Issue 22 - May 2013

ACTION

THE Airsoft Magazine

AIRSOFT ACTION

WWII AIRSOFT

GARAND AND M1918 REPLICAS ON TEST

OPERATION: FURIOUS ANGEL

WIN

PTS MAS ADA CQB WORT H

£430

MIND GAMES SNOW CAMO Get the mental edge over Make your own kit for your opponents winter and urban games

MAY 2013

IWA REPORT ❱ WEEKEND AIRSOFT ❱ SURVIVAL SKILLS ❱ DEBATE: CHEAPSOFT ❱ Site: THE BUNKER AA_001_Cover_Rev2_MH.indd 1

MAY 2013 - £4.35

DIY:

9 772047 348025

G&G PDW P99 We check out the futuristic P90 replica

FEATURE:

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ON TEST:

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CONTENTS AIRSOFT ACTION – MAY 2013

6 10 Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant editor: Mike Hine Graphic Design: Steve Dawson Art director: Chris Sweeney Ad design: Anna Makwana, Matt Smith, Katherine McArdle Advertising: Toni Cole Group production editor: Colin Fallon Operations director: James Folkard Assistant publisher: Ruth Burgess Publisher: Wesley Stanton

Full UK 12-issue subscription rate: £59.40 For overseas prices visit: www.airsoftactionmagazine.com Cover photograph: H Photography Blaze Publishing, Lawrence House, Morrell Street

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Leamington Spa,Warwickshire, CV32 5SZ Tel: 01926 339808 Fax: 01926 470400 E: info@blazepublishing.co.uk W: www.blazepublishing.co.uk

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© Blaze Publishing Limited, 2013 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Blaze Publishing Limited 2013. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publishers in writing. The opinions of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

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Letter, idea or question?

Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article, or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the assistant editor (michaelh@blazepublishing.co.uk), send us a letter at the Blaze Publishing address above – or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

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AIRSOFT NEWS A couple of new events feature in our round-up of airsoft news

SHOW DOWN The editor reports back from IWA, Europe’s largest shooting trade event

ICS M1 GARAND Jay Slater checks out this WWII airsoft replica

FORD AIRSOFT Les Lee heads down south to Ford Airsoft, an exciting allpurpose site

G&G PDW 99 It’s a bit of a divisive design, so what does Scott Allan make of this P90 replica?

AY BAR M1918 A2 Another iconic WWII design gets the once over from Scott Allan

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND We present top advice on how to prepare for weekend events

MIND GAMES Think you need the best kit to succeed in airsoft? Think again, says Kris Roberts

COMPETITION Bag yourself a free PTS Masada CQB worth £430

OPERATION: FURIOUS ANGEL Billy Basics gets his first taste of a full-on airsoft event with this tasty weekender

GROUND FORCE Ratty charts the history of the M113 armoured vehicle

52 57 60 65 66 71 75 78 80 84 88 90

COLD WEATHER CAMO Ron Mahoney provides DIY tips for making snow camo

MIDWEEK MAYHEM Midweek games are growing in popularity – so James Badura checks one out

STAYING ALIVE Using cover and careful movement will keep you alive, says ex-pro Dan Mills

SUBSCRIBE Get Airsoft Action delivered to your doorstep every month

BACK TO BASICS Make sure you’re well prepared for battle with Billy Basics’ top tips

TOMB RAIDER The latest game in the classic series goes under the microscope

LEAPFROG ENTRY Andy Nightingale rounds up his CQB series and explains how to combine various entry skills

BOOK SHOP Get exclusive Airsoft Action deals on a host of great literature

CHEMICAL WARFARE Gareth ‘Gadge’ Harvey gets hot and bothered in the latest instalment of Cold War Warrior

KITTING UP We look at the best kit to take on weekend events

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL? Our topic of debate this month is ‘cheapsoft’ AEGs

SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend with our site listings

May 2013

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DAN MILLS

A former army warrant officer, Dan served in the forces for 24 years, seeing service on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq

ALEX WHARTON

As a self-professed big-time geek, our video game expert Alex is a massive airsoft fan. He’s been playing the sport for over six years now, and just can’t get enough

ANDY NIGHTINGALE

Andy has seen active service around the world – and now runs Pro-Tact, a not-for-profit group providing tactical training for the airsoft community and private security forces

BILLY BASICS

Billy spent 25 years in uniform, and has served in all the usual salubrious ‘hoiday destinations’ around the world.

He has always been a writer and doodler by habit

JAY SLATER

Jay fell in love with airsoft not so long ago and has too many guns. An active member of the South London airsoft scene, Jay is also a publisher of military and history books

GARETH ‘GADGE’ HARVEY

Gadge is our resident history buff and FilmSim fanatic. He has a passion for WWII, Nam-soft and Cold War gaming – but still finds time to fit in an open day skirmish whenever he can

RON MAHONEY

Ron has been involved in fieldcraft, shooting and outdoor pursuits for over 30 years. His real passion is the ‘sneaky-beaky’ style of airsoft game

IAN ‘RATTY’ ARMITAGE

Ratty has been involved in airsoft since the mid-90s, and has seen the sport grow over the last 20 years. He fondly remembers the prehealth and safety days!

SCOTT ALLAN

Scott has worked in airsoft retail for many years – and played airsoft long before that. He likes big, heavy guns, loud explosions and MilSim games in particular

I

n the last issue, I mentioned that I was going over to IWA in Nuremberg – and now that I’m back, I have to say that it certainly lived up to expectations, as my report on page 10 should confirm. It is difficult to say whether IWA was actually larger than The SHOT Show, but it was certainly easier to find your way around! It was fantastic to see so many airsoft companies represented, too – with a large number of UK-based companies making the trip. At one point, there were more UK airsoft retailers together in one place than I can ever recall seeing before.

Just outside one of the halls was a press area where publishers could display their magazines and visitors could pick up free samples. Of course, Airsoft Action was there and seemed to be attracting quite a bit of attention – so much so that, at the end of the first day, there were only three copies left out of the hundreds available. As I watched, visitors were even trying to remove the perspex front, to get at the copy on display.

The show itself was excellent and, from what I understand, a considerable amount of business was conducted between UK airsoft companies and new customers. For me, one of the highlights was being able to meet with manufacturers and discuss directly what their plans are for Europe and the UK. Without exception, they were all positive about the future and the potential for growing their presence over here – which can only be good news for all of us!

Back on the home front, we are expecting a raft of new weapons and one or two innovations that should keep us all on top of our game. Hopefully, by the time you read this, the snow will have melted and we can (at last) start to think about playing without getting caked in mud. Some sites have really suffered, with playing areas looking more like the Somme, or a Louisiana swamp! Still, look on the bright side, it makes camouflage quite simple – anything dark brown and wet...

See you out there.

Nige

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AIRSOFT NEWS LONDON CALLING Just BB Guns have announced the grand opening of its new shop in London on Saturday 27 April. Founded over four years ago, Just BB Guns began as an online retailer of low-end, two-tone guns – before branching out and opening up a store in Wokingham, along with the Airsoft 101 skirmish site, also in Berkshire. Both these ventures were a huge success – but given the complicated logistics of running its distribution centre in London, with a remote retail site in Berkshire, Just BB Guns have decided to close the Wokingham shop… and re-open it in the capital!

The new shop will be located on Raeford Road in Feltham, Hounslow (TW14 0TW), and will allow Just BB Guns to keep their large supplies of stock all in one place.

The new location caters better to visitors and clients, with easy access from the M3, M25 and M4 at Junction 3. Why not

head down and check out the shop when it opens on 27 April? We know we will be – and you can look forward to a retail review in a coming issue.

In the meantime, check out www. justbbguns.co.uk for more details, or call 0208 8904 678.

BADLAND RAIDERS This August, Spec Ops Airsoft will be running the follow-up event to its epic Badlands: The Rock weekender held last year. Back in the November 2012 issue of Airsoft Action, Oscar Plummer reported on this event, which saw around 100 people

descend on a series of quarries down in Dorset for a themed game set in a dystopian vision of Britain where government and society have broken down.

On August 3 and 4, Spec Ops is hosting Badlands: The Raid, which picks up where

The Rock left off. The British Unionist Force and the Free People’s Movement are battling for the control of a vital supplies route, which will have a crucial role to play in the outcome of the revolution.

The walk on fee for the weekend is £65, with rifle hire starting from £15.

However, two lucky Airsoft Action readers can get entry to Badlands: The Raid for absolutely nothing! Spec Ops Airsoft has given us a pair of tickets to give away, and they can be yours by answering this one simple question: 1973 film Badlands stars which actor?

A Martin Sheen B Charlie Sheen C Mr Sheen The deadline for entries is 15 July 2013.

Winners will be selected at random from the editor’s hat.

For more information on Spec Ops Airsoft and its Badlands event, visit www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

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AIRSOFT | NEWS

WEEKEND WARS

No Nonsense Airsoft is teaming up with the guys at Section 8 for an airsoft weekender held on 1 and 2 June. The bumper event will be held at Section 8’s Allanton site, located on over 1,400 acres of land between Edinburgh and Glasgow, which features a variety of natural terrain, including thick forests and open grassland.

No Nonsense reports that the two-day event will comprise a MilSIm day on the Saturday – with a challenging, but fun and welcoming atmosphere. The Sunday, meanwhile, will be more relaxed, and several airsoft retailers will have stalls set up on site, including ICS Airsoft, Epic AirsoftHD, Military in Surplus/Echo1 and Enola Gaye.

Attendees must put down a £21 deposit with No Nonsense in advance, with a further £15 payable on entry. This will include a BBQ on the Saturday night.

For more information, or to organise your place at the weekender, visit No Nonsense Airsoft’s Facebook page (/NoNonsenseAirsoftNewsAndReviews) – and you can find out more about Section 8’s awesome site at www.s8airsoft.com

G&G GROWS

Taiwanese airsoft manufacturer G&G used the recent IWA show in Nuremberg to unveil a host of awesome new products. Among the new releases is the Pink Storm range of blowback AEGs, all decked out in a rather striking pink plastic!

Also unveiled was a new AK-style range and a host of CO2 blowback pistols.

We hope to bring you more on these innovations in the coming months – and once we get our mitts on some, we’ll bring you a full review. For now, though, we’ll just have to tantalise you with these sneak peeks!

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COMPETITION WINNERS We had two rather awesome prizes to give away in our February and March issues – so it’s about time we announced the winners! First up, congratulations to Mr S Furniss of Barnsley, who has bagged himself a KWA KRISS Vector worth £300! And the lucky winner of a WE M4A1 worth £220 is Michael Schofield of Holywell.

We’ve invited the guys down to the Airsoft Action offices to claim their prizes (more like prise them from our cold, dead hands) – and if you like the sound of winning awesome swag for absolutely nothing, then turn to page 40 where you’ll find details of how you can bag this month’s competition prize. The guys at Edgar Brothers have given us a PTS Masada CQB worth £430 to give away, and all you have to do is spot five differences between two images. You can’t say we’re not good to you!

EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER Rich Brady from Denbigh Army Surplus is offering a discounted snow camo bundle exclusively to Airsoft Action readers! The offer ties in perfectly with Ron Mahoney’s feature on DIY snow camo, which you’ll find on page 52.

The cold weather may be on the way out (after recently rearing it’s ugly head again), but you could pick up this great bunch of kit

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in anticipation for next winter – or for use in urban games, which, as Ron explains, offer plenty of opportunities for winter camo.

Included in Denbigh’s bundle is a snow camo parka, face mask and rifle cover. Usually retailing for £35, they can be yours for just £20 by visiting www.denbigharmysurplus. co.uk/airsoftaction

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Nige reports from IWA & Outdoor Classics 2013, the largest shooting and outdoor trade event in Europe

SHOW DOWN

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n January last year I was lucky enough to visit The SHOT Show in Las Vegas and, notwithstanding the obvious attractions surrounding the exhibition centre, and the chance to drool over the hardware on display, in airsoft terms I felt that the show was (not unexpectedly) a little ‘flat’. From what I had been told, IWA, held in Nuremberg, promised to be a much better show for airsoft – and from the moment I walked into Hall 7A, to be greeted by the large Defiance Airsoft/KWA stand, I knew the intel was gen!

Defiance/KWA had taken the space directly opposite the main entrance to the hall that led to where the majority of airsoft companies were situated and, as visitors entered, they faced a glass-enclosed practical pistol area, where they could try

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their hand at this rapidly growing airsoft sport. Right alongside was the KRISS Systems stand, with a display of Vectors in just about every configuration you could think of – including a rather mean-looking ‘baby’ version.

Leaving a gaggle of over-excited shooters to play with Vectors, as I made my way to Hall 7 it was like walking through a ‘who’s who’ of recognisable names: Surefire, Sauer, Vertx, EO Tech and Magnum, to name just a few.

In Hall 7 one stand seemed to dominate and, if there was a prize for the biggest, then surely Umarex would have won it.

Their black and red construction seemed enormous – and it was here that I bumped into (a very busy) Simon from Armex, standing alongside one of the biggest

displays of airsoft weaponry I think I have ever seen – tell you what though, I wouldn’t have liked to be the one to have to put that lot back in their boxes!

Moving deeper into the hall, passing the likes of Crosman, Sheridan and Evolution Airsoft, I found the RedWolf stand and was greeted by a delighted Clarence Lai, the Airsoft Surgeon himself. I last saw Clarence the Airsoft Arms Fair, where I’d had the chance to spend some time with him and talk about his plans for airsoft practical pistol. Those plans are now moving forwards, and as soon as they are confirmed, you can be sure to hear about them here first.

Clarence had brought along some of his stunning pistols, including what must be the ultimate in airsoft bling, an Infiniti

SHOW REPORT | IWA

with a Swarovski-encrusted grip! He also showed me his version of a practical shooting rifle. In just about every way it had been lightened, smoothed and balanced until what was left was just the ‘essence’ of the weapon. I have no idea how much such a wonderful piece of work would cost, but I want one!

As I left RedWolf, I spotted the familiar faces of Ratty and the guys from BadgerTac 2 moving through the crowd, and followed them down to the ASG stand – and the biggest meeting of British airsoft retailers for a long time. Maybe it was just a coincidence that they all arrived at ASG together – or maybe it had something to do with the free beer that Jesper was handing out. Whatever it was, it was really great to see so many well-known faces, although

it was a little ironic that I’d not had the chance to meet Frank from FireSupport back in the UK, but ended up meeting him in Nuremberg!

It also gave me the opportunity to pop round to the TLSFx stand next to ASG and have a chat with Tony Lewis, who was being ably assisted by Dan Eastes from Edgar Brothers. If Umarex would’ve won the prize for biggest stand, then Tony would have most definitely won the prize for best slogan: ‘Vorsprung Durch Pyrotechnik’! For those of you don’t know, Edgar Brothers are now the exclusive distributor for TLSFx products in the UK and, talking to Dan and Tony, they have got some big plans for how they are going to take the brand forwards, including some unique, 100 per cent biodegradable products.

G&G was also there, promoting a whole range of new and updated products on a stand that featured guns... guns.... and yet more guns. It also had a first-floor range where you could try your hand at shooting their MET (Multifunctional Electronic Target) Units. These devices have been around for a short while but have not been seen in the UK until now. G&G has kindly given Airsoft Action a couple of units – one to review and the other to give away – so watch out for the next issue where we will do both.

The other item at G&G that really caught my eye was the new GEC (G-Generation Electronic Control) System gun, featuring modular plug-and-play units that allow the user to swap out the standard setup for either a high velocity, or high rate of fire

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SHOW REPORT | IWA

setup instead. Hopefully we should have one of these in our sweaty little hands fairly soon and will let you know how it performs.

Just before we left for the show, Airsoft Action broke the news that WE Europe had been launched and it was great to see the guys at IWA. Speaking to James from WE, it is clear to see that a UKbased distribution channel makes perfect business sense and should mean much better support for WE users both here and throughout Europe.

Over the course of three days I spoke to many, many different companies and, generally, most of them seemed to be very optimistic about the future. Quite a few were not aware just how rapidly airsoft is growing in the UK and felt that, at some point in the future, they might consider it as a potential marketplace – all of them were complimentary about this magazine and seemed genuinely surprised at the diversity of the game here. Even some well-established, ‘old firm’ firearms manufacturers are taking an interest in airsoft. I won’t mention any names at this point but take it from me that there are some big players hovering in the wings.

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Before I finish my whistle-stop tour of IWA 2013, I want to do something I wouldn’t normally do: I want to recommend another magazine to you. Well, I say ‘magazine’ – it only comes out four times a year, each issue weighs 1kg and it doesn’t have any words in it!

It is called Flashbang and it is the brainchild of Dominique Andre, who has been allowed to spend time with and photograph some of the world’s most elite military units – and the result is simply stunning. Each issue features pictures of three different units as they practise their drills and manoeuvres.

It is not only a great collection of images but as a reference work I don’t reckon you could get much better – although at 25 euros each, it doesn’t come cheap.

Dominique will be sending over some copies of issues one and two for us to give away – but if you want to know more, take a look at www.flashbang-mag.com.

Overall I thought IWA & Outdoor Classics 2013 was an excellent show – and was certainly more airsoft-centric than SHOT, which can only be a good thing as airsoft continues to grow in stature throughout Europe.

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ICS M1

ICS has developed the first affordable AEG replica of the M1 Garand – and Jay Slater decides whether it lives up to expectations Photography: Andy Brown

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he M1 Garand was arguably the finest infantry rifle of WWII – especially compared its counterparts, such as the Lee-Enfield, Mosin-Nagant, Karabiner 98 Kurz and Arisaka Type 99. With a high rate of fire, the Garand was reliable and accurate, and revolutionised infantry doctrine.

German soldiers were allegedly fooled into thinking they were facing an entire company when a single US platoon armed with Garands opened fire on them – a testament to the weapon’s effectiveness. This air-cooled, gas-operated, clip-fed semi-automatic weapon was later immortalised in films such as Jaws,

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Saving Private Ryan and in TV series Band of Brothers, sealing the weapon’s iconic status.

Real Steel John Cantius Garand, a Canadian-American, invented the M1 Garand in 1919, and the first production models were delivered to the US Army in the late 1930s. Early Garands were plagued by production and design issues up to the early 1940s – but, by 1941, over 600 were leaving the production lines every day.

Chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, the M1 had an effective range of 440 yards, with the capability to kill using

armour-piercing ammunition well beyond 875 yards (800 metres). The M1’s semi-automatic operation gave the US a significant advantage; it certainly struck fear into the hearts of the Japanese.

Japan attempted to copy the M1 with its flawed Type 5 rifle, and the infamous banzai charge met its match with the Garand.

These assaults were cut down under a hail of devastating firepower, as US soldiers on average could fire around 50 accurate shots per minute. Single rounds of the .30-06 were known to penetrate three Japanese infantrymen.

THE ARMOURY | ICS M1 GARAND

The Garand was loaded by inserting a metal ‘en-bloc’ clip – containing a maximum of eight rounds – into the receiver, and the exhausted clip was ejected with a trademark ping. This was both a blessing and a curse, as the enemy, at close quarters, knew that the Garand was out of ammunition.

However, the rifle was quick to reload and one tactic was to strike two pieces of metal together to simulate a similar ping noise.

Hearing this noise, enemy soldiers would, on occasion, stand up and be exposed, in belief that the Garand operator was out of ammo.

This reloading issue was eventually corrected with the introduction of the M-14 in the 1950s

The Replica Airsoft Garands have been in high demand for a while – though, until recently, the only replica available was the beautiful 350-380fps

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gas-powered Marushin with steel and wood hardware. It certainly appealed to the hardcore, but to the masses it was limited in practicality, with its eight-round magazine and 6mm and 8mm variants. At over £500, it was never going to appeal to a particularly wide audience.

A cost-effective AEG Garand has been a long time coming – and though there is a G&G version on the horizon – Taiwanese brand ICS got there first with its extremely impressive WWII airsoft supernova.

My first impressions of this rifle are excellent. It is well packaged within a colourfully-designed box that reeks of high quality, and includes a bag of BBs, manual, loading tube and two 42-round plastic magazines. The rifle itself is a triumph.

Beautifully replicated, it features a one-piece, real wood stock that has been treated with linseed oil for that authentic period finish and 1940s vintage odour. At first, I found the wooden finish sticky to the touch, staining my fingers and hands, perhaps due to an issue with vacuum packing in overseas transit.

The rest of the hardware is all metal, including metal sling fittings and adjustable front and rear sights. From weight to cordite aesthetics, this is the real deal.

The gearbox, specifically designed for the ICS Garand, is all steel and benefits from a MOSFET for an improved, sharper and crisper performance. An 8.4V-9.6V battery is stored within a compartment in the stock,

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accessed by the butt plate. A mini battery is recommended for ease of use, but an eightcell stick battery can be accommodated with a squeeze.

The hop-up design is simple yet brilliant.

Crank back the charging handle (with a resonating and assured kerching) and the hopup is instantly accessible, with a dial that is practical and easy to use in the field. However, loading a magazine with the supplied tube is fiddly and frustrating, with BBs zipping in all directions. After experimenting, the Tokyo Mauri XL 500-round speed loader did the job admirably.

On Test For testing, I used a selection of various Madbull .20s, 25s, .30s, .40 and .43s BBs over a 140-foot target range. At 405fps, it was time to let rip with the ISC M1 Garand.

After adjusting the hop-up, lightweight .20s and .25s were rejected due to the hardcore power of the rifle – BBs would curve and fail to fulfil the Garand’s striking potential. Armed with .30 and .40 BBs, the Garand came into a world of its own. Flying straight and true, each BB hit the target dead on at 140 feet without suffering a degree of inaccuracy or dipping. Its range, power

THE ARMOURY | ICS M1 GARAND

With its devastating power and range, the unmodified Garand not only outperforms sniper rifles such as the upgraded Tokyo Mauri VSR 10 G-Spec, it takes on high-end training weapons. Such performance and hitting power on a semi-automatic rifle has raised concerns, but a growing number of woodland sites are allowing the ICS M1 Garand, so long as the thirty-metre (98 feet) engagement rule is respected.

However, there was a bitter pill to swallow in reviewing the ICS M1 Garand… it was due to be returned to FireSupport.

But having become infatuated with its performance and looks, it had to be mine.

After purchasing the rifle, mini battery, upgrades and eight magazines, my bank balance resembled the 1930s Great Depression. Curses! and performance were breathtaking, and an absolute joy to operate.

That being said, there are caveats. The wooden finish could be better, calling the high-price tag (around £390) in question, as purists will eventually refurbish the stock to a superior grade. Think about it. Why pay top dollar for an Alfa Romeo 8c to have it spattered in Dulux matt black?

Though spent magazines don’t ping when ejected from the top port, their overall plastic quality warrants closer inspection. Freshlyloaded magazines failed to fire on the first shot, and after ‘exhausting’ each magazine,

three or so BBs would remain in the well.

Each ‘42-round’ magazine held either 26 or 38 rounds. ICS ought to introduce a superior magazine – ideally with a metal construction.

Conclusion After a heavy-duty testing session, it’s clear that the ICS Garand represents the future of AEG WWII airsoft. An ideal sniper platform, the Garand can also be modified by the kind folks at FireSupport, who supplied this test gun. With a 6.02-mm inner barrel, SP130 spring and upgraded Tokyo Mauri hop-up rubber, it can acheive a respectable 450fps.

INFORMATION & PRICE ICS M1 Garand

LENGTH: 1,102mm BARREL LENGTH: 610 mm WEIGHT: 3.6kg MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 42 rounds SYSTEM: 8.4V/9.6V battery BATTERY LOCATION: Stock MUZZLE VELOCITY: 405fps AVAILABLE FROM: FireSupport Ltd (www.fire-support.co.uk) PRICE: ~£390

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FORRD AIR FO AIRSOFT Les Lee heads down to a former RNAB in Sussex, to check out a unique airsoft site

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ocated at the former Royal Navy Airbase at Ford (HMS Peregrine) in Yapton, West Sussex, Ford Ranges was established in February 2002 by James Stancombe and Matt Haney. Its predominant function was as a target-shooting range for air and rimfire rifles and pistols, plus it held a regular clay shoot. To this day, it continues to thrive in this capacity – and in 2005 the guys decided to incorporate airsoft, and so Ford Airsoft was created.

With the RFD site already well established, merging airsoft was a

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relatively seamless process, as the fundamentals were already in place, including easy access, hard parking, pathways, toilets, an on-site snack bar, indoor shooting ranges and two shops – one for general shooting and another specifically for airsoft – all available seven days a week.

The UKARA-registered airsoft shop carries a moderate but adequate supply of the basics, with plenty of consumables. If you find that you have that all-too-frequent ‘dammit I’ve forgotten something’ moment, then

the shop will most likely be able to help out. There is also a variety of equipment for hire for new or non-regular players, or small corporate groups, which are trained and supervised to airsoft version mil-spec standards until competency takes over. The hire guns are mostly from the H&K MP5 platform.

Safety First Shortly after arriving at Ford Airsoft, it becomes instantly apparent that suitable training is a matter high on Ford’s agenda – a fact made clear on

SITE REVIEW | FORD AIRSOFT my visit. At too many sites, I have witnessed participants being issued rifles and a bag of BBs with an attitude that simply says, ‘there you go, get on with it.’ To me – and maybe I’m a little bit belt and braces on this subject – this is somewhat lacking in principle. I feel that, as an ever-growing community, we should be training our new players in safe weapon handling and the basics.

No matter what age group we are talking about, some players will diversify into other shooting sports or careers.

So why not learn and digest it right from the very start? After all, these aren’t called RIFs for nothing…

Many years ago, a good friend of mine was permanently blinded in one

eye while working in the safe zone by a (cough… paintball) negligent discharge.

These things do happen, and not just to other people, so to see the high safety standards in place at Ford was indeed refreshing, and hopefully this will become an epidemic.

Game On Upon leaving the safe zone after the very thorough briefing, I discovered just how well thought-out the game scenarios are at Ford Airsoft. Generally, they incorporate every possible type of mission, with most games being ‘mission specific’. Matt was keen to point out that they do not claim to carry the MilSim tag, but do give the players

LES LEE Les Lee has over 25 years of shooting experience under his belt – but now his focus is airsoft. Safety, common sense and a balanced perspective are his strengths – and he just loves his handguns!

“You know you’re in for a high octane, adrenalinfuelled fire-fight. The intensity of close quarter combat in this dark, heavy, maze-like construction – especially when smokes and flash bangs are used – would challenge even the most experienced and offensive players”

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exactly what they want. During the safety briefing, the event is discussed and co-ordinated to create the most effective, inspiring game day possible, so that everyone can go home satisfied.

Along with the standard warm up games, there is a selection of themed objectives, such as the ‘Columbian’, which simply involves taking out a drug baron and his cartel. Well, I use the word ‘simply’ with tongue firmly in cheek – but you catch my drift…

With a variety of terrain, Ford Airsoft offers a wealth of different combat zones to appeal to even the most hardcore of players. Using seasonally available areas of the surrounding 350 acres of farmland, the site includes high embankments, woodland, gamespecific hard- and soft-ground areas with dugouts, a pond – and it even incorporates motor vehicles that are no longer in ‘showroom condition’, when the objective necessitates it. But most prominent of all the physical features is surely the Kill House…

This unique structure is clearly ‘the jewel in the crown’ of Ford Airsoft. Born

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SITE REVIEW | FORD AIRSOFT

from over 700 expired railway sleepers, and further enhanced by layer upon layer of tyres, the Kill House is an evergrowing, ever-changing structure that clearly took many man hours to design and create from the ground up.

It is a sturdy, well-planned and welldesigned building, designated for fastpaced CQB play. It’s a favourite with the regular members, as you just know you’re in for a high octane, adrenalinfuelled fire-fight. The intensity of close quarter combat in this dark, heavy, maze-like construction – especially when smokes and flash bangs are used – would challenge even the most experienced and offensive players.

However, the post-battle feeling of achievement more than compensates for the pain caused by 328fps semi-auto BBs (the Kill House limit), when they leave their measle-like, deep red bruises for you to proudly display to your friends and family as ‘war wounds’ from a great game day.

Integrated within the ranks is a close and very well-trained body of players, who base their tactics on

strategies and training techniques used and implemented by the SAS. Trust me when I say they are a force to be reckoned with! Nevertheless, you won’t find them grouping up and strategising within any one team on a regular game day, as they share their skills among fellow game-day players. However, they frequently visit other sites as a team.

You have been warned!

The minimum age for players of airsoft at Ford has been restricted to 14 years on regular game days, but special event days such as birthdays can also be customised to suit. Ford also plays host to themed weekenders, such as the successful Operation Sea Lion, a WWII event held last year. Based on the success of this event, a follow-up should be coming in 2013. Watch this space…

Conclusion In summary, this is a site with a heck of a lot to offer, right down to basics such as ‘user friendly’ toilets with paper (what a concept!). Ford’s ideals are simple: whatever you want, whatever you seek, they can probably make it happen – in an

established and fit-for-purpose shooting environment.

If I had to highlight one or two prominent features, they would be the high standards of safety and training offered to players and guests, along – of course – with the Kill House. This unique complex of dark walls, dark concealment areas and stairs offers a sheer thrill factor, making it the single most painful memory of this well-structured game site.

On a final note, it’s also the perfect location to visit on a day out with the family, due to its proximity to the beach.

I’m thinking many an airsofter has said, ‘drop me at the site dear and have a great time with the kids at the beach, just don’t forget to pick me up on the way back!’

INFORMATION Ford Airsoft

WEB: www.fordranges.co.uk EMAIL: contact@fordranges.co.uk TEL: 01903 726476 ADDRESS: Burndell Road, Yapton, West Sussex, BN18 0HR

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THE ARMOURY | G&G PDW 99

The real-steel P90 is a bit of a ‘Marmite’ design – so what does Scott Allan make of G&G’s new PDW version?

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he P90 is one of the most futuristic looking rifles around, made very popular through TV shows such as Stargate – and Taiwanese manufacturer G&G is now mixing things up with its new PDW 99 version. G&G continues to burst forward in leaps and bounds, and it appears to be moving forward with new gearbox designs as well, which is all very exciting. Called the PDW 99 for licensing reasons only – it is effectively a P90 – the rifle does cover a little bit of old ground but is an exciting AEG nonetheless.

Real Steel The Real Steel P90 is an unusual personal defence weapon (PDW) concept made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium. Developed throughout the 80s, it was initially designed for troops that were not in constant firefights, who needed a rifle that was compact for vehicle duties. The manufacturers wanted to create something with the ability to fire a hard-hitting round – as sub-machine guns, such as the MP5, are great against soft targets, but their 9mm pistol round is easily stopped by modern body armour.

The P90 boasts the FN 5.7x28mm round.

Seeing it side by side with the standard 5.56x45mm round reveals it to be smaller, but more suitable to the job at hand. Fully loaded, the P90 only weighs 3kg. As a compact AEG, it is particularly well suited to CQB environments, but can easily hold its own in outdoor areas, too. With a 50-round magazine and a high rate of fire, it really is great at its job.

There is often criticism about the magazine design; the rounds are stored on their side, and they turn as they are fed

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into the breach. The P90 has never really seen frontline usage, and while there is no solid evidence as to why, I do suspect that this rifle will be forever destined to live on sci-fi shows.

Having fired the real-steel version a few years ago (albeit the single-shot civilian version) on a firing range it did feel very solid. The small round doesn’t provide a great deal of recoil and every round landed in a tight grouping on the target. The 50-round magazine meant my finger got tired by the end – so I guess that is a good thing for a PDW.

The Replica Externally, G&G guns are always good, maybe not quite to G&P standards – but the PDW 99 ticks all the boxes for finish and quality. Best of all, it comes in two colours, black or tan, which is a first for this model. Sharing a similar design to the Tokyo Marui version in some places, with the quick-release upper and a similarly designed hop unit, for the most part the construction is plastic – which is not a problem. Two of the best features here are the built-in red laser and the red-dot scope, which although a little on the small side

has a very clear dot. The laser activates via a push button in the grip, which is funky and useful. Both are powered separately by two AAA batteries.

This is definitely a small package, but it easily stands its ground against any other AEG you are likely to encounter. The gearbox, while sharing design features from the TM version, differs in several places from the version 6 typically found in the TM P90. The gearbox has an adjustable spring guide, which allows you to raise or drop the power quickly to suit your game site. The standard G&G long shaft motor is

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THE ARMOURY | G&G PDW 99

always a good all-round performer, along with its cold-resistant green hop rubber.

As with most AEGs, the inner barrel is a standard brass type, which I would always swap out for a quality tight bore.

So apart from some non-version 6 parts in the gearbox, the stats are good. The power is perfect for all over the UK, both indoor and outdoor. The magazines, while appearing to be the same as TM, didn’t work with the MAG mid-caps I tried. It could be that it only uses the G&G magazines, or requires fiddling to make them feed properly. This isn’t a massively bad thing; the G&Gs are a fair price and good quality.

So, while parts of the rifle internally would benefit from some upgrading, out of the box

you get something good and sturdy. Being a G&G, you get a warranty too – and that can be worth the extra few pennies alone!

In the field, the P99 is always a little bit of a pain – but this is nothing to do with the rifle, which is superb. It is storing the magazines that poses a problem. This can be tricky, purely due to the length. While a few companies make a bespoke pouch (Viper and Flyye to name a few), the P90 magazine is a tricky one to store. If you can accept you are not going to be flinging any magazines around Magpul Dynamicsstyle, you will quickly learn to love the G&G PDW 99.

If you are in the market for a P90, then the PDW 99 is probably the best available.

The red dot and red laser mean the value for money is increased. Throw in the G&G name, and the warranty that it provides – and you are onto a winner all the way.

INFORMATION & PRICE G&G PDW 99

LENGTH: 507mm INNER BARREL LENGTH: 255mm WEIGHT: 2.7kg VELOCITY: 310-390fps using Blaster 0.20g BBs GEARBOX: 8mm bearing MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 60 rounds PRICE: £260

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AY BAR M1918 A2 Scott Allan has a closer look at a weapon that might just get WWII airsofters smiling

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he new airsoft BAR M1918 from Chinese manufacturer AY gives a fresh lease of life to a rifle design that is nearing its 100th anniversary. In some ways, this is actually a replica of a replica – as the rifle is a clone of the one from VFC’s ‘Guns of Our Fathers’ range, which only had a short production run, and was beautifully made – though unfortunately not the best performer.

The price of this rifle was also very high, retailing near £1,000, but the woodwork and finish were typically second to none.

So AY’s brief, it would seem, was to copy

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this in a cheaper format. On their version, the main construction is cast metal and the wood is plastic, although it’s worth noting that the plastic does look very realistic, with a nice dark finish that will stand up to skirmishing without any major worries.

Real Steel In the firearms world, Browning is a

THE ARMOURY | AY BAR M1918 A2 definitive name – and if it means nothing to you, then you have missed out on some great history. Unfortunately, though, the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was really a failed attempt for a weapon class. The overall idea was to produce something like the M249 SAW, but what actually happened was that they developed an exceptionally heavy assault rifle! It wasn’t able to justify its status as either a single-shot or full-auto weapon. For a single-shot, the rifle was twice the weight of the Springfield bolt-action, so you couldn’t stand and aim on the move; on

fully automatic you only had 20 rounds, so quickly ran out of ammunition. Admittedly, the 7.62mm round is a great round even today – but the M1918 BAR fell into an uncomfortable middle ground. Technically the rifle was brilliant, as with all Browning designs, but I can only imagine the horror of being given one to use in battle!

is quite superb – and the temptation to weather the hell out of it washed over me as I looked at it. I really love all WWII weapons, even though I don’t do any themed airsoft within that historical period.

There is just something about a big rifle that is amusingly satisfying. Perhaps I am just compensating for shortcomings somewhere else...

Out the box it is a bit toasty, running at 400fps on a Blaster 0.20g BB, but it does sport a quick-change spring system, which is a nice thought and helpful for those that are less technically minded. The gearbox

The Replica The AY replica is the airsoft interpretation of the M1918 A2, a slightly later version of the weapon with a carry handle and bipod. The finish throughout the rifle really

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THE ARMOURY | AY BAR M1918 A2

case is an 8mm bearing design, which is surprisingly nice too, although some of the parts inside are a bit poor. So while it works pretty well out of the box, upgraded parts would improve performance greatly.

Things like the 500mm inner barrel with a ported cylinder, which is designed for shorter barrels, should be changed.

Another strange thing I noticed is that it is full-auto only – even though there is a single-shot mode on the selector!

So, it may look worse than it actually is. The gearbox parts are not great, but to be honest I have seen far worse Chinese rifles perform flawlessly for a long time. A little bit of time and money would see this transform from a lowly caterpillar into a mighty butterfly of white plastic death.

For around the £300 mark you cannot complain too much with the package you get. You can have a really nice G&P rifle for

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that price, but that won’t be of much use to you if you want to play WWII airsoft. You are paying for the bodywork more than anything.

The internal quality is no better than a £150 ACM rifle, so I would say you are paying an additional £150 for the bodywork. Some things in life are just never fair.

If you’re skirmishing with this you will encounter similar problems to the real version; it is large and difficult to wield, and the magazine only holds around 200 rounds, which is quite low for a high capacity magazine. Smaller players should probably avoid this rifle as they’d only end up struggling halfway through the day. There is no single-shot mode, but at least it is light enough to lift to the shoulder and aim.

You will also need a flathead screwdriver to change the battery over, which is a mild irritation, and bear in mind that magazines and parts will be a little more inconsistent.

Overall, it is definitely not one I would advise players to buy for general airsofting.

Every WWII and collector may love this however, and I can see why. If your heart is set on this rifle you won’t be overly disappointed – so long as you are realistic about the quality of the manufacturing.

INFORMATION & PRICE AY BAR M1918 A2

WEIGHT: 6.03kg LENGTH: 1,210mm INNER BARREL LENGTH: 500mm HOP-UP: Adjustable GEARBOX: 8mm bearing MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 200 rounds BATTERY: 9.6V FIRING MODE: Fully-automatic PRICE: £300

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2/4/13 09:37:22

FEATURE | WEEKEND AIRSOFT

something for the weekend Bored with your Sunday skirmish? Looking for a bit more from the game?

Gareth ‘Gadge’ Harvey recommends you check out a ‘weekender’

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t some point in every airsofter’s life there comes the call to dive into something a bit deeper than a Saturday morning skirmish, and take part in one of the many themed weekend events that are run across the country. But two days away from home can throw up some unexpected problems for the skirmisher used to a six-hour session at their home site, and in this article I’ll look into some practical tips for a carefree weekend away.

These observations come from over a decade of attending fun weekender events, and a slightly less fun seven years of organising them!

Rules So, you’ve selected the event you want to attend, either with your mates or flying solo if you’re feeling brave, and are about to pay the organiser – now stop! Have a think about whether or not you’re going to be prepared for 48 hours of airsoft action (and I don’t mean this magazine).

The most obvious thing to consider before signing up is the event rules.

Chances are they will differ in some way from your local site. It may be simply that fps levels are lower or higher than you’re used to, or it may even be that to play on one side you’re expected to

have a certain type of loadout; quite often this is as simple as ‘green v tan’ but it might be the case that only WWII or Vietnam loadouts are allowed. It’s best to be sure in advance rather than be disappointed at the end of a long trip, or run the risk of disrupting it for other players by not fitting into the ‘theme’. Other things worth checking at this point are key requirements for the event, such as whether you’ll need full face protection. Is it over 18s only? Or perhaps the organiser has banned highcaps and now you need to buy a stack of real caps.

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“Unless you’re at a hardcore MilSim where you have to hump all the water you need into the field, I’d always recommend taking a jerry can of water in the car to make sure you’re never in need” Sleeping Most weekend events won’t provide accommodation for you, and if they do it’s likely to be floorspace in some draughty barn! Investing in a good, lightweight tent is a sensible idea, but at the very least get a decent four-season sleeping bag.

The sensible airsofter will splash out on a lightweight, folding camp bed (or at the very least a decent roll mat), as just one sleepless night with sore shoulders and hips from the concrete floor will soon show you the wisdom in putting up that little bit more for nighttime comfort.

Some MilSim events will expect you to sleep ‘in the field’ or ‘tactically’. In these cases, it’s even more essential to get good, all-weather bivouacking kit. At the very least, you’ll want a good military-grade sleeping bag, roll mat, a basha or poncho

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FEATURE | WEEKEND AIRSOFT Inspired by Gareth’s feature, our Kit Bag article this month is themed around kit that will serve you well on weekend games – check it out on page 84

for overhead shelter from the rain (don’t forget bungees and para cord to keep it up), and if you can afford it, a Gore-Tex sleeping ‘bivvy bag’ cover is a godsend. Of course, if money is no object and you don’t need to be ‘in the field’ at night, it’s never a bad idea to check out local B&Bs and Travelodges to see if you can get a bargain stay.

Food Equally as unlikely to be supplied by the organiser is food, and you’ll get through a lot more than you think you will. It’s a good idea to make sure that you’ve got decent army surplus or camping store cutlery, mess tins, plates, and at the very least a hexi block stove in your kit before you even start shopping for munchies. Nothing is more annoying than being unable to eat the food you brought because you forgot to

bring anything to cook it on. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you might not always have too long to cook food and hexi stoves can take ages. Investing in a small gas stove or jetboil-type water heater can save you a lot of time and frustration, and speaking of frustration, it may sound obvious but don’t forget a tin opener.

Food itself will depend largely on where you are crashing out for the night, whether a communal barn, your own tent or maybe an OP deep in ‘enemy territory’. These factors will govern what’s practical to buy. While a loaf of bread, a stack of pot noodles and fivelitre bottle of water might be great in a huge shed with power, it’s less useful if you have to cook in a trench. It’s worth taking more than you’ll think you’ll need as well.

As a rule, take a ‘meal’ for breakfast, dinner and supper for every day you’ll be

away and then add in an extra one per day just in case. It’s quite likely you’ll use more energy than you normally do, so be prepared and have those extra calories to hand. With this in mind, army-issue ration packs are ideal, as a standard box is so packed with calories you’d be hard pressed to eat everything in a 24-hour period. I’ve often found one ‘24-hour’ pack will cover me for almost two days of airsofting!

Lastly, don’t underestimate water. You’ll need lots more than you think you will; not only will you need at least two pints a day for drinking (and you’d be wise to take more if you’re planning on being really active) but you’ll also need it for washing yourself and keeping your cooking kit clean. Unless you’re at a hardcore MilSim where you have to hump all the water you need into the field, I’d always recommend taking a jerry

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FEATURE | WEEKEND AIRSOFT

can of water in the car to make sure you’re never in need.

Medicine One thing that infuriates event organisers more than anything else is players turning up with medical condition that they haven’t been informed them about beforehand. An unplanned journey to A&E for an ill player not only ruins your weekend, but can potentially sabotage it for every other player, so make sure that the organiser knows what ails you and is happy for you to take part.

If you do need any specialist drugs or equipment make sure you take it with you, as the nearest medical facilities might be miles away. As a general rule, once you’ve told the organisers about your medical issue it’s their responsibility to make sure other players in the game know as well (although it never hurts to tell your teammates yourself) and make sure you carry any medication you

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need in your top left hand pocket or pouch – that way everyone knows where your inhaler/ insulin/painkillers are.

Ammo You can’t rely on there being a store on site, and even less so if your AEG or rifle requires a specific weight of BB to work well, so always take plenty of your own. Few events require you to use the site ammo so stock up well in advance. Take twice the amount you think you’ll need, as it’s not like you can’t use it next time if you don’t get the opportunity at this event, and nobody likes the guy who is scrounging ammo off the team all weekend as they’ve run out!

Much the same goes for pyros. It’s cheaper to buy them in advance in bulk, but make sure you ration how much you use – as it’s frustrating being unable to clear a bottleneck on an assault with a grenade because you wasted tham all at 9.30am on day one.

While you’re sorting out ammo, don’t forget to charge any batteries well in advance and make sure you test them. While most sites will be able to charge your batteries for you, you don’t want to chance it, or have to take yourself out the game for an hour or more while you juice up a flat. A spare gun never hurts if you have one; while it would be daft to lug about two weapons all weekend, we’ve seen guys wreck their gun on day one and have to borrow an unfamiliar back-up.

So there you go, some common sense tips to getting the most out of your weekend away. You might think that much of this is blindingly obvious, but I can assure you that in over seven years of running weekend airsoft events I have seen players regularly slip up and forget these basics on a depressingly regular basis – and I’ve committed most of them myself at some point too!

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MIND GAMES

Think you need all the latest kit to win?

Not so, says Kris Roberts – use your brain instead

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ou find yourself cowering behind cover, pulling your limbs in tight against you as a storm of BBs slams against your only protection like a swarm of insects raging to seek you out. A moment’s silence takes over and you seize the chance to return fire. Whipping yourself around the edge of your cover you see your attacker standing in the open, reloading his rifle. Bringing your treasured AEG into your shoulder, you aim and fire a burst.

Adrenalin is pumping through your veins; time slows down. You watch eagerly as your rounds leave the muzzle and fly soundlessly towards your target, only for your hopes to be

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dashed as they drop to the floor five feet short of their target. Without a second to spare, you pull back behind cover as your opponent loads a fresh magazine and continues his assault, each round fired zipping around you with energy to spare.

There is no option but to fall back, but it’s at least 10 yards to the next suitable cover. You have no choice; you are outranged and cannot fight back, so you break and run for it. It doesn’t end well.

Aftermath Back at the safe zone you see your opponent up close for the first time.

Head to toe in the finest equipment

SKILLS ROOM | MIND GAMES available, his weapon is the cutting edge of AEG design. You realise quickly that this player must be standing there with almost £1,000 worth of gear. You look down at your own kit, mostly second-hand and made in China. It’s deflating. You can’t afford to get kit like his, so are you fated to feel this humiliation at every game?

What can you do?

You are not alone. It’s a common concern among new players, who feel they can only succeed in a game if they have the best kit available, and that their guns must go through numerous and expensive upgrades for them to be taken seriously. Well, in this article I want to argue that this simply is not the case.

Airsoft is a challenging but extremely simple sport – and more often than not the simplest ideas are forgotten or overlooked. Take the example above; most of us at some time or another have found ourselves in a similar predicament, and it is disheartening to say the least. Most of us will naturally turn to the world of upgrades for a solution to this problem, but this can be a minefield, especially to those attempting it for the first time.

The search for perfection is a fruitless and expensive quest, which will often cause more upset than joy.

You have to ask yourself honestly, after purchasing tight-bore barrels, powerful springs, reinforced gears and more,

KRIS ROBERTS Formerly a member of the Territorial Army, Kris has over a decade’s worth of experience playing airsoft. Not one to be swayed by gucci kit, his philosophy is ‘keep it simple, safe and fun’.

‘was the extra few metres of range worth it? Was there nothing else I could have done to make the shot?’

Gearing Up For more years than I can remember I have used my Classic Army M15A4 rifle for woodland games. I bought it on the second-hand market for a steal, and it has been a trusty and much-loved friend ever since. There is nothing fancy about it, with no rails or optics to draw the attention of the crowd. I’ve even drawn sneers of contempt when having it chrono’d at 280fps – but the sneers quickly die out when they see it in the field.

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“Don’t over-stretch your line of retreat. Always leave yourself an exit route that allows you to get away safely if things turn against you”

With so little strain on the gears, the gun runs smoothly and, as a result, the rate of fire is high. Having a naturally long barrel, the gun is accurate. And because I keep it clean and take the time to set the hop correctly, I have never felt outgunned in a fire-fight.

What is truly great, though, is the fact that in all the years of ownership I haven’t spent a penny on it. It is a practical, purposeful piece of airsoft equipment. Why should I need to change or upgrade it?

When I began playing airsoft back in 2000, the options were limited to say the least. Almost every player had

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a Tokyo Marui AEG as they were the only reliable choice, and all of these were standard, out-of-the-box affairs.

This levelled the playing field, and to succeed you had to improve your skill as a player; there was no other valid option. Players would adapt and analyse their methods, read the terrain, attempt to pre-empt their opponents’ moves and decisions. It was a game of wit and skill, rather than the relentless blast-fests that seem to plague too many open day games these days.

Things have changed a great deal since the early days, but the lessons learnt then are still relevant now.

Solution So, in reviewing the scenario posed at the start of this article, I ask you to consider this: before you reach for your wallet, what if, instead of trying to fix the problem after it has happened, you review what steps you could have made to avoid the situation in the first place? Here are a few ideas that you should consider before you pull the trigger.

Firstly, don’t over-stretch your line of retreat. You should always try to leave yourself an exit route that allows you to get away safely if things turn against you. Remember, it’s not defeat,

SKILLS ROOM | MIND GAMES

it’s a tactical withdrawal. This will keep you in the fight and allow you to try out other options.

Secondly, where possible use your teammates. If you do find yourself pinned down and the focus of enemy fire, your team could use the opportunity to try a flanking manoeuvre. Proper communication with your team means you could even use yourself as bait, while your team lay in wait for the enemy to bite. ‘Dying’ needlessly is frustrating; ‘dying’ in a blaze of glory for the benefit of your team makes you a bit of a legend!

Finally, think ahead. Be aware of what the next move you make will expose you to. Don’t run blindly forward to the next bit of cover, only to find when you get there you are open to attack from the sides. Before moving, consider where you are going. Is it safe from the flanks? Is it obvious as cover to the enemy? Does it leave me within the protective range of my teammates?

All this only takes a second to process, but can often mean the difference between victory and defeat. It sounds like common sense, and that’s because it is, but it’s the

best weapon you can carry onto the skirmish field, and it doesn’t cost a penny. Use these techniques to enhance your skill as a player, applying your wit and cunning to get yourself into a position where the enemy is in range of your own weapon.

So before you become obsessed with the limitations of your gear, think of your limitations as a player and the steps you can take to exceed them.

That way, the next time you score a hit on target you’ll get enormous satisfaction from knowing you earned it, rather than bought it.

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WIN...WIN...WIN...WIN...WIN...WIN...WIN...

PTS MASADA CQB WORTH

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£430

his month, the lovely folks over at Edgar Brothers have supplied us with a PTS Masada CQB rifle worth a not inconsiderable £430!

This AEG, styled after the modern assault weapon, has a host of awesome features, including a multi-adjustable folding stock – and we hope to bring you a full review in a coming issue. For now, though, you can save yourself a load of money and pick one up for free. All you have to do is spot the five differences between the images below, either marking them on the page and sending them in, or emailing us with the solution.

Name _____________________________________ Address____________________________________ __________________________________________ Postcode ___________________________________

Telephone __________________________________ Email _____________________________________

Post your entry to: PTS Masada CQB competition, Airsoft Action, Blaze Publishing, Lawrence House, Morrell Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5SZ. Or, email your entries to competition@blazepublishing.co.uk, quoting ‘PTS Masada CQB competition’ in the headline. Entries received after 11 May will not be valid. One entry per household. Winner will be first correct entry pulled from the editor's hat.

Blaze Publishing would like to keep you informed of other offers and publications. Please tick here if you would NOT like to be contacted by post or email

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Firefight Combat Simulations is known for its realistic games, and Billy Basics has over 20 years of real-world experience – making him just the man to review FCS’ latest event

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have to admit that I was a bit nervous initially. I had never covered an airsoft event, or even attended one, so I thought I’d just go along with my camera, an open mind and see what happened.

But what would I do if it was rubbish? I couldn’t tell porkies to the readers could I? I needn’t have worried.

On a bitterly cold Saturday morning I arrived at the Super Six Four Airsoft site ahead of the players, and was greeted by Jamie, who runs SSF’s specialist training centre and Galahad Associates. Jamie is an ex-Royal Marine; some people just exude competence and confidence, and after taking one look at him and the site, I knew that the guys were in for a great event with Operation: Furious Angel. Less than two minutes later, I had a cup of

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tea in my hand – which was a very good omen, indeed.

The site itself is to the west of the main Ringwood to Bournemouth road, and covers an impressive 150 acres of land. It really does feel like the middle of nowhere.

It’s bleak, windswept, intimidating – and if Ella Fitzgerald had turned up, I reckon she would have cleared her throat and sung, ‘There could be trouble ahead’.

At the heart of the area is a very impressive FOB built from scratch, which doubles as a close protection school run by Jamie and Al (another ex-Royal), consisting of several smart portakabins for use as offices, storerooms and a class/briefing room. We looked inside the ‘skills house’ where the players can practise room combat under the guidance of Jamie and

Al, both of whom have plenty of military experience, and then we were off in one of the site’s 4x4s to take a tour around the area.

Playing the Game An off-road track runs around the land.

Galahad runs close protection and off-road driving training on it, and today was its first foray in the airsoft world. The 150 acres is a mix of woodland, swamp and open dusty areas, criss-crossed with a spider-web of tracks and paths offering loads of cover.

Despite its size, it was easy to navigate, and so ideal for players who have to make their way back to get respawned.

Soon, the players began to arrive and unpack their kit (which was an eye opener), and the banter flowed freely as I started

EVENT REVIEW | OPERATION FURIOUS ANGEL

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snapping away with my camera. An authoritative voice sounded, and not long after we were all packed into the briefing room for our intel update and scenario details. A big emphasis was placed on ‘playing the game’, and Andy from Firefight Combat Simulations, who gave the briefing, made several references to DBAD – or ‘Don’t Be a Dick’. If you get hit, then play the game, accept it, and head back to the respawn area. I was starting to get a feel for the airsoft community’s sense of fair play, accompanied by a definite ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’!

I had been in email comms with Andy, and asked if I could come along to cover the event for Airsoft Action. He suggested that I would get the best photos and material for the article if I was a roleplayer within the game, so I became an investigative journalist who was writing a piece on gun-running and drugs trafficking in the area.

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Andy had put a huge amount of effort into writing the exercise scenario, and because of this he was able to deal effortlessly with the changing nature of the day: lost players, mislaid kit, orders not understood, and even a ‘no duff’ casualty that needed ferrying to A&E. He was completely unflappable, which allowed the players to do what they did best and get well and truly immersed in the scenario.

“We want players to experience much more than just a standard airsoft event,” Andy explained. “ We offer a wide range of methods and tactics, and allow them to pick from a variety of missions, not just the normal head-to-head. Intelligent decisions, careful planning and effective comms are prioritised and rewarded.

Some direct contact with the enemy, but also some where speed, aggression and surprise preceded by a stealthy approach are required”.

Playing the Part The players comprised two distinct teams: the black-clad bodyguards who were to be my escorts and minders, and the mercenaries, who were clad in a mix of DPM and MTP. Once the mercenaries had thinned out and were on their way to their start point, my detail and I got down to business. I was determined to play the awkward, naïve journo, who just wanted to get the story – though part of me wanted to get stuck in, looking at routes, choke points, vulnerable areas and rehearsing actions, but that was not the order of the day.

Jamie and Al were on hand throughout the day, acting as drivers, guides and fixers. Every once in a while they would see an error in a drill or a point that needed clarifying, and would ask politely if they could add something. They would then give the guys a quick demo on patrolling, or car drills, or mag changes behind cover,

EVENT REVIEW | OPERATION FURIOUS ANGEL

and then the lads would carry on. It was impressive to see, and the players loved it.

Our first mission was to drop off an electronic disruptor near the mercenary base, to try to interfere with their comms.

If we achieved this, then the mercs would not be able to communicate with one another, giving us a huge advantage.

Both teams had primary, secondary and bonus missions – all of which earned them credits, and Andy had cleverly choreographed it so that we would be getting a lot of head-to-head trigger time.

The 4x4s were driven by the staff and they didn’t hold back; it was exciting, hairy, but always safe. Occasionally we’d get bogged in and stuck, but this only added to the realism of the game. With the clock ticking, the teams were debussing and on foot. We cautiously approached the location, and hearts were beating as we thought we might have pulled it off.

Suddenly, with a slight movement and

a gasp, my escort was cut down by a withering weight of accurate fire. “Stay in the vehicle,” someone screamed at me, and my one surviving bodyguard leapt into the 4x4 and thrust me onto the deck before ordering the driver to reverse at speed. Ten minutes later we met up with the rest of the group, who had respawned, and assessed our options.

Death or Glory I was after evidence that the mercs had been facilitating arms sales and shipments illegally through their AO, and I needed photos and facts, so the TL said I could tag along, and he would combine it with another objective. I could tell he was nervous about me coming along; if I was ‘killed’ it was over for him, but as my objective was worth valuable credits, they decided to go for it.

The mercs, however, had other ideas, and before long we’d taken another

beating; I watched as the inevitable happened. The PMC took the bait of the obvious decoy, all too keen to get a kill, while we were subtly outflanked.

Command and control suffered and they all became target fixated. The Mercs used a couple of quick dashes into hard cover and a volley of grenades, and I was alone and on my toes.

I was running like hell, falling back with a sniper and observer covering me from the high ground as I legged it. In cover I watched anxiously to see how they would get on, but after a couple of skilful bounds by the mercs – not helped by a stoppage on the Barratt sniper rifle – two arms were raised and it was game over.

As night fell it was all change. I was now being escorted by the mercs to intercept vehicles trafficking drugs; I needed photographic evidence. The PMCs came back with that underdog aggression and determination and the mercs, rattled by

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their change in fortune, suffered at least two blue-on-blues that I witnessed, with one of the lads getting at least ten in the face, followed by an awful lot of laughing.

We did, however, get what we wanted – and as I left them to it, that evening it was clear that it was irrelevant who won or lost.

Everyone was having the time of their lives.

The event finished about 4pm on Sunday, and the two teams headed back to London with Cheshire-cat grins. The site itself, combined with the expertise of Jamie and Al who hosted it, and Andrew who masterminded the whole thing, resulted in a fabulous event and I loved every minute of it. Even better was the fact that I didn’t have to clean any weapons, and I was home in 10 minutes.

Summary To say I was impressed with the way this exercise was run would be tantamount to claiming I was only mildly interested in

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Christmas morning as a kid. It was quite simply awesome, and a great introduction to the sport for me. So, a big thank you to Jamie, Andy and Alex – and of course all the players who were brimming with enthusiasm, ideas and supreme sportsmanship for a great couple of days; they made me feel very welcome.

Andy was in great spirits after the event, saying: “I have worked on a few collaborations in the past, at a number of different sites (my personal event tally is currently near 1,000), and this is one of the most successful ones. More events are already in the pipeline, more structures, vehicles, and site features being worked on, all the players I spoke to when we were packing up are eager to book onto the next one! So book early to avoid disappointment.”

Al summed it up with a satisfied grin on his face: “Quite early on we saw players selecting contracts intelligently

and managing their available resources.

By Sunday morning, they had effectively applied security details, advance teams, decoys, and ambushes to outdo each other with an impressive amount of precision and professionalism.”

I think we’ll be seeing more of these guys. The bar has been raised and they’re still pushing. They put together a narrative that was realistic, exacting, relentless and bloody good fun. Billy Out.

INFORMATION Operation: Furious Angel

HELD: 23-24 February 2013 LOCATION: Super Six Four Airsoft, Bournemouth ORGANISER: Super Six Four Airsoft, Galahad Associates, and Firefight Combat Simulations WEB: www.firefight.co.uk

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BIG BOYZ TOYZ | M113 APC

GROUND FORCE The M113 is one of the most widely-used armoured vehicles ever – so Ratty takes a look at its production history

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any of my recent Big Boyz Toyz features have focused on the unsung vehicular heroes of various military campaigns. The research has been a real eye opener for me, revealing how important these vehicles have been, and the major role they played in the outcome of those campaigns. This time I’ve been looking into the Vietnam War. There are a few bits of kit synonymous with that conflict: B52s, Phantoms and Hueys were kings of the sky – while, on the ground, M151 Mutt Jeeps, Deuce and a Half trucks and the M113 APC are the most memorable. Like many of the wagons that I have featured in previous articles, the service life of the M133 is astounding – and I want to look at this vehicle in more depth here.

Development Shortly after WWII, ‘think tanks’ started

theorising about the next generation of armoured vehicles. One thing the Allies had learnt was that troop-carrying vehicles must not only keep up with, but also cross the same terrain as other heavier armoured vehicles. On top of this, they must offer some form of protection from small arms fire (at a minimum). The result was the armoured personnel carrier or APC. In the USA, The Food Machinery Group, which had been involved in the development of some early post-war armoured personnel carriers, had produced the M59 and M75 APC. The M75 was too heavy and expensive to really take off, and while the M59 was much lighter, it did not have enough armour to protect its occupants and due to cost-cutting was too unreliable.

What the US Army required was an allterrain, airborne-capable, armoured, multipurpose fighting vehicle. In the late 1950s

FMC had been developing, in conjunction with Kaiser Aluminium and Chemical Corporation, a suitable aluminium armour that was lightweight, yet provided good protection for its crew.

FMC submitted two proposals for its aluminium-bodied T113, with thick and thin armour. The thicker-armoured version was effectively a prototype for the M113, where its armour was significantly lighter than a steel version, but offered the same level of protection. An improved T113 design (T113E1) was adopted by the US Army in 1960 and given the designation M113. By 1964, a 215hp diesel version was produced (M113A1) and this quickly replaced the petrol engine versions. Thirty years later, in 1994, FMC transferred the M113’s production to its newly-formed defence subsidiary, United Defence, and in 2005 United Defence was bought by BAE Systems.

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“With more than 80,000 estimated to have been produced, and in use with over 50 countries worldwide, the M113 is one of the world’s most widely used armoured vehicles of all time” To date, it is estimated that over 80,000 M113s, in various forms, have been produced.

While no longer found on the front line, having been replaced by M2 and M3 Bradleys, the M113 series still finds itself in support roles as command vehicles, ambulances, repair vehicles and more.

The M113 The M113 was originally designed purely as a troop transport that had to be airlifted and air-dropped by either C-130 or C-141 transport aircraft. With a crew of just two (driver and commander), it could safely transport 11 fully-equipped soldiers into a combat zone, drop them off, then retreat to the rear until the battle was over. It was lightly armed with a single Browning M2 .50 calibre machine gun that was operated by the commander.

However, since then there have been many derivatives and variants. In Vietnam, lots of modifications were carried out in the field

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specific to fighting in the harsh jungle terrain.

As these were never officially sanctioned, details of these mods are sketchy. However, over the years, the M113 has evolved into many roles.

In 1987, further improvements under the Enhanced Battlefield Survival Programme were carried out, and now all variants of the M113 that have been retro-fitted are designated M113A3. Most of the 13,000 M113s in US service have been upgraded to A3 spec.

Variants include: the M106, M121 and M125 mortar carriers; the M132 with a flamethrower mounted in a turret; the M163 anti-aircraft version fitted with a turret and an M61 Vulcan cannon; the M48 Chaparral, an anti-aircraft modification, fitted with four Chaparal missiles; the M548 cargo carrier; the M577, a command variant with a higher roof line; the M579 and M806 repair vehicles fitted with cranes and winches; the M901, with two

TOW anti-tank missiles; and the M113MBT, fitted with a modified M2 Bradley turret for training purposes.

Service History The first batch of M113s arrived in Vietnam on 30 March 1962, and were despatched to ARVN mechanised rifle companies. On 11 June 1962, these two units went into battle for the first time. In January 1963, during the battle of AP Bac, at least 14 commanders were killed in action while they were exposed firing the 0.50 calibre Brownings. Made from salvaged metal from sunken ship hulls, makeshift shields were fitted in theatre to offer added protection. These shields evolved and became the predecessor to the standardized armoured cavalry assault vehicle (ACAV) kit.

With the arrival of the US Army’s conventional forces in 1965, the ACAV kit was pretty much fitted on all M113s in the

BIG BOYZ TOYZ | M113 APC

Vietnamese theatre. The M113 was still to operate as a troop-carrying vehicle, but also as a reconnaissance vehicle with a light tank role. The ACAV upgrade was adopted by the US Army for these roles and a small turret to house the 0.50 Browning M2 was also fitted, along with two M60 machine guns, with shields, at the rear of the vehicle.

On top of all of that, steel armour was bolted from the front bottom extending out, known as ‘belly armour’. This armour, while offering extra protection at the front, was also modified and adapted to clear hedges and jungle undergrowth. These ACAV sets transformed the M113 into a full-on fighting vehicle. In all, 10 US mechanised infantry battalions and one mechanised brigade were equipped with M113s for their deployment in Vietnam from 1965 until 1972.

M113s were used heavily in conducting reconnaissance in force (RIF), search and destroy missions, and large invasions (incursions) during the US-led invasion of Cambodia on 1 May 1970. Australian forces also used the M113 in Vietnam, but these

were fitted with Cadillac-Cage turrets incorporating two Browning 0.30-calibre machine guns instead of one 0.50-calibre.

Some Australian M113s were even fitted with a Saladin armoured car turret, fitted with a 76mm gun as a fire support vehicle (FSV).

During the 1980s they saw action with Israeli forces as they stormed into Beirut.

They were already combat-proven with the IDF, having seen active service in the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur in the late 1960s and early 70s.

The first Gulf war saw the M113 back in action as a troop transport, bringing up fighting soldiers to the battle and being supported by the recently introduced M2 Bradley armoured fighting vehicle (AFV).

Interestingly, Canadian M113A2s were fitted with ACAV kits when they deployed as part of the UN peacekeeping forces in the Balkans in the 1990s.

Modified ACAV sets (without the two rear M60 positions) were also fitted to M113s that were deployed to Iraq in 2003. Later in the war, the light aluminium armour had extra steel plate armour bolted on for added crew/occupant protection. Many of these M113s were used in convoy escort duties.

More modifications, including reactive armour and slat armour, have been added for protection against RPGs. Some law enforcement agencies are using M113s as reconnaissance vehicles fitted with cameras, as well as a crowd control vehicle.

The M113 Today The US military only stopped buying the M113 in 2007, and still has over 6,000 in service. A mix of A2 and A3 variants, the M113 is destined to be in an active role until 2018 when it is expected to be replaced by the Armoured Multi-purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Programme. The M113A3, with its upgraded turbocharged engine, conventional steering and other mods will ensure a working life beyond this date in other roles outside the military. With 55 other countries still using the M113 in a variety of roles, these vehicles will still be a common sight for years to come.

Despite having seen them in action, and even spending a week on one in BATUS with the Canadian Army years ago, I never realised the history behind this little vehicle. So many models and variants are in use worldwide. The ones that remain in US Army service account for nearly half of the US Army’s armoured vehicle fleet today.

With more than 80,000 estimated to have been produced, and in use with over 50 countries worldwide, the M113 is one of the world’s most widely used armoured vehicles of all time.

All I can add is start saving your money now. When they start being sold off in a few years time, it will be a great chance to get your hands on one. You can theme them to pretty much any campaign from the 1960s to present day. Personally, I think Vietnam reenactment groups will go mad for them.

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COLD WEATHER

camo

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Spring may have finally arrived, but snow camo’s utility extends beyond winter, as Ron Mahoney explains

he last time I sat down to pen an article for Airsoft Action (more like bash the keyboard with sausage-roll fingers), we were already on our fourth Met Office ‘Amber’ warning for snow disruption – and it was barely February! That got me thinking: as we’ve had mild winters over the past few years, I’ve not really had much of a chance to use my winter camouflage smock for its intended use, though it does get used more often than you might think.

Whenever winter does conspire to drop a bit of snow, there is a good chance that you’ll get to your local site, only to be greeted with a Christmas-card landscape. Though we’re

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now into spring, it’s always worth putting together a winter camouflage system in preparation for the colder months – which will be round again in no time! The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money when pulling together a winter airsoft wardrobe.

There are two main ways to put a cold-weather outfit together: either with shop- and surplus-bought items, or a DIY system. It’s worth noting that, whichever of the methods you decide on, it’s essential to make sure you are going to stay as warm and dry as possible, and this is where layering is important.

Layering Up It has been recognised for many years now, in both military and outdoor pursuits, that wearing multiple layers of clothing, each serving a different purpose in keeping you warm, is better than just a couple of thick layers.

The three layers that form an integral part of any winter outfit are the base layer, insulation layer and shell layer – with a camouflage layer added on top for our purposes. The base layer maintains a dry and comfortable microclimate next to your skin. Ideally, in winter, this should consist of a snug-fitting, long-sleeved vest, and

FEATURE | SNOW CAMO FEATURE | WINTER CAMO

long johns made from synthetic layers like polypropylene or polyester.

The insulation layer provides more warmth, as it traps small pockets of air in the fabric, which slows down the loss of heat. Typical insulation fabrics include fleeces, which are very cheap, and you’ll probably already have a few old ones lying around. Again, a thin fleece with a thicker one over it makes for even better layering.

The shell layer provides protection from the wind, sleet and snow while preventing a buildup of condensation inside the clothing system.

It keeps the elements out while allowing moisture vapour to pass through. Gore-Tex is probably the most widely used material. The kind of layer you need will depend on what activity you will be doing. Will you be spending most of your time lying in the snow, or running around? Use this to determine whether you’ll need a simple soft-shell jacket or a full set of Gore-Tex waterproofs.

It is also vital not to forget your extremities.

A vast amount of heat can be lost through your head, and a simple woollen hat or balaclava will prevent this. Your hands are needed for dexterity, and while a thin pair of gloves will do while you’re running around, over-mitts are brilliant when you’re stood around or moving from area to area. Keeping your feet warm and dry by using a few layers of socks rather than one thick Steptoe-like pair is also the way to go.

So now you’re warm and toastie on the inside let’s look at how you can keep from being seen.

DIY Camo If you have the time to plan for a game, or just fancy getting a winter suit on the off-chance, a quick search of the internet will reveal numerous camo systems, generally military surplus, so ideal for our use. These tend to be generously cut and made from quick-drying cotton, with reinforced areas for crawling along the ground. From a simple over-cape to a full suit consisting of smock, trousers and gloves plus facemask, you should be able to pick up something like this for under £20. It is important, though, when buying a system to make sure that you get something a couple of sizes larger than you would normally wear

– remember all those layers you are already wearing underneath.

So what happens when it is a Friday night and you see the forecast is snow for the weekend? It’s too late to order online and a quick call to your local surplus shop reveals they are all out of military issue kit. Never fear – DIY is here!

The simplest method is to take an old white bed sheet, cut a hole in the centre for your head, and you’ve got a sort of poncho. It’ll do as a worst-case scenario, but we can do better.

A quick run to your local DIY store and you will be able to pick up a few items that will at least get you through one game.

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“The flat, white backdrop of our personal snow system is broken up by the dark lines of our equipment; this mimics the terrain in which we are operating” If you check in the painting and decorating aisle then you’ll find disposable white coveralls, which, although not the toughest, and lacking in insulation, will at least blend in with your background. You should be able to pick a set up for a couple of pounds and, while you’re in the painting and decorating section, grab yourself a cheap dust mask and a roll of masking tape.

The dust mask helps break up the oval lines of your face, and the masking tape is for your gat! You should have plenty of change left from your £10, so nip to the plumbing section and buy a roll or two of PTFE tape.

So we have a camouflage layer for ourselves – but what about your equipment?

Bags, Bands and Bandages If you have a look at the photos from Operation Wendigo II in April’s issue, or search for ‘military snow camouflage’, you will see that the flat, white backdrop of our personal snow system is broken up by the dark lines of our equipment; this mimics the terrain in which

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we are operating. So your standard webbing or vest system will be pretty much good-to-go as it is, or you can add a few white lines from the masking tape and PTFE. However, you’ll probably want to add a bit of camouflage to that big black gat you will be lumping around, and once again we want to do this as effectively and cheaply as possible.

More likely than not, you are going to have everything you need lying around the house, as what we need for our weapon is either an elastic bag or bandage and a few elastic bands. For this article, I took a L115 sniper rifle and used the simple bag and band method.

Although with a bolt-action rifle you can also use tape instead of the elastic bands, this method works better and is more adaptable, especially for AEGs. Your batteries will probably need changing on a freezing cold day, so having them easily accessible is a must.

Just cut the plastic bag into strips about 30mm wide that can be wound around your barrel, stock, scope grips and any other

FEATURE FEATURE| WINTER | SNOW CAMO

accessories, and use the elastic bands to secure them. It’s as simple as that; there’s no need to cover the whole rifle, and you can tie bits of the bag to form leaf-like structures (don’t make them too large as they will flap about wildly about in any wind). You can put a few spare strips in your pocket to replace any that come away during the game. If you use the bandage then make sure you can access your batteries or hop unit easily. Even if you botch it the first time it costs nothing to have another go. You can also attach strips of the bandage to your webbing and break up the outline.

In Use Snipers, squad designated marksmen and re-enactors who play at urban sites may have more use for snow camo than you might think.

During WWII, the urban sniper really came to be feared while fighting among the ruined cities of Europe. They would often wear lightercoloured smocks or capes while inside the buildings. This is because we tend to paint the

walls of our homes, offices and buildings in lighter colours to reflect the daylight or artificial light from a bulb. Even when ruined and blown apart, dirt, plaster and concrete dust covers everything in a light-coloured coating. Moving around in a predominantly dark-coloured uniform would give away the snipers’ position, so a change of colour was needed. The capes that had been used during the winter were found to be equally at home for interior sniping in the height of summer.

Although the need for a lighter-coloured cape has now been somewhat surpassed with the standard issue MTP pattern or DDPM, anyone who wants to use the more effective green/brown coloured system for use in the rural AO can have a simple smock rolled up in a pouch or backpack for when the operation becomes urban.

All it takes to turn a snow smock into one for interior use is sprays cans of sand, grey and dark brown camouflage paint (or standard matt spray paint), a bit of veil netting and a

sheet of card. Simply spray some random patterns using the grey and sand coloured paints through the netting. In the middle of the card cut an ‘H’ or ‘T’ shape, and then use this to spray random dark brown shapes, but don’t make it too rigid a pattern or it will damage its utility in rural situations.

And there you have it. See you out there – or maybe not!

INFORMATION & PRICES Thanks to Rich Brady from Denbigh Army Surplus Ltd for supplying the snow camo suit used in this article.

Rich has even been kind enough to offer an exclusive Airsoft Action readers’ discount on an awesome snow camo bundle, including a smock and mask. Normally £35, you can bag this bundle for just £20 at www. denbigharmysurplus.co.uk/airsoftaction

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SITE REVIEW | THE BUNKER

MIDW MI DWEEK DW EEK MAYHEM MAY Where do airsofters go if they want to play midweek?

James Badura checks out The Bunker in Epsom

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few years ago I went to a midweek airsoft game for the first time. This may seem out of the norm compared to an airsofter’s typical weekend, which normally involves popping down your local airsoft store to buy BBs and other kit, getting home, whacking your batteries on charge, and then getting up early Sunday morning ready for a day’s play. However, there is more to airsoft life!

Midweek airsoft venues are thriving and becoming ever more popular. Playing midweek gives you a wider choice and

variety of sites to play at – and gives our sport more flexibility, which is essential if it is to continue growing. I live down on Canvey Island in Essex, and it didn’t take me long to find a couple of sites reasonably close that operate during the week: Elite Action Games at Epsom Bunker, and First and Only at The Mall.

Both are well-established sites and, even better, they operate on different midweek days! As Epsom is closer to me than Reading, I grabbed a couple of guys from Badgertac 2 and Dragon’s Lair and went down to The Bunker.

Hidden 50 feet underground, The Bunker is a 17,000 square-foot ex-WWII air raid shelter, comprising a series of intersecting tunnels that run both vertically and horizontally. Of course, being underground, the weather doesn’t affect game play and there is plenty of parking – above ground!

Tom Andrews started Elite Action Games over 15 years ago, and his team has plenty of airsoft experience between them. Tom told me that, “EAG was one of the first independent airsoft site operators in the UK. We are all airsofters first and like to present games and environments that

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“Over 20 zombies were after just one guy – with fewer than 10 BBs left in his weapon. Was that the smell of fear in the air, or something else?” we would like to play in. Our approach is that you come to shoot guns at each other, so bring plenty of ammunition and don’t expect to spend the day in the safe zone!”

Elite Action Games’ site is a CQB environment with variable lighting and purpose-built fortification, where games range from defensive positions, roaming (possibly in the dark), specific objectives and a few fun ones for good measure.

I played my very first game of airsoft at The Bunker, some eight years ago, and for whatever reason never got a chance to return – so arriving in the car park at 7pm was a real déjà vu experience.

Soon after my arrival, it was time for the safety briefing – which was one of the most direct and clear I have heard.

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Following the briefing, John from EAG explained a new game he had developed, a twist on a fall-back game, using the corridors to the defender’s advantage. This brought out some very good gameplay from both teams, with seven guys holding off 20 for over an hour – a little longer than expected, but there was plenty of laughter in the safe zone afterwards. This got me itching to jump into the next game and swap my camera for a gun. A player had requested a zombie-based game. Great – no lights! Like I really needed an excuse to trade camera for gun...

The rules stipulated limited rounds, no lights and one unarmed zombie against every other player. I went round with a group of other players and we adopted the

mantra ‘attack is the best form of defense’ as we moved through the corridors, trying to get our bearings and find this zombie somewhere in the dark. Most places were pitch black. Easing our way through the inky blackness, we bumped into the player with the ‘infection’, who was in full zombie-mode, with enough sound effects to satisfy a film director. It definitely made my backside twitch like a rabbit’s nose!

The game continued right until the tables were turned and over 20 zombies were after just one guy – with fewer than 10 BBs left in his weapon. Was that the smell of fear in the air, or something else?

I got chatting to some guys in the safe zone and we all agreed that it had been a superb game.

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SITE REVIEW | THE BUNKER

JAMES BADURA James Badura first started playing airsoft eight years ago. He is the owner of Badgertac 2, which makes him the youngest airsoft retail store owner in the UK! His every minute now revolves around airsoft.

The final scenario had teams of four or five players spread out throughout the tunnels, with everyone requesting to play in the dark again. The game was played with extremely high standards, just as the previous ones were – but you wouldn’t expect anything less from guys who have run over 1,000 airsoft games.

To return to the main point of this article, I didn’t intend to go into much detail of the game play, but after having such a positive experience from this midweek game, it was impossible not to. Every player I spoke to had a great deal of fun. Airsoft doesn’t have to be a Sunday morning skirmish, or a 48-hour MilSim epic. When I first told John why I had come to The Bunker (to showcase

midweek airsoft), his immediate reply was, “There’s not many around,” which highlights my reasoning for writing this.

The more sites there are, the better it is for the sport in general.

Midweek games also give current airsofters another dimension to the sport. We can finish work, throw our kit in the car, and have an excellent time – usually at a lesser price. Playing The Bunker only cost £15, and that includes a can of drink and chocolate bar. Airsoft during the week truly does have a lot to offer, and can earn you brownie points for being at home on a Sunday!

Big thanks go to John and Tom at Elite Action Games and their epic Bunker.

This is a site that I would place in the

category of ‘must try’, even if CQB isn’t your thing. Grab a mate or two and head down there for the laughter and the great atmosphere.

INFORMATION & PRICES Elite Action Games: The Bunker

OPENING TIMES: Wednesday, 7.15pm10pm; Sunday 9.15am-4.30pm LOCATION: Epsom, Essex, KT18 5BN PRICES: £15 walk-on (£25 on Sunday); £25 rentals (£45 on Sunday) WEAPON LIMIT: AEGs 330fps with 0.20g BBs WEB: www.eliteactiongames.com TEL: 07502 206421

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STAYING ALIVE Dan Mills shares his experience under fire – and suggests the best ways to avoid being hit by the enemy

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ovement and cover are important subjects to airsofters – no player wants to get hit right? You just want to get on, have fun and shoot the enemy.

Those unfortunates who are obliged to call out ‘hit’ during a skirmish must walk back to one zone or another depending on the site rules, and after regeneration (not used on all sites) get to re-join the battle and fight on. However, it is not so for the soldiers, sailors and airmen doing the same thing for real!

In modern warfare, there are, unfortunately, many instances where our servicemen and women face a live, determined enemy. This happens on a daily basis for some, but is only a rare occurrence for others – but either way the threat is very real.

During my time in the forces I have been shot on several occasions, been blown off my feet a few times, and have had the misfortune of being in a vehicle taking hits from the enemy. I have been highly trained to counter those extremes, and make it as difficult as possible to get hit. But it just goes to show that, however hard you try, one or more bullets may have your name inscribed on it!

Although getting hit by a BB travelling at over 320 fps is not a nice feeling (the most

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damage sustained is a bit of broken skin, the odd bruise and in some cases dented pride), it is much more preferable than taking one for the team in a real contact situation, where there is a possibility of serious injury, maiming or even death. After all airsoft roleplay is meant to be fun, but treated seriously.

Now, movement against an enemy using real weapons is always going to concentrate one’s mind much more than when operating against a rival airsoft team. But nowadays, with more and more realistic equipment – including pyrotechnics – finding its way onto the airsoft battlefields, the use of movement and cover are gaining in importance, especially by the more dedicated shooters out there. If you want to win the day you have to be a shrewd, sneaky guy!

Now, hopefully most of you think about where you are going to go before the game even starts. Team commanders should put their heads together, studying the ground and carrying out a map recce at the very least.

But what are you looking for? Well, the first question you need to answer is ‘where is the enemy?’ If you do not know, then you need to find out – as that will allow you to plan how to defeat them. Depending on the scenario, you

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SKILLS ROOM | MOVEMENT AND COVER will either know a fixed enemy position, a likely area of their operations according to current intelligence reports, or have no known location at all. All of these scenarios will present boundaries inside which you must stay, just like real operations.

Now, what are you going to do to find, fix, and destroy the enemy? You are going to go on patrol and find them. On a more basic level, you are going to move across, over, around and under a given piece of ground in order to locate the enemy. The safest way to do this is with maximum use of the cover available.

Look at the different types of terrain around you; notice how the landscape changes, and what will provide cover from view. If discovered, what will provide you with cover from fire? Analyse what is the best route to get from A to B, via X, Y and Z, without being seen. If you are seen, consider what kind of cover will give you protection from small arms and indirect fire weapons.

Take a field for starters; a ploughed field will offer some cover in the furrows made by the plough, and drainage ditches around the edges. How deep are they? Are they filled with water? Take a look around the edges at the hedge lines. Consider whether they offer heavy enough cover, and see if there are bund lines along the bottom of the hedge and tree lines. These are a good source of cover from view and small arms fire.

If there are rivers, look at how they sit on the land, and whether they lie in valleys. Are they flush, steep sided, deep, or crossable?

These are a good source of cover but do not be caught from above. Sometimes you can hide behind the banks while you pass through an area. Soldiering is hard; get in there, you’re going to get wet! Better that than be shot.

Also take a look at the woods; note the thickness, type of trees, and whether they are deciduous or coniferous. Coniferous trees are generally good for lie ups and harbours, but are harder to negotiate, especially at night.

Deciduous woods are usually more open and easier under foot, but often much noisier to move through. Man-made woods are easier to move through because they are normally laid out and structured, whereas natural woodland grows as nature decides. Take a look around the perimeter of a wood; often there are fences erected to protect the trees inside. Some will be barbed-wire-topped. Most soldiers will have many scars from barbed-wire fences on their bodies.

Natural features like hills provide good cover from both, so should be factored into the

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SKILLS ROOM | MOVEMENT AND COVER

patrol. Again, be careful. Do not get caught in ambush from above or the sides.

Whether in the urban or rural environment, you will come across roads. Depending on the scenario, these can be put to good use. As before, check along the sides, look for ditches you can take cover in, the presence of water, note how deep these are before you jump in with full kit on. If attacked when using the road, will the ditch provide you with some cover from which you can fight?

Look for hedges and tree lines running alongside; use these as previously mentioned.

If you hide behind a tree, use the bottom base of it to get your torso behind for protection; remember to use the cover and fire around the sides of the cover provided. Get down in the kneeling, squatting or prone position, and provide your enemy with less of a target to shoot at.

Bund lines, found on many a good hard training area, such as Sennybridge in Wales, provide a good solid base behind which you can park your carcass to protect yourself.

Made of the earth, they will stop small arms fire to a degree – and can also be used to provide cover from view when crawling, but keep your head down.

Operating in an urban area provides a more robust, man-made set of cover to use.

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Note: brick walls will not provide cover from real bullets! But they will against plastic ones. Again, plan your movement and route selection wisely. Shots can be fired from any direction, and are usually at a much closer range than in a rural setting. Look for cover as before: doorways, the mouth of an alley and junctions are to be treated as obstacles and crossed in force. Use something solid like concrete to get yourself behind; it will stop shrapnel, ricochets and bullets up to a certain level of penetration.

Don’t discount ramps, kerb stones and paths to get behind; if you get shot at for real, it is amazing how much cover one inch of concrete provides. If needs be, dig through tarmac with your finger nails if it helps you escape the metal bees! Consider the drains or tunnels below for movement through the urban landscape – but as a point of safety ensure the marshals brief fully on their use.

They can certainly add to an exercise if they are used safely.

You can also consider moving from the inside of one house to the inside of the next, not exposing yourself to fire on the outside in the street. Select a good route, making maximum use of the cover from view provided by buildings. As you move, keep a watchful eye all around you, as any contact is

likely to be fast and brutal and will come as a distinct shock.

No matter where you are and how you are operating, when you are moving, you should always be looking for your next piece of cover.

You can also dash back to a last seen piece of cover if required. Be flexible; as long as you take cover, it doesn’t matter which direction you go in as long as you are not hit.

In summary then, if you do not know where the enemy are, you have to find them. It is much easier to work an angle on someone if the position is fixed – but be aware that, if you can see the enemy, it is possible they can see you. Carry out a map study before leaving your safe zone; plan a route mentally using cover from one end of the patrol to the other. If possible, mix it up; don’t always use the most obvious route.

Conduct reconnaissance if time permits.

Failing that, do it on the hoof but have forward and flank protection/scouts. When moving, always have an option in front or behind where you can dive into cover, and once you have crawled into the cover, use it properly to protect you.

One final piece of information you must always remember: do not move without your own covering fire, and keep one foot on the ground at all times. Good luck.

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SKILLS ROOM | BILLY BASICS

Having experienced his first full-on airsoft event, Billy has a few ideas that might help your gameplay

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recently attended an event called Operation: Furious Angel near Hurn Airport, just north of Bournemouth. It was the first time I had actually been to an airsoft event and the editor had asked me to take the photos too (gulp)… but luckily the camera I borrowed was really easy to use.

(Check out Billy’s full report on page 42 – Ed).

During that ‘weekender’, I noticed a few things worth discussing, which will hopefully allow you to improve, and get the best from your precious gaming time. We should

always look to improve. Firing position, the speed of your mag changes, or whatever – never just think, ‘yeah, that’s good enough.’

Always try and be better, otherwise you’re just stuck in neutral and cruising.

I remember years ago a very experienced ‘old boy’ said to me that the secret to being excellent is doing the basics really well, and everything else will naturally fall into place afterwards. So, I am going to jot down a few things that I noticed on the weekend that I think need a little attention.

Command and Control We can’t all be the team leader, so if someone has the courage to put his hand up and volunteer, then support him (especially if he’s never done it before). If he’s going wildly wrong then you can quietly suggest an alternate course of action – but not everyone takes criticism well. I certainly don’t, so remember there are constructive ways of giving advice.

An experienced platoon sergeant will take young officers under their wing when they

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come out of training, show them the ropes, let them get the feel of being in charge and gently guide them through their first year and, eventually, once the youngsters have got the hang of it, they’ll hand over the reins.

There’s no ceremony or solemn ritual; the sergeant one day will just stop suggesting things and the young officer will have stepped up and taken on his role. I don’t think in a club team it should always be the same mature guy in charge. It’s important to let the youngsters have a go; it does the most

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SKILLS ROOM | BILLY BASICS you’ll have your weapon at the ready, but your team will really have an edge over their opponents if you can direct them from a position where you can see the action as it unfolds.

Always communicate. If you can’t communicate, you can’t operate. If you’re in command, turn the volume up and shout or scream. It will mean your team will know the position and it will probably make the bad guys think twice about making that bold move – if they think that the guys over the crest are all swept up they’ll think twice.

It also pays to keep your orders simple.

The army use the acronym CLAP for this, which stands for ‘clear, loud as an order, and with pauses.’ Take a second to think about what you’re going to shout, make sure left is actually left and not right (common mistake) and then give it big lungs of power.

Rehearsals

enormous good for their confidence, not just on the field of play but in all aspects of his life. So, if you are that crusty old team leader who’s clinging on to the crown, give it up once in a while and let the sprogs have a go.

Taking a Step Back If you’re in charge of the section or grouping, whether defending or assaulting, the best thing you can do is take your eye away from your sight and be in a position where you can see your men and the enemy. Obviously

Time spent rehearsing is always valuable, and you can talk through set piece manoeuvres.

On the weekend I covered recently, I sat back and watched the team that were assigned to protect me get outflanked and taken out, despite the fact that they held the ground and were just blocking.

The opposition sent a diversionary attack to the left, my group got panicky and were drawn down there, and were then hit with a couple of well-aimed grenades that allowed the other side to break through. So rehearsals are a good way of getting the team thinking about how best to operate as a unit.

KISS (or ‘keep it simple, stupid’) is another great maxim to play by. Your plans might not survive contact with the enemy, so it needs to be kept simple. I have seen a few brilliantly conceived plans. But the brain children of enthusiastic, educated blokes, go completely to pieces because they were conceived by an Oxbridge-educated super-brain, and then given to the likes of me to implement!

So make it simple to understand, with little opportunity for confusion to take hold.

As part of your rehearsal routine, get to know your vehicle. I noticed a few guys, when they came under contact, fumbling with door handles trying to get out to return fire or find better cover and, as the lead hornets flew in, nerves were fraying. A vehicle is a natural bullet magnet, so it’s important that you get away from it sharpish. So, if you are assigned a vehicle and are told that you’ll be rolling in 10 minutes, then get in and out of it a few times. Familiarise yourself with it. Can you get

the back windows all the way down? Is your Barrat .50 sniper rifle the best weapon for the job in the back of a wagon?

Proper rehearsals will also prevent you from having a ‘humming bird’ moment if you feel the situation is getting out of control. But things do go wrong and your team will know this, so be prepared, and maintain a grip on it. It’s better to admit that you’re outnumbered and outwitted on this occasion, and to carry out a well-rehearsed fall back and regroup, rather than throwing the towel in.

Tooling Up Are you carrying too much? Now, I know many of you will have a main weapon, a spare, a backup, a spare backup, a tertiary... you know where I am going with this. If you do that’s great, and believe me I am jealous!

But just because you have an armoury that would put the SAS to shame, you shouldn’t feel the need to take every single one with you on every event.

I understand that you want to take all of your toys out to play, but let me please paint you a picture: my baby daughter has been lucky enough to inherit enough toys to pack a warehouse from her cousins and from children of friends. We didn’t buy a four-bed because we’re opening a B&B and we needed the space for all her flipping toys, and the loft – which should, by rights, be my second floor shed where I can retreat from the long-haired chief – is now a Toys ’R Us. The point is, take a couple of weapons with you: a main and a side arm. That way you’re not constantly in and out of your bag changing and swapping kit. When we first put the sprog on the floor she didn’t know which way to look, and it didn’t do her any good, so we changed her toys every few days. She now has a chance to really play with a small handful and find out what they’re all about, before we change them.

I think this is a good approach to take with your armoury. You’ll get maximum use from the couple that you take, you’ll spend longer on the field of battle, and it’s just a shedload easier with less to carry about. It also reduces the chances of you inadvertently leaving something behind.

That’s all for now, but before I go let me leave you with the (paraphrased) words of President Roosevelt: “It’s not about the bloke who criticises from the side lines, it’s about the bloke in the ring taking the blows who keeps getting up and trying again”.

Billy out.

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MEDIA REVIEW | TOMB RAIDER

TOMB RAIDER Lara Croft is back – so Alex Wharton takes a closer look at the latest Tomb Raider

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ith a lack of good singleplayer games to sink my teeth into at the moment, I decided to pick up the new Tomb Raider reboot. Now, I have to confess, I don’t think I’ve actually played a Tomb Raider game since perhaps the second outing, and that was about 14 years ago! Since then, I’ve seen many of the games come and go, but none have piqued my interest enough for me to part with my cash over them.

However, on the surface, it looked like Crystal Dynamics might actually have done a reasonable job of restarting the

series, which had become a little tired and overdone – so I decided to give it a whirl. But is it worth the price tag? Or should you give this one a miss?

For those that don’t know, Tomb Raider centres around Lara Croft, a young archaeologist setting out to make a name for herself in the world of digging ditches and spending a lot of time in libraries. Thankfully, the games rarely focused on the realistic side of archaeology, instead throwing Lara into various holes in the ground where she needed to fight and solve puzzles to escape.

The games were classics in the action-adventure genre, and became a massive hit. Lara Croft became a household name, and possibly one of the most recognisable gaming figures of all time. You didn’t even need to play games to know of her. I remember my local well-known fast food establishment, which shall remain nameless, having a full-size statue of her right next to the counter!

But much like many franchises, Tomb Raider eventually got to the point where it needed a complete overhaul – and that’s what Crystal Dynamics have done.

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The new Tomb Raider starts out with young Lara Croft on a voyage across the sea to find a lost island temple.

Unfortunately, the ship is wrecked and Lara and a few other crew members survive, only to find themselves trapped of the mysterious island of Yamatai – inhabited by hundreds of bloodthirsty killers hell-bent on pleasing a sun god!

Lara and her fellow survivors must therefore fight their way across the island to escape.

Graphically, the new Tomb Raider is gorgeous, and some of the locations you find yourself in look almost real. The cutscenes are even more captivating. There are shots that you could truly believe weren’t rendered but filmed.

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The game remains true to the original set-up, but has a wider scope to cater to more modern gamers. We expect an abundance of choice and pathways through modern games; freedom of movement is now a requirement, and the more areas to explore the better.

You can quickly travel to previously discovered areas in order to locate missing artefacts or treasures. However, you do spend less time in actual tombs than you did before. Now much of the game is above ground, involving moving through woodland or shanty towns. There is the odd puzzle tomb to clear out, but these are usually 10-15 minute quick side-quests and a little disappointing really.

Game-play follows the trend of most third person games: over-the-shoulder views when aiming, and a centred camera when moving to allow the best view of your surroundings. It does work well, though, and makes the game feel fluid and responsive. There weren’t many times that I messed up due to camera issues or pushing the wrong button by accident.

There are a number of quicktime events designed to add some interactivity to cut-scenes – but I personally can’t stand them. QTE’s have been dubbed ‘push X to not die’ scenes for a reason. They are simply a reaction test, not a skill test. Tomb Raider is made more difficult with new

MEDIA REVIEW | TOMB RAIDER

“The game remains true to the original set-up, but has a wider scope to cater to more modern gamers”

symbols on the screen to represent a particular button. At one point the ‘fight’ symbol comes up; this is fine once you are further into the game and have the controls down – but at the beginning of the game I died a few times before understanding that!

Compared with older Tomb Raider games, the new instalment is perhaps a little overly ‘shooty’. While physical threats did feature in earlier games, these were usually relatively few and far between, with a greater focus placed on puzzles and exploration. Now you can’t move 15 metres without needing to drop someone! Thankfully, Lara gets tooled up pretty quickly to get her kill on. Silence is covered with a bow; you also get a pistol, shotgun and an assault rifle, all of which can be upgraded by collecting scrap as you go along. How she upgrades a Japanese WW2 submachine gun into an AK-47, I’ll never know; this girl’s got some damn good gunsmithing skills!

Lara spends much of the game being shocked by everything, then snivelling and having a little cry. While it does show her human side well, it can be a little strange considering many of the cut-scenes come after you have cut and shot your way through hundreds of enemies. There’s even a part where she is up to her eyebrows in blood and gore yet seems completely calm and in control, yet 10 minutes later is going through a small cave and up to her neck in water and is totally freaking out. Surely this is a walk in the park now after swimming through liquid person?

While collecting all of the loot and scrap, Lara never actually picks up extra clothing. There are parts where she is freezing and shivering away, and all of the enemies are dressed for the surroundings (including snow) – but she remains in combat trousers, boots and blue-over-white tops. Strangely, as the game goes on, most of the clothes

slowly get ripped and dirtier, yet that white under-layer remains untouched from damage.

If you are a diehard Lara fan, then you will love this. It’s true to the originals while deviating enough to be new and refreshing. Though perhaps a little overly shooting-based, it’s still a long way from being an out and out shooter. If you are new to the series, then pick this up. Tomb Raider brings the franchise back to the forefront of gaming – and for that reason, you should give it a go.

INFORMATION & PRICE Tomb Raider

DEVELOPED BY: Crystal Dynamics PUBLISHED BY: Square Enix PLATFORMS: Xbox 360/PS3/PC RATING: PEGI 18 PRICE: From around £30, depending on platform

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CHEMICAL WARFARE In the first of a two-part series, Gareth ‘Gadge’ Harvey dons possibly the least practical loadout we’ve ever featured – the East German ABC suit

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hile their sheer scale made the first two world wars terrifying global conflicts, it was the very real threat of nuclear destruction and chemical warfare that made a future WWIII quite literally the stuff of nightmares.

With the introduction of the atomic bomb in 1945, conventional warfare was changed forever – no longer did victory lie with the ‘big battalions’, as it was now possible to wipe an entire division off the map with a single missile or bomb.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, escalation in the manufacture and stockpiling of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons reached truly

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scary proportions; enough chemical agents and nuclear weapons were held by both West and East to destroy the world several times over and this, perversely, created an uneasy peace. Both sides knew that an all-out nuclear strike would not go unpunished, as their foes would have a short warning period to launch their own missiles before being wiped out. A philosophy of ‘mutually assured destruction’ or as it was appropriately known, MAD, arose where both East and West knew a full-scale nuclear war could have no winner.

Cumbersome Kit This, however, didn’t stop both sides from

considering the use of chemical and nuclear weapons on a more ‘local’ scale. Tactical nukes (deliverable by air, ground-based missiles or even field artillery) could be used

by NATO to destroy large concentrations of troops, and make ‘choke points’ in terrain that was impossible to traverse. Conversely, the Warsaw Pact intended to rely heavily on short-term but lethal chemical agents to slow down NATO forces, by forcing them to wear cumbersome, protective equipment to do even the most basic tasks.

In this and next month’s articles, I’ll look at protective outfits typical of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Every soldier of both

COLD WAR WARRIOR | CHEMICAL WARFARE alliances was trained and equipped to fight, live and hopefully survive in hellish condition with a protective suit and mask that would shield them from the worst-known chemical agents, biological germ warfare weapons and nuclear fallout effects possible. While NATO invested in lightweight, short-lived but more practical protection, the Warsaw Pact went for a heavier, more durable and resistant suit that we’ll look at in this article.

In addition to the two-part ABC suit (worn clipped to the back of the webbing in a rubberised carrier) the soldat of the NVA would also carry a grey nylon respirator haversack, which contained essential chemical protection kit. The bag would normally carry an emergency chemical defence poncho, a simple green plastic affair designed to protect the wearer from airborne droplets or sprays of chemical agents long enough for them to get into cover and don their suit; protective rubber outer gloves; sweat-absorbing cotton white inner gloves; spare respirator filters; a large filter canister and a decontamination kit (not shown here as they are difficult to find in a safe state!)

The respirator shown here is not the standard model worn by most soldiers, but a variant designed for soldiers operating optical equipment such as gun sights, and which allows the lens to be more aligned with the sights, and for prescription lenses to be fitted to the mask. I’m sure very few of you ever intend to skirmish in this kit, but I should stress anyway that Soviet-made filters may contain asbestos or other harmful materials and are best left unused.

Getting Into Gear Upon warning of a chemical attack, our soldat would don his suit beginning with the protective trousers. Supported by internal braces these trousers and attached boots are made of a heavy, grey, rubberised fabric that is completely impermeable to sweat and moisture and soon becomes unpleasant to wear even for a short period. Donning the smock and fastening it up with its plastic press stud buttons and pulling

“Throughout the 1960s and 70s, escalation in the manufacture and stockpiling of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons reached truly scary proportions” www.airsoftactionmagazine.com

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COLD WAR WARRIOR | CHEMICAL WARFARE

on both pairs of protective gloves further compounds the discomfort even before fitting the respirator. With the respirator pulled on and the suit’s hood up and fastened it’s hard to hear, breathe and even see what you’re doing; you really feel for the guys who wore this suit in combat exercises, and may have gone to war in it. The L1 ABC suit is so uncomfortable and hot that soldiers were in severe danger of overheating and exhaustion after only a few hours of wearing the suit, and could risk heat exhaustion after just one hour in combat conditions! The advantage of the ABC suit, however, is that it was far more durable than NATO suits, which would last a mere eight hours in the worst chemical environments, and the L1 could be expected to provide protection for several days before it would need changing. Equally, being heavyweight and rubberised, decontamination was much easier than with the cloth-covered NATO suits, although that would have been of little consolation to the East German conscript forced to fight in NBC conditions.

Luckily for the NVA soldat, the Warsaw Pact didn’t expect him to fight on foot to the degree that the British and American soldier would be

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expected to. The NVA, like most Warsaw Pact armies, was equipped with armoured fighting vehicles that were NBC protected themselves, via a system of filters and over pressure systems to keep contaminated air out.

Small Mercies So, fully suited up and beginning to sweat buckets already, it was time to don the standard East German army helmet and webbing. While this is not the most userfriendly kit at the best of times, it’s even more awkward when you can barely feel your fingers. Matters were made worse when our photographer struggled to get the shots she required, as I could barely hear a word being said through the heavy-hooded respirator, chemical smock hood and steel helmet.

I considered myself lucky that the ‘optical’ SchMS gas mask variant had a ‘voicemitter’ module in front of the mouth to permit speech, as the standard model doesn’t allow for the possibility that the soldier might need to say anything – although there was another variant designed for officers and radio operators that featured a ‘voicemitter’ but with eyepieces similar to the standard model. If there was one

small mercy, it was that for health and safety reasons we’d not connected the mask’s air hose to the filter, as we were unsure of the canister’s asbestos content, but even so it was quite hard to breathe.

So there you go, possibly the least practical Cold War Warrior loadout we’ve ever featured or are likely to ever feature again! I’d say you’d be mad to play in this kit but I know at a recent Cold War event an entire section of East German Army airsofters donned suits and masks to take part in a chemical attack scenario – and I also know that they all suffered and swore never to do it again!

I’ll leave you on a high point, though, and point out that the good news for anyone interested in collecting this kit is that it’s still very cheap and readily available – but that’s probably because only a total mentalist or a seriously masochistic rubber fetishist would want to wear it to a skirmish! We were able to source the entire set of 1980s-dated protective gear for around £30 – so next time you’re stuck for a novel new Halloween fancy dress outfit and want something toasty and warm as well as scary for October, you know where to look.

SKILLS ROOM | CQB TACTICS

LEAPFROG ENTRY Pro-Tact’s Andy Nightingale summarises his series on CQB skills with a look at the leapfrog entry

I

n previous issues, I have looked at clearing stairways, halls and corridors, and explained two different ways to enter and clear a room – wall and penetration floods. These skills will allow you to overcome the task of clearing a single area – but what about situations where your team must search multiple rooms and areas as you progress through a building or structure?

These situations require a ‘rolling search’, also known as a ‘leapfrog search’ – and to carry out this task, you must combine all your CQB skills into one co-ordinated battle plan.

Once you are committed to a leapfrog entry, you must try to maintain momentum and keep going at a steady pace. Even with a

loud, dynamic entry, the pace of your assault must be steady and manageable. Only go as fast as your team is comfortable with, to maintain personal and team safety.

Planning The key to successful high-risk entries is planning. Try to gain as much information as you can about the area or building that you plan to enter or assault. Who is the enemy?

What are their numbers? What weapons do they have? The more planning you do, the more likely your success.

Sometimes, you must make plans very quickly, as games are usually fast-paced – and there is always the risk of the local Rambo

going in on their own and compromising your assault! If you are not at your local skirmish site, then try to make plans or maps of the site to aid you if you return in the future.

Include not only the locations of the buildings, but the rooms, hallways and stairs – as well as the approach to the building.

Leapfrog I want to look at a typical four-person leapfrog technique, in a scenario where the team is advancing down a corridor or hallway with three rooms all along one side – though the leapfrog technique will work for corridors with rooms on both sides. Begin with the team stacked up, one behind the other with

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“The corridor or hallway is a fatal funnel, and the more guns you can deploy in there the better� as many weapons trained on the corridor as possible. We will assume that the team has rear protection support at all times. Once the last person is ready to move, pass on the physical conformation to the person in front by pinching the back of their thigh. This physical signal is passed on down the line only if the next person is ready to move.

Once the whole team is ready to go, you can start the assault. Enter the first doorway as you would with the wall flood or penetration flood method.

This is where things start to change, and the leapfrog technique comes into play. There are two types of entry that we will address here: two-person, and three-person. Each

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entry has its own method. First we will look at the two-person entry using the four-person assault team.

Two-Person Entry As the first two operators enter the room, in whichever flood they choose, the third and fourth operators advance past the doorway and take up position at the next door. They will now be the first and second operators in the stack when the other two rejoin them. Once they have reached the next doorway, they must be switched on at all times. The first person should stay back from the doorjamb and train their weapon on the doorway itself in anticipation of the enemy coming through.

The second person’s area of responsibility will be the corridor and the next doorway.

These two operators will stay in this position until the first room has been cleared and they are rejoined by the other two. Once all four team members are together again, the whole process recommences. This time, the two operators that were at the back of the stack to begin with must now become the first two in the stack.

Remember that the corridor or hallway is a fatal funnel, and the more guns you can deploy in there the better. If two people enter a room for clearing, then leave the other two to cover the avenue of advance.

SKILLS ROOM | CQB TACTICS

Three-Person Entry Depending on the situation, you may feel the need to have three people enter the room and leave one person outside to secure the avenue of advance. If this is so, then the leapfrog tactic changes slightly. As before, stack up in the usual way and continue with the assault. This time, three operators will enter the room in whichever flood they choose. The fourth person is now left on their own in the fatal funnel: not a good place to be alone.

The fourth person does not advance to the next doorway but stays put in their position until the three inside have cleared the room. A good tip here is for the fourth person to adopt

the kneeling position and lower his profile, creating a smaller target should the enemy suddenly appear. Once the room-clear signal is given, the fourth person advances into the doorway and takes up position inside the room with their weapon still trained on the corridor and next doorway. It is important that the fourth person does not compromise the team’s security by letting his guard down and rushing into the room.

There must be at least one gun trained on the avenue of advance at all times. Once everyone is in the room, the team will stack up once more and the entire process is then repeated.

Shields If you intend to use shields during a leapfrog entry, then you must make sure that the right person in the stack has the shield at the right time. During a two-person entry (using four operators), the first person in the stack must have one shield to protect them on the room entry, and the third person in the stack will have the second shield to protect the team that is left outside in the corridor. If a three-person entry is used, then the first person in the stack will need the shield to protect them on the room entry, and the fourth person will need the shield as protection from the corridor. There may

be times when you have to change the procedure of entry. For example, the first and last room may dictate a two-person entry, and the second room may dictate a three-person entry. Make sure that everyone knows how many people are required for each room entry, as this will change the position of the shields in the stack formation.

Summary Hollywood portrays elite, real-steel assault teams such as HRE and SWAT as lightning fast operators. This is not so in the real world.

Although the real-steel teams are fast at room entry and clearing, in comparison to Hollywood they are quite slow. The speed comes with many months and even years of practice and planning. The old saying is true: ‘don’t run, you will only die tired’.

You will need to practise as often as you can with your regular skirmish team for this type of assault to work – and remember to only go as fast as you can safely. Speed is all about being fluent and efficient. A good friend of mine once told me that knowledge isn’t everything, but the right application of knowledge is. Apply this method to your training and game play, and enjoy the experience. Learn from your mistakes and have fun with working out what works best for you and your team.

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079

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CHEAP AND CHEERFUL? Are ‘cheapsoft’ guns a bargain or are you better off investing in a reliable ‘big brand’? Gareth ‘Gadge’ Harvey looks at both sides of the argument

T

here was a time when buying anything other than a Tokyo Marui gun was a total lottery. Around 2001, even brands that are now wellrespected, like Classic Army, had zero quality control – and while your mate’s M15 shot like a beast, yours could well turn up with the wiring all back to front or with an un-lubricated set of gears.

While many brands got their act together quickly, a sudden surge of Chinese-made ‘cheapsoft’ guns around 2006 again made it a lottery as to whether you’d end up with a ‘bargain’ or an expensive paperweight.

Around this time, the exchange rate was heavily in favour of the pound – and with TM M14 copies going for a mere £60 or £70 from overseas, it was usually worth the risk. Now, however, with most ‘budget’ guns costing around £125-150, is it still a worthwhile investment?

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May 2013

We put the question to you on a selection of online airsoft forums and on the Airsoft Action Facebook page – and, at first, the debate seemed a little one-sided, with the majority supporting budget brands.

A good proportion felt that a gun bought for £70 gave them the same performance as more expensive models they’ve owned, and quite a few readers gave us accounts of ‘cheapsoft’ AEGs that were still going strong long after they’d expected them to give up the ghost.

Two particular brands – CYMA and G&G – came up time and time again in readers’ comments, mainly regarding their excellent cost/performance balance. Kevin ‘Dixie’ Dean definitely felt he’d got his money’s worth: “I paid £130 for a G&G CM16 and think it’s great for a first-time AEG; why splash out to start with when you might not keep up with the sport?” Jamalen Gestalt agreed: “The

G&G plastic range for £140 easily equals the £250 basic Maruis”.

Standing up for CYMA, Evo Von Himmel claimed: “My Cyma AK has outlasted several ‘premium’ brand guns I’ve owned and, because it was cheap, has been far more badly abused over the years. A lot of expensive guns are just as crap as the ‘cheapsoft’ stuff”. Tony Delaney concurred: “I’ve seen TM M4s get the same faults and issues as cheap JG or SRC. I’ve had a TM MP5 gearbox disintegrate instantly and my G&G M14EBR broke pretty quickly, so everything is pot luck.”

In fact, some questioned the very term ‘cheapsoft’, since so-called ‘premium’ makes are now delivering high-performing AEGs with nothing but a cosmetic difference compared to the low end of the market.

Many felt that you get what you pay for and that, with regards to reliability, TM AEGs

DEBATE | CHEAPSOFT

still held the high ground. Matt Brazill sagely pointed out: “I guess it’s like power tools; if you’re just going to do the odd bit of drilling then B&Q’s value range is probably okay, but if you regularly spend the whole weekend tearing places apart, you’d probably better go with something a bit more professional”.

Paul Goddard felt TM had provided him with some rock solid kit: “My TM M14, L96, G&P Stoner and M4 were bought with reliability in mind and they have yet to let me down.

On average, over the last three years I’ve skirmished every fortnight. Having worked on a CYMA M14 before and having had to fix a multitude of faults on it with aftermarket parts, the costs incurred along with the initial purchase cost equalled the cost of my TM M14. You get what you pay for in this sport, from my own personal experience.”

A good proportion of our readers felt that, while a CYMA gun might be great to get going with, there would come a time when you knew you needed to step up a gear.

Ryan Skeats wrote: “I brought a secondhand CYMA MP5 electric blowback for £100 and, for over a year, it was solid as a

rock. However, I think there comes a time when you have been playing enough to realise it just doesn’t cut it anymore and you buy a top end gun instead. Or, like me, the trigger electronics fail alongside any sort of compression, and you just replace the gun”.

And while many of you had some witty or insightful comments to add to the debate, we couldn’t help but find Chris Martin’s comment interesting as, just as with last month’s debate on top end training weapons, AEG purchases were equated to cars: “If you want, use the sports car analogy; do you want a car that you can use day-to-day, get the kids and the dog in, and can be fixed by any garage? Or do you want a sporty little red number you can only afford the petrol for to drive on a Sunday morning, and when it breaks you can only take it to a specialised garage that will charge you an arm and a leg to repair it? The same goes with RIFs. If you want a workhorse then go for something on the cheaper side that you can do what you want with. Use it every day and be proud of something that is easily fixed, or spend a daft amount of money on one that looks amazing,

but will not necessarily win you the game, and that you need to take to a specialist to fix.

Go for the Ford Focus or go for the Ferrari – but be willing to take the good with the bad and the ugly with the pretty!“ However, the most telling contributions to the debate were the comments made by several site operators. While at one time the TM AK Beta Spetz or FAMAS were the ‘workhorses’ many sites due to their reliability, it seems that more and more sites are finding that replacing their ageing armoury of TMs with ‘cheapsoft’ versions really is providing reliability and value for money.

HAVE YOUR SAY Got an opinion to share on the ‘cheapsoft’ debate? Got an idea for a future topic? Get in touch with Airsoft Action via the address on page 4, or email nigels@blazepublishing.co.uk.

Look out for future debate polls at our Facebook page (facebook.com/ AirsoftAction)

www.airsoftactionmagazine.com

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SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend…

SYMBOL KEY

Is it woodland or urban?

Check the key!

UKARA

UKARA MEMBER UKASGB MEMBER WOODLAND

£

SHOP ONSITE BATTERY CHARGING URBAN PYROS ALLOWED REPAIR SERVICE DESERT

ATROOP AIRSOFT

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

ABSOLUTE AIRSOFT

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

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Penkridge, ST19 5RE 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

ACE COMBAT

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

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 07718 032541 robinsonm24@btinternet.com

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

AIRSOFT KGB

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

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH

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

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

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

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – SOUTHAMPTON

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

AMAZON EVENTS

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

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM

Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8SL 01252 315225 www.ambushadventures.co.uk

APOCALYPSE AIRSOFT

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

ARENA AIRSOFT

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

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB

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

ALL ARMS AIRSOFT

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

AIRSOFT ASYLUM

North Lanarksire, ML7 5 www.airsoftasylum.webs.com ayrsoft@gmail.com

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AIRSOFT SITES | DIRECTORY Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data!

AWA HERTS

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

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE SANDPIT

Bradford, BD2 1BQ 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - RIVOCK EDGE

Keighley, BD20 0LS 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

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

BETTER BATTLES

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

BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Aylesbury, HP18 0XB 01926 658600 www.bluestreak-airsoft.co.uk

CERBERUS AIRSOFT SHEFFIELD WOODLAND

Sheffield, S6 6JE 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

Maryland, Norfolk, NR10 4 01328 711867 www.combatactiongames.co.uk

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT

Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport. PR46JX 07790 715059 www.bravo22airsoft.com

BRISTOL AIRSOFT

Bristol, BS1 2HQ 07776 288826 www.bristolairsoft.com

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT

Sheffield, S2 5TR 07795 631331 www.brittacairsoft.com

BUNKER 51

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

C3 TACTICAL

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE COMPLEX

Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RP 07891 469492 www.cerberusairsoft.co.uk

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

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND Fareham, PO17 5ND 02392 655636 www.combatsouth.co.uk

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL

Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, CM14 5 01438 368177 www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk

COOL UNDER FIRE

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

CORNWALL AIRSOFT ASSAULT

Truro, Cornwall, TR2 07837 475012 www.cornwallairsoftassault.co.uk

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

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

DELTA TEAM 3

FINMERE AIRSOFT

DOGS OF WAR

FIREBALL SQUADRON

DRAGON’S LAIR

FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP

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

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

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

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

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

ELITE ACTION GAMES – DORKING

Dorking, Surrey, RH5 5AB 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE ACTION GAMES – EPSOM

Epsom, Surrey, KT18 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING

Worthing, BN13 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE BATTLEZONE

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

EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

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

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

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

FIFE WARGAMES

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

Buckingham, MK18 4JT 07976 184897 www.finmereairsoft.com

Sutton Coldfield, B75 5SA 07582 684533 www.fireballsquadron.com

Leek, ST13 8 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – BATTLE LAKES

Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9AP 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – BUNKER WOOD

Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – KHE SANH WOODS

Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – MANCHESTER WOODLAND Bolton, BL7 9TS 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – ASYLUM Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – THE EMBASSY

Leicester, LE2 6EA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – THE MALL Reading, RG1 1NR 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

GROUND ZERO WOODLAND

Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2DF www.groundzerowoodland.com

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SITE DIRECTORY Find somewhere to be this weekend…

LAC SITE 2

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

LAC SITE 3

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

LAC SITE 5

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

FREE FIRE ZONE

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

FRV AIRSOFT

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

GASS AIRSOFT – PENN

Penn Bottom, Bucks, HP10 07907 788970 www.gassairsoft.co.uk

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

HIGHLAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT IV25 3PY 07702 846090 www.highlandtacticalairsoft.co.uk

HILTON PARK AIRSOFT

Wolverhampton, WV10 7HU 08000 354490 www.paintballuk.com

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

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT

Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

GREENZONE COMBAT

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

GUN HO AIRSOFT

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

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 07854 277264 www.gunmanairsoft.co.uk

088

Spanby, Lincs, NG34 0AT 07971 560249 facebook.com/HomelandTacticalAirsoft

INVICTA AIRSOFT – RAINDEN WOODS

Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7AY 01227 763335 www.invictaairsoft.co.uz

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

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

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

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

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

NSC AIRSOFT

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

NTAC

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

OBAN AIRSOFT – HILL ARGYLL Argyll and Bute, PA37 1 07967 710185 www.argyllsurplus.com

MAW

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 07562 479966 maw.airsoft@hotmail.com

MIA

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

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

OP-TACTICAL UK – TEAN-OPS Tean, Staffordshire, ST10 4JT 07964 990831 www.op-tac.co.uk

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

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

PHOENIX AIRSOFT

MILSIM UK

PLATOON 1HQ

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

NCIS AIRSOFT

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

LAC SITE 1

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

NORTHFLEET CQB

MATLOCK COMBAT GAMES

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

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

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

LINDSEY AIRSOFT

HOMELAND TACTICAL AIRSOFT GASS AIRSOFT – PIDDINGTON

NORTHERN ALLIANCE AIRSOFT

NOMAD AIRSOFT

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

Budby, Notts, NG22 9FG 01623 812483 www.phoenix-airsoft.co.uk

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

PLAYERS OF WAR

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

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF 028 4377 0566 www.predatorcombat.com

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AIRSOFT SITES | DIRECTORY Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data!

RAVEN’S NEST

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

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA Wigton, Cumbria CA7 3SZ 01900 85645 www.airsoftcumbria.co.uk

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

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

Shotts, N Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

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

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

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

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

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

SKIRMISH EXETER

Exeter, Devon, EX4 5 01548 580025 www.airsoftexeter.co.uk

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

SW WAR GAMES – TREGANTLE FORT

UCAP GREEN OPS

Antony, Cornwall, PL11 3AZ 08456 345011 www.swwargames.co.uk

UCAP SANDPIT

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

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

TA EVENTS

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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

Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AS 01792 473336 www.tacticalwales.co.uk

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PL 020 8665 1299 www.tacticalwarfare.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – FAWKHAM

Fawkham, Kent, DA3 8NY 01268 796130 www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

ULTIMATE WARGAMES – LIMPSFIELD

Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RH www.ultimatewargames.co.uk

URBAN6AIRSOFT – ZONE 13 STIRLING AIRSOFT

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

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH

Cowbridge, S Glamorgan, CF71 02920 593900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0QN 07432 291729 www.urban6airsoft.com

URBAN6AIRSOFT – THE BLOCK STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

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

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

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

SW WAR GAMES – SCRAESDON FORT

Antony, Cornwall, PL11 3AB www.swwargames.co.uk

THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT Redford, DD11 07751 878175 www.thedeserters.co.uk

Wood Street, Butron-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 £AB www.urban6airsoft.com

URBAN ASSAULT THE EX SITE

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

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

VIKING AIRSOFT THE WARGAMES CENTRE

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

Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0UN www.vikingairsoft.co.uk

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT

Warminster, BA12 7RZ www.warminsterairsoft.co.uk

TROJAN AIRSOFT

Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ 07921 837658 www.trojan-airsoft.com

XSITE AIRSOFT OUTPOST Dunstable, LU6 2EE 01494 881430 www.xsiteairsoft.co.uk

UCAP AIRSOFT

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

XSITE AIRSOFT – LANE END High Wycombe, HP14 3NP 01494 881430

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

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DEALER LISTINGS

ADVERTISERS INDEX Airsoft Innovations ................................................................35

Airsoft World...........................................................................3 BadgerTac .............................................................................63 Badger Tac 2 .........................................................................90 BO Manufacture.....................................................................13 Bulle UK Ltd / Flecktarn ........................................................22 Bullseye Country Sport ..........................................................22 Dragon Valley Airsoft LTD .....................................................63 Edgar Brothers ................................................................29, 91 First & Only Airsoft .........................................................63. 90 G&G Armament .....................................................................48 Gunman Airsoft .....................................................................47 JD Airsoft ..................................................................41, 68, 90 Just BB Guns Ltd ...................................................................47 Land Warrier Airsoft ........................................................2, 90 Military 1st......................................................................22, 90 Outdoor Pursuits / No VAT ....................................................47 Pro Airsoft Supplies ...................................................30, 90, 92 Redwolf ...................................................................................9 Shoot n’ Scoot ........................................................................90 Surplus Store...................................................................48, 90 Thatchreed ............................................................................83 Wolf Armouries ...............................................................56, 90

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