whilst working as a horse trainer in Sydney, Australia, Dean had the foresight to realise that the goggles jockeys were wearing had not changed in design or materials since the 1950’s and so set about creating something that would offer superb protection, whilst being light and easy to wear. Since then they have specialised in eye protection for many sports and are a well-recognised and respected global brand.

Xmas 2016

Their most recent move into the Military/Security sector brings them in line with our sport. As I’m sure you have guessed, they offer a range of sets of eye protection from goggles to glasses. I was given a set of each that they feel would best suit the requirement of an airsofter; the “Jager” glasses and “Fluid” goggles.

JAGER GLASSES

These are designed to sit very close to your eyes, wrapping right around your eye sockets. This clearly offers all round protection without any chance of a pellet getting through around the side or underneath. I have full confidence in the protection offered by these glasses. They conducted a ballistic test for us in front of our cameras and fired over 2,000 pellets into the glasses without a break. The glasses were on a polystyrene head and was absolute proof that the glasses are up to the job. They are not even scratched, yet the polystyrene head is barley in one piece, yet alone resembling a human face (apart from the eyes which were obviously behind the glasses). The Jager glasses come with 3 lenses: Clear, Hi Definition (HD) and Smoke. The lenses are easily interchangeable with a locking system securing them in place with more than just pull clips. This locking system is positioned on the bridge of the

KIT BLUEYE EYEPRO

release clips that attach to a FAST helmet. These can be bought nose. A section of the frame has to be pulled out, removing separately or ordered instead of the conventional head strap. locking pins from the lens as well as the usual pull clips before I also used these on a sea boat (rigid inflatable boat/RIB) the lens can be removed. where they (and myself) were battered by the waves that came The HD lenses really enhance your surroundings, making over the bow, thanks to our “avid coxswain” showing what the that dark spot concealing an enemy sharp shooter not so dark. RIB is capable of and was very happy to find the water and salt The glasses come with an optional lanyard that goes from just washed off and didn’t stick. one arm to the other and aids to securing them to your head. I The goggles have air holes (smaller than 6mm!) and filled found these glasses very comfortable to wear and the fact they with foam and this is the reason that they don’t steam up. were so close to my face meant I can easily wear the lower face There is a constant all round air supply. I wear a bush hat or a mask comfortably. cap and this didn’t seem to close off the vents at the top of the My main issue with these glasses was they steamed up goggles, however, I can’t comment on any effects that a thick when I was moving around. However they cleared up as soon winter hat would have. as I stopped moving due to the airflow that was still available all around the lenses. During the night (dark hours) I changed to the clear lenses because any colour made “I USED THESE ON A SEA BOAT WHERE THEY (AND MYSELF) WERE it darker and therefore so hard to spot the BATTERED BY THE WAVES THAT CAME OVER THE BOW, THANKS enemy and often too late by the time they TO OUR “AVID COXSWAIN” SHOWING WHAT THE RIB IS CAPABLE spotted you.

FLUID GOGGLES

OF AND WAS VERY HAPPY TO FIND THE WATER AND SALT JUST WASHED OFF AND DIDN’T STICK.”

These goggles sit comfortably on the face. Although when using a lower face mask I felt the goggles made the lower face mask sit a little uncomfortably. This, plus the fact that the goggle’s “look” is not as “ally” as the glasses look are the only issues I can see with the goggles. I put them through just a vigorous testing as the glasses but they, to my pleasant surprise, refused to steam up. The view through the goggles was wide enough. A lot of goggles/ eye pro masks I have used in the past restrict your peripheral. Granted there is a small limitation against wrap-around glasses but as I suggested, nothing worthy of worrying about. They come with clear and smoked lenses. These are easy to change by pulling the frame apart and slotting the other lens in place. It is possible to get attachment straps with custom quick

Overall I preferred the goggles but only because they didn’t seem to steam up under any circumstance I put them through. This is of course my own opinion and experience but what I can say is Blueye have done their research and put a lot of thought behind these eye protection options. They have produced products that are serious competition to the existing market for ballistic proof eye protection and if they are good enough for use in the “real” world, then they should fit right in with us airsofters too. For more information on Blueye eyewear please look up www.blu-eye-uk.com, www.tacticalgoggles.co.uk or look out for them in your favourite airsoft stores.

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event 34TH INFANTRY: THE INVASION OF GRENADA

OPERATION URGENT FURY CHRIS WRAY REPORTS FROM A GAME BASED ON THE HISTORICAL EVENTS OF 1983, WHEN THE USA INVADED GRANADA. TODAY IS ONE THOSE great airsoft days, it’s a “new gun day”! The game I was playing in was set in the 3-day invasion of Grenada in 1983 by USA Forces; think more Heartbreak Ridge than real life, where I was playing in a squad of US Marines Recon. Now anyone that knows me well will tell you my favourite airsoft gun is the XM177 and I currently have a nice Classic Army one that I love to bits and this was the perfect time for me to use it, or so I thought. The week before the game I “just happened” to pop into JD Airsoft, in Cannock, to have a browse through their large selection of guns when I came Across the WE XM177 gas

Xmas 2016

blow back carbine, which I thought I would have a quick test fire of. 10 shots later on their test range I had a huge smile and was sold! I ended up buying one and 5 mags - but back to the game; this was being run by The 34th Infantry games team and was being held at Fireball Squadron Airsoft Club in Birmingham. The game was using their great mission system that they use so well in the WW2 games they run. Each side was made up of 3 squads of 6, so we had US Recon Marines VS Cuban Military disguised as civilian construction workers. After my pre-game ritual of 3 bacon rolls at the MacDonald’s by the site entrance, we started to gear up. That is when the heavens opened up and it looked like it could be a very wet day, it was starting to look like the poncho I packed in my butt-pack may have been a great idea. The game and safety brief was held under the site’s large covered safe zone and thankfully, by the end of the brief the rain had stopped. We moved out to what was going to be our HQ for the day (which if there is a photo of it some may notice it as a replica 1:1 of an old Airfix strong-point kit). The sun was now out in force and stayed out, giving us a scorcher of a day with no more rain. Keeping with the Heartbreak Ridge look, most of the recon players had applied a liberal amount of camo’ face paint and really looked the part. The squad leaders had collected their first missions and we headed out into the game zone. It was now coming up to 10am and game on, with the game being played right through until 16:15. Each squad had an HQ that they would return to throughout the day. They also had a preset starting mission. Once this mission was completed, squads would return back to their HQ and select another mission from 13 different ones. With a variety of missions to choose from, the game is not timed or scripted, so you never know where the enemy is, and have to be on your toes at all times. All 3 recon squads had a back pack with a working PRC 77 radio inside so we could stay in contact if needed and ensure

event 34TH INFANTRY: THE INVASION OF GRENADA

there would be no friendly fire (in theory). The backpack also something close by but no enemy were seen. After the 10 contained the pyros and charges needed for some of the minutes had passed we blew the C4 pyro charges and moved missions and also a flag which is used as a mobile control point, out towards the second supply depot. (a mobile regen point), which if used and was not under fire, We arrived with no enemy contact, although we almost had allowed players to re-arm and remove any bandages they may a blue on blue contact, with ourselves almost being ambushed have. When hit, players are medic’d by team mates applying a by another recon team who were out hunting an enemy unit. bandage. Two bandages can be used, after that dead players Thankfully both radio operators were on the ball and kept must return to their HQ or CP point to regen’ and remove us from harm. So once again we set up a perimeter as the bandages. charges were prepared and laid. With 3 minutes to go, our Our first mission had two aspects (I may have added furthest sentry started to fire on an advancing enemy squad. the second bit) the rest of the squad had to secure the HQ He took the first Cuban out, which sent the rest to ground perimeter with metal stakes and barbed wire to keep back any and they started to rain down fire on us. We opened up on locals or Cubans, whereas I took it upon myself to help spruce them, taking out another but one of ours had been hit and up our HQ with pages and images from …let’s just say a wellfell to the ground. As we put covering fire down the nearest known Hugh Hefner magazine from 1983! Squad 2 were setting “I “JUST HAPPENED” TO POP INTO JD AIRSOFT, IN CANNOCK, TO HAVE up claymores on the routes to the A BROWSE THROUGH THEIR LARGE SELECTION OF GUNS WHEN I CAME side of our HQ and Squad 3 was clearing the nearby village with a ACROSS THE WE XM177 GAS BLOW BACK CARBINE, WHICH I THOUGHT mine detector making it safe and I WOULD HAVE A QUICK TEST FIRE OF. 10 SHOTS LATER ON THEIR TEST also adding warning signs to the RANGE I HAD A HUGE SMILE AND WAS SOLD!” area. With our first mission completed, we selected our first real mission. We were tasked to blow up 2 different Cuban recon member crawled to our injured player and applied a supply depots. We chose to head to the southern one of the bandage which got him back into the game. The enemy put two which was very close to the Cuban HQ, thinking that this down smoke and started to advance, lucky for us the charges might be the riskier of the two. We were right! And after 5 were set, so one last burst of fire at the enemy and we blew minutes we saw 2 enemy squads moving together. As they the charges and headed backwards into the thick undergrowth. outnumbered us and were moving away from our target area The enemy had not realised we had pulled out as we heard we moved into the bushes and watched them moving away a couple of grenades go off close to where we had been while quietly radioing in their position to the other 2 Recon moments before and we slowly made out way back to our HQ squads. We then moved toward the supply depot. As we got without further contact. close our point man stopped us. I moved up to see what the Squad 2 were back at the base as we arrived, just getting issue was, in front of him was a booby trap trip wire across our ready to move out. They had just completed a mission to path, another step or two and it would have been triggered. engage the enemy with an extra supply of grenades and try We followed the wire to find a ring-pull bb grenade and to get as many kills as they could before withdrawing quickly. managed to untie the grenade and disarm the trap, keeping They had managed to take out 4 of the enemy squad with no the grenade for use later. We moved on and set up a perimeter loss and were now on a mission to gather intel’ on the enemy around the supply depot as it would take 10 minutes for us to base, plus they would gain more points if they could do the set our charges and blow them. Twice we thought we heard mission with no enemy contact. We wished them good luck as

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event 34TH INFANTRY: THE INVASION OF GRENADA

we grabbed a quick drink and then onto our next mission. This mission was to head into enemy territory, locate the local prison and find a US Ranger that had been captured and was being held there. We set off towards the prison and things were looking good until the bushes to our flank opened up with gunfire! We had wandered straight into an enemy ambush. Half the squad had been shot, the rest managed to take cover. I had just dropped 2 smoke grenades down to cover us as I got shot and fell to the floor. With only 2 left alive, one opened up to give the other covering fire as he dashed from player to play and applied a bandage to get us back into the game. I was the last back up and by this time the enemy had bugged out. We decided as most of the squad had one bandage on and a second would be KIA, to move to a nearby location secure it and deploy the CP bag. This meant we could take the bandages off and bomb up back to our full 300 rounds if needed but it also meant we were stuck here for the

“ONCE THIS MISSION WAS COMPLETED, SQUADS WOULD RETURN BACK TO THEIR HQ AND SELECT ANOTHER MISSION FROM 13 DIFFERENT ONES. WITH A VARIETY OF MISSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM, THE GAME IS NOT TIMED OR SCRIPTED, SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THE ENEMY IS, AND HAVE TO BE ON YOUR TOES AT ALL TIMES.” next 10 minutes. The 10 minutes seemed to take an age but then we were back on mission and soon made it to the prison. We had a large explosive charge we used to blow the doors open but which would also alert any nearby enemy where we were. So we dashed into the prison and found the Ranger who was in a bad way (both arms had fallen off the dummy) but thankfully our corpsman was good and managed to fix him up fast and we got him onto the stretcher. Just as we went to move off, the enemy opened up on the front of the prison, with a third of the squad carrying the wounded ranger we made the dash out of a side exit dropping 32

Xmas 2016

smoke to cover our escape. Twice more on the way back we had to do the same, drop smoke and fire a few shots to cover the stretcher bearers as we bugged out fast. We eventually made it back to the base, it was great to get a breather and a drink as the day had turned into a roaster and moving fast through the undergrowth had worked up bit of a sweat. We decided to do 1 mission then grab some lunch, this made the mission choice easy: Supply Run. The supply mission is always roughly the same; head to the location, get the supply box, get it back to HQ asap, always a popular mission as they often filled the box with pop, sweets, pyros and other surprises. At the last WW2 game I did here it was a Japanese supply box and was full of weird and wonderful oriental sweets. As we headed out we ran straight into Squad 3, who had just grabbed their supply box, they had been ambushed by the enemy but had managed to beat them back long enough to get their supplies and bug out to complete the mission. They were going to open their box and grab some lunch, then move out when we returned. This mission went without a hitch. We saw the enemy in the distance but they were moving back to their own HQ and away from us so we managed to get the supply box and make it back to our HQ with no contact. We opened our box to share out the goodies inside. I grabbed a bag of jelly babies and some popping candy. There were lots of sweets, some cans of pop and I’m sure I saw some smoke grenades but it was nice to get a quick break and some food and a sit down out of the sun. Squad 3 were preparing to move out as Squad 2 returned from a mission, it was a rare moment when all 3 squads were at the HQ together. HQs are off limit but can be observed/ photos taken etc. for missions. We discovered that this was happening as we heard the shout “Freedom Sweets” as a bag of “sports mixture” landed between us. We never saw the enemy but we knew they had been pretty close to us, no doubt getting intel on us for one of their missions! A little embarrassed to be caught off guard, there was only one thing to do, we shared out the sports mixture… After lunch it was straight back out into the field. Our mission was to set up an ambush on an enemy patrol but as we approached what we thought would be a great ambush spot, we found that an enemy squad had thought the same

event 34TH INFANTRY: THE INVASION OF GRENADA

and ambushed us. We managed to get into cover and tried to gain the upper hand with a grenade counter-attack. This was when karma took a swipe at us. The grenade we retrieved earlier from the enemy trip wire was thrown but it turned out that it was still an enemy grenade, as it hit a small branch and bounced right back at us killing 4 of the squad - including myself and the thrower. Thankfully they had also taken a few casualties and withdrew, allowing our surviving member to bandage us all and get us back into the game. We quickly moved to a different spot along a popular route and hid in the bushes and waited. After a short time a Cuban squad approached our position, they were very cautious and wellspaced. We let them get just past us as we opened up with grenades and a few shots and before they realised what was happening they were all dead. We posed for a couple of photos and headed off back to HQ for further orders. We chose a “gather Intel” mission. Our objective was to get close to the enemy HQ, try to take photos of the HQ, gather numbers of their squads and try to identify any leaders. This mission carried a huge boost to the points gained if we could do this without any enemy knowing we were there and with zero contact. We set off on a very roundabout route in order to get close. We saw no enemy at all on the way and managed to get very close to their base. We had a great position, so we waited for about 15 minutes, hidden and silent. Two Cuban squads walked past us, less than a couple of meters away. We managed to get photos of the HQ and both squads to hopefully identify the leaders. We waited a little longer hoping to catch a glimpse of the third squad but they never showed so we pulled back slowly and managed to make it back to HQ with no contact. I really like these missions where you have to avoid enemy contact, even when they are right in front of you and not aware of your presence, it just breaks it all up nicely. We managed 2 more missions both with minimal or no contact at all. The first one was to tap into the enemy communications, by putting devices on 2 sets of enemy comms lines and the second mission to blow up two enemy cannons with pyro C4 charges. Having got back to base after these we had a 10 minute break until the squads regrouped for a final push on the enemy base. All 3 squads were back waiting so we planned our attack and awaited the order to move out. We had

an allotted time for the attack and the defenders had 2 lives each to try and hold us back. By this time my back was not playing ball and I had to withdraw before the final battle to take some pills for the pain. It was not long before everyone started to return to the safe zone. The Americans had just managed to take the base as Endex was called, though there were still some of Castro’s best men fighting until the very end, refusing to surrender. As we packed our gear away the guys from the 34th had put on a BBQ for everyone and cooked burger after burger. We had plenty of time to swap war stories of the day and just chill out after what had been a great day’s airsofting. I knew I was in for a few days of aches and pains for the amount we walked etc. but, as always, it was absolutely worth it!

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site INVICTA BATTLEFIELD

INVICTA BATTLEFIELD AIRSOFT ACTION’S VERY OWN “ACTION MAN”, LES LEE, ONCE AGAIN DIVES INTO THE WILDS OF KENT TO DISCOVER YET ANOTHER SUPERB PLACE TO PLAY. DEEP IN THE SCRUBLANDS OF rural Kent lies an Airsoft site, it’s called Invicta Battlefield. But this isn’t just another site to visit on a Sunday, this is a little different to the rest. Sure, it has good facilities, a top quality on site shop, mixed woodland terrain and a host of other Airsoft services but Invicta Battlefields has two very simple but unrivalled opportunities: 1) Invicta operates regularly on a Saturday instead of Sunday …and 2) If you’re into night games but like your daylight games also, then why not combine the two and spend the first half of your BB battles in broad daylight then play part two during the evening in complete darkness, thus embracing the excitement behind a night game and still be home in time for cocoa? Andy Wardley, the site owner/operator came up with these two amazingly simple ideas and what an attractive opportunity to offer. Kent has some of the South’s finest Airsoft sites all in one county, all competing for the same customers on the same day and with mostly the same format but when Andy was looking to create and offer something a little different, something as easy as changing a routine was all it took. The benefits are indeed quite significant. For example, let’s take a look at the “Saturday game day” option…

Xmas 2016

Many people have limited opportunity to play on a Sunday through a number of reasons, such as family time that can be spent at home, the often forsaken lie-in after a hard week’s work or school/college, other sports or activities, missing out on the traditional Sunday roast in favour of a burger or hot dog in a napkin and an opportunity to simply relax with the family, watch a Sunday afternoon movie and fall asleep on the sofa (remember those days eh?). I’m sure that you’re getting the picture, whereas Saturdays can often be assimilated as an extension of an active week. There is also the option to take in two games on consecutive days over a weekend at different sites giving an overdose of the pew pew kind if that’s what is wanted. The list could go on and on but at least this superb idea gives choice and opportunity which can often be in short supply. As for the midday start to a game day, this also has many benefits. Firstly, that often sacrificed lie-in for a few extra hours. The joys of a cooked breakfast/lunch prior to your departure for your tour of duty. Then after a set of games during daylight hours, the chance to experience the thrills of hearing things go bump in the night and, whilst your senses are on the highest of high alerts sending every hair on the back of your neck pointing skyward, seeing a trail of tracer rounds coming straight for you. Andy stated ”At IB we run a series called “Into the Darkness”. These games are designed to incorporate daytime and night time games starting around midday, running to midevening. This gives players the chance to have a lie-in and not rush around getting kit together, playing daytime scenarios and

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getting to play night games in the same day, all for the same game fee.” When Andy invited me along to see what was on offer I fired up the Jeep and headed East and after getting ever-soslightly lost (my fault entirely when I tapped in the post code and hit the wrong button marked “scenic route”) I eventually rocked up about an hour later than planned. Having now taken in some of Kent’s beautiful villages and country lanes, I eventually arrived spot on at the entrance to the site which is clearly marked by a big banner where parking is plentiful just several yards from the covered safe zone. The first thing that caught my eye was the heavily stocked Platoon Stores site shop. It seems like Pete, Platoon Stores’ owner, somehow hooks up his High Street shop and tows the whole showroom to the sites that he visits, such is the amount of Airsoft goodies that are available. Andy came to meet and greet me and introduced me to the team of marshals, and then gave me a tour of the adequate safe zone, pointing out the on-site mobile burger van (as if I’m gonna miss that), gun testing area and portaloo and very inviting it looked too (after my unexpected two hour journey). I asked Andy how it all began (as the beginning seemed like a good place to start) and of course how things were progressing at this relatively new Airsoft site and he had this to say; ”I took the site over nearly 4 years ago but Invicta Battlefield is relatively new. I previously only ran paintball games and the site was called Invicta Paintball. Around two years ago I started playing Airsoft personally and looked at starting to offer Airsoft games as well. That’s when Invicta Battlefield was born. “The evolution from paintball to Airsoft was fairly slow, originally I was going to operate both, however, it soon became obvious to me that running both on the site was going to be too much of a compromise to both sports. A decision was needed... Ultimately it was an easy decision from my point of view, I found that Airsoft had completely taken over the paintball market, the Airsoft community more approachable, supportive and that the all-round friendly nature of the of the players was great, as well as some banter thrown in. It was a no-brainer.

“THEN AFTER A SET OF GAMES DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE THRILLS OF HEARING THINGS GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT AND, WHILST YOUR SENSES ARE ON THE HIGHEST OF HIGH ALERTS SENDING EVERY HAIR ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK POINTING SKYWARD, SEEING A TRAIL OF TRACER ROUNDS COMING STRAIGHT FOR YOU.”

“I looked at the site and decided I wanted to split the site into 3 main delivery areas to provide the best experience for the players: The site and games, food and the Site Shop. “I have good experience of running games and operating the site, so was fairly confident that by listening to feedback regularly I would be able to deliver a great site and games. “I also needed a quality shop to offer to the players, so I started by posting on some of the forums and was inundated with offers but one won hands down. Pete at Platoon Stores offered to run the site shop and brings thousands of pounds worth of stock, including pyros to game days as well as any customer orders. Platoon really are a top-to-toe solution for Airsofters. “Beyond that, I also wanted quality, good value food and was told about AJ’s Snack Shack. After talking to Andy and Jon at AJ’s they were happy to provide the food and have surpassed my expectations! With a five star hygiene rating and an incredibly reasonable price list for the quality of the food provided. “It’s important to me that Invicta Battlefield is a site for the players, after games I ask for feedback from players on the site and the games. Regular players to the site have a say on what’s next and how the site evolves. New players will always have a new experience but I want regulars to have that feeling of new and exciting as much as possible too. The marshals who are experienced players also, help come up with game scenarios, build ideas and tailor days to the players that arrive on the day.” Rentals are £25 and this will get you a quality full metal M4 or Ak package with tuition on the gun, face/eye protection and 2,000bbs.

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At IB safety is taken really seriously. A great deal is done behind the scenes to prevent accidents and injuries happening, however occasionally and unfortunately they do. As a minimum the site always has 2, normally 3 emergency services trained medics on the marshal team, experienced and ready to assist if needed. I think it’s appropriate and reassuring to know that there is a very strong emphasis on H&S which is a subject close to my heart and I’m the first to point out a potential hazard at a site if I see it which, fortunately these days, is becoming less and less necessary. Anyway, back on point, the site is around the 40 acre mark, with the game zone predominantly woodland around 25 acres, 100% of this being playable with additional fields and another woodland if expansion is ever required. Once through the safe zone, the game zone is completely surrounded by fields which helps define the boundary. With vehicle tracks leading around and through the site, used by the military vehicles to help transport the players around the skirmish areas and even use as cover or exfils. The game area has a lot to offer in terms of terrain with a mix of flat spots, clearings, thick woodland, valleys and steep banks. Some of the manmade structures include buildings, a hill top encampment, fuel dump, bunkers, checkpoint and numerous barriers, with much more to come. At IB, Andy and his team of merry men don’t like to sit still, they are constantly changing and evolving the site. Andy also had this to say… ”I want to keep the price lower and not really offer extras and freebies as, from listening to feedback I don’t feel it makes a real difference to players. I would prefer to offer a cheaper game price, reasonable quality food and great deals for the pyro mad. But like everything at IB, it is player-led. There are male and female toilets on site and on events such as a weekender, there will also be showers for those camping along with a host of “weekender necessities” such as phone, tablet and gun battery charging, showering facilities, a small amount of essential toiletries should you forget something and

“home-made entertainment” in the shape of the usual jollies and banter associated with weekenders.” Typical game synopsis (although this is an ever changing format) includes “Hold the Checkpoint”, “Hostage Rescue”, “Blow the Fort”, “Blow the Fuel Dump” and loads of others, as well as special game days and even some FilmSims in the future. Andy informs me that from time to time, they offer the “Elite Challenge”, in the shape of the Invicta Elite Team and Sniper challenge - where any team or sniper and spotter can battle against others, both to be crowned as the Invicta Team Elite or Invicta Sniper Elite (bragging rights, trophy, patch and prize for the winners). Although Andy had an abundance of experience in running a club, he was determined to get it right first time (first impressions can make or break a new club as we all know) so in the lead up to the first game, Andy had some great advice from Pete at Platoon Stores. Some photo shoots and general help along the way Invicta Battlefield Airsoft Site from Gaz and his Pook Hill Wood Farm, team S.F. Wolfpack Wilden Park Rd, who are local to Staplehurst, the site. TN12 0HP As well as S.F. Info@invictabattlefield.co.uk Wolfpack they www.invictabattlefield.co.uk have had visits and feedback 07876 263290 from team UVO 01622 831788 and some of the (Marden or Staplehurst Train Autobots team, to station pick-ups available, just name but a few. contact Invicta to find out more). Next year Andy will be looking at running offsite specials and even an Airsoft trip to foreign soil. So really watch this space and keep an eye on their Facebook page, not forgetting that next year there will be weekend special events incorporating different game ideas, with camping on site and all the fun and laughter (and pranks) that are synonymous with a bunch of likeminded mercenaries, Special Forces, military and PMC, all under one leafy forest roof. And just when you thought that a lie-in on a Sunday was a thing of the past... Les OUT!

Contact Details:

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inside airsoft FUBAR BUNDY

FUBAR BUNDY LES LEE MEETS AND TALKS TO THE MAN BEHIND ONE OF AIRSOFT’S MOST UNUSUALLY-NAMED COMPANIES.

AT THE AIRSOFT SHOWCASE back in June this year, I had the pleasure to meet Steve Ashworth, one of airsoft’s genuine nice guys, standing at his pretty impressive trade stand going by the name of FUBAR BUNDY. Now of course I had heard of (and remembered) the acronymous shop name due to its unusual and somewhat diverse terminology and rather ‘catchy’ nature. So, in the spirit of Airsoft (and a desire to check out the gear on offer), I introduced myself and Steve and started exchanging pleasantries as you do in a gathering such as this. I have to say the goods on offer were a mixture of familiar but more interestingly, unfamiliar brands and tactical inspiration and I found myself drawn towards the TAG system of projectiles and curiosity got the better of me. As I had no previous experience of this system, I decided to invest in a box of Reaper rounds without really knowing how much money I would have to invest in this curiosity-driven concept but more importantly, the fun that I subsequently had with TAG tactical projectiles. Anyway, I digress (as usual), Steve and his fiancé Vicki decided to embark on a retail (selling) journey and as the months go by, their success story makes interesting reading, so I caught up with Steve and he was happy to share his Airsoft experiences with us which, in turn, we can now share with you. Les: Hello Steve, thank you for agreeing to share the life and 38

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inside airsoft FUBAR BUNDY

times of Fubar Bundy with us. Can I start by asking you how it all began? Steve: “Along with my Fiancé Vicki, we decided to start the business as, after playing Airsoft myself for over 20 years, I wanted to share my knowledge and experience with the new generation of players and to be able to offer an enhanced customer experience (we both have backgrounds in training and customer services). “So in September 2014, initially working from our home office (as we were mainly an online business), while also attending some local Airsoft game days. In January 2015, I disappeared out to the Middle East on a contract and Vicki was left dealing with the day to day running of the business, packing and picking the orders late into the night! “As time has passed our stock range increased substantially and was starting to take over the house, as some of our customers can testify to. So in early 2016 when we found out we were expecting an addition to our family, I had to come back from the Middle East and it was time to move into dedicated business premises.” Les: So tell me about who does what at Fubar Bundy? Steve: “It’s pretty much just me on a day to day basis. Vicki and Maddi (new addition who is now 6 weeks old) do call in occasionally to help out and do a bit of product testing! We have also been lucky enough to have help from friends when attending shows or game days.”

have it we will try to source for you.” Les: What brands do you stock and why, and what is trending at the moment, any preferred brands and reasons? Steve: “One of my main considerations when selecting brands and products for the store is that we only have brands that I have personally used or would be happy to use myself in game. We stock AEG’s from ASG, Umarex/VFC, APS, WE Europe, BO Manufacture, Lonex, G&P, Classic Army, G&G, Ares and Cyma. GBBs and GBBRs from Umarex, VFC, ASG and WE Europe. “We are a main dealer for Silverback and the SRS range and have a selection of the WELL and Cyma springers in stock. “We also keep all the normal types of accessories, magazines, batteries and sights for example but we also try to keep the unusual items you usually only see online, for example dummy SAPI plates and dummy PRC 152 radios. A big part of Airsoft is the load out or look and having these types of items helps with that. Manufacturers including FMA, NUPROL and Emerson, to name a few. “Parts we stock include Maple Leaf, SHS, Lonex, ASG, NUPROL, ASCU, Gate G&P and Guarder. We are the only UK dealer of the T-NT APS-X Barrels and hop rubbers, which are a multi-cut barrel making them suitable for AEG, GBB and spring platforms offering extremely impressive improvements to performance; after fitting one of the barrels and hop rubbers to my own WE Europe G17 it can now hit a man size target at a range of about 65 meters.”

Les: Okay Steve, parking info and when do you open and close the doors? Steve: “We’re just a few minutes from junction 3 and 2A of the M621 and only 10 minute walk from Leeds city centre and train station. There is free parking on site and we are open on Tuesday through to Saturday, from 10:30 until 5:30. If you’d like visit later than that, give us a call to arrange it.” Les: Do you have customer friendly facilities such as seating, toilet, refreshments available, etc.? Steve: “We have a toilet on site and there is a cafe a few doors down, if you’re very lucky we might make you a brew.” Les: I would guess that you encourage customers to “try before they buy” so that they purchase the right gun to fit their needs as there is so much choice these days. What do you have in the way of gun testing facilities Steve? Steve: “While we don’t have a full range, we do have testing facilities including a chrono available to help customers pick the right weapon. Typically, if they are relatively new to Airsoft, we would ask them to tell us the type of games that they would be playing, as in woodland, CQB, urban, etc. and how they would like to play if they have a preference. That is always a great starting block which we can build on. “Unless there is a valid reason to choose a particular type, for example if they want to be a sniper, a support gunner or some other specialised style of play then we would try to encourage them to K.I.S.S. (as in “Keep It Simple ‘Softer”) and choose a relatively easy to maintain, reliable and to a degree, affordable gun if the customer is happy to listen to recommendations, which would take us down the M4/AK variations pathway, however, most of our customers already know what they want. Ultimately what I am saying is that we simply want our customers to be completely happy with their purchase because we are all about complete customer satisfaction at the end of the day.” Les: So what will a customer experience when they enter the shop Steve? Steve: “While our premises could be described as “compact”, we do have an extensive range of products available, with around 50 primary weapons on display at any time. These are available to be handled so you can get that vital handson experience (which not all shops are too keen on without supervision and a view to a sale)! We also have pistols, accessories and consumables on display with loads more out the back - just ask if you can’t see what you want, if we don’t

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inside airsoft FUBAR BUNDY

frame customisation, including Agency Arms and Boba Fett logos. As everyone has to start somewhere we offer a free two tone service on any RIF purchased from ourselves. “All the work is carried out by myself and it doesn’t leave the bench unless I’m 100% happy with it.” Les: This always seems to be a dumb question but for the record, what is your after sales policy? Steve: “I want customers to be truly happy with their purchase and this is why it’s only brands that I would be willing to use or own myself that you will find in our stock, couple this with the back-up these manufacturers offer in terms of warranties we do our best to make sure any issue is resolved quickly and with the least amount of hassle possible.” Les: Do you have any connections with any other parties such as sites, any local teams or organisations, charities, etc.?

Les: Do you consider Fubar Bundy to be a one-stop-shop retailer, in other words, can a customer buy all they need for Airsoft from you? Steve: “The only thing we don’t hold is a large stock of is clothing (which we can source). We are the exclusive Airsoft retailer for First Tactical in the U.K. and hold a selection of their products (gloves, bags, belts, etc.) and we can order items as required for customers.” Les: Can you offer some info on any gun repair facility. Who is your gunsmith and their experience, etc. Do you “two tone”? Steve: “We offer a full repair, upgrade and customisation service with everything from simple repairs to full custom work done to the customer’s requirements, specification and budget. Recently we have had a lot of requests for custom stippling and

Steve: “We have been lucky enough to be invited to attend Cerberus Airsoft game days where we have offered a selection of products for sale and made some good friends! “We have supported Pilgrim Bandits on a number of occasions, such as at the Airsoft Showcase, Airsoft Action’s big give away for the 5th Anniversary, Les and your event and on our opening launch weekend for our new premises, when we held a charity raffle with prizes donated by ourselves and Cerberus Airsoft.” Les: If an item isn’t in stock, typically how long before it can be sourced and sent to the customer? Steve: “This is a tough question, it does really depend on what someone is looking for. If it’s something as rare as the Asahi M40 then we are going to struggle (and I’m not selling mine!). We have been challenged by a few customers to source hard to find items, including an M1919 - which was in the customer’s hands within 2 weeks! If it’s a fairly standard item we have been known to get in for the next day. I would always say if you are looking for something give us a call or come see us.” Les: And lastly Steve, would you like to have one last say before we wrap this up my friend? Steve: “Our website was OK but feedback from customers has highlighted that it’s not great when being used on mobile devices, so we have taken the decision to have it redesigned and have a much cleaner, fresher look which will be mobile device friendly. At the same time we have taken the opportunity to improve some other functionality and as an example, we will be able to offer electronic gift vouchers through the site once the update is complete hopefully before the end of November, just in time for Christmas!” Thank you Steve for a very candid brief on what goes on behind the scenes and out front at Fubar Bundy Airsoft. This is a great opportunity for us to say a special thank you for your contribution towards fund raising and charity work during 2016. And there we have it my fellow ‘Softers, an insight into FUBAR BUNDY …and if you haven’t figured out the acronym of the name then may I suggest that you ask elsewhere, as I’m not going to say a word because I love my job and want to keep it! After all, Airsoft Action is a family magazine, so the best advice I can give is to “go forth and Google”! Les OUT!

Contact: Fubar Bundy Unit 5 Fourth Court Bridge Road Holbeck Leeds LS11 9UG Tel: 0113 3456768 sales@fubarbundy.co.uk www.airsoft-action.online

event GUNMAN AIRSOFT

GARETH “GADGE” HARVEY TOOK PART IN GUNMAN’S LATEST INSTALMENT OF THEIR “RED MIST” SERIES AND DISCOVERED HE HAS NOT LOST HIS PASSION FOR “COLD WAR” AIRSOFT – QUITE THE OPPOSITE! REGULAR READERS WILL KNOW I’m a bit of a Cold War aficionado and that of all the genres of airsoft there are, it is the one I love the most. They’d be surprised to know then that, unfortunately, “real life” stuff (you know money, family, injuries etc.) has kept me away from playing WWIII for a while. So it was with not without a little trepidation that I signed up to Red Mist 24 – The Battle Line after being out of the loop for over a year. Would I still enjoy it? Would my mates have the hump I’d “deserted”? How would I get on with all the new guys? Was it still my thing? So many questions and I was thinking maybe it would be better to give this one a miss? I mean after all its Halloween, I’m a Goth... it’s practically a national holiday for us black wearing fellows! But I’m really glad I did go. Hand on

heart, Josh’s team at Gunman put on what could arguably have been the best Airsoft Weekend I’ve had in years, if not ever and I’d have been a fool to have missed it. Want to know more? Want me to tell you why it was so good? Well I’m going to anyway!

A FULL-ON SHOOTING WAR

Let’s start of though by recapping the backstory for those of you not totally familiar with “Cold War” airsoft… Set in an alternative past where the tense stalemate of the Cold War erupts into a vicious shooting war in the early 80s, the running narrative of “Red Mist” involves a composite battle group of Brits and Yanks (aided by the odd French soldier or West German) facing off against the advanced combat elements of the Warsaw Pact, in the form of the Russians and the East Germans. The battles take place in Poland, where things originally kicked off after NATO attempted to assist Poland in gaining

RED MIST 24: THE BATTLE LINE

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event GUNMAN AIRSOFT

independence but by now that’s ancient history… right now we have a desperate main battle going on in eastern Europe and Soviet troops making tentative landings on the Scottish islands. But for this weekend the action was firmly in Europe and saw a small Warsaw Pact diversionary force attempting to bamboozle a bigger NATO battle group. After a fairly uneventful drive down to Gunman’s Hertfordshire gaming site (a vast and varied forested tract usually used to equestrian pursuits) my friend Blaine and I rocked up for the safety brief and then said farewell for the next few hours as we’d be playing on different sides. While most regular readers know I helped set up the British “Royal Union Rifles” infantry element, this time I fancied playing a Ruskie to see how the other side faired. Cold War FilmSim is a little more involved than your standard skirmish and does require the player to take in a few more rules. Unlike many games you can’t just take whatever ammo and pyro you want, your loadout is determined by the role you choose. Riflemen, for example, can only carry 300 BBs per life and have to use only 35 rounds per magazine, light machine gunners on the other hand can carry over a thousand rounds but can only fire their weapon “deployed” (either lying down with its bipod or leaning against cover… no firing from the shoulder with a GPMG!) In the same spirit of “realism” most players have one “hit” and can be bandaged by a comrade, if hit again they are out. While this is fairly standard, a nice touch in Gunman’s FilmSim rules is that body armour and helmets allow the player to carry an extra bandage for each item. You still have to be bandaged each time you’re hit but as you can imagine, an infantry section wearing helmets and/or body armour is more durable in a firefight than a lightly equipped recce section. Another critical difference in the game

“THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT MIGHT SURPRISE A LOT OF OUR READERS BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I HAD SOME OF THE MOST THRILLING “AIRSOFT” I’VE EVER HAD DURING THE FIRST THREE HOURS OF THE EVENT AND I DIDN’T FIRE A SINGLE SHOT!” play is that players are organised into squads who are tasked with commands via radio from HQ and, more importantly, have to operate in at least a three-man group to take any objective… no unrealistic “lone wolfing” and a much bigger influence on squad versus squad combat.

CRACKING KIT

So anyway, that’s the crux of the rules. Josh quickly got everyone signed in, explained the rules and site safety before sending us off to our respective camps. It’s probably also worth mentioning at this point that during check-in players were able to dip into huge stocks of genuine Cold War uniforms to either fully equip themselves in period kit, or borrow the odd items they still had yet to acquire. Once at our respective camps we were given our specific orders. Normally I’d play a unit or side commander and I’d be in the know about the NATO plans but this time I’d opted to just be a soviet conscript in a recce company. The only things I got to know about were the things Comrade Commander Sergei (actually the charming James Hubble!) saw fit to tell us. Our side was broken down into an East German motor rifles detachment and a smaller Soviet recce (or “Razvedchiki” as the Russians call em) element. Knowing we were slightly outnumbered by NATO we were reassured when Sergei told us that our job was to create a diversionary action and lead NATO to believe that we were the advance guard of a much larger tank army due to hit this sector. If our deception worked then NATO would heavily defend the area of operations, waiting for a Shock Army that would never arrive while the real armoured fist hit a weakly defended sector. To this end our job was to deploy supply caches in the AO, to create decoy minefields and anti-tank positions and, most importantly, not to look like we were faking it! We carried fake maps of our battle plans and

“accidentally” dropped them as we ran from contacts as if we were outgunned and mined unimportant woodland routes to make them appear to be trails we wanted blocked off.

INFILTRATING THE ENEMY LINES

After kitting ourselves out our Razvedchik section moved out carrying supply crates to create a false supply dump, our secondary mission afterwards would be to locate NATO HQ and recover as much intel about them as we could. Taking on the role of well-trained recce troops we took our time as we infiltrated the NATO lines. The following statement might surprise a lot of our readers but I can honestly say that I had some of the most thrilling “airsoft” I’ve ever had during the first three hours of the event and I didn’t fire a single shot! Because Cold War isn’t about trigger time, it’s about immersing

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event GUNMAN AIRSOFT

yourself in the role of a combat soldier in WWIII. It’s more important to achieve the objective and stay on mission than get distracted and go for a quick shoot out. And in this way we slowly picked our way through the dense woods. Dropping to the floor for periodic “stop and listen” breaks. Feeling our hearts thud in our chests as we saw NATO patrols walk mere metres away from us, our KLMK camo ouversuits providing surprisingly effective camouflage even at point blank range. After successfully dropping off our supply decoy we went on to set up a decoy anti-tank position using spare helmets, uniforms and RPG7 launchers to make it look as if a foxhole was occupied by an AT team. With our deception in place it was time to complete our second recce task and locate the NATO mobile HQ post. As I’ve previously said, not a shot had been fired. But it was tense as hell and really exciting to know that if our four man patrol was spotted we had very little hope of fighting our way out, as most of the NATO sections were around ten men strong. Sure it’s not for everyone but if you want to really experience a true “recce” mission and not just a dressed up firefight then this is the best experience you can get. It doesn’t sound like a lot to do but we moved slowly, silently and carefully so it was well into “lunchtime” by the time we’d done a comprehensive recce of the NATO positions and pulled back... only there is no lunchtime at Cold War. You carry your food with you and you eat when you can. The war doesn’t stop because you’re hungry! After returning to base to reload and take on some water (it was deceptively hot in oversuits and body amour) I decided to strip my kit down and do some more solitary recce and harassment as a sniper and switched to my Dragunov SVD. While normally “standing orders” require players to work in squads of at least three, snipers are allowed independent movement. And so, equipped only with my scoped semiautomatic sniper rifle, a couple of 30 round mags and a camo oversuit I patrolled out into the woods. Every loose twig underfoot sounded like a gunshot, every rabbit disturbing a bush sounded like an enemy soldier, but eventually I found a good place to lie up and waited. All of a sudden fighting solo seemed like a bad idea. It was genuinely scary having to be aware of a 360 degree battlefield but before long I heard the

sounds of NATO troops advancing - and they were advancing straight towards me! Trying to remain still I was sure my goose was cooked as a patrol of four Brit paras walked right towards my position… and then straight past me! Breathing a sigh of relief I waited until they had passed before silently tracking them. I’m no Boy Scout though and soon lost them and was about to give up until I heard them to the front of me and soon saw them moving into sight. Squeezing off some accurate shots I was rewarded to hear two of their number call for medics and decided to bug out. Not a moment too soon, a hand grenade landed exactly where I’d been shooting moments before (but luckily far enough away not to affect me). I’d have been very proud of myself but as I hid and waited for them to advance I heard more of a commotion coming towards me. Assuming they’d be re-enforcements I popped out of cover and took a snap shot at the advancing soldiers… embarrassingly they turned out to be the East Germans patrolling out to rescue me! A less than glorious result, having been wounded by my comrades after killing one of my rescuers.

DECEPTION PLANS

Radio communications form HQ informed us that our mission had been successful and all deceptions were in place. This signified the end of the first days “day phase” and after a short break a voluntary night game was held. In the night game NATO had to deploy radio transponders to points in the AO while avoiding Warsaw Pact patrols. A great time was had by all but most people were itching to relax, have a beer and then

“EQUIPPED ONLY WITH MY SCOPED SEMI-AUTOMATIC SNIPER RIFLE, A COUPLE OF 30 ROUND MAGS AND A CAMO OVERSUIT I PATROLLED OUT INTO THE WOODS. EVERY LOOSE TWIG UNDERFOOT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT, EVERY RABBIT DISTURBING A BUSH SOUNDED LIKE AN ENEMY SOLDIER, BUT EVENTUALLY I FOUND A GOOD PLACE TO LIE UP AND WAITED.” 44

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get their heads down before the early start to operations the next day. Day two involved a stealthy disengagement from our AO by the Warsaw Pact. But before we could pull out we had to recover the deception devices and locate the NATO HQ vehicles which had been moved after being attacked by the East Germans and Soviet infantry towards the end of day one. Once again my recce section moved out slowly and carefully to a map coordinate we knew had a supply decoy emplacement. By sheer chance we also found this to be where the NATO forces had deployed the radio vehicles. Moving incredibly stealthily we managed to remove the crates from under their very noses before getting back to HQ and telling them the location of the enemy HQ. We were not the only ones with a good report, it seemed that most of our patrols had recovered their supply decoys and as soon as the last one was in, a plan to make a concerted attack on the NATO HQ and “bloody their nose” before pulling out was hatched. Moving in two groups we took the high ridgeline above the NATO HQ with the East Germans in the vanguard with the Soviets providing rear and flank defence. We were soon spotted and before long the air was buzzing with BBs as the Yanks and Brits put up a withering field of fire and a strong defence. Employing incendiary and chemical weapons (red and green smoke respectively) the Warsaw Pact forces pushed NATO back yard by yard, with each yard being paid for with painful BB hits, sweat and swearing. Both sides gave it their all but before long the NATO commander gave the order to withdraw and the Soviets and DDR troops destroyed the command vehicle and “end ex” was called. Exhausted but very happy, all the players congratulated each other on an exemplary weekend. While the Warsaw Pact completed their objectives… it’s fair to say every player “won”. It was a fantastic event and one in which for the first time in 16 years of airsoft I didn’t hear a single player grumble about “cheating” or “hit taking” or the game not being “fair”. All

I heard was dozens of players raving about what an amazing experience they had had. I’ve been away from the frontline far too long. I’m so glad I signed up for another tour of duty in the Cold War and at the risk of sounding like a recruiting Sgt I’d invite every reader to “do their bit” and get themselves to a Cold War game!

For more information about Gunman Airsoft and to see a full calendar of their forthcoming events, visit: www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk and tell them “Gadge sent you!”

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International SOUTH AFRICA

INTERNATIONAL AIRSOFT:

SOUTH AFRICA CONTINUING WITH HIS ROAMING REMIT TO BRING NEWS OF AIRSOFT AROUND THE GLOBE, THIS MONTH BILL THOMAS TAKES YOU TO THE “DARK CONTINENT” AND FINDS OUT A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA.

IT GENUINELY AMAZES ME how many great people you get to speak to about airsoft around the world, how things are different and just how many things remain constant wherever you may be. Every so often a chance encounter opens up a new line of conversation and so it was that Gerald from Wolverine Quality Tactical Gear (QTG) and I started speaking. A small conversation on a matter unrelated to the airsoft world with a mutual acquaintance led to us discussing wider topics and I discovered that not only was the gentleman involved in

the same world as I but that he actively ran an airsoft shop in South Africa! My own late father, a former infantry instructor, called South Africa his home during the last years of his life; it was a country he came to love and my brief visits allowed me to share his joy of the beautiful wide open spaces there. Like me he was an outdoorsman and a keen shooter and the wild terrain of South Africa was exactly his thing. Knowing a little about South Africa and the history of the country, it came as no surprise to me that airsoft there is not just alive and well but positively thriving, both in relation to firearms training but also when it came to good, solid gaming. As is my way, I asked Gerald if he would be happy to answer a few questions about this and he graciously agreed to do so; this is what he had to tell me. AA: Hi Gerald! Please can you tell me a little about how airsoft came into being in South Africa, and where things stand now? Gerald: “WOLVERINE QTG, based in Cape Town, South Africa started the sport of airsoft around nine years ago. I was introduced to high end AEGs from a visiting friend from overseas, back then it was far simpler to import the gear. Nowadays there are more permits one has to get each year just to legally import the products. There are people who import

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International SOUTH AFRICA

illegally but they fall by the wayside very fast as things in South Africa are very strictly controlled, as you might expect. “A lot of companies have closed but for us we are still growing. We undertook a massive expansion three years ago and are still the only importer/supplier who offers a stress free one year warranty backup by the factories. We have pulled back on the variety of brands that we offer and this is partly due to our backup. We want to be able to carry spares for client’s guns so they do not miss out on their next airsoft event. We do limited custom work on guns. We developed an aluminium airsoft POM mine that has a blast radius of 35m. It uses all forms of the airsoft 40mm gas grenade and is trip wire activated. So far it is in the final pre-production phase.”

The field is long and relatively wide bordered by a river on one side and regional road on the other. There are also lots of large shady trees also make it more tolerable in summer and a safe area and parking that is used for players to congregate in between games.”

AA: Do you have many established sites in South Africa; could you tell me a little more about them?

Gerald: “The days usually start at 09:00 with the safety brief

Gerald: “Yes, here in Cape Town there are three main established sites, the two main ones being Alpine Airsoft and Chernobyl Airsoft, run by Willem and Rudolph respectively. Here game rules are followed and safety is first rate. Younger players do not have to worry here about over-shooting and becoming soft targets for more experienced players. To give you an idea of the sites, Chernobyl is a tremendous field that has absolutely everything to make for exciting operations. It is a large field which incorporates not only a variety of bush warfare theatres but numerous ruins including large empty pools, pillars, warehouses, cabins and cottages.

AA: Do sites and players have any legal restrictions that to contend with? Gerald: “When we started the sport of airsoft in South Africa we borrowed the UK rule book! As a firearms instructor myself I included basic safety and awareness rules, such as don’t walk around the shops in full camo with your replica!” AA: What’s a normal game day like for you?

“KNOWING A LITTLE ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA AND THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY, IT CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO ME THAT AIRSOFT THERE IS NOT JUST ALIVE AND WELL BUT POSITIVELY THRIVING, BOTH IN RELATION TO FIREARMS TRAINING BUT ALSO WHEN IT CAME TO GOOD, SOLID GAMING.”

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International SOUTH AFRICA

and rules recap, followed by an explanation of the game and then teams get formed and go and have fun! The general gameday here has a loose format but certain games are more serious with more a military feel and objectives that need to be completed MilSim style. When we held national tournaments they started as an objective based round robin then moved to MilSim only.” AA: What is a popular style of play in South Africa, regular skirmish, MilSim or both? Gerald: “A bit of both really; between Chernobyl and Alpine Airsoft there is a great balance of game play, and recently Alpine ran a game in an old shopping centre. This was a strictly MilSim style game.” AA: Do South African airsofters train either as individuals or teams? Gerald: “Some do, yes. There are a few teams playing but no national tournaments anymore. In the beginning we started a national airsoft association but after three years it fell apart. I have been approached to train some teams in structure, learning communication and things like that.” AA: What’s important to you in relation to loadouts? Gerald: “A loadout is a very personal choice. Hell you are the one carrying all the junk! I prefer a mission-specific load out, generally a Ranger Rack Vest with seven or eight MidCap magazines, two spare pistol mags, basic first aid and grenade pouches, along with a thigh holster for the GBB Glock. A three litre hydration pack is crucial and always on my back; this is always carried, even on a rainy day or night game. “For games inside structures I wear a FAST helmet and this

has saved my head from becoming one with a concrete stair case in a few occasions! Multicam or Kryptek trousers, with a short-sleeved, fast dry multicam shirt work for me and I run my real world eyewear from Wiley X, Mechanix gloves and full knee pads; I’ve learnt the hard way to always wear knee pads. It’s all about traveling light, sustaining ammo and water and carrying a few energy snacks. This is my general load out and this style is quite common here.” AA: Are there particular brands and models of airsoft replica that are important in South Africa? Gerald: “We are the sole agents for VFC & ARES for Southern Africa. ARES is fast taking the market here. The M4 variants are very popular here in South Africa, followed by the AK variants. Light machine guns, M249, M240, and PKM are not as popular but there are a few who carry these beasts around and use them to great effect… if you are on their team!” AA: Do sites have a rental facility if someone were visiting from overseas? Gerald: “Yes, both Chernobyl and Alpine airsoft have G&G Combat Machine rentals available. We offer rentals for customers who want to go and see what airsoft is about, or are still saving up for their first AEG.” AA: If anyone is visiting South Africa and is interested in visiting a site for a game day, where should they head for information? Gerald: “They are most welcome to contact us at WOLVERINE QTG and we can direct them to the best location. Players can contact us via our website www.wolverineqtg.com or by email, info@wolverineqtg.com, and we’d be delighted to hear from anyone intending to visit South Africa and experience airsoft “SA Style”!” AA: Many thanks Gerald, a pleasure speaking to you. My sincere thanks also go to Chernobyl Airsoft for providing the pictures featured in this report.

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gitag OPERATOR EDITOR

OPERATOR EDITOR

JERRY NOONE IS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT UNIQUE RESOURCES THAT WILL BENEFIT EACH AND EVERY PLAYER, WHEREVER OR WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE! RECENTLY HE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THE OPERATOR EDITOR WEBSITE/APP ONLINE SO TRACKED DOWN THE CREATORS TO SPEAK TO. AS MUCH OF A GEEK as I might be, I’m more into the field of modifying my physical gear and guns, rather than playing computer or online games. I know that many of you out there really love the gaming whether it be out on the skirmish field, behind your computer screen, or indeed on your smartphone. I do own a tablet but that’s about as far as it goes; being a full time freelance writer means that I spend far too much time behind a screen already! That said, I do appreciate fully that there are truly gifted and inspirational people out there who create these computer generated entities and certainly when I see some of the graphics now used I have to shake my head in wonder as the representations I see on screen are completely, outrageously cool. It was with some surprise therefore that I found myself totally engrossed when I discovered “Mike Dreis’s Operator Editor” online (www.operatoreditor.com). This is a tool that you can download as an app or straight to your computer which allows you to create your own perfect virtual loadout - and boy is it addictive! Before I go into how the tool works, I’ll give you a bit of background to it though. The basis for the current “Operator Editor” began in 2010. Back then Miguel Angel (AKA Mike Dreis) searched the internet 50

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gitag OPERATOR EDITOR

for a loadout editor similar to the famous “Pimp my Gun” but unfortunately nothing could be found. With this gap in the ether in mind he thought “someone has to do it!” and that’s when “Mike Dreis’s Pimp my Airsofter” was created. More like a “dress up game”, the first step was taken and it did the job but the app was very simple due to lots of technical limitations. Some years later, around 2014, Noelia joined the project and thanks to her programming skills the concept changed drastically. The application was then renamed “Operator Editor” and vastly improved; a new user interface, menus, reset button, info button... and with it, also new photorealistic graphics. After that, the app has evolved in a straight line into what we see today. Amazingly, there are still only two people behind it; Miguel Angel (MilSim player and graphic designer) and Noelia (programmer). They are both Spaniards, from Madrid and Málaga respectively. It’s a tight team which helps to explain why they take some time to develop changes and updates. The volume of work has been much more than they expected and they can only work on the app in their free time (they don’t do this for a living and the app is completely free to use) but they love what they’ve achieved and how the airsoft community has responded. It’s something that Miguel Angel always wanted to create, so making it real has been like fulfilling a dream for him. I asked Miguel when and where did they start running the website and how’s it’s been going and he told me; “The website started running in 2014 when “Operator Editor v8.0” was released. Since this version was in Spanish, we only presented it between local airsoft team’s media (especially through Miguel Angel’s MilSim team “Special Forces Airsoft Group”) and through our Facebook page. Despite the language issue, we’ve been gradually gaining followers from all over the world (especially from Poland, where we are very popular). This last summer we have just released the English version, with a new look and lots of new features (save button, interactive examples, operator name, t-shirts...). Currently we’ve got more than 3,000 Facebook followers and a lot of visits especially from Europe. With this last update we hope to reach every airsofter out there. To put it in perspective, since July 2014 we have had around 370,000 visits to our site!” Operator Editor can be enjoyable and useful for all airsoft players, although Miguel thinks that the app would be more appreciated by those who take care of every detail of their loadout, such as MilSim players or re-enactors. Even professionals can take advantage of the app, testing equipment and camouflage mixes. But all in all, every military enthusiast can have a good time playing around. Operator Editor can be useful in many ways. Primarily it helps you to design whatever loadout you can imagine and test all equipment visually. This way there’s no need to have all the equipment bought before you need it and matching your loadout with different backgrounds gives you a pretty decent impression of how its level of camouflage is going to work. There’s also a staggering amount of information on lots of items. Who developed this camo? When? Which countries use this and so on. You can even go to some items developer’s websites direct from the app! But beyond all that, you can just have a good time, create your loadouts, design different configurations or recreate those from real units and share them between your friends in forums or on social media.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Regular updates to content are what is driving “Operator Editor” forward. For example, in September they added t-shirts

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to the app, which were a direct request from their Facebook followers and for certain they will be enlarging the available inventory, like they have done with team patches. “Operator Editor” has at this time more than 1,400 items to choose from but they know that there could be much more, so they’re trying to keep up with every recent development. They also want to keep adding new features to amplify the app’s customisation level but right now they are more focused on other projects and with the Android version. I asked Miguel more about the team patches specifically and he told me; “Sure, it’s as simple as sending us their team’s logo and it will be available soon. We thought that it would be cool for airsofters to feel part of the project and see their team’s logo among others from all over the world. If anyone reading wants to send us their patch/logo, we just need an email sent to nimwebsites@gmail.com with the following: team’s name, team’s country, country’s region and of course a good quality image of the patch/logo.” I also asked him how he saw “Operator Editor” evolving in the future? “That’s a good question. To be honest, at the start we couldn’t imagine that we were going to get this far, we’ve truly worked beyond our limits, so who knows what will bring the future. Right now “Operator Editor” is the only one of its kind and we hope to always be making waves. Besides working on “Operator Editor”, we want to give life to other games and applications that will be fun and especially useful for the airsoft community. We have lots of ideas, we only need time and resources.”

MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU

Using “Operator Editor”, even for a techno-luddite like me is completely intuitive. The first step is simply to visit www. operatoreditor.com and either head for the app, or hit “Download” which will take you through to the start page. From the tool bar upper left on the screen you can start to create your very own operator! Picture 1 is how the “operator” looks when you get started. As I have a beard I thought that was the first thing to add and I thought I’d ditch the Multicam and go for something a bit different so added trousers and a combat shirt in my favourite PenCott GreenZone. Picture 2 shows the changes made. Next came a FAST Helmet which you click and drag in, accompanied by safety glasses and knee pads, shown in Picture 3. Picture 4 shows the gradual build-up of the gear including OD body armour, AK chest rig, battle belt with holster and a PELTOR comms headset and then I was onto accessories; NV, Mechanix OD gloves, a shemagh, safety lanyard, CAT and trauma shears all went on for Picture 5! Lastly in Picture 6 I rounded things off by equipping my “operator” with an AK, gave him a Union Jack and “Operator Editor” patches and placed him in “security” setting. BOOM! My own favourite loadout recreated in the virtual world! This really is a hugely enjoyable tool to use, especially if you have an idea for a specific loadout but want to see how different gear options will look together before you part with any pennies! With the guys updating with even more gear, camouflage patterns and weapon choices it’s only ever going to get better, so we truly have a lot to thank these two highly talented geeks for and it’s been my real pleasure to speak with them and bring this great, fun and useful app to your attention! To conclude Miguel told me that they are always interested in hearing from people; “We’re open to improvement and anyone interested in working with us is welcome. Everything that could keep our projects alive and our server running is more than good. So for anyone out there, just contact us via email, nimwebsites@ gmail.com.”

www.airsoft-action.online

event MIDLANDS AIRSOFT FAIR

MIDLANDS AIRSOFT FAIR: OCTOBER 2016 KELLY HARDWICK REPORTS FROM AN EVENT THAT IS GROWING IN BOTH SIZE AND POPULARITY AND WHICH ATTRACTS BOTH AIRSOFT PLAYERS AND COMPANIES FROM ACROSS THE UK. TWICE A YEAR, The Gaol Events – a CQB site in the heart of Oakham in Rutland - runs an Airsoft boot fair that attracts big retailers/brands and Airsoft ‘booters and enables them to showcase/sell new products and second hand goods, as well as get in a taster game of the site and a chance to run a 3 gun course. In April we reported on one of the fastest growing Airsoft events held in the Midlands, and we returned this

Xmas 2016

October to the Gaol once more to find the Midlands Airsoft fair bigger, better and more popular than ever. The Gaol Events is an intense CQB site housed in wings of the former men’s low security prison, HM Prison Ashwell in Oakham, Rutland. The majority of the Prison was redeveloped as part of the Oakham Enterprise Park in 2013 but 3 of the former wings remain with cells intact for players to fight though, along with large outdoor spaces including an exercise yard that still has all the old features of the Prison, from the barbed wire to high prison mesh walls. The site itself is impressive and having played at the Gaol on a fair few occasions, I can say that if you like really close quarter combat, the Gaol is definitely a site you should try. My favourite areas of the site are G Wing – a long wooden building that holds a maze made from the old cells – it is pitch black, super close quarters and absolutely terrifying. This part of the site is one of the toughest areas to clear in the attack and defend game modes! I am also really partial to E Wing as well, a huge brick building that houses cells, common rooms, stairwells and low light corridors to battle your way through. The cost of the event was as per previous events, a humble £5 which includes entry to the fair, a sausage or bacon cob, a chance to run the 3 gun course and a taster game within a section of the gaming area. This event we saw a massive increase on the last event in both ‘booters and retailers, including new and well known names: Ammo Drop, RS Airsoft Supplies, ASPUK, MTPCAAS, Staffordshire Militaria Supplies, West Midlands Airsoft, NUPROL, ASG, iWholesales, Enola Gaye, SWAS, Dave’s Custom Airsoft, The Draft Club and Valken. With a varied and extensive list of sellers and ‘booters there was something for everyone. In my previous report I had said that the fair was more for people who were beginners, rather than

event MIDLANDS AIRSOFT FAIR

those of us with all the kit but I’m pleased to say that the fair has definitely upped its game from the last event! I would still love to see more big brand names attend the fair but as the fair grows I’m sure this will happen in the near future. During the fair, punters get to see new and prototype products from retailers and at this event we got to see a whole host of new products from NUPROL, such as their new CE-rated shooting glasses and Mini 2.0 green gas bottle (which is sure to prove popular with Airsofters as this new bottle is smaller, lighter and can be carried more easily on the field). We even got to see the new black smoke from Enola Gaye, which is due to be released in December and the new 3 minute Cloud Maker Smoke Grenade, which we should see in all 9 colours of smoke released in early 2017! At every fair, a raffle is held in aid of the event’s chosen Charity, “The Pilgrim Bandits” and this event was no exception! The Pilgrim Bandits are an amazing charity who help our injured service men and women “believe in a life worth living again” by pushing them to new limits with sponsored sky dives, kayaking and other events that help raise money to support more injured troops and research to push scientific and engineering advances into prosthetic limbs. Our friends at the Pilgrim Bandits are also Airsoft Action’s chosen charity. It is always a pleasure to catch up with Terry and Mike Arnett, the father son team who head up a lot of the midlands fundraising for the charity. This event we saw some amazing raffle prizes including £150, £100 and £50 vouchers to spend at either Ammo Drop, ASPUK or BBs Direct, a BB bundle from Valken and a range of Gas and PMC caps from the team at NUPROL amongst other prizes which raised a great amount for the charity! I think it’s amazing the support the Airsoft Community shows for great causes such as the Pilgrim Bandits. As well as walking around the fair, purchasing and checking out the new products from retailers, Airsofters get the chance to run the 3 gun course (using a pistol, shotgun and rifle) – an accuracy challenge that is run in the F Wing area of the prison. During the course competitors must eliminate targets with all three weapons in the quickest time and take part in one of 3 mini-games that are held throughout the day (each limited to 30 players per game) and in these games both walk on and rental players are welcome, with all the kit being provided for rental players! It is worth noting that rental players are allowed to play more than one game to really get a feel for Airsoft! I think it’s great that this is offered as it gives potential new players the chance to try out Airsoft without paying £45 plus to play a rental game day! The gaming is held in the G Wing area of the prison. All in all, I really enjoyed the Midlands Airsoft Fair and I definitely feel the event is proving itself to be a great day out and is always excellent value for money, especially as the price includes a breakfast cob and a mini taster game! The £5 entry

fee is extremely affordable and won’t break the Bank and it gives potential new players a chance to experience Airsoft for such a small fee compared to average rental day fees, so this gets a huge thumbs up from me. The selection of retailers and ‘booters this event was varied and extensive so there was something for everyone on the day, from pyro, to RIFs, to tactical clothing, everything was covered. It is also a great social event to meet like-minded Airsofters and for me this was the perfect chance to meet new friends and catch up with old friends. I am excited to see what the Midlands Airsoft fair has to offer the Airsoft Community at its next event in April 2017! For future events and if you fancy booking your own selling space at the next event (‘cause we all know that we have kit that we’re just hoarding!) all info can be found on their website: www.midlandsairsoftfair.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

Pocket Rockets BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9

IN THIS INSTALMENT OF HIS NEW COLUMN, JERRY NOONE TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT A REALLY COMPACT LITTLE REPLICA THAT’S SURE TO BRING A SMILE TO THE FACE OF ANY AIRSOFTER, THE BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9 GBB FROM ASG.

POCKET ROCKETS:

BR¨UGGER & THOMET MP9 WHEN IT COMES TO FINE engineering you could well say that the Swiss know what they’re on about! Renowned for their fine, elegant and highly intricate timepieces, the Swiss also know a lot about what goes into making cutting edge firearms, with the likes of Swiss Arms (SIG), KRISS, Astra Arms and RUAG all producing excellent models. Another great Swiss arms manufacturer, who in fairness are better known for their suppressors and accessories, is Brugger & Thomet. Brugger & Thomet AG (B&T) was founded in Switzerland by Karl Brugger and Heinrich Thomet in 1991 to produce sound suppressors. B&T’s first weapon project was the MP9 submachine gun, an updated variant of the Steyr TMP. The core competence of B&T is the integration of firearms expertise and state of the art engineering into practical solutions

Xmas 2016

for special military and police users. These engineering standards enable B&T to create and produce the best possible tactical solutions for weapon systems. When B&T started in 1991, suppressors were the first product the company produced and they still do to this day. Users of suppressors very often needed special optical sights on their weapons, so optical sight mounts for tactical weapons soon became a second product line. To complement this, B&T introduced a line of Tactical Rail Handguards (TRH), thus increasing the modularity of modern firearms, adapting them to accept laser sights, night vision devices, illumination systems, brass catchers and more. Many customers, though, also came to B&T asking for suitable weapon platforms that were not available from other manufacturers. By the summer of 2004 B&T was starting to produce their own line of complete weapons, the MP9 9mm submachine gun, APR308/338 sniper rifle, GL06 40mm grenade launcher, APC9 submachine gun, APC556/APC300 police carbine, APC223 sporting rifle, SPR300 urban sniping rifle and even the VP9 veterinarian pistol!

POCKET ROCKETS BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9

MINIMALIST PERFECTION

The Brugger & Thomet MP9 submachine gun started its life as the Steyr TMP. The well-known and highly respected SteyrMannlicher company developed it in Austria but Austrian export licensing laws and a lack of sales resulted in the decision by Steyr to drop the TMP from the product line in 2001. At that point another well-known company, Brugger & Thomet AG of Switzerland, bought all the drawings, patents and rights for the TMP and set its team to fully develop the promising design, which resulted in over nineteen engineering changes in the product. At the present time the MP9 (which stands for “Machine Pistol 9 millimetre”) is produced and marketed by B&T. The MP9 is an interesting weapon, offering a “halfway house” between true “machine pistols” and full-size submachine guns. While the former weapons are very compact, their full-auto fire capability is severely limited by high recoil, short barrels and high rates of fire; on the other hand, fullsize submachine guns often are too big, especially for close protection teams, police working in plain clothes and entry teams when engaged in room-to-room searches and other such operations in confined spaces. Therefore, the MP9 falls directly in between, being in the same niche as the Ingram MAC-10, H&K MP5K or IMI Mini-UZI. The MP9 offers a lower and thus more controllable rate of fire; the MP9 also features larger magazine capacities, an integral front grip and As well as the MP9 B&T also offer the TP9, which is a shoulder stock and an semi-automatic civilian variant. Its design is similar to the Steyr integrated Picatinny type SPP but its differential feature is an underbarrel MIL-STD-1913 rail which can accept a Picatinny Rail, which is installed in front of the trigger guard, wide variety of sights in place of the forward grip. The TP9SF is superficially similar, and other accessories. though it is selective-fire rather than semi-auto only. Compared to full-size submachine guns, the A RIGHT LITTLE HANDFUL! MP9 trades effective I’m going to reiterate a statement I made some time ago. You range (it has an effective may have noticed in all the reviews I carry out on replica firearm range of about 50 – models that I regularly make use of the words “Fully Licenced” 100 meters) for a more and it’s something that is very important to me. There are many compact size and lighter “replicas” out there that may, on first glance, look like the weight and the ability to original that they are designed to resemble but in many cases be fired single-handedly. it is just that, a “resemblance” rather than a true reproduction. The MP9 is a recoil Whilst this may seem unimportant, in fact it’s a vital part operated, selective fire of how the industry works. Development of any firearm weapon, which fires takes years and costs many thousands of pounds and both from a closed bolt. It aftermarket parts and accessories form yet another part of the is chambered for the process. Trademark infringement is a serious matter and failing standard 9 x 19mm to work with real world firearms manufacturers could see them ammunition. The housing withdrawing their products altogether from the replica market. is made from lightweight B&T are rightly protective of their reputation and therefore polymer. The MP9 also it comes as no surprise to me that it’s ActionSportGames has new trigger safety, (ASG) they’ve chosen to grant a licence to; in my opinion ASG as well as ambidextrous are one of the best in the business at getting their licensing fire mode selector button, located behind the trigger. The agreements right and ensuring that what we, as buyers, get ambidextrous cocking handle is located at the rear of the is 100% correct, even down to trademarks. ASG aim to give receiver. It does not reciprocate when the weapon is fired. us exactly what we want before, during and most importantly This SMG is fed from 15, 20, 25 or 30-round magazines, with after, purchase. In relation to the MP9 this means that they the magazine itself located inside the pistol grip. The main have worked hand-in-hand with B&T, even down to using the improvement of the MP9 over the Steyr TMP is a side-folding original design specifications of the “real deal” to provide a stock and the integrated Picatinny-type accessory rail, which replica with a completely authentic look and feel. accepts a wide variety of sights and other accessories, although Weighing in at just 1725gr/3.8lb and at just 305/12.2inches it also has adjustable iron sights. This submachine gun is (527mm/21.1inches with the stock extended) in length, the compatible with suppressors and going right back to their MP9A1 is a right little handful and beautifully balanced as all manufacturing roots B&T offer the QD SMG/PDW suppressor for it; this suppressor is the perfect addition for the MP9/ “I COULDN’T RESIST THE URGE TO CLOSE THE STOCK FIRMLY TO THE RIGHTMP14/TP9 submachine gun/ PDW. Thanks to its QD-lock it HAND SIDE OF THE MP9 AND GIVE IT THE FULL “GANGSTA” COULD I – AND can be mounted/dismounted THIS LITTLE MECHANICAL MONSTER IN NO WAY DISAPPOINTED! I SET UP A in a matter of seconds and LINE OF PLASTIC BOTTLES BETWEEN 5 AND 10M, SET THE SELECTOR TO FULLwith a Picatinny rail under the suppressor body, additional AUTO AND ONE-HANDEDLY DECIMATED THEM IN TWO LONG BURSTS; NOW lights and lasers can easily be THAT IS SOME SERIOUS FUN!” attached.

www.airsoft-action.online

CYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW, BLACK

Level 7 for Airsoft Acion #69 , Nov 2016

The LVL 7 is a fully insulated outer layer. Hydrophobic properties of Climashield® Apex™ keep user warm and dry in extreme cold weather conditions. If exposed to moisture, textile dries immediately. Nylon outer layer provides durability, secures insulation material and provides crucial wind and water resistance without blocking the breathability. Helmet-compatible hood can be easily adjusted by drawstrings hidden in chest pockets. High, soft ﬂeece lined collar keeps vital body parts warmed. Two chest pockets are lined with ﬂeece to provide protection against frostbite. LVL 7 is highly compressible – can be stuffed in a pack or cargo pouch, without any damage to its properties.

POCKET ROCKETS BRÜGGER & THOMET MP9

the weight sits around the pistol grip. The alloy bolt and the 48 BB metal magazine account for most of this weight as the body, just like the real thing, is of a reinforced, lightweight fibre polymer. The whole construction of the MP9 is very realistic and it feels extremely durable; it can indeed be field-stripped just like the real thing. The cocking handle is functional with a realistic metal bolt. The MP9 has adjustable NS2 hop-up system (a special tool is provided to this this, along with very clear adjustment instructions) and both semi and full auto firing mode are easily selected by way of a push-through selector found behind the trigger at the top of the pistol grip; semi or auto can be recognised visually thanks to small “dot” pictograms on the selector itself. There is no manual safety given the fact that the trigger has an active safety function. The magazine is quick and easy to load, so once topped up with gas and .20g BLASTER BBs it was off to the chrono where the MP9 registered at a healthy 0.99 Joule/328fps; I’ve noticed some retailers quote the power as higher than this so do check for yourself. Next it was time to reload with .25 BLASTERs and

head on out to the 30m range to check performance and oh boy, is this little SMG a delight in operation! From a prone, supported position, with the hop dialled in and with the stock extended and locked solidly in place, at 10m I was easily able to hit old plastic BB bottles each and every time (nothing goes to waste on my range!) using just the open sights. Taking that out, I was still achieving good hits on sandbag targets at the end of the range consistently. Cranking up to full-auto sent BBs downrange with some gusto and it was easy to achieve three round bursts thanks to a nicely balanced trigger and with the standard foregrip offering great stability. Of course I couldn’t resist the urge to close the stock firmly to the right-hand side of the MP9 and give it the full “gangsta” could I - and this little mechanical monster in no way disappointed! I set up a line of plastic bottles between 5 and 10m, set the selector to full-auto and one-handedly decimated them in two long bursts; now that is some serious fun! Overall I have to say that the MP9 has certainly found a place in my heart and I really will be disappointed to hand the sample back. If you’re looking for a cracking, compact CQB tool, or an absolutely excellent back-up for a sniper rifle then I have to recommend this RIF to you. Priced at under £200 it’s a good price for a gasser, although as with all GBBs buying extra magazines will send this price up. It’s a really solid performer and it appears that ASG have made the most of their licence yet again. My thanks go to Fire Support for the loan of the review sample. ASG also produce an MP9 A3 variant with a lower front rail rather than a fixed pistol grip and both the A1 and A3 are available in Black, Tan and OD. You can also add a licenced B&T suppressor should you so desire and if you check in Issue 54 in Back Issues of Airsoft Action you’ll find my review of that. Please do go to www.actionsportgames.com and check out the MP9 more and visit www.fire-support.co.uk to have a look at other great ASG models available from them.

www.airsoft-action.online

L L A T I IS A K O O L “

debate

AIRSOFT CELEBRITIES

AS AIRSOFT SOCIAL MEDIA CONTINUES TO EXPLODE, WITH IT COMES A NEW PHENOMENON, THE “AIRSOFT CELEBRITY”. IN THIS MONTH’S DEBATE, GADGE ASKS “ARE AIRSOFT CELEBRITIES A GOOD THING?”

THIS MONTH THE HOT TOPIC of debate in the Airsoft Action office was that of airsoft “celebrities”. More and more players are getting a name for themselves online (and in print) with their opinions, videos and reviews on YouTube and various blogs. With this in mind we asked this month whether you felt airsoft celebrities were a boon for the hobby and ambassadors for the sport, or did you feel we can manage well enough without them? From a personal point of view, I’ve been in the sport for over 15 years now and writing about it professionally for the last decade. I personally don’t consider myself anyone special but occasionally I get someone come up to me at a game or a show and say “I really liked your article on the paras”, or “After reading your Cold War game review I decided to get involved and I love it!” Stuff like that makes it really come home to you how much people do enjoy what you do even if sometimes working in your hobby can take the “shine” off the game. But does a “cult of personality” benefit the airsoft scene and give us recognisable role models, or are we actually looking at attention-seekers, who are best left well alone or humoured politely? Having been involved in the wargames industry for quite some time with a major UK company I saw the “cult of personality” have both its pros and cons. On the plus side people knew the writing style, army lists and sense of humour of their favourite studio writers; the flipside to this, however, was if a die-hard fans beloved “hero” nerfed their favourite army codex, then a mild-mannered hobby writer suddenly found themselves on the receiving end of hate mail and death threats. It was clear that many of you had no problem with the informative review or blog detailing new product or Aegs but Blogs based around selfpromotion or showing how “great” a person/ team was (or even just themselves) were seen 60

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L ” ! E M T A K

debate

AIRSOFT CELEBRITIES

as tiresome and even detrimental to the game. A few of you felt that cleverly edited video of an “amazing player”, that consists mainly of a ten minute personal blaze of glory in which they are never hit themselves and seem to knock out every opposing player, gave an unrealistic expectation to new players. Anyway, here’s what you had to say:

Rob Campbell: “It’s all well as long as personality/celebrity aren’t synonymous with “role model”... the hobby is full of role models who weekend after weekend play the game as it was intended, help out new players, marshal sites, help out team mates and just generally put in just as much as they get out.... these aren’t necessarily celebrities. “What’s worrying, from my perspective if nothing else, are those who seem to be fame hungry putting this before the hobby, community etc. etc... This is creeping in because of the lure of YouTube likes and associated free kit (blah blah)... and it’s potentially detrimental! That being said the companies that sponsor these types of folks have to be at least partially responsible also.”

not some YouTube glory hunter after their next like, new sponsorship deal or boosting their own ego by heavily edited footage.”

Richard Daws: “If it’s for all the right reasons, I don’t see Mark AirsoftDenmark Rasmussen: “As a player in Denmark the harm. Anything that puts the sport in a good light is a I’m doing something new and it’s taken off quite well, being bonus surely? With the modern age of Internet YouTube and the biggest blog in Denmark at the moment. I’m still taking blogs are the best media output for attracting new players, the occasional hit from individuals who aren’t happy with who otherwise wouldn’t know airsoft. I think it would be great what I and my team do. If it’s jealousy or not, I don’t know but to see a regular show on Dave or Quest promoting the sport there will always be people bashing you for getting attention. even further.” I personally have to learn not to get affected by it, because it Samuel Buck: “Personally I think as long as they are “famous” can hurt once in a while. “I think everybody that exposes the positive side of “DOES A “CULT OF PERSONALITY” BENEFIT THE AIRSOFT SCENE AND GIVE US airsoft and gets popular or RECOGNISABLE ROLE MODELS, OR ARE WE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT ATTENTIONeven a “celebrity” is positive as long as they do things right SEEKERS, WHO ARE BEST LEFT WELL ALONE OR HUMOURED POLITELY?” and don’t run around doing stuff that can have a negative rather than Infamous I don’t see an issue.” impact on the airsoft community.” Phil Taylor: “To be honest, the real celebrities of airsoft are the guys and girls behind the scenes fighting for Airsoft’s future. The guys and girls who run the sites skirmish games and weekenders, ensuring a good time was had by all. The guys and girls who take new players under their wings and show them the ropes, all without asking for fame and recognition,

Jonathan Mills: “If you are sound, you are sound. “If you are a douche, you are a douche! “If you have gained some status within the community for whichever reason, as long as you are taking you’re hits and promoting the sport, keep it up.” Tim Cleverly: “I just want to get my head down and have a www.airsoft-action.online

TRG

INTRODUCING THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF THE VALKEN TACTICAL BATTLE MACHINE SERIES

TRG-M & TRG-L

• Updated gear box with new improved gear set, improved trigger and shuttle • Upgraded piston with six metal teeth • Improved barrel mount with C-Clip for improved accuracy • New orescent hi-visibility ip up sights – front and rear • Integrated ring mounts for sling attachments • Airsoft Spec Keymod for attachments

valken.com

debate AIRSOFT CELEBRITIES

networking for selfies in the safe zone.” Andrew Worral: “It’s kind of sh**e to edit a video to make yourself look like Jason Bourne. I personally played in one of the games shown in a video that was put up a while ago by one of these YouTube guys and I can honestly that they spent most of the time in the safe zone photographing each other and stroking their kit. The one time I actually ran in to them I put about three or four rounds in to them.” Alec Bassindale: “I think they help the sport...there’s nowt wrong with having someone with “celebrity” status amongst us, I love watching Scout and Novritsch on YouTube...and even had the pleasure of bumping into Leslie Lee once who writes for Airsoft Action...he’s kind of like a celebrity in the Airsoft community!”

great time. When I see people hovering around “celebrities” it makes me wonder why? They’re just doing what everyone else is doing, which is supposedly playing good honest airsoft. (Yes, I have seen “celebrities” turn up, play one or two games then just sit there and revel in their minions.)” Basho Matsuo: “I do everything I can to put other people as the stars of my films. However, I do occasionally get someone I don’t know say “Hi”. I leave it on the field, whatever “it” is. I’m not too much of a fan of the films of some, which scream “Look at me!”” Garry McColl: “I enjoy watching airsoft videos on YouTube from certain players, whether it is for the style of game play they play, such as snipers, my friends videos or people I know that play at sites I have played, just to watch the game play of the day. I have been unlucky enough to play against an “airsoft celebrity” I won’t mention his name he is very good at editing videos which gives the illusion that he is a fantastic player. It is not jealousy, jealousy doesn’t even come into the equation, I enjoy watching good players getting a nice kill and it is the blatant cheating to get the snippet of video to edit to get that “kill shot” is what makes me dislike certain “celebrities”. It can ruin the day for everyone and that’s not what airsoft is about.”

Stu Mortimer: “From a personal standpoint I enjoy watching the odd video from the folks I subscribe to and their thoughts on games or particularly good gameplay and sportsmanship as well as site or kit reviews but sometimes worry that perhaps the exposure the hobby gets as a result of everyone becoming a GoPro GI is not always positive, have seen a few videos of full blown arguments etc. or some from the likes of the US regarding hit or bang rules and disagreements and how it becomes more about dodging each other’s spat dummies than pellets. “Lately I’ve been focusing more on kit reviews and custom projects of sorts as well as collaborating with more active bloggers to publish things for me and finally taking up Instagram as well as my older stu-tube efforts. Truth be told I struggle to find the time for everything I want to be involved in but like to contribute where I can. “As for “celebrity” status, I guess it’s like everything else, are you being an ambassador to our hobby, or putting the ASS in ambassador? Because the last thing we need is negative public image really after everything being a tooth and nail fight this last decade.” Nick Black: “I have to admit with this one that one of the reasons I got into Airsoft was from watching Novritsch’s videos on YouTube. That then opened up a whole new world to me. “Since then playing myself I have come to realise there are a lot of very useful videos out there but a whole ton of stuff I’m bored of seeing but if people are taking the time to spread their love of the hobby that can only be a good thing.”

Muzz Frank Murray: “YouTube fame hunters who show an apparent “20 enemy killstreak”, compiled and edited from many angles with a COD style head up display makes you unwanted and a prize bellend! People find you out, see the mistakes in editing and then your see your dishonesty! “I also don’t get this female obsession within airsoft. I’m all for equality and inclusion as I’ve met many a female airsofter that can hold her own against any man on the field but if you’re gonna be in the hobby, be noticed for being in the game zone and not

www.airsoft-action.online

event WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATIONS

OPERATION GOLDEN EAGLE IOAN “IGGY” ROBERTS REPORTS FROM AN EVENT RUN BY A NEW AIRSOFT COMPANY THAT FOCUSSES ON “HARD CORE” PLAY.

WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATION is one of the UK’s newest airsoft battle simulation event organisers. Their focus is more on “hard core” events that take their customers to extremes by conducting enduring events, often lasting 24 - 35 hours without a specific break in the game. These events are often held at Ministry of Defence (MOD) “FIBUA” sites. I joined them for a 24 hour event held in the FIBUA village at MOD Sennybridge in South Wales, Operation Golden Eagle...

SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW

Kosovo. Currently NATO are escalating troops in the area of Keive after having seen heavy losses to the Kosovo liberation army (KLA) in Lestaz. The Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) have now shifted their focus to Sivjek. They have already moved in to most areas and are intent on capturing the entire town. They want the town in order to secure a foothold and plan future operations. NATO will be providing a C130 with F15 support. You will be parachuting in behind the Serbian front line to disrupt their supply lines and to protect the local population. Top Priority Missions 1. Capture and Secure Forward Operating Base (FOB) 2. Capture and Destroy The Local Police Station. 3. Capture and Dismantle SAF Radio Station Secondary Missions 4. Parachute at LZ- 01 to Destroy Fuel Dump. 5. Capture Weapons Factory 6. Find Under Ground Bunker and Capture Weapons. The Sennybridge FIBUA village was relatively easy to find using the issued post code and maps to the site and I arrived just after 09:00, meaning there was plenty of time to sign in and find my fire team, section commander and 1IC. In fact there was even time for a brew before our first brief at 11:30. Both the safety and game briefs were short and covered the basics as well as any site relevant issues. This was because Warzone battle simulations send each player a video of the company safety brief as well as rules/instructions of how to skirmish at any of their events. This is accompanied by a side-specific (KLA or SAF) document containing the Situation, Mission, Friendly Forces etc.

Once the briefs are done its eye pro on and game on. Both sides report to their head quarters (HQ) for their section orders and first missions of the next 24 hours. The section I was in were tasked to push through the forest running East-West along the South perimeter to the village, while another section was taken a bit further ahead by our technical (pick up with a support weapon mounted on the back). Our Section Commander ordered us to advance in line formation. As I advanced I noticed three people carrying support weapons moving right to left ahead of me. Looking through my scope, I observed them turning to see me and frantically giving the thumbs up indicating they were friendly and not a threat. Good job because I would have been hard pushed to take all three out judging from the fire power they were carrying. They were part of the supporting section but had pushed through early. After some “discussing” between the two section commanders, over what section should be ahead we pushed on. This all came to an abrupt end when our technical got “bumped” (ambushed) and was under heavy fire just ahead on the road running parallel to us, further to the South. Our section was immediately tasked to support them so they could escape, if anyone was still alive. We rushed around the far side of the technical, which was now surrounded by smoke in an attempt to conceal themselves. Forming a baseline we advanced up to the stricken technical and pushed the enemy back through the tree line into the town using fire and manoeuvre techniques. Once we “mediced” the crew of the technical it returned to base leaving us to continue our fight into the town. We were pinned down and being picked off whilst we struggled to get our section

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event WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATIONS

over a fence and to the nearest building. Once a few of us made it to the first building the enemy must have scattered because we all managed to get ourselves mediced and back into the fight. Clearing this first building was a wet start for those of us that didn’t have waterproof boots. The ground floor was flooded. As we pushed upstairs we could engage the next building. Under covering fire we pushed to the next building and anchored our route into the town. By now we had been hit pretty hard and didn’t have many medic IVs left (a 250 ml of water, issued by the section medics on a player’s second hit. Once drunk the player is fully operational, meaning their next hit is a “first hit” and they can be healed by any player tying the hit player’s issued bandage on them. Then the second hit again requires the section medic and the 250ml bottle of water to be drunk). This meant we would start to lose team numbers if we had many more casualties. Although we could see the enemy holding up in the neighbouring building, our orders from HQ were to not pursue but head in another direction and secure the KLA medical centre and HQ building. This would mean we could reload and top up ammunition as well as replenish the section medics all-important Medic IVs. Once the two buildings were cleared and in our control the KLA HQ set themselves up and issued our next orders. We were to push into the town and capture a key building. The technical along with another section had already pushed towards the objective so we were intended to support their advance. By the time we got the front, there were few members of the lead section left, low on ammo, cooped up in a building in sight of our objective but 2 buildings blocked their way. The rest of the lead section was scattered around the grounds of the buildings ahead or in the main square, all laying down injured, bleeding out. The technical was stationary and out of the game. It clearly led an attempted assault on the objective building before we arrived to support them. We set about trying to lay a cover of smoke and fire power as our medic and a number of us attended the players we could get to. As more and more of the lead section got healed we felt like we were getting the advantage back... We were wrong! I, along with a medic and 2 fellow riflemen, ran into a

“THE DOORMAN SHOUTS YOU INTO POSITION THEN COUNTS YOU OUT. AFTER WATCHING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU LEAP OUTSIDE AND DISAPPEAR INTO THE SMOKE AS THE VAN CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD YOU ARE SHUFFLED TO THE EDGE... GRIP YOUR WEAPON CLOSE TO YOU AND JUMP OUT TWOFOOTED INTO THE UNKNOWN.”

Xmas 2016

path walled in on either side to rescue and heal three team members. I should have known better that they were in the middle of a choke point. The building ahead looked clear but before we had a chance to react we were all peppered from three windows that overlooked the path. Out of range of our fellow team members we were helpless. All seven of us laying here in a big mess. One of our riflemen managed to crawl out to us, hidden by all of our bodies in such a narrow channel. He mediced the players on their first hit, myself included. We popped a smoke and most of us made good their escape. I however got lit up again. They tried to put together a plan to rescue me but we all knew, I wasn’t worth the risk. So, after 10 minutes I bled out and reported to the KLA medical centre where I had to wait for a further 10 minutes. (a good incentive not to be fully killed). After reporting to the HQ I was sent to support some KLA in the building just next to our objective. They had been surveying the situation and requested more manpower for a co-ordinated assault on the building. By the time I got to them they were in a building to building fire fight with some SAF that had come around and taken a building overlooking the one we were in. Time was ticking and our objective would be out of our grasp if we didn’t secure it in the next 20 minutes. I joined a group of KLA, a mixture of personnel from various sections. We snuck out of a ground floor window and went around the top of the village. I pushed forward to the church. I could see our objective building. It seemed clear? We pushed around the right flank and cut a way through to the objective building. Just as we got to it, we all got taken out by a mixture of automatic fire and grenades. Luckily, at the same time the people we left fighting in the building to building fire fight used our advance as a distraction and made good their advance into the objective building. As more of our team arrived, they held the SAF back enough to get us all back in the game. We held the building long enough to set the charges, withdraw and blow it up! The rest of the evening was a mixture of patrolling into enemy held areas to get an idea of their locations and strength, as well as reacting to assaults on our accommodation buildings and HQ. In one assault we witnessed one of our KLA four man teams enter a building followed by many flashes and bangs, only to see three of the four KLA men walk out having been

event WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATIONS

killed outright by grenades. I went in alone to investigate. I found the fourth team member hiding out with only a pistol and one grenade left. Together we advanced up the stairs to the enemy’s position. I was met by a wall of gunfire. The other teammate I found threw a grenade up only to have the worst luck of it bouncing on the ceiling and back down the stairs to our level - thus killing us both outright. 23:30 arrived. Having all been fed and sufficiently watered we attended a mission brief. We had to draw straws... I drew the short one!! That meant I was given the trigger (a large switch box). My job was to sneak into position, connect the wires (det’ cord) and push the button to blow up the charge in the enemy fuel dump. Our nominated section would be taken to the target area and parachute in. Then we were to lay low, evade any enemy patrols initiated by the presence of engine noise, then advance to the fuel dump then extract BTB on foot. The Warzone Battle Simulation “parachute jump” is quite a custom experience the company offer. Short of jumping out of an actual aircraft it is well worth volunteering for should

you attend a future event. We each were given a parachute - a parachute shaped bag with a cord that is connected to a “jump cable”. (Once you jump the cord pulls out a glow stick and allows the marshals to retrieve your parachute bag after you discard it upon landing.) Then you all board a van and connect the cord to the jump cable in the order you will jump out. The door is then shut. A red light is the only source of light. It is accompanied by an audio track of aircraft engines and voices of the aircrew as they are flying. This continues for sometime as the van drives to the “LZ”. All this adds to the disorientation and atmospherics. Then the light turns green the side door is opened and the outside is awash with smoke from a number of smoke grenades thrown out by the marshal outside and the front passenger. The doorman shouts you into position then counts you out. After watching the person in front of you leap outside and disappear into the smoke as the van continues to move forward you are shuffled to the edge... Grip your weapon close to you and jump out two-footed into the unknown. After a crash and roll you come to a stop close by the person ahead of you in the jump line. Just as you’re figuring out your surroundings jumper 3, 4, 5 and 6 land just further along from you. The van drives off and the smoke depletes revealing a clear night sky, the road you need to patrol up and a tree line. We rush into the tree line, re-org and sit tight for 10 minutes. Once we were adjusted to the night we moved off up the track in staggered formation. On the horizon we saw an enemy patrol and laid low until they passed. Once it looked clear, we pushed on. Our point man found the wires connected to the charge in the fuel dump and called me up. Everyone found some cover as I wrapped the wires onto the switch box, turned it on and pushed the trigger. The shockwave vibrated through my chest and the heat was as if I was standing in the desert at midday. With a sense of accomplishment and adrenaline we slipped away back into formation and withdrew down to the main road. Once there we opened out the pace to a steady jog all the way back to base. As soon as we arrived back to HQ we heard that the other section had snuck into the tunnels under the village and found some intelligence referring to a planned helicopter inserted

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event WARZONE BATTLE SIMULATIONS

“WITHOUT ANY MEDICS AROUND AND ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES REMAINING, THERE I LAY, HELPLESS LOOKING AT OUR KLA FLAG ALSO LAYING THERE HELPLESS BELONGING TO NO SIDE.” assault on our HQ. A few of us volunteered to set up a defensive perimeter. I lay for an hour in a shell hole awaiting the attack. There were sporadic fire fights around our perimeter. I was left alone. The cold crept in and started to drop my temperature. After a while I went back to HQ and carried out one last reconnaissance patrol into the village centre before wrapping myself in my sleeping bag hoping I don’t get any unexpected “armed” visitors in the night. The next morning a few things had changed. Our HQ had had a visit from some sneaky enemies that did away with our KLA flag in the night. After a quick breakfast whilst receiving orders we were ready to advance. We needed to secure some large buildings in the centre of the village. I was in the first wave. We were crossing the last open area before reaching the intended building when I got shot in the shoulder. Without any cover nearby I thought I was already in the long haul of bleeding out then waiting in the Medical centre. Luckily the enemy in the windows above me were too busy fighting the KLA that had made it into their building. After having my “first hit” medical tourniquet put on I was straight into the building helping to clear out each room on all 3 floors of the building. Once secured, HQ contacted us on the radio saying they believed the building next to us had an objective the enemy were meant to find and retrieve. Could we send a team over to secure the building, search and defend the objective if found? Five of us volunteered. We pushed out to the building with surprisingly little resistance. Only sniper fire and a fire team strength force which we eliminated using a flanking manoeuvre. Once in the building we placed sentries where we could as two others searched the building. After some time, a PC was found, hidden amongst some ammunition crates. Things were quiet... Too quiet. After a short time I glanced over to the building we captured earlier in the belief we still held it. Levels two and three had our KLA on them but somehow the SAF now held the ground floor?

Then after our HQ was attacked and only just defended, it was decided we were spread out too thinly on the ground. We were called back to the building we had left to re-take the ground floor and hold it. This was decided to be more important because of the tactical advantage it would give the SAF if they had it, as it looked right over our HQ. Using a combination of aggression, speed and grenades we pushed the enemy to the staircase where they had to fight up or down. They were whittled down until none survived. Soon after the building we were holding with their objective was back in their hands. Various skirmishes happened in and around the large buildings held by us. With five minutes to go, one of the enemy ran across the open doorway holding our captured KLA flag. He was shot. An attempt was made to retrieve the flag but it was in vain due to the mass numbers of enemy just around the corner from where the flag lay. I picked off enemy after enemy and almost thought I could have a chance of reaching our flag. This idea was cut short when 2 grenades bounced their way into the room I was in. I made a run for the safety of another room but met some fellow KLA just arriving at the scene. They took my hasty entry into the room as a threat and shot me before realising I was friendly. I now needed a medic IV. Without any medics around and only a couple of minutes To enlist into a Warzone Battle remaining, there I lay, helpless Simulation event, simply log onto looking at our KLA flag also www.war-zone.co.uk or follow the link laying there helpless belonging from their Facebook page, Warzone Battle to no side. Simulation. Due to the objectives Warzone operate an “increasing ticket gained and terrain in the village cost system”, which means the tickets held the outcome was a draw, increase in cost as more players book in although some would argue or the event closes in on its start date. For the KLA were victorious. more details please refer to their website. Who knows – but one Me? I’m off to regen’ to get back in the thing is certain, this story will game and report for another skirmish!! continue.

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Kit JETBOIL FLASH PERSONAL COOKING SYSTEM

TIME FOR A BREW! SURVIVAL EXPERT, PAUL YELLAND, OFFERS HIS VIEWS ON A WELL-KNOWN COOKING SYSTEM THAT HAS BECOME PART OF “STANDARD KIT” WHEN DOING AN AIRSOFT WEEKENDER.

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER than getting some warm food and a hot brew down your neck during free time at a skirmish. Eating a hot meal when you are soaking wet and freezing cold is a good way to replace lost calories, warm yourself up and increase morale. I have used various types of cooking systems over the years, so when it was suggested to me that I tried the Jetboil stove, I was intrigued to find out why people were so keen to recommend it. The Jetboil cooking systems are designed to be more efficient in the heat distribution between the gas burner and cup. It is through this design that the Jetboil is able to produce hot food and drinks faster than many other standard gas stoves. The Jetboil Flash cooking system consists of the burner (FluxRing) with a gas igniter, a one litre capacity cup with lid and an insulated The parts of the Jetboil cover. There is also a tripod which holds the gas canister. The stove uses a butane/propane gas mix and a 100g canister will store nicely inside the cup, along with all of the other components when the stove is not in use. When I first saw a Jetboil operating, my thoughts were focused on how bulky it seemed as the unit does stand quite tall when the cup is fitted but seeing everything packed away inside the cup quickly dispelled this concern. So, storage is not an issue and the cooker stows nicely into a utility pouch on belt kit or a patrol pack side pocket. The stove looks and feels well-constructed, with all of the parts being easy to put together. There are instructions that come with the Jetboil, so it is worth reading them even if it is just to remind yourself about the safety issues surrounding the use of gas stoves - such as not using it indoors or enclosed spaces due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. I tested the Jetboil stove on a wet and windy afternoon in temperatures which were slightly above 10°C. On past experience, I have found that cold Everything packs away inside the cup

temperatures tend to have an adverse effect on the performance of gas stoves, with an increase in the time taken to cook food and boil water. Although not in the extremes of cold, with the addition of the wind and rain, I was interested to find out if the performance of the The gas valve which will accept Jetboil was going to be threaded cylinders. The igniter effected in any way. button can also be seen on the left. I started by unfolding the gas valve handle and checked that the valve was closed. I then screwed the gas canister into the valve underneath the gas burner. In a normal camping gas stove there would normally be a release of gas venting from the canister as it is screwed into place but A 100g gas canister will store inside on this occasion there the Jetboil cup was almost no leaking gas, which was a pleasant surprise as I always end up with some of the cold liquid gas spraying over my hands. Next, I attached the canister stabilizer tripod. It is important to use this tripod as the cooking system can become top heavy when boiling water in the cup. As with any stove, the surface that you choose to set it up on should be flat and away from flammable materials. I intended to boil an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) pouch in water and use the boiled water for a brew afterwards. I filled the cup up to the maximum safe fill line marked on the inside which is approximately half way up the side of the cup. The folded MRE pouch fitted nicely inside the cup and there was still enough room to put on the lid. The

The maximum safe fill line

Xmas 2016

kit JETBOIL FLASH PERSONAL COOKING SYSTEM

Jetboil Flash comes fitted with an igniter button which should be used to light the stove before placing the cup onto the burner. It did take several clicks of the igniter button to light the stove once the gas valve had been opened which I found a little frustrating. However, once lit and with the cup firmly secured in place with a twisting lock, the stove appeared to be unhindered by the weather. On the side An MRE fits nicely inside the cup of the cup cosy is a colour changing heat indicator which turns orange when the cup and contents are above 60°C. Because of the Jetboil’s unique design, the water was boiling within three minutes. It is really important to keep your eye on the stove and adjust the flow rate of the gas once the water begins to boil. This will stop the boiling water from bubbling over the sides and running down into the burner. Also, once the cup is allowed to start boiling over, you cannot turn the valve lever without the risk of having your hand splashed with scalding water as the lever is directly underneath the cup – a problem that I encountered. After letting the water with the MRE simmer for a few The orange coloured heat indicator minutes to allow the food inside the foil pouch to be adequately warmed, I turned off the gas and removed the cup from the stove. I had no doubt that the meal

Boiling over

was going to be piping hot. I sat down and gave the performance of the Jetboil some thought. The fact that I was eating a hot meal that was ready well within ten minutes of setting the stove up was a sign that the Jetboil had worked well. I had no major issues with the stove and the one problem that I did encounter when the water boiled over was down to user error on my part as I had not expected the stove to bring water to a boil so quickly and efficiently. Also, as with any gas stove, there is a constant roaring noise given off when in use which could be an issue if you want to keep things low profile. On the plus side, there is very little light given off from the gas flame. Packing the Jetboil away was easy A quick and easy meal with everything fitting back inside the cup. The parts do tend to move around when being stored inside the cup which causes some rattling during movement, however, this could be prevented by padding the top of the inside of the cup – perhaps with a small brew kit. So to summarise, I found the Jetboil Flash to be a very good cooking system that performed well in less than perfect weather. They are not cheap and cost around the £100.00 mark – but at the end of the day you get what you pay for and with a JetBoil you are certainly getting quality and efficiency. I am pleased that I purchased one and this stove will be travelling with me whenever I go out and about. The Jetboil will fit inside a utility pouch

Back under control and simmering nicely

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international FRANCE

WHO SAID WOMEN CAN’T DO MECHANICS? IN HER FIRST ARTICLE FOR AIRSOFT ACTION, FRENCH AIRSOFTER, DIANE MONTAGNIER, TELLS US HOW SHE TURNED AN ORDINARY KING ARMS M&P 15 INTO SOMETHING A BIT SPECIAL.

AS AN AIRSOFT GAMER SINCE 2010, I am interested for 3 years about airsoft mechanics, internal and external upgrade. My crush for a long time was to build me a black and red replica, having an excellent reactivity. In brief, I was looking for an exceptional aesthetically replica and which makes turn heads every shooting! Of course, the main goal is also to have a light and feminine replica! What of better start point than a common replica as the M&P15 King Arms? It has a good externals, pretty clean. The replica has few years, it has a normal wear of using. The marking M&P15 is painted right-hand side, engraved left-hand side. First modification: paint the engraved markings with a

Xmas 2016

red acrylic paint for the logo Smith and Wesson, the writings in white. As well for fire selector writing. For the black and red external custom, I opted for some red parts, as the handguard, Dytac Brand, 15 inches length. This one settles easily on the replica, thanks to its barrel nut. 2 rails are delivered with it the handguard, in order to fix accessories. Then, I settled a red CNC fire selector, RetroArms brand, as well as a dust cover type Noveske. This one possesses nice markings and I like leaving it open, by taking care which no fragment goes into the replica of course! The sound amplifier is also a SHS type Noveske, for fun and the reminder in the dust cover. This one allows an attractive banging during the shootings. It was also necessary to me to ordered exotic parts, unobtainable in France at the beginning of this upgrade. The pontet is a real Magpul, brought back by the USA as a “souvenir”. After a small modification, this one is perfectly compatible with the King Arms replica! The vertical grip is also a real Fortis MFT, imported by the USA via an armament website. It costed a lot but anyway, I like real stuff! The light stock Madbull allows me to relieve the replica by removing the stock tube. The replica already has a QD system for sling, it is not necessary to add an End Plate. Next, for the aim, a X4 red dot, available several intensity levels, 2 colours point and a mechanical optical fiber aim allow a big flexibility of game anytime and every time.

international FRANCE

“A SPEED TRIGGER ALLOWS TO REDUCE THE TRIGGER RACE TO FEW MILLIMETERS. I ALSO MODIFIED THE TRIGGER RACE TO SHORTEN THE RACE. THEREFORE, COUPLED WITH THE ASCU, MY TRIGGER RACE IS EXTREMELY SHORT. IT IS RATHER PUZZLING AT FIRST SIGHT BUT TO PLAY IN SEMI WITH THIS SET IS A REAL DELIGHT.”

Let’s go to internal upgrade. The gearbox hull is of origin. As this one was strong of origin, it was not necessary to me to change it. Furthermore, King Arms bodies replicas are very narrow, it is not easy to accommodate in it any kind of gearbox without modification. Thus the first modification was the pneumatic part to assure a good airtightness. After several years of service, the piston joint presented a certain fatigue and the shootings were not so regular anymore. Therefore, I opted for a set 14 teeth ATM piston, ATM head piston, cylinder head ATM and M4 SHS. These 2 marks always brought me satisfaction by the quality of manufacturing and the robustness of parts, in case of upgrade. They are also dynamic and relatively young marks with regard to other traditional brands in airsoft world. Furthermore, they are financially interesting to everyone who wants a reliable upgrade, on the long term, at a lower cost. It is necessary to keep in mind that a good pneumatic upgrade will assure the quality of the shootings, in terms of reach and trajectories. I did not change the cylinder because this one was perfectly compatible with the rest of pneumatic parts. I kept the 18:1 gears of origin but I use HiTorque SHS engine which allows to face big resistances without stopping. On the other hand its top speed is lower that HiSpeed engine. I opted for a HiTorque engine because I play essentially in semi.

It thus allows me to have a good reactivity in the starting up of the shooting. The SHS engine is one of the best engines on the market nowadays. It did not contradict itself afterward! The hop-up block of origin is very good, so I kept it. However, I proceeded to the change of the barrel for a 6.01 PDI and a PDI W shape soft rubber. This set is particularly satisfactory in my configuration, in particular for the gain of 30

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international FRANCE

fps! No need to change spring within the bounds with chrony tests. PDI is a brand that no need to get prooves. The quality of the manufacturing is wonderful, that brings a real gain of reach (+/-10 meters). In my case, my shoot is close to useful 60 meters. The precision clearly increased, it is really visible on the shoot grouping. The big disadvantage of this type of very narrow barrel is that it asks for a constant maintenance because he gets dirty fast. For this maintenance, I proceed to a complete degreasing with a grease remove. I clean it with a cotton fabric and 22LR cleaning rod, stands out clean. I apply no lubricating product because it BB misfeeds and reduces the shooting performances. The most of internal custom is not arrived! The main element was an ASCU V2 Gen4 Airsoft Systems installation. This mosfet, capricious for some, brought me in any case a real satisfaction since its installation! The first positive point was a back cabling/wiring, in stock tube. Indeed, it’s less boring to put a battery in a stock tube than a handguard! ASCU allows the real metamorphosis of the replica, in particular for the choice of the firings modes (secu/semi/ full, secu/semi/semi, sécu/semi/burst, secu/Burst /full). It) also brings an electric protection against battery Lipo, active breaking, the gearbox safety in case of hitch, reduce the electric consumption, a strengthened switch but especially an gain of reactivity, to quote only the most important points. Don’t forget

the reactivity is my main goal. The negative point of the ASCU is its fragile cabling. Indeed, a blow of nail and it is over. It is necessary to be extremely careful on this point. The vigilance must be increased on the pink wire. ASCU installation asks for a certain mechanical knowledge but also for manual skills, such as the weld. For some gearbox for example, it will be necessary to modify some parts inside the gearbox, in order to let the wires in good state (in particular at the top of head engine or at the exit of the wires in the stock tube). The second main element of my upgrade, at same time external and internal, is the installation of the red Speed RetroArms trigger. This one presents a very stiff, aggressive shape and which does not suit in all the hands because of its angles. I find it very esthetic because very minimalist. A speed trigger allows to reduce the trigger race to few millimeters. I also modified the trigger race to shorten the race. Therefore, coupled with the ASCU, my trigger race is extremely short. It is rather puzzling at first sight but to play in semi with this set is a real delight. This replica is mainly played with 7,4V lipo, I have no problem with breaking piston (especially as a piston 14 teeth prevents considerably it. Tested with the 11,1V lipo, the banging of the piston at the end of shooting leads to predict the beginning of breaking piston. Thus I use this power only to impress my friends from time to time. What are the shoot qualities of my replica ? Thanks to Chrony XCortch, zero hop-up, and 0.20g ATM BBs, 7,4V Lipo Airsoft Entrepot, here are the performances of shootings : Power : 395.2 fps Loss power: 2 fps BBs/second: 14BB with 7,4 Lipo/22BB with 11.1 Lipo Finally, the upgrade goal is not the camouflage first of all but only the pleasure to play with a tuned replica which stands out and which attracts the eye. Of course, it does not conquer all hearts but I am satisfied by the result. Of course, I needed several months to find all parts but little by little, the replica took life. The external upgrade will evolve again I think. A red magazine catch and a red charging handle will continue the red points I want on the replica. It is possible that the stock will change too. An upgrade is never really stopped, it evolves again and again, according to the desires! In conclusion, an AEG upgrade does not ask for a big budget, in particular if your objectives are precise and if you have some mechanical skills. This domain is not only limited to these gentlemen and if we are interested in it, being a woman and upgrading a replica can be a real pleasure!

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Loaded or Unloaded FIRST TACTICAL

FIRST TACTI C JERRY NOONE IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR EMERGING BRANDS AND ALTHOUGH THEY ARE WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED IN THE USA, FIRST TACTICAL LAUNCHED IN EUROPE AT IWA 2016 AND ARE REALLY MAKING SOME INROADS. BEFORE THE AIRSOFT ACTION TEAM and I left for IWA in Germany earlier this year, I was contacted by a PR company with details on a brand new to me that would be having their European launch at the show. The PR company told me that they would be happy to send me some products from US Brand “First Tactical” for me to check out before the show and these duly arrived in my office. Once I’d had a chance to look the products over and commented favourably on their design and quality I was then offered a chance to meet First Tactical at the show; this offer I gladly accepted. What I discovered was that First Tactical are focused on providing the end user with product that is specific to their requirements, guided by innovation and reliability. Their design process combines both advanced technical materials with state-of-the-art components. First Tactical products are built to offer fully functional gear precisely

created for professionals in the military, emergency and police services. Working with real users from the tactical world, First Tactical strives to fully understand customer demand through a circular development process: Listen, Engineer, Field Test and Deploy. First Tactical listens to its customers through regular product development sessions with real users in the field. First Tactical also ensures it engineers cutting-edge product to transform common gear into incomparable tools for professionals. Through the use of Field Testing, First Tactical’s products are put under scrutiny in the most demanding conditions to ensure they withstand a variety of environments. I managed to get hold of one of the first of their products to come into the UK and have been subjecting the “Tactix 1 Day Plus Pack” to some of my very own “Field Testing”! Available in Black, Coyote or Green, at 40.5L this is a well-sized pack that gives you more than enough space for one days-worth of gear; in fact with careful packing if could be used for multiday use if you’re going to be re-supplied in the field. The Tactix Pack benefits from a Lynx™ Laser Cut Platform compatible with MOLLE/PALS, First Tactical’s Hook & Hang Thru™ System and repositionable or removable compression straps with side release buckles. There is a divided front stash pocket for longer items, concealed drop pocket with hook/loop lining for utility pouch or holster, interior dual use hook/loop and a web platform for unlimited pouch placement. There’s an innovative removable internal backboard with a posture-conforming aluminium stay (that may be used as splint, shovel or paddle), positional shoulder straps for the right fit, HD spacer mesh with dual density foam shoulder straps and back panel and a fleece-lined eyewear pocket. Made from a combination of 500D/1000D Cordura with a double layered base and featuring YKK zips and Duraflex hardware, the pack is absolutely bombertough and thus far shows no signs of wear even after use in some pretty foul weather and being thrown in the footwell of the truck on many occasions! The back panel and shoulder straps are super-comfy even under load and as the Tactix weighs in at just 1.9kg, you’re not adding much weight to your overall load.

A RANGE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL USER

First Tactical offers a full range of clothing and complementary equipment for tactical professions across all fields. The First Tactical range encompasses boots, trousers, technical shirts, outerwear, gloves, knives, flashlights, socks, packs and bags

Xmas 2016

Loaded or Unloaded FIRST TACTICAL

I CAL with more categories to follow. Many of the clothing and footwear models are also available in ladies fit which I think is tremendous. To give a snapshot of what’s on offer I’m going to pick out a few key pieces in their range that have really caught my eye. The Men’s Tactix Series System Jacket is the ultimate go-to for all of your tactical jacket needs. The outer shell is 100% waterproof, breathable, blood-borne pathogen resistant, fully seam sealed wind resistant nylon, designed to move and breathe while keeping you guarded from the elements. The design is cut specifically to fit snugly and a revolutionary 3-way adjustable hood design and a zip-in Softshell give this jacket the edge you need in the field. The tough seam-sealed outer shell is made of 100% nylon and is waterproof, breathable and wind repellent. This superior material is sealed tight against the elements, while zippered ventilation provides breathability and special underarm design allows for freedom of movement. The zip-out Softshell offers an additional layer of protection and comfort with water and wind resistant exterior and warm, soft brushed fleece interior. This is perfect for wearing on its own in warmer conditions or zipped into the shell for extra warmth and comfort when the mercury drops. Priced at

£219.95 this is a lot of jacket for the money but if you require a longer length shell then there is also a Parka version available at £229.95. The Side Zip Duty Boot is a hybrid of practicality and comfort. Featuring an odour and moisture resistant interior sole, tough cowhide toes and two knife pockets, they are ideal for both tactical and endurance scenarios. A torsion-flex shank provides added flexibility in the sole to encourage comfort. A full grain leather toe and top quality leather throughout provides durability and performance for the ultimate in durability and with boots that are designed like running shoes, the heel strike window gives the user more cushioning while reducing impact on the feet and body while in motion. This neat leather boot is available in three variants; a 6 inch low, an 8 inch mid and an 8 inch Waterproof for the colder and wetter months of the year. The boots are available in UK sizes 6-15, including half sizes up to 11.5 and prices start at £84.95. At £39.95 First Tactical’s flagship Hard Knuckle Glove is a tactical model that is both reliable and durable, without giving up the dexterity of lighter wear alternatives. Hard TPR knuckle protection reinforced with neoprene padding and TouchPoint™ fingertip design come together

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Loaded or Unloaded FIRST TACTICAL

to give you a complete and functional tactical glove which is also fully touchscreen compatible. The isolated, hidden TPR knuckle design allows for independent knuckle splay and rotation, giving you amazing tactility while maintaining solid, reliable protection, whilst the closed cell, perforated foam offers bacteria resistant ventilation while keeping your knuckles sufficiently guarded and nimble. The mid-weight, snagproof stretch woven material offers the most precise, professional fit and appearance too and the fit is spot on.

GOOD GEAR TO GO!

Now as good as the clothing, footwear and accessories are, the First Tactical “nylon” is absolutely first rate. I’ve been using the Tactix 1 Day Plus Pack on a daily basis now for a little over six months and have subjected it to much abuse; it’s still looking great and I’ve no negatives to report. First Tactical offer a full range of pouches, packs, guns bags and EDC items and from this last category I really like the Ascend Messenger Bag; this messenger style office-to-field bag is designed to provide all of the room and durability you

require to carry out your duty. The nylon fabric and premium YKK® hardware give you a sturdy exterior you can rely on. Foam padded main and computer compartments keep items separate and protected, while three inner drop pockets and zip out water bottle/gear pockets provide extra storage space with organization. These features, along with the hidden CCW pocket, set this case apart from other tactical bags. Made from a combination of 500D and 1000D Cordura this is a tough as you need bag and at £79.95 is very well priced. Another design which I particularly like the look of is the Specialist 1 Day Pack, priced at £89.95. Dual density shoulder straps, double layered bottom, internal hook/loop mounting platform and a fully functional hook/loop web platform compatible with MOLLE/PALS set this tactical backpack apart from others in strength, reliability and comfort for the wearer. With 36L of space for essential gear and featuring First Tactical’s new Hook & Hang Thru™ System, the Specialist 1-Day is the ideal backpack for short, overnight missions. The main compartment opens to a single mesh pocket and 2 interior drop pockets with hook/loop cinch. On the back, a hook/loop organization platform allows for ultimate customisation. Overall the range is an exceptional one and I haven’t even got into all the other excellent accessories that First tactical offer! Airsoft Action will continue to work closely with First Tactical, both in the USA and the UK and I for one am looking forward to seeing what new gear they launch at SHOT in January. First Tactical have now launched into the Europe as planned and the UK is particularly lucky as they have announced the opening of their first “shop in shop”, on the first floor of the well-established and respected Trekitt mountaineering and outdoor store, which you’ll find at 51 Eign Gate in Hereford (the “go-to” place for a certain band of gentlemen who work locally). You can also check this out via www.trekitthereford.co.uk. To find out more information about the brand please do pay a visit to either www.firsttactical.com or www. firsttactical.co.uk.

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Tech Talk UPPING THE ANTE…

FRENCHIE IS ASKED TO COVER SPECIFIC TECHNICAL MATTERS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE COVERS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REQUESTS – CHANGING THE VELOCITY OF AN AIRSOFT GUN, SPECIFICALLY AN AEG.

UPPING THE ANTE… AS USUAL THE INTERNET has about 1,001 spanky ideas as to how you can change the velocity of an aeg but there is really only one reliable way to accomplish it and that is to change the mainspring. Most of the time players are looking to increase their muzzle velocity but occasionally they need to lower it, to play a specific site for instance but, regardless, the procedure and principles are the same. Before I get into the technicalities of this relatively simple task however I’d like to spend a short while explaining why this is a bloody minefield! There are two reasons: site chronos and player perception. I use the word “perception” but really (and bluntly) I mean ignorance. As I have explained before in Tech Talk, range is as much, if not more a function of your hop unit. If your hop doesn’t work well you can hurl a BB through it at as many thousands of feet per second as you choose, it’ll still be rubbish. This is why 10 or even 20 fps is really not that important. If your gun runs at 330 fps and you feel like you want a bit more range and consistency, it’s all too common to reach for a handy tech and demand that your pride and joy is tweaked to give bang on 350 fps. Your tech, if they are any good will either say “no” or look at the hop. A new rubber and a quick check to make sure all is as it should be can make an enormous difference and may well give you what you are after. A change of ammo can help too, not all plastic balls are equal! If in doubt, try something different. Mess around with weights – at the risk of being a bore (because I have mentioned this in previous articles), I generally run my AEGs at around 330 fps but often use 0.28g ammo. With a decent hop and rubber combination, range isn’t a problem and the flight of the rounds is generally more consistent than with lighter ammunition. The second hurdle, and it really is a hurdle, is chronos. I have a chrono. The shop I work in part time has a chrono. Every site I visit has a chrono. Without exception not one of them gives the same reading with the same gun. A couple of practical examples of why this sucks big time… You follow my instructions below and get your M4 bang on 349fps with 0.2g BBs over your chrono. Sunday comes and you rush to the site, desperate to rain plastic death on the op-for from even greater range. The site chronos your gun. They tell you it’s now doing 365 fps and you can’t use it. Who’s correct? The trick answer here is me, if I am using the Skan chrono at Landwarrior. These chronos are properly calibrated and self-checking and it’s no surprise that other retailers use them too. Unfortunately that doesn’t help you at all because the site goes by their chrono and it simply isn’t worth the time and breath to argue the toss with them; their site, their rules. If you play at one site almost exclusively, check your gun across their chrono and go with the reading it gives. Additionally I would always suggest allowing yourself at least 10 fps leeway – want 350? Go for 340 – remember what I said about the overall importance of a few fps here or there. Right, that’s all that stuff out of the way so if you want to

Xmas 2016

continue, let’s do this… Working on an AEG gearbox isn’t difficult, you just need to be a little careful as there are components in there under pressure. You don’t need specialised tools; Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a set of jeweller’s screwdrivers are helpful, needlenose pliers and possibly a couple of Torx drivers, depending on the make of the gun. I can pretty much strip a box using a decent multi tool (although I really don’t recommend it!) so you get the idea. I’m going to use a Version 2 gearbox for examples in this piece but although there are differences between the Version 2 and version 3 boxes, they don’t really affect what we are doing here. The first thing is to extract the gearbox from the gun. This may take longer to do that it actually takes to change the spring, especially if you discover that your gearbox has a quick change spring! Again I’ll use an AR-15 derivative as an example as they are far and away the most common AEGs out there today. Battery and magazine out – remember kids, let’s be safe! Now, remove the front retaining pin – it may come all the way out or it may be retained by a spring détente so don’t belt it unless you’re absolutely sure that it is meant to come free!

Tech Talk UPPING THE ANTE…

Slide the upper receiver off the lower – this may involve a little jiggling of the charging handle as many gearboxes have a raised lump on top of the casing. If this is the case, pull the charging handle back a little and slide it over the casting. Put the upper aside, you won’t need it until everything is finished. Remove the stock. If you have a collapsible stock you may need a fairly long Phillips head screwdriver, you may possibly need a castle nut spanner or you can loosen these by using a narrow punch and a little hammer power. Be careful, you just need to loosen it and then unscrew it by hand.

If you have a full-stock generally things are far easier involving one screw, either inside the stock or right at the back, as is the case with my XM16E1. Now flip the lower receiver over and remove the two screws that retain the pistol grip base plate. It is becoming less common to find a thrust washer between the baseplate and the motor but if it IS there, don’t lose it! It’s there for a very good reason. Disconnect the motor wires carefully and remove the motor. Warning – most motors come out easily, some don’t. If you get one of the difficult sods wiggle rather than applying brute force is the way forward otherwise you can cause unnecessary damage.

With the motor out, remove the pan-head screws that hold the grip in place – normally two but with G&P and a few others, four and remove the grip.

“THINGS ARE NOW GOING TO GET INTERESTING. TAKE A THIN SCREWDRIVER AND PUT IT INTO THE HOLE IN THE SPRING GUIDE, YOU’LL USE THIS TO RESTRAIN THE SPRING. GENTLY PRISE THE GEARBOX APART, HOLD THE CYLINDER TO STOP IT TAKING OFF LIKE A ROCKET.” You now have the lower receiver and the gearbox. Make sure the selector is set to “safe”. Remove the rear body pin and the frame pin. The body pin is easy as it’s clear which way they should go, the frame pin not so much. If you look closely you might see signs of the spline on one end – if so drive it out from the other side. If you’re not sure proceed carefully and tap it out. If you see a splined or knurled end emerging you have got it right and if not, tap it back in and reverse your endeavours. Driving the splined end through the gearbox won’t do any major harm but it make it more likely that the pin will fall out under vibration and should be avoided. In theory at this point you can pull the gearbox free from the lower receiver. In theory… Mostly it’s fine but there are some really difficult buggers out there. Pull up and slightly towards the front of the receiver and all should be well. Once you have the gearbox in your hand, relax for a moment then make sure your tools are at hand and you have a clear workspace. If you’re lucky your gearbox has a quick-change spring, if so you should see a 7 or 8mm Hex socket on the back of the box. Push in with a suitably sized allen key, turn through 90 degrees and carefully release the spring guide and spring. As an aside, why these are “quick change” is almost beyond me as it requires such a degree of disassembly to get to! Anyhow…. If you aren’t as fortunate as to have this convenience you

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MINI MODULAR PACK

LAZER GARRISON PACK

A multifunction load carrier which can be attached to a MOLLE or used independently. Can also serve a civilian with the day to day practicality and features such as convenient sized pouches, bladder holder and general size. Mesh helmet hammock located on front with compression straps for adjustment

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Size: 19 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura Colour: Titanium SRP: £45.00

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LAZER SHOULDER PACK

LAZER RECON PACK

A lightweight and conveniently sized shoulder pack, ideal as a travel/grab bag. Its exterior and internal pockets are capable of bearing most personal belongings and padded straps add the comfort factor.

With padded shoulder straps and foam Ventex back panel this makes a comfortable load carrier. The pack can be reduced using the compression straps or added to with the LAZER MOLLE attachment panels.

Size: 10 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura

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Tech Talk UPPING THE ANTE…

are going to have to take the box apart. This isn’t that bad - if you haven’t done it before just take it easy.

that and experience. As I mentioned earlier, don’t worry about 10 or 15 fps, it won’t make that much difference but if the result is way over what you need you’ll have to try a different spring. I often cut springs to resolve this but I would have to write another short article to cover just that I’m afraid. Ignore talk of springs “bedding in”, it very rarely happens and if you do a string of ten or more shots through your chrono, the result you see is mostly likely the result it will stay at.

Carefully undo all the screws around the outside of the gearbox normally four short ones at the top and four or five longer screws on the lower half of the box. Things are now going to get interesting. Take a thin screwdriver and put it into the hole in the spring guide, you’ll use this to restrain the spring. Gently prise the gearbox apart, hold the cylinder to stop it taking off like a rocket. As the box separates, release the spring tension and allow the spring guide to come out of the gearbox. In an ideal world everything will stay in place but that doesn’t always work out, so take note of where everything sits. At this point it’s just a case of fitting the appropriate spring and then reassembling the rifle by reversing your steps (I know, not always as easy as it sounds). Make sure that the shims are where they were when you split the box to keep everything running smoothly. I’m going to end with a word about springs. A good while ago most of my upgrading work was done on Marui rifles and typically players were looking for 328 fps, which was often the site limit. I would use a one joule Systema spring which happily gave that consistently. If only things were so easy! Different springs from different manufacturers can give wildly differing results, as can different gearboxes. Version 3 boxes often give a higher result compared to Version 2, despite using the same spring. Ultimate springs tend to be 10m/s higher in reality than their rating, so for instance I’ll use a M90 to get around 330 fps (that’s just a smidge over 100m/s). There is no substitute for trial and error here,

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Warriors BRITISH BERLIN BRIGADE 1960s

BRITISH BERLIN BRIGADE 1960s

GADGE CONTINUES HIS “WARRIORS” SERIES WITH A LOOK BACK TO THE 1960s AND THE BRITISH DEFENDERS OF WEST BERLIN, AT THAT TIME DEEP WITHIN SOVIET TERRITORY. FOR DECADES FOLLOWING WWII the British Army kept a massive presence in Germany, both to deter Soviet aggression and protect the West German population; critical to their deployment were the men of the Berlin Brigade. While the vast majority of the British Army was stationed as part of the British Army of the Rhine in West Germany, the UK kept a significant presence in the isolated demi city of West Berlin. At the end of the Second World War the victorious allies had divided Europe up between East and West. While the Soviets got nominal control of countries like Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland, Germany itself was split down the middle with the Western Allies taking the western half and the Soviets governing the East. Berlin, the wartime capital of Germany and seat of Hitler’s power, was deep within Soviet controlled territory but also , itself, split down the middle with the UK, the US and France garrisoning West Berlin. West Berlin itself was only accessable by air and a handful of land and water routes leaving the garrison troops in a precarious position... dangerously out on a limb in “enemy” territory.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION

Initially Britain’s “army of occupation” after WWII deployed the famous Desert Rats to guard their sector of the city but by 1953 a force called “Area Force Berlin” was created as a more structured garrison with three infantry battalions (around 1,500 men) and an armoured squadron, along with supporting services. The AFB was initially separate from the larger BAOR but would eventually be connected to the BAOR in the early 80s. By the 1960s the Berlin Area Force had been renamed the “Berlin Brigade” and consisted of three battalions of infantry who would serve in Berlin for two years at a time, a single armoured squadron, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Army Air Corp flights for air support, Signals, Military Intelligence and even a field hospital. In essence, the Berlin

Xmas 2016

Warriors BRITISH BERLIN BRIGADE 1960S

Brigade was a self-contained military force. Despite its comprehensive structure the Berlin Brigade was considered to have a life expectancy measured in minutes in the event of WWIII breaking out. In reality the Soviet Forces would most likely have isolated Berlin and bypassed it, concentrating on an assault on the West German border and returning to mop up the Berlin forces once the main battle was over. Should the Soviets have attacked the brigade they would have been little more than a “speed bump” against a Soviet shock army but you can be sure that the men of the Berlin Brigade would have fought with courage and skill. Aware that it was literally “behind the lines”, the Berlin Brigade was kept at an ultra-high level of combat readiness. It was also, oddly for a “frontline” unit, expected to have incredibly high standards of dress and turnout from its soldiers, as they knew that Warsaw Pact spies and observers were constantly scrutinising them and compiling reports on the readiness and ability of UK soldiers. To this end, many veterans recall there being an excessive and tedious amount of parades, inspections and reprimands for less than perfect kit. Many soldiers also resented the frequent “alert” drills and found them to be almost pointless. As one soldier remarked, “If WWIII broke out the Soviets could shorten it by bombing our Parade Square, as they know exactly where and when we form up for an exercise!” Stationed in central West Berlin, the British forces occupied the neighbourhoods of Charlottenburg, Tiergarten, Wilmersdorf and Spandau. Spandau was the site of the infamous Spandau Prison where many Nazi war criminals (including Rudolph Hess) were imprisoned and part of the Brigade’s duties would be to provide guards for the prisons.

battlefield but by the 1960s was hopelessly out of date. Made of a course khaki cloth called serge, battledress (or BD) was itchy and uncomfortable until worn in and oppressively hot in warm weather. By the 1960s the British Army was adopting a US “layer system” uniform known as the “60 pattern” uniform but this would not be universally adopted for some time. Stuck with battledress our man also endures a wool shirt and tie. Part of the “49 pattern” BD’s concession to “smartness” as a parade uniform, rather than the less elegant wartime patterns. Other than cosmetic differences like the positioning of belt loops and pockets, 49 battledress was essentially the same uniform as had been worn in WWII. Equally of WWII vintage are our soldier’s MKIV steel helmet (an improved version of the WWII MkIII “turtle” helmet with a better liner) and his leather short leg “ammo boots” and anklets.

STATE OF THE ART WEAPONRY

Conversely, at the other end of the spectrum, our soldier’s fighting equipment is state of the art for the early 1960s. Personal combat equipment is carried in the “58 pattern”

COLD WAR TENSIONS

While in Berlin as part of the post war peace treaties, the presence of the Brigade did cause an escalation in cold war tensions at times. Within the Berlin area the British Army maintained a large training area in the Grunewald borough, including live firing ranges. Unhappy with the British Army conducting training and manoeuvres on their doorstep, the Soviets retaliated by constructing a large armoured warfare training centre opposite the British Firing ranges in their sector of East Germany. The brigade’s proximity to Soviet and East German forces was not wasted by NATO intelligence. In much the same way that the Warsaw Pact scrutinised UK forces, the men of the Berlin Brigade were often the first to see new eastern bloc kit in service and regularly patrolled their side of the Berlin wall observing the guards, their equipment and their routines. The Berlin Brigade were identifiable by their distinctive formation badge. A black circle surrounded by a red circle with the word “Berlin” in red above it. It is, however, perhaps better known for the distinctive armoured vehicle camo scheme adopted in the 1980s. Unlike the rest of the British Army’s vehicles, which were painted in either deep bronze green or a green and black striped camouflage pattern, the Berlin Brigade had a unique urban scheme. Comprising white, blue, brown and grey squares and rectangles of varying sizes this unorthodox but highly effective scheme allowed the hulking mass of a Chieftain tank to blend into the German suburbs! Our warrior this month is a member of the Staffordshire regiment stationed at Wavell Barracks in Berlin during the 1960s. The 1960s were a time of great re-organisation and re arming for the British Army and our private represents the rapidly changing army of the time. Incorporating elements of the “old army” that would be familiar to generations of soldiers, he also carries equipment that was cutting edge for the British Army at the time. His basic uniform is the 1949 pattern serge wool battledress in Khaki. Battledress had been introduced to the British army in the 1930s as a more practical and cheaper to produce alternative to the WWI service dress of the Edwardian era. Based around skiing clothing designs of the 30s, battledress was designed to be worn by mechanised soldiers on a modern

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DIGITAL EDITIONS

Got a digital device? Then you can take your favourite airsoft magazine with you! Airsoft Action is available to read on just about every type of digital device, including iOS, Android, Windows 8/10 and PC, with apps that can be downloaded FREE from any app store. Airsoft Action is available on PocketMags, Readly and Magzter and is supported by apps for all major devices.

Warriors BRITISH BERLIN BRIGADE 1960S

webbing system. Developed as a better alternative to the WWII 37 and 44 patterns, 58 pattern webbing would see service well into the 90s. Soldiers loved the new system, as unlike 37 pattern it was “pre dyed” dark green and they no longer had to spend hours “blancoing” sand webbing to a green shade with the paint-like substance and the anodised steel buckles saved them the tedious duty of polishing brass fittings. Compared to its predecessors, 58 pattern webbing was comfortable and capacious and at the time of its design able to easily carry all the soldiers necessary kit. By the 1980s it would start to show its age and the increased combat loads carried by an infantryman of the 80s would make the webbing “large pack” (about the size of a heavy weight shopping bag) next to useless! Equally “cutting edge” is our man’s L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). The SLR was a British licensed version of the poplar Belgian FN FAL self-loading rifle (see last month’s issue), chambered for 7.62 and capable of accurate semi-automatic fire. Coming into service with the British Army in 1956, like 58 pattern webbing, the SLR would soldier on until the 90s and would earn soldier’s respect worldwide as an accurate, dependable and hard hitting battle rifle. Without a doubt the Berlin Brigade is a slightly niche, if different, impression for airsoft and perhaps a nice transition for WWII Brit players looking to adopt a more “cold war” look. The good news is that this impression is incredibly cheap to source. 49 pattern battledress can often be found for around £50 a suit and sets of 58 pattern webbing for around £10 to £20. With ARES re-issuing their excellent SLR aeg (again see last month’s Airsoft Action) it’s also no longer a chore to find a decent L1A1 (although they are still somewhat pricy). So if you fancy trying something a little different why not look into the Berlin Brigade.

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Book Review PRISONERS OF THE BRITISH

PRISONERS OF THE BRITISH INTERNEES AND PRISONERS OF WAR DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR BY MICHAEL FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHER AND EXPERT BATTLEFIELD GUIDE, MATT LIMB OBE, WRITES ABOUT A BOOK THAT COVERS A SUBJECT WHICH PROBABLY VERY FEW OF US THINK ABOUT… FIRST WORLD WAR PRISONERS HELD HERE IN THE UK.

Xmas 2016

WHAT DO THE WELL-KNOWN and popular films The Colditz Story, The Great Escape and Escape to Victory have in common? First, they are all set in World War Two and all feature German prisoner of war camps with the British and her allies being detained. There is no doubt that all three are highly popular but can you quickly recall a film that shows the opposite? Germans as prisoners of the British, in World War One? I thought not; very little has been written on the subject of the Germans being prisoners of the British, especially in The Great War, until now. It is a subject that has been of interest to me as I walked the battlefields of Europe so I am delighted to have found a recently published book by Michael Foley ‘Prisoners of The British – Internees and Prisoners of War during The First World War’. The first thing to learn is that not only is this a detailed book on the traditional Prisoner of War, the serving soldier but also the thousands of internees. For we must remember that at the end of the Victorian era leading to World War One, many Germans were to be found in the country, all soon regarded as enemy aliens, many suspected of spying and most considered to be a potential threat to Britain. Then on the outbreak of war a growing anti-German hatred spread across the county. But it was never as simple as that;

growth of anti-German feeling grew in 1914, leading to rioting and looting of German-owned shops across the country and the claim that a vast number of German spies were walking freely in our town and cities; November [1914] saw the execution of the first German spy at the Tower of London … Carl Hans Lody was a Lieutenant in the German Naval Reserve. He had been sent to England at the outbreak of war … He claimed to be an American who had lost his passport ... five weeks later he was arrested with details of cruisers in the North Sea. He became the first person to be executed in the tower for 150 years. Michael Foley has clearly done his homework and worked hard as he finds the finer details, which are well presented in an easy to read format, highlighting turbulent times in The Great War. Against this background he also cleverly picks key political and military events; the first German bombing of England from large airships, the first use of Gas as a weapon of war and the shooting of British nurse Edith Cavell, to help understand the feeling and attitude in the country at that time.

The level of anti-German feeling that was portrayed in the press was mainly reinforced amongst the lower classes. Much of the aristocracy, the upper classes and the Royal Family had strong German connections. Robert Graves wrote that when he joined the Army, four out of five officers in his mess had German mothers or German fathers who were naturalised British subjects. Graves himself had four or five uncles in the opposite trenches; one of his uncles was a general in the German Army, while another was a British Admiral.

As the years of the war unfold, Michael Foley then adds to the equation the growing number of refugees that find their way to Britain, especially from Belgium and the hardship they faced. This further fuelled resentment as it appears that the interned German aliens and prisoners of war were treated better than the public supporting the war effort and certainly far better than British prisoners held in German hands. But despite this, a number of escapes by the German prisoners were attempted;

The case of Robert Graves more than any highlights how entangled the British and German nations were at the outbreak of war, so given the numbers it is of little surprise that the

There was an escape at Shrewsbury Camp in June [1915] when Bernhardt Johannes Zimpell, a member of a Prussian

Much of the prisoner’s time was spent playing football or other outdoor sports, while card games were played inside. There was also a library of German books available. The men were allowed two censored letters a week, and letters and parcels were authorised from friends.

Book Review PRISONERS OF THE BRITISH

Regiment, and Otto Ricart Kircner managed to get out of the camp. They succeeded in covering around 20 miles before being captured close to Welshpool. They were apprehended by Captain Dugdale of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and Captain R. Williams of the Welsh Guards. A further reported escape was from Donington Hall near Derby, which was a camp for German officers that attracted a large amount of criticism with claims that the captives lived in a lap of luxury but two German officers escaped and got as far as Chatham before being captured. The book is full of similar stories that paint a picture of the war years in the British Isles, along with an impressive collection of black and white photographs, witnessing Germans being capture on The Western Front to living in Alexandra Palace, which first housed Belgian refugees before becoming another internment camp. The amount of fine detail is quite remarkable and covers almost the length of the country, plus the additional camps established on the Isle of Man and on board ships off the Isle of Wight. Without a doubt it is the individual stories that brings life to the book; one of my favourite being that of Justus Heinz. He was taken prisoner in Belgium, at Langemark, by the Irish Guards in 1917 and returned to England to be held at Costerdale in Yorkshire. But Heinz was determined to escape, he tried many times to get through the barbed wire and was a member of a tunnelling group which was discovered. In the end he simply walked out of the gate disguised as the camp’s Canteen Manager. Once out of the camp his disguise changed to that of a woman, wearing clothes sent by his mother using coded messages in his censored letters, the wig hidden in tobacco and jewellery in marmalade. He was successful in getting out of the camp and then changed into the woman’s clothes but his game was up when two soldiers recognised the bag he was carrying; the whole affair was treated as a joke and he was soon returned. As Michael Foley says in his conclusion and it is the generally accepted version of events; “German prisoners in Britain were treated much better than the majority of the British prisoners who were held in Germany”. A German prisoner was generally well fed and content and the many inspections support this. The appendix, which numbers some eighteen pages, lists the many prisoner of war and internment

camps up and down the length of the country and further highlights how World War One was the first war in history to require a home-front to support it. Michael Foley has written an excellent book, not on the events of World War One from a military perspective but from the economic and social upheaval that happens when two countries who are so entwined go to war and the effect this has on the everyday man in the street or the soldier on the battlefield. This is a book for anyone with an interest in the Home Front of World War One, the effect of military campaigns on the home country or the history of the United Kingdom following the Victorian era and comes highly recommended

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WIN

Competition ASG ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AW .308 GAS RIFLE

AN ASG ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AW .308 GAS SNIPER RIFLE!

In his article earlier in this magazine, Jerry Noone says this: “For me the Accuracy International AW .308 from ASG ticks all the boxes and makes a superb range and field rifle. It looks great, is rock solid in construction, uses great materials throughout and performs beautifully out of the box.” A

He goes on to say: “The Strike Systems (ASG’s own brand) optic is clear as a bell, easy to adjust and once zeroed stays that way; I particularly like the red illuminated reticle which is very easy on the eye. The ASG folding bipod is of sturdy construction and is extremely straightforward to adjust and set.” …and now you can win the entire package! ASG Accuracy International AW .308, Strike Systems Scope, B&T Suppressor and ASG Bipod… all of it could be yours if you enter this month’s exclusive Airsoft Action Competition! All you have to do is spot the five differences between the two photographs and send in your entry before the closing date and if your name is drawn from all the correct entries, you win – it really is that simple! If you don’t want to cut up your favourite airsoft mag, you can also enter online, via the Airsoft Action website (www.airsoft-action.online), or by email. So what are you waiting for…? Once again we must say a huge “Thank you!” to ActionSportGames for letting us give away this awesome prize.

ANSWERS: Difference

Post your entries to: Airsoft Action ASG AW.308 Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@airsoft-action.co.uk with “Airsoft Action ASG AW.308 Competition” in the subject line. You can also enter online, via the Airsoft Action website (www. airsoft-action.online). Entries received after midnight on 14th December will not be valid. One entry per person. The winner will be the first randomly drawn from all the correct entries.

Difference

Name:................................................................................................................. Telephone:.......................................................................................................... Email:................................................................................................................. 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.

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Feature STARTING SKIRMISHING

BITING THE BULLET: STARTING OUT IN AIRSOFT THINKING ABOUT GETTING INTO AIRSOFT BUT NOT SURE HOW? GADGE HARVEY GIVES US HIS “TOP 10 TIPS” FOR STARTING OUT IN AIRSOFT. WHEN YOU’VE BEEN INTO AIRSOFT for a long time and particularly working for Airsoft Action, it’s easy to forget that we all had to start somewhere. Many of you reading this month’s mag will be veteran skirmishers and already know the ins and outs but it’s important to remember that each month we’re gaining more and more brand new readers who have yet to begin their “airsoft journey”. So with that in mind, we at the Airsoft Action offices decided to give you our top ten tips for the new player about to take the plunge and go to their first skirmish!

1. MAKE SURE YOU WEAR PRACTICAL CLOTHES.

No one expects you to go to your first open day togged out like “Seal Team 6” but it’s a good idea to wear something old and sturdy - and something you don’t care about if it gets ruined. Most sites will provide new players with green or camo overalls, or old army NBC suits but these can be hot and uncomfortable and who knows when they were last laundered! To that end you’re much better off if you can find yourself some “cargo pant” type combat trousers and a tough jacket. It doesn’t have to be army surplus or camo but it should ideally be in neutral tones of grey, green or brown. Even jeans and a hoody will do - but baggy is better!

2. STURDY FOOTWEAR

In the same way as you’ll need tough clothing, practical footwear is essential. The site won’t provide boots and may even turn you away if you rock up in your Nikes! Whatever you do choose for footwear needs a decent grip and ankle support. It’s all too easy to be a genuine casualty on the skirmish field as a consequence of playing in substandard footwear.

Xmas 2016

Feature STARTING SKIRMISHING

3. TAKE A WATER BOTTLE, SNACKS AND A BAG TO KEEP THEM IN.

Most sites will provide lunch as part of your day’s “Green Fee” and may even provide free tea and coffee in the safe zone between games but you may, however, be out on a game for hours so be prepared. At the very least take a plastic bottle of water with you and a couple of Mars bars or similar for “instant energy”. Even on a cold day it’s very easy to dehydrate and lose more fluids than you’re aware of. Top up your fluid levels regularly throughout the day and if you have a Camelback or similar from other hobbies like hiking or cycling, then use that. Dehydrated players make tetchy players. Tetchy players get stroppy and can ruin great days. Nearly every “airsoft argument” I’ve seen has happened between hot and tired players after lunch or hung over players on the second day of a weekend event… don’t be “that guy”.

4. PACK A BIT OF SPARE CASH

While, as we’ve mentioned, the “Green Fee” is usually allinclusive, it generally only includes a small amount of ammo (if any) as well as the gun hire. Most new players soon burn through this and may also want to try out game-enhancing smoke and flashbang grenades, so take £20 or so extra with you so you’re not left “out of ammo” while your mates have all bought extra BBs. Expect to pay around £10 to £15 for a bottle of 3,000 BBs and around £3 to £5 for pyro if bought on site. It is best to check with your local site before loading up on extras before you get there; many sites will have rules on which BB brands and pyro can be used on their field.

5. BE PREPARED AND CHECK OUT YOUR CHOSEN SITE IN ADVANCE.

It’s always a good idea to check out a new site online before playing at it. You can get an idea of what the ground is like, what sort of facilities they have and even an idea of their game style. At the very least check out our Site Directory at the back of every issue of Airsoft Action and see what facilities the site offers. It’s always a buzz kill to turn up with only one battery for your brand new gun at a site and then find out they have no charging facilities! Our handy guide gives you an “at a glance” rundown on the type of site (urban or woodland etc.) and the facilities before you even go to their website.

6. TRY AS MANY AIRSOFT GUNS AS YOU CAN

Many players want to dive into buying a gun before they have even played a game but it’s a good idea to use the site’s hire guns for a couple of games first. Some sites will only have one type of rental AEG (Airsoft Electric Gun) as it makes it easier for them to maintain them and have spare magazines and batteries but many sites have a selection. It’s worth seeing if the marshals will let you try one gun in the morning and a different one after lunch. You may think you’re an “AK47” type of guy but then find the G36 is more your thing!

7. LEARN HOW THE HOP UP WORKS!

On the subject of AEGs we have to add this tip. Most site guns are set up well by the marshals but occasionally someone will have played with the guns “hop up” (the hop up is a device that puts backspin on the BB and gives it stability in flight). On my first airsoft outing I was using a site hire MP5 and couldn’t hit a thing! It was only at lunchtime, when a helpful player noticed and explained to me how to adjust it and add metres to the flight of the projectile and a greater amount of accuracy. Normally the hop up is a lever or dial located in the “ejection port” of the AEG and accessible by pulling the “cocking lever” backwards. As a rule of thumb though, if you’re not sure, ask someone. By far, the vast majority of players and marshals are more than willing to help and will be only too pleased to sort things out for you. www.airsoft-action.online

Feature STARTING SKIRMISHING

8. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

Even with the greatest hop up and a souped-up gun, it’s important to have realistic expectations of the game. It’s not war, you’re not shooting bullets. In effect you have a smooth bore electric peashooter in your hands, it’s a good idea to remember this when the guy you can see 200 metres away isn’t being “hit” no matter how many hundreds of BBs you’ve shot at him. While many AEGs can shoot further, don’t expect a well-worn hire gun to be able to hit a man-sized target much more than 50 metres away. On the flipside make sure that if a BB does hit you, even at long range, you take the hit. Play safe, give people a “hit” even if it could have been a bounce back off a tree. No one ever had a bad day because people owned up to too many hits. And on the subject of hits... remember that you only need one hit to take a player out. If you get the drop on someone or are really close up, use a single shot. You won’t make friends and influence people by rinsing them with a burst of full auto from three feet away!

9. TALK TO OTHERS PLAYERS.

Don’t feel shy. Every “veteran” player on the site will have been where you are now and most will be more than happy to chat to you about their kit, how to play the scenario to its best and generally help you enjoy your first day. To be honest, airsofters LOVE talking about their kit and guns and most players, if you ask politely and have not been dragging your hire gun through the mud like a plough, will usually even be happy to let you have a go of their prized AEG. It’s a given you’re going to want to buy your own gun as soon as possible so get as much “trigger time” on different types or “platforms” as you can.

10. HAVE FUN!

Without doubt, if you only take on board one of these tips, remember this one. Remember it’s a game. You’re there to have fun, so is everyone else. They might be a long-term player but they have paid the best part of £30 to go there shooting that day too. With that in mind don’t go ordering other players

Xmas 2016

about and don’t get stressed out if you get an order shouted at you. If you feel like it, play along and join in another player’s plan but don’t feel obliged to follow the loudest guy who has slapped on some Generals rank! Sometimes with all the “military” baggage around the game it’s easy to forget that we’re just big kids playing army in the woods, so have fun and don’t take it too seriously (unless of course you’re at a themed event then it’s a bit rude to not buy into the “story”). At the same time though, remember that “not taking it too seriously” doesn’t mean paying lip service to the rules or safety brief. Play honourably, play fairly and play safely. And there you have it, the Airsoft Action quick play manual to getting the most out of your first couple of games. As aforementioned, without a doubt you’ll be wanting your own gun and tactical kit but take your time, see what playstyles there are and see if you can “try before you buy”. Being a sniper may look cool but some players find it very boring and frustrating, it takes a very patient mind set to lie in wait for up to several hours. Conversely you might love the idea of a support machine gun as your weapon of choice but is your local urban close quarter battle site the place for it? As a new airsofter you have the greatest resource available to you to research your first set up. No, it’s not the internet, its other players! So get out there, get shooting, have a chat in the safe zone and… welcome to the hobby!

Feature SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS

SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS THE SNUB NOSE REVOLVER, more commonly called a “Snubby”, or simply “Snub”, is described as having a barrel length of 2 inches or even less on a small frame. There are those that would argue that description, claiming that a barrel length of 3 inch is still within the acceptable range. The snub nose has also been commonly referred to as a “belly-gun”, as this basically describes the difficulty of shooting a snub nose effectively beyond “belly to belly” distance. For many years the shorter-barreled revolvers were believed to be

Snub size in comparison with bigger revolver

Xmas 2016

A QUESTION ANDY NIGHTINGALE WAS ASKED RECENTLY WAS, “WHY ARE SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS, APART FROM THE BARREL SIZE, IN A DIFFERENT CLASS THAN OTHER REVOLVERS?” A GOOD AND REASONABLE QUESTION, SO HE’LL TRY TO EXPLAIN HERE…

useless beyond a few feet and that’s a belief that is still holds strong today in certain Shooting circles.

ACCURACY

For many years a few of the World’s shooting experts have tested snub nose revolvers in a machine rest. Machine rests are the best way to test and study the precision of a gun without the inherent variations of a human’s muscles and eyesight. When fixed into the immovable machine rest, a snub nose revolver quickly proves it has the same mechanical precision as that of its much longer-barreled brethren. So if the shooter can do it, so can the snubby. It’s not the gun that affects the results in real world shooting, it’s the shooter themselves. The short sight radius on the snub nose revolver hides any sight errors in positive sight alignment, this results in decreased precision and accuracy of the shot on the target. There is more deviation on the target the less acute the shooter’s eyesight is. The simple and minimalistic sights of the typical snub nose consist of nothing more than a plain blade and simple rear notch carved out of the top of the frame, which makes it very difficult to acquire good sight alignment no matter if the shooter has perfect eyesight or not. Snub nose shooters must understand the effects of the crude sights and short sight radius. Because there is no feedback from the sights, the shooter might be used to a larger revolver, it’s important that the shooter masters complete trigger control. Without any visual feedback, it becomes vital that the shooter masters and maintains a single and double action trigger pull that doesn’t steer the gun off alignment. Something easier said than done.

Feature SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS

Close up

Short sight radius rear cut sights

Cylinders open

SIGHTS

One of the better ways to realise the accuracy of the snub nose is to modify the sights for a sharper, more defined sight picture. I’ve already mentioned the difficulties presented by the short sight radius and unrefined sights and we can’t do much about the former but there is help at hand for the latter. Aftermarket sights can (and do) make a difference. For snubs that are used for up close and personal work accuracy is not as important and the use of the rear sight is seldom made, especially in point shooting. However, the front sight blade is still to be used and this is done by simply superimposing the blade on the target. Front sight blades are usually a small ramp fixed to the muzzle end of the barrel. Depending on the model of the snub and, of course, your eyesight, will depend on whether the front sight can be seen easily. I own a stainless steel S&W .38 Special and being the wrong side of 40 years old my eyes aren’t what they used to be. I have problems with sight acquisition with this gun so I have used an enamel paint on the blade to make it more visible. It makes all the difference.

RECOIL CONTROL

manufacturer fitted with grips that fit the hand to near perfection. There are still some models on the market that are being sold with the horrendous splinter grips, so named because they amount to nothing more than a large splinter of wood fixed onto the revolver’s frame. If you have such a snubby my advice would be to either change the grips for ones that fit your hand better, or try to fill in the gap behind the trigger guard with a grip adapter. You will find that you will have better control over the recoil and management and your hands will thank you for the extra comfort.

AMMUNITION

This is something that a lot of people forget to consider. Thankfully Airsoft ammunition for the revolver is limited to just one size. There are however 2 loads to consider, High power and Low power shells. High power shells are too powerful for skirmishing but ideal for competition and target shooting, while Low power shells reduce the amount of power to the BB making them safe enough for skirmishing. Being reusable, the shells need to be looked after. The easiest way to protect them is to store them in a purpose made box such as the MTM Case Guard ammo box for the .38/.357 size round. Speed loaders make reloading your snub nose revolver easier and much quicker than loading the cylinder one round at a time. These speed loaders are usually carried in pouches on the belt, the same as you would with semi-auto magazines. The snub nose revolver is great fun to shoot, challenging and a dying art. If you have a snubby and find it much more difficult to shoot than other guns don’t be put off by this. Get down to the range and practice, practice, practice and enjoy the challenge.

The snubby’s short barrel and reduced weight tend to magnify muzzle flip and precise recoil. This greatly affects the ability to make follow-up shots. It’s imperative that the snub shooter learns to control the recoil of the gun through proper fit and technique. Shooting any double-action revolver with a weak target shooting grip will give substandard results but with the snubby it’s particularly noticeable. A weak grip won’t aid in recoil control or shot recovery, key elements to shooting a snubby well. The solution is a solid grip with the hand high in the backstrap.

GRIPS

Snub Nose revolvers were intended for easy carry and concealment and their grip reflects on their compactness. In years gone by all Snub Nose revolvers came with grips that were a very poor fit in the shooter’s hand. This left large gaps under the fingers that subsequently lead to reduced recoil control management and comfort. Today almost all Snub Nose revolvers come from the

Adjustable rear sights

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Famous Raids POINTE DU HOC

RANGERS AT POINTE DU HOC: NORMANDY, 6th JUNE 1944

ON THE 6TH JUNE 1944 THINGS MIGHT HAVE GONE VERY DIFFERENTLY WERE IT NOT FOR THE PREPARATIONS THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE BEFOREHAND. BILLY BASICS WRITES ABOUT A MISSION THAT WAS

I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO live near the sea on our beautiful south coast and regularly walk along the cliffs, staring out to sea daydreaming. Occasionally my mind will wander over the horizon to the coast of France and imagine what it must have felt like to be a young soldier embarking on a destroyer prior to D Day to dislodge Hitler’s Nazis that had laid claim to Europe’s liberty and was wringing it for every drop. Adolf Hitler and his ruthless regime had harnessed and exploited the frustration and nationalism of Germany’s young citizens and had exploded across Europe and beyond pushing all before them. But the Allies were amassing in the UK and were just about to push back and attempt to liberate them.

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Spies and counter spies were peddling their trade on the streets of Europe’s capitals and towns under the very noses of the enemy, putting out rumours of landings elsewhere. But plans were in train for the Normandy beaches (in a previous article I had written about small submarines recceing the beaches for their suitability) and men from all over the Commonwealth were in England preparing themselves and their kit to take the fight over the English Channel. In Bude, North Cornwall, the 2nd Battalion of US Rangers under a certain Lt Col James Rudder (a notoriously tough Texan) were stationed near the cliff tops and every day for weeks would see them landing on the beach below and scrambling

Famous Raids POINTE DU HOC

up the cliffs to the top. They’d have a quick debrief at the top, look at what they could improve on, have a quick smoke and then get at it again. Across the English Channel to their south was a 40-metrehigh mass jutting out into the sea, a steep wall of solid rock rising from a narrow strip of beach. The cliff wall faced out to sea as well as both east and west along the beaches, an ideal spot for a gun emplacement, which was exactly why it was chosen as part of Erwin Rommel’s Atlantic Wall defence system. Intelligence gathered locally and collated in London estimated that it had up to 6, 150 mm guns with a probable range of over 23 km. But the nightmarish scenario was that it could possibly house a deadly battery of powerful 240 mm coastal guns, which had a far greater range. The beaches in question that it covered with its arcs of fire and far out into the ocean were the Normandy beaches that would soon be swarming with Allied troops and the channel would be full of ships. The planners at Operation Overlord had enough to concern themselves, without this threat to their shipping, so it was decided that the battery would have to be taken out. Lt Col Rudder and his Battalion of volunteers were set to their training. Before midnight on the 5th June, Rudder and his Rangers were part of the huge armada that sailed towards the

Normandy shore. The nearer they got to the coast the higher the waves grew, their boats were tossed around like corks on the waves; they were desperate to get onto dry land. Many of the men later claimed that this was the worst part of the whole thing. The plan was for the three companies of Rangers, numbering a total of 230 men, would hit the beaches and scale the cliffs to destroy the guns. The rest of the 2nd Ranger Battalion would land some distance to the east and await the signal that the guns were neutralised before pushing inland to another objective. If the signal did not come from Rudder’s men then they were to turn westwards and take the guns from the rear. The immense offshore naval bombardment began at 06:30 to soften up resistance on the objective and to keep their heads down, to give the Rangers a chance to climb. The ships sent volley after volley of 355 mm shells thumping into the headland, harrowing the German gun emplacements. As the landing craft made for the shore, the sea was so bad that some of the boats filled with water. Following the landing craft were a group of amphibious tanks whose task was to provide more accurate fire to protect the climbers, sadly most of these were overturned in the swell with few of the crew members escaping with their lives. Overhead, fighter bombers pummelled the cliff tops sending clods of rock and mud down on the Rangers scrambling ashore.

“THEIR MOTIVATION WAS SKY HIGH, SHOULD THEY FAIL IN THEIR TASK THE ENTIRE D DAY TASK FORCE THAT WAS STEAMING BEHIND THEM TOWARDS SWORD, JUNO AND OMAHA AND THE OTHER BEACHES WOULD BE AT THE MERCY OF THE POINTE DU HOC GUNS. THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN.”

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Famous Raids POINTE DU HOC

The lads themselves were lightly equipped with rifles and ammunition and as soon as they got onto the beaches they were off. The sound must have been horrendous as the fighter bombers swooped in low to strafe the targets, and the 355 mm shells smashed into the cliffs a short distance above them. Several of the landing craft had been fitted with three pairs of rockets that would fire grappling hooks up onto the cliffs to allow the assaulters to scramble up them. However, when they came to be deployed, the rockets roared off but the ropes were so heavy with sea water, that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the top and tumbled back smashing into the ground in front of the Rangers. Two of the support boats had been also been fitted with 30 metre tubular ladders upon which were placed Lewis guns. As the first assaulters clambered up and the Germans opened up on the men below the Lewis guns raked the cliff tops to send the enemy scurrying. Although I doubt they were terribly accurate as they must have been tossed about in the waves. Seeing the boat-launched grappling rockets fall back to the beach, not to be deterred the Rangers deployed their lighter hand held rockets and started scaling the sheer cliffs

100

Xmas 2016

like goats, hauling themselves up the ropes with rifles slung. Their motivation was sky high, should they fail in their task the entire D Day task force that was steaming behind them towards Sword, Juno and Omaha and the other beaches would be at the mercy of the Pointe du Hoc guns. They were not going to let that happen. In their singlemindedness, some of the men cut hand holds in the cliff face with bayonets, daggers and knives and hauled themselves up, being followed by their comrades. Soon some of the Rangers were now nearing the top, the fighter bombers seeing this peeled away after one last strafing run. The pilots radioed what the saw to the ships and turned for England to refuel, re-bomb, grab a bacon sandwich, brew and a cigarette and head back over to support the other landings as best they could. The USS Texas fired its last 355 mm shell which thumped into the chalky cliff top. The Germans sensing the eerie silent pause quickly scrambled out of cover to repel the Americans. The German soldiers above desperately cut the ropes as quickly as they flew over the top sending the Rangers tumbling back to the beach, most of whom shook themselves off and took another rope, only to have that one cut as well. The defenders began to turn their automatic weapons to the beaches below and grenades began to roll over the grassy lip, luckily no one was hit as they climbed up. The 2nd Battalion were literally now in stabbing distance at the top and after what must have seemed an eternity one of the Rangers managed to get into a smoking shell hole left behind by the USS Texas, shouldered his weapon and shot a German soldier who fell to the ground.

Seeing their comrade fall and hearing the gun shot the others took cover, as Ranger after Ranger crawled over the top and into a shell hole the balance began to shift in their favour. Some Germans were already dropping their rifles and fleeing. The word was passed down and the climbers swarmed up but one well dug in machine gun nest doggedly held on and had them pinned down. A matter of metres in front of the barrel, sheltering in a hole, was a young Ranger Sgt, he was joined by another who dived in beside him and then another. The machine gun hammered bullets above their heads like lead hornets, they prepped a grenade each and as soon as it paused to reload they were on their feet, the grenades bounced into the slits and it was silenced. The Germans fled and made their escape to regroup and fight on as the Allies advanced. With rifles levelled and approaching cautiously the Rangers crept towards the 6 heavy concrete emplacements. Not knowing what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d find inside they wrenched the doors open and rushed in to find nothing at all. No more enemy and no guns! The guns were later located a kilometre to the rear under cam nets with their shells piled up neatly beside them. It has always remained a mystery why they were not in place and ready to fire, but thank goodness they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t!

HALO MILL

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AWA HERTS

Clocaenog Forest, LL16 4SP Tel: 07967 394976 www.atroop.co.uk

Allt-lywd Wood Farm, outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales. Tel: 07511554740 www.aberairsoft.co.uk

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Maidenhead, SL6 3SS Tel: 07871 314951 www.absolute-airsoft.co.uk

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169), Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

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Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 Tel: 07718 032541 robinsonm24@btinternet.com

North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com

AIRSOFT COMMANDOS Sutton, near Ferrybridge Tel: 07723 061386 andyace@ntlworld.com

AIRSOFT KGB

Porkellis Moor near Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0 Chef1322@hotmail.com www.kgbairsoft.com

AIRSOFT PLANTATION

Goatsmoore Lane, Billericay, CM4 9RS Tel: 07534 636289 / 07771 556395 www.theofficialairsoftplantation.co.uk theofficialairsoftplantation@gmail.com

Tong Wood, Newport Road Wolverhampton TF11 8PN Tel: 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

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ACE COMBAT

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB

Kent, TN12 7DG Tel: 01303 814803 www.acecombat.co.uk

Stoulton, WR7 4QW Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

Studley, B80 7LY Tel: 07764 587410 www.airsoftskirmish.co.uk

Near Trawden, BB8 8SN Tel: 07909 683464 www.allarmsairsoft.co.uk

Halkyn Wood, North Wales CH8 8DF Tel: 0845 257 6937 www.alpha55.co.uk

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

Le Mont de Rozel, Jersey, JE3 5 Tel: 01534 733697 www.aegairsoft.je

AMAZON EVENTS

Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4HL Tel: 0844 2570433 www.amazonoutdoorevents.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8SL Tel: 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

Grimsby, DN31 3JD Tel: 07752 404060 www.arenaairsoft.com

Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM23 4BJ Tel: 07732 184957 www.awaherts.com

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

Rowlands Castle, Hamps PO9 6DP Tel: 07534 465589 www.badlandsairsoft.co.uk

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

Shafton, Barnsley, S72 8RE Tel: 07779 236166 www.barnsleypaintball.co.uk

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

La Couture, Guernsey, GY1 2 Tel: 07781 104068 www.battletec.co.uk

AMBUSH ADVENTURES SOUTHAMPTON

BETTER BATTLES

New Forest National Park, SP5 2DW Tel: 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

Ravenshead, Notts, NG15 9DH Tel: 07967 940043 www.better-battles.com

APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT

Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QP Tel: 07872 348 576 www.apocalypseairsoft.com

Grasscroft Wood, Barlow Lees Lane, Dronfield, S18 7UR www.blackdagger-airsoft.co.uk

www.airsoft-action.online

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BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Aylesbury, HP18 0XB Tel: 01296 658600 www.bluestreak-airsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE SANDPIT (DESERT)

Bolton Wood Quarry, Bolton Hall Road Bradford, West Yorkshire BD2 1BQ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5 Tel: 01438 368177 www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk

COOL UNDER FIRE BORDERLINE AIRSOFT

51 Green Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim Northern Ireland, BT39 9PH Tel: 028 9303 7030 or 07729219341 www.borderlinecombat.com

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport. PR46JX Tel: 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

BRISTOL AIRSOFT Bristol, BS1 2HQ Tel: 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – RIVOCK EDGE Keighley, BD20 0LS Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – SHEFFIELD WOODLAND Sheffield, S6 6JE Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE WORKS (URBAN)

Off Badger Lane, Hipperholme, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 8PL Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT Sheffield, S2 5TR Tel: 07795 631331 www.brittacairsoft.com

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

Brimington, Chesterfield, S43 1DQ www.cia-airsoft.co.uk

Doddington, Kent, ME9 0JS Tel: 07960 532613 www.coolunderfire.co.uk

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

Truro, Cornwall, TR2. Tel: 07863 240153 www.cornwallseliteairsoft.co.uk

COTSWOLD AIRSOFT

CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT Corby, NN17 3BB Tel: 07740 165787 www.close-action.co.uk

BUSH VALLEY AIRSOFT

Runham Woods, Lenham ME17 1NQ Tel: 07786 448608 Email: bushvalairsoft@gmail.com

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

Combat Street, Felthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 4DR. Tel: 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/combatactiongames

C3 TACTICAL

Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0PH Tel: 07597 938011 www.c3tactical.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE OUTPOST (WOODLAND) HPC, York Road, Flaxby, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG5 0XJ Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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DOG TAG AIRSOFT

Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SE TEL 01293 852 314 www.holmbushpaintball.co.uk/airsoft

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING

Worthing, BN13 Tel: 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE BATTLEZONE

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

Dumfries, DG12 cumbria.airsoft@virgin.net www.cumbria-airsoft.com

Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 0AN Tel: 01380 728982 www.experienceairsoft.co.uk

DANGER CLOSE AIRSOFT

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

Ellough Lark Raceway, Benacre Road, Ellough, Norfolk . Tel: 07455 906132

Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

Lewisham, SE13 5SU Tel: 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk

DARKWATER AIRSOFT LTD.

Mobile: 07947 558433 www.darkwaterairsoft.co.uk Email: darwaterairsofthythe@gmail.com DARKWATER AFTER DARK C.Q.B, (Battlezone Building), Britannia Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, TN23 3NA facebook.com/afterdarkcqb DARKWATER SITE, Dering Wood, Church Lane, Shadoxhurst, Ashford. TN26 1LZ facebook.com/darkwaterairsoftdarkwater

FIFE WARGAMES

St Andrews, KY10 3XL info@fifewargames.co.uk www.fifewargames.com

FINMERE AIRSOFT Buckingham, MK18 4JT Tel: 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com

COMBAT AIRSOFT

Just off the A11 outside Thetford Norfolk follow signs for Combat Paintball Tel: 07703 045849 www.combatairsoftgames.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT – THE COMPLEX Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP Tel: 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

Caerwent Training Area, South Wales, NP26 5XL Tel: 07921 336360 www.dragonvalley.co.uk

Bourton Woods, On the B4479, Blockley Near Bourton-on-the-hill www.cotswoldairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07724629140

BUNKER 51

Charlton, SE7 8NJ Tel: 0870 7549653 www.wolfarmouries.co.uk

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN Portsmouth, PO6 3LS Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

Fareham, PO17 5ND Tel: 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

DELTA TEAM 3

Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 8UT Tel: 07986 053076 www.deltateam3.co.uk

FIREBALL SQUADRON Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA Tel: 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com

DOGS OF WAR

FIRST & ONLY: ANZIO CAMP

DRAGON’S LAIR

FIRST & ONLY: BUNKER WOOD

Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7BP Tel: 07853 195290 www.dow-airsoft.co.uk

Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA Tel: 07703 530189 www.dragonslairairsoft.co.uk

Leek, ST13 8 Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

FIRST & ONLY: KHE SANH

WOODS

Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: MANCHESTER

WOODLAND

Bolton, BL7 9TS Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE

Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON Piddington, Oxfordshire, OX25 1 Tel: 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

Co. Armagh, BT60 1NE Tel: 07772 919974 www.greenzonecombat.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY

GUN HO AIRSOFT

FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST Kidderminster, DY11 5SA Tel: 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: SLEEPY HOLLOW Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5LS Tel: 0161 727 8863

Guisborough, TS7 0PG Tel: 07525 435696 www.gunhoairsoft.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 Tel: 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

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

FREE FIRE ZONE

Farcet, Peterborough, PE7 3DH Tel: 01733 247171 www.freefirezone.co.uk

FRV AIRSOFT

Annacloy, Downpatrick, BT30 8JJ Tel: 07730 586926 www.frvairsoft.com

GUNMAN AIRSOFT– NORWICH Norwich, Norfolk, NR10 Tel: 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU Tel: 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT Tel: 07971 560249 facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

FULL METAL AIRSOFT

Cilyrychen Quarry, Llandybie, Ammanford, Camarthenshire, SA18 3JG Tel: 01269 850404 www.fullmetalairsoft.co.uk

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

MILSIM UK

LAC SITE 1

NCIS AIRSOFT

LAC SITE 2

NOMAD AIRSOFT

LAC SITE 3

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

LAC SITE 5

NORTHFLEET CQB

Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 Tel: 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk

Gorebridge, Midlothian, EH23 4LG Tel: 0131 654 2452 www.airsoftedinburgh.co.uk

Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

Wrightington, WN6 9PL Tel: 01942 514724 www.militaryoutdooradventure.co.uk

Checkley, Staffordshire, ST10 4NS Tel: 07523 916607 www.milsimuk.co.uk

Edinburgh, EH14 4 nick@ncis-airsoft.co.uk www.ncis-airsoft.co.uk

GREENZONE COMBAT

Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG Tel: 0161 727 8863

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF Tel: 0161 727 8863

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

HUMBER AIRSOFT

North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07792 680297

Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

Saxillby, LN1 2JW Tel: 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LINDSEY AIRSOFT

Manby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8HE Tel: 07955 487983 www.lindsey-airsoft.co.uk

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

Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3LQ Tel: 01845 565465 www.northernallianceairsoft.co.uk

Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AA Tel: 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

NSC AIRSOFT

Hetton, Sunderland, DH5 0 Tel: 07983 333521 www.nscairsoft.co.uk

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES

NTAC

MAW

OBAN AIRSOFT – ILL ARGYLL

MIA

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS

MIDWALES AIRSOFT

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB

Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5FW Tel: 07974 507166 www.matlockcombatgames.com

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 Tel: 07793 404346 1midaw@gmail.com

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

Abbey Cwm-hir, Midwales, LD1 6PG Tel: 07497 480243 www.facebook.com/Midwales-airsoft

Durham, DL4 2ER Tel: 01642 281220 www.ntac.co.uk

Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 Tel: 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com

Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT Tel: 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk

Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07731 744471

www.airsoft-action.online

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PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION Former RAF Camp Sopley/Merryfield Park, Hants, BH23 Tel: 02380 899369

PHOENIX AIRSOFT

Welbeck Airsoft, Academy, Budby Road, Notts NG20 9JX Tel: 07956 587213/01623 812483 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

PLATOON 1HQ

Rochester, Kent, ME1 1 HQ Tel: 01634 829063 www.ptt-1hq.co.uk

PLAYERS OF WAR

High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD Tel: 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF Tel: 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

RAVEN’S NEST

Suffolk, IP8 4 Tel: 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

TA EVENTS

Hemel Hemstead, Herts, HP2 7QB Tel: 07894 059794 www.ta-events.co.uk

TORRENT WARFARE

Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB Tel: 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS Tel: 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

TROJAN AIRSOFT

Co. Londonderry, BT45 8NA Tel: 07713 273102 www.sg1combatgames.co.uk

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

Billericay, Essex, CM11 2TX Tel: 01277 657777 www.airsoft-billericay.co.uk

SKIRMISH EXETER Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 Tel: 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LR Tel: 07766 770830 www.southdownairsoft.com

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7EU Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL Tel: 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ Tel: 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT– THE ROCK Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG Tel: 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP Tel: 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

TECH BRIGADE

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire. SG13 8NH Tel: 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

UCAP AIRSOFT

Portsmouth, Hants, PO17 6AR Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 Tel: 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

UCAP GREEN OPS

Linch, West Sussex, GU30 7 Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

THE BUNKER

Aberystwyth www.aberairsoft.co.uk Tel: 07841 462806

THE DEPOT RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA

Co Tyrone, BT71 4DY Tel: 07922 377131 Facebook: search ‘Torrent Warfare’

Glasgow, G45 9SB Tel: 0161 727 8863 www.thedepotglasgow.com

UCAP SANDPIT

Bean, Kent, DA2 8 Tel: 07590 818881 www.ucap.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY Tel: 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT RED1AIRSOFT

Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

RED1AIRSOFT CQB

Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN Tel: 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

RIFT AIRSOFT COM’S SITE 3 Chipping Warden, OX17 1LZ Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

RIFT AIRSOFT (COTTENHAM) Cambridge, CB24 8RL Tel: 07751 586781 www.riftairsoft.com

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STIRLING AIRSOFT

Coventry, CV3 6NX Tel: 07831 429407 www.stirlingairsoft.com

STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4LD Tel: 07515 937633 www.stormforcepaintball.co.uk

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

Redford, DD11 Tel: 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk

THE EX SITE

Mold, CH7 4 Tel:07840 001975 www.theexsitewales.co.uk

THE WARGAMES CENTRE

Slinfold, RH12 Tel: 020 8150 9284 www.sussexairsoft.co.uk

Lundholm Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire, KA20 3LN www.thewargamescentre.com wargamescentre@gmail.com

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

THUNDER PARK AIRSOFT

Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu Tel: 07703 177756

Luxulyan, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL305FA Tel: 07751808055 www.thunderparkpaintball.co.uk Food & drinks available on site.

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

URBAN6AIRSOFT – ZONE 13 Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0QN Tel: 07432 291729 www.urban6airsoft.com

URBAN6AIRSOFT – THE BLOCK

Wood Street, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3AB www.urban6airsoft.com

URBAN ASSAULT

Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE26 1 Tel: 01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

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 Tel: 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END

PRACTICAL PISTOL DIRECTORY AIPSC

The Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Midlands, CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532384 www.aipsc.co.uk Facebook: A.I.P.S.C info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk. Every Monday night 7pm– 9pm (except bank holidays). £5 or £10 with pistol and shooting rig hire. UKPSA-qualified coaches. UKPSA-qualified Range Officers.

COBRA ONE ZERO AIRSOFT Unit 9 Imperial Buisness Centre Mortimer Road, Hereford, HR4 9SP www.cobraonezero.co.uk Facebook : cobra one zero Airsoft

High Wycombe, HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

DOUBLE TAP PSC

Email nige@airsoft-action.co.uk to add or change a site listing

StrikeForce CQB, Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5RZ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Double-Tap-Practical-Shooting-Club979585958732937/?ref=hl doubletappsc@gmail.com

HALO MILL

The Penthouse, Colne Valley Business Park, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield HD7 5QG Tel: 01484 840554 www.halomill.com

NORTHERN PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB (NPPC)

Tanner Street, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 1NA Tel: 07816 992417 www.northernpracticalpistol.co.uk 4 indoor ranges

SOUTH WEST PRACTICAL SHOOTERS (SWPS)

Action Air IPSC Club Based at The Tunnel Target Sports Centre near Charmouth The Tunnel, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6BY Contact: SWPSClub@Outlook.com

WETHERSFIELD AIRSOFT TARGET SHOOTING CLUB (WAT SIC)

Wethersfield Village Hall, Braintree Rd (B1053), Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4EB. https://www.facebook.com/WATSiC/ Open Thursday & Friday evenings. Set-up from 6:30pm. Club shooting commences by 7:30pm. Pack-up starts at 9:30pm if you can stay to help. Contact via FB or 07939557029. Indoors. Club offers Action Air plus 2 & 3 Gun training and events.

XSITE PRACTICAL SHOOTING Fryers Farm Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3NP Tel: 01494 881430

WATFORD PRACTICAL PISTOL CLUB WatfordPPC@gmail.com

www.airsoft-action.online

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DEALER LISTINGS

ADVERTISERS INDEX Land Warrior Airsoft

Inside Front Cover + 3

Airsoft Zone

7 + Inside Back Cover

JD Airsoft NUPROL iWholesales BadgerTac Fire Support

19 + 64 23 28 + 29 36

FubarBundy

40 52 + 82

Helikon-Tex

Valken Airsoft

A2 Supplies

Pro Airsoft Supplies

Airsoft Action Digital Editions

ASPUK

Crawley Surplus Store

Dragon Valley Airsoft

Military Outdoor

Platoon Stores Military 1st

2014

ActionSportGames

Viper Tactical

106

9 + 48 + 78

105 Outside Back Cover