Issue 45 - February 2015

THE Airsoft Magazine

T H E

A I R S O F T E R ’ S

M A G A Z I N E

O F

C H O I C E

WEAPONS

AGM MG42 IFLE - HALO MA5 ASSAULT R

EVENTSCOTLAND

ENGLAND V S LICHT OPERATION NORD SSUS OPERATION COLO Y BASH REDWOLF CHARIT

FEATURY ED LASER SAFET SVT VS GARAND MINE WARFARE

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

COLD WAR WARRIOR

EFFECTIVE RIFLE CONTROL

TIGER PHOBIA KING OF THE TANKS

SMALL ARMS OF THE SUPER POWERS

WW1: WAR IN THE AIR

l LOADED OR UNLOADED: UKSF

l SURVIVAL: EMERGENCY NAV

FEB 2015 - £4.50

BIG BOYZ TOYZ

9 772047 348032

SKILLS AND DRILLS

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HALO MA5 ASSAULT RIFLE

12 - HALO M45 ASSAULT RIFLE

THE Airsoft Magazine

T H E

A I R S O F T E R ’ S

M A G A Z I N E

O F

C H O I C E

WEAPONS

AGM MG42 E - HALO M45 ASSAULT RIFL

EVENTS

LAND ENGLAND V SCOT LICHT OPERATION NORD SSUS OPERATION COLO BASH REDWOLF CHARITY

FEATURED LASER SAFETY SVT VS GARAND MINE WARFARE

WO

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

RLD

EXC

LUS

IVE

TIGER PHOBIA KING OF THE TANKS

WW1: WAR IN THE AIR

l LOADED OR UNLOADED: UKSF

COLD WAR WARRIOR

02

EFFECTIVE RIFLE CONTROL

SMALL ARMS OF THE SUPER POWERS l SURVIVAL: EMERGENCY NAV

9 772047 348032

BIG BOYZ TOYZ

Editor: Nigel Streeter Assistant editor: Gareth “Gadge” Harvey Graphic design: Havoc Design Ad design: Havoc Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter

FEBT 2015 - £4.50

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HALO M45 ASSAULT RIFLE

SKILLS AND DRILLS

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CHARITY GAME

UK 12 - issue subscription rate: £43 UK 6 - issue subscription rate: £24 For overseas prices visit: www.airsoft-action.co.uk

Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.airsoft-action.co.uk ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2014 Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade

by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800 Copyright © Calibre Publishing Limited 2014. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

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december 2014

FIRST UP, I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to 2015.

2014 saw us - and by “us” I mean airsoft as a whole - face a number of challenges but the overriding feeling I took from last year was one of positivity and the promise of even better things to come.

In a month’s time the British Airsoft Show is again at Stoneleigh Park, running alongside the British Shooting Show and I understand from the organisers that there are a number of different ranges being set up, including one by RedWolf Airsoft that will showcase the relatively new (to the UK) discipline of Competitive Tactical Shooting (also known as Practical Action Shooting).

There are already a number of Clubs and groups running similar ranges but this is the first time a company the size of RedWolf has got fully involved and it marks the tremendous rise in popularity this shooting skill has attracted. RedWolf Airsoft, as many of you will already know, are also involved with the Airsoft Surgeon in staging the hugely popular and successful Airsoft Surgeon European Championship, so it comes as no surprise to see their involvement and support of this new style of airsoft. However, also of great interest is the step-change this brings to the game.

At Airsoft Action we will never lose sight of what airsoft is all about; that it is a most incredible game that excites, challenges and rewards participants in the way no other game can - as an individual, as part of a team and on personal, mental and physical level. It is also one of the most diverse games out there, with more genres than any other that I can think of - and this is one of airsoft’s greatest strengths. It is also why I welcome anything that will help to grow and enhance the public perception of airsoft as being something more than “just a bunch of blokes running about in woods shooting at each other with toy guns”, which is how I heard someone derisively describe it recently.

CTS/PAS has the potential to attract participants with a wide range of shooting skills and offers us the chance to test our skills in a controlled, competitive environment against like-minded shooters.

It is already a rapidly growing sport in a number of countries and I, for one, hope it enjoys the same level of success in the UK. Whatever style of airsoft you play and wherever you play it, have a great year - it’s going to be a good one!!

Nige.

CONTENTS FEBRUARY MARCH 2015 2014

CONTENTS

AIRSOFT ACTION – FEBRUARY 2015 6 BRITISH AIRSOFT SHOW UPDATE What’s happening at next month’s British Airsoft Show 10 ROGUE’S GALLERY Cool photos taken by Airsoft Action readers.

10 THE ADVENTURES OF MAG Mag is out on his first game with his new gun in Airsoft Action’s exclusive cartoon 12 WORLD EXCLUSIVE: HALO ASSAULT RIFLE Before anyone else, Scott Allan gets his hands on one of only 15 rifles coming to Europe in this Airsoft Action World Exclusive review.

60 LOADED OR UNLOADED: A BIT SPECIAL Jerry Noone puts together two SF Loadouts; one on a budget, while the other will most certainly take care of any money you have left over from Xmas!

67 DEBATE: AIRSOFT ENGINEERING Do you like tinkering, or are the inner workings of your guns a mystery? In this month’s debate Gadge asks “How much of an airsoft engineer are you?”

16 ARMOURY: AGM MG42 Scott Allan takes a look at an airsoft version of “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” and asks “Does the AGM version have two balls, or like Hitler… just the one?”

72 SKILLS AND DRILLS: RIFLE SHOOTING POSITIONS If you’re not stable when you fire, your shot is more likely to miss. Pro-Tact’s Andy Nightingale runs through some basic rifle shooting positions.

20 EVENT: OPERATION NORDLICHT Chris Wright reports from the recent WW2 game, where Russians and Germans go head-tohead in 1942.

76 HEAD TO HEAD: SVT vs GARAND Military Historian, Will Fowler, takes a look at the pros and cons of these well-known WW2 self-loading rifles.

26 EVENT: THE AULD ENEMY With honours even, will Scotland continue their winning ways, or can the English fight back?

80 SNIPER: JOSEPH T. WARD Sometimes snipers have to put their normal instincts on hold and do something different.

Sniper One, Dan Mills, writes about one such occasion in Vietnam.

30 KIT AND KABOODLE Richard Bell, aka FireBaseAlpha, takes a quick look at some of the gear that’s caught his eye over the last few months.

32 COLD WAR WARRIORS: SMALL ARMS Continuing his comparative series, Gareth “Gadge” Harvey takes a look at NATO and WP soldier’s personal weaponry.

36 SITE: ACE COMBAT PEMBURY Les Lee travelled to Tunbridge Wells on Remembrance Sunday to report from a site that is getting a lot of interest.

40 EVENT: REDWOLF / BLUESTREAK CHARITY GAME Nige reports from the RedWolf / Bluestreak Charity event, held in December.

44 FEATURE: LASER SAFETY How safe are laser devices? Andy Bourne, The Tactical Optician, peels back the curtain on the myths to give us the facts.

48 BIG BOYZ TOYZ: TIGER PHOBIA Feared by all those that came up against it, Jay Slater takes a look at one of Hitler’s great killing machines, the Tiger tank.

52 EVENT: OPERATION COLOSSUS Kris Roberts once again finds himself caught in the middle of Infiltration Airsoft’s on-going battle between The Flame and The Rain.

58 TEAM PROFILE: THE REAPERS Dan Barlow writes about the team he co-founded and what they want to achieve in the future.

84 WORLD WAR ONE: WAR IN THE AIR Continuing his series about the 1st World War, Dan Mills turns his attention upwards to a new arena of battle, the sky.

88 BILLY BASICS: BUDDY BUDDY Billy writes about a cornerstone of the British military, which he has experienced many times throughout his career.

92 FEATURE: MINE WARFARE Mines are both hated and feared with equal reason. Military Historian, Will Fowler, looks back at the history of this loathsome weapon.

96 SURVIVAL: EMERGENCY NAVIGATION Out in the wilds and left your GPS at home?

Survival Expert, Paul Yelland, gives us some tips on how to navigate without a map or compass.

101 BOOK REVIEW: ROBERTS RIDGE Kris Roberts on a book that doesn’t pull any punches as it documents a real-life Navy Seal battle against the Afghan Taliban.

102 SITE DIRECTORY If you’re looking for somewhere to play, you’re sure to find it here.

106 DEALER LISTING: AIRSOFT ACTION’S ADVERTISER INDEX Find who you are looking for in our listing of all the adverts that appear in this issue.

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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BRITISH AIRSOFT SHOW UPDATE Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre, Warwickshire will be the venue for the 2015 British Airsoft Show. Opening on the 13th of February, the three-day event is held in conjunction with the British Shooting Show, Europe’s largest public shooting event.

From humble beginnings with just a single range, The British Airsoft Show has grown into the UK’s premier display of airsoft guns, equipment and gear, with many retailers and other companies using it to showcase their products and services.

To reflect the continual growth, for the 2015 show the whole area has been redesigned and is now a total of 24,000 square feet dedicated purely to Airsoft. Exhibitor stands from leading manufacturers and retailers will be crammed with products and it provides a great opportunity to speak with the professionals and get the latest news and information. There will be plenty of opportunity to get up close and personal with all the latest kit and chat to the people involved in airsoft on a day to day basis.

Exhibitors already confirmed include: Airsoft Zone, Badgertac, Band of Brothers, CQC Airsoft, Dave’s Custom Airsoft, Epic Militaria, International Armour, JD Airsoft, Just BB’s, Land Warrior, Nova Vista, The Grange, Proairsoft Supplies, Redwolf, Stirling Airsoft, TLSX-FX and of course, Airsoft Action will be there too!

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Airsoft is a very “hands on” game and in keeping with this, there are plenty of areas that offer the chance to try it for yourself, such as the 1,000 square meter CQB demonstration area. Run by Stirling Airsoft, one of the UK’s leading Military Simulation companies, you can try your hand at clearing buildings as you assault their custom-built village complete with armoured vehicle support, smoke and grenades - and all the action can be seen on interactive viewing screens, which take you right into the heart of the fight.

There will also be ranges to check out your dynamic shooting skills (against a multitude of targets - and the clock), as well as an AIPSC (Airsoft International Practical Shooting Confederation) and a nine-land shooting range.

With all this plus free to enter competitions, “Show Only” offers, a WW2 military vehicle display and much much more, this show is certainly not to be missed!

Don’t forget, your entry ticket also includes access to the whole British Shooting Show, where you can browse around hundreds of shooting-related stands and other show features.

Advance Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out - either telephone the ticket hotline on 01258 857700 or go to www. britishairsoftshow.com and if you book early, you save money, get in early and get fast entry too.

AA GALLERY READERS PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

RAW War Ian Murdoch -

RAW War Ian Murdoch -

CARTOON THE ADVENTURES OF MAG

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FEBRUARY 2015

AA GALLERY READERS PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY

Ian Murdoch -

RAW War

Ian Murdoch - RAW War

STTS/JD Airsoft Sentinel

Competition winner - Ben Slade

bat Alex Thorpe. Taken at Com Norfolk

r in Thetford Airsoft’s Winter Weekende

INFORMATION Fancy seeing yourself in Airsoft Action?

Send in your photos via email (nige@airsoft-action.co.uk) or share on our Facebook page (/AirsoftAction), plus a few words describing what’s going on in the image.

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FEBRUARY 2015

Matt Widdowson. Taken

at ‘SWAT Fortress Liverpo

ol’ taken by ‘SWAT NUTZ’

Oscar P - Xmas fun

Oscar P - Xmas fun

Oscar P -

Xmas fun

Images taken by Mark Lun

Skirmish

by Mark Lunn @ Images taken 2014 c De th 14 ry nt ve Leicester & Co

n @ Skirmish Leicester &

Coventry 14th Dec 2014

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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HALO, IS IT ME YOU’RE LOOKING FOR? LIKE A COVENANT CRUISER SUDDENLY APPEARING OUT OF SLIPSPACE, THIS RIFLE WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY UNKNOWN TO ALL BUT A FEW PEOPLE. THANKFULLY SCOTT AT AIRSOFT ACTION IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE! SO WITHOUT MUCH FURTHER ADO, WE PROUDLY PRESENT YET ANOTHER WORLD EXCLUSIVE FIRST REVIEW – THE MA5 ASSAULT RIFLE! SO WHO MADE THIS SPECTACLE? Well much like our own futures are surrounded in some mystery, so is the true origins of the MA5 Assault Rifle.

There are certain things we can work out due to some technical detective work; for a start, it’s not based on anything at all. People have tried to liken this to the God-awful Thundermaul, which looked like a child’s effort at melting a rifle into a SMG. Similarly there are a couple of types of Pulse Rifle from the movie Aliens on the go. The cheaper one was made by Snow Wolf, which was built on a Tokyo Marui cloned Thompson then a cloned G&P kit. As a fairly cheap prop, the Pulse Rifle was still overpriced. The plastic was fairly poor but it ticked a box for Aliens fans.

The important thing here is to note once again that the MA5 is scratch built, not a clone, copy or a body kit. That all said the construction and a few internal markers seem to suggest Jing Gong or Snow Wolf parts are indeed used inside.

The packaging and the bodywork gave no clues though, so this could be a new factory just using OEM parts from JG or SW. Safe to say that internally there is a solid beating heart - before we even get anywhere near the really cool stuff!

The MA5 comes in several versions over the Halo series of games and this appears to be an approximation of the “B” version. With this being based off a fictional computer 12

february 2015

game rifle there will always be physical limitations that require reworking. This was also famously found in the Judge Dredd films, the comic helmet design does not really work well in real life because… well comic book heads can be any size you like and real human heads are kinda big. The first thing you notice about the Assault Rifle is the size… and then the weight! It is a bit of a monster at 4.5 kilos, around 800mm long and 250mm high. The overall size is something similar to a larger FN2000

THE ARMOURY WORLD EXCLUSIVE | MA5 ASSAULT RIFLE

“Safe to say that internally there is a solid beating heart - before we even get anywhere near the really cool stuff!”

due to the real game version being a bullpup – which this version isn’t.

Using the fully electronic On/Off/Fire selector the whole rifle, including digital display and lighting system, comes into life.

Normally I would speak a little about the real version but that isn’t really applicable here. Okay it is a tiny amount but it is all fictional so you’ll have to bear with me for the fictitious facts…

The MA5B, much like a real rifle, is said to be air-cooled, gasoperated and fed from a magazine which feeds 7.62 x 51mm in a fully-automatic format. Curiously the people of the future still use the NATO 7.62mm round and clearly the people of the future do not need single shot. The “B” variant uses a 60-round magazine that would weigh just over 2 kilos. “Master Chief” in Halo could carry 660 rounds fed into 11 magazines, that’s 22.5 kilos just in ammunition.

That explains the need for fully automatic, to shed the weight and thankfully the low gravity of Halo meant the extra weight didn’t slow the Master Chief down. The UNSC Marine Corps has used the rifle for 50 years and as it is titanium alloy and polymer, it is very robust for all environments, even space.

Back to the more/less real Airsoft version…

When I opened the box I was pretty darn excited; all of my inner geek had come to life! Finally something that wasn’t a “new” M4/AK or something else that had been done before. As one famous Airsoft tech said “someone really put their balls on the line making this” because it is not a fudge kit over an M4 - better still it looks and feels brilliant.

The balance is right on the money, even though it is a heavy lump the polymers and rubberised plastics are rock solid and thick.

No creaks and warping to be seen anywhere across the bodywork.

Okay the plastic colours are a little shiny but then it is from a game so who cares? It certainly doesn’t look cheap and when you activate the Assault Rifle it sparks into life. Normally I’d never use the word “activate” on an Airsoft rifle but you really do with this replica.

Pushing and holding the fire selector and the blue counter comes alive in a very cool blue double 7-segment display and the bodywork sports a couple of utterly unnecessary bright green LEDs, just like the game version. There are no sights but you can easily look along the top ridge that lines up perfectly to be used as a sight. Hiding under the barrel is a small LED flashlight that is probably the only disappointing feature on the rifle. It’s just not quite bright enough although that said, it wouldn’t be hard to replace.

Naturally I was concerned about the performance of this rifle.

While the gearbox is standard V2/3 parts in a near P90 configuration with an AK-style hop unit, I wouldn’t have wanted to fiddle with it to get it to work. When we popped it open we stood in awe of a

wiring set up that is only rivalled by Systema. There is clear innovation in the design that works really, really well. Sadly some fanboys will complain that it is not a bullpup rifle like the game version but then why should it be? The design would be a nightmare to change magazines with the weight and the feed system would need to be convoluted which means….

Yes you guessed it kids – it’d be rubbish. Think of the ASG Ashbury; stunning rifle with a ridiculously complex (real positioned) magazine loading system that just didn’t work very well, if at all. The Airsoft MA5 magazine loads up at the front in a short 200-round, high-capacity magazine in a quick and easy fashion. This gives you two 95-round loads which we’ll come to in a minute. The battery situation is odd; as well as your standard LiPo or NiMh, it requires a 9v square battery and then the torch takes a AAA battery - hence the candle light performance.

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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When you look at the feature list you won’t see similar in any other rifle, at least not all of them together in a single package. Let’s run through the startup and how it works…

9v battery goes under the butt plate and the dummy “game” magazine at the back holds the battery. In our case we opted for an 11.1v LiPo to see what it could do. The magazine held around 200 rounds and we wound it on fully. There is a little fire selector on the right hand side, depressing this for a couple of seconds and all the lights come to life. The counter reads 0. We load the magazine in and the counter jumps to 95. As much as we hate to, we use single shot first to set the hop. The first round double taps; one dry fire and then a round. This raised questions on how the system works and then we realised how brilliantly clever it is! The round counter feeds from the end of the barrel through a light gate, much like a chronograph or tracer silencer unit. Because the system (and the word “system” is correct here) didn’t detect a round, it allows another to fire. Once it detected the round passing through, it electronically cuts the gearbox. So unlike a PTW which “feels” when the magazine is empty (which doesn’t always work in mucky mags) this actually counts the BBs going down the barrel. That is staggeringly innovative and clever.

Is it very complicated? Not really - but the best things never are. Once the counter hits zero the electronics take over again and stop the rifle from firing.

Remove the magazine and place it back in and you are back up to 95. It is worth noting that magazine removal keeps the counter at zero, this is due to a small sensor in the magazine well. No magazine no firing. I did find you had to wind the magazine on a little to get to the end of the second load but not much. Fully automatic gave around 900 rounds a minute, not staggeringly fast but certainly quick enough. The microswitch trigger was snappy too.

There is a sea of wiring inside and electronics which are nicely sealed in the body so no moisture issues should arise during game play.

At the time of writing I couldn’t get any spare magazines which was a shame and being just before Christmas there wasn’t a chance to skirmish this before a game. I did give it a fair few thousand rounds down the range

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THE ARMOURY WORLD EXCLUSIVE | MA5 ASSAULT RIFLE

and it never once missed a beat. I suspect it’ll raise eyebrows on any game site if even for the price… seven hundred hard-earned pounds is a hell of a lot of money. Or is it?

I mean this is innovative. Unlike the Thundermaul or the Pulse Rifle this is bespoke, not just a clamp on kit. I am tempted to use the “lip stick on a pig” phrase to describe the Thundermaul, whereas the Assault Rifle is a thing of beauty. The features, design and performance are all quite staggering. Okay it’s not a PTW but then PTWs are slightly overrated in my opinion. They are very good out of the box and consistent but then the prices are bonkers these days. You could argue that the Assault Rifle is plastic and the PTW is metal. Yes again but its cast metal which isn’t the strongest and I’d bet that the MA5 is just as tough if not stronger. No, it’s not wallet friendly but it is very skirmishable and it is very good on the performance charts. The groupings at 25 metres were easily within 4-6 inches and with heavier ammo I don’t think you’d have any trouble hitting targets out to 50 metres.

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CONCLUSION I absolutely love what has been done here - it’s fresh and it’s good but it is very expensive. It changes it from a nice little extra for the collection and moves it into the die-hard fan niche.

They will only ever be produced in limited numbers and there were only 15 released to Europe, so they are certainly collectable. When you see that Inokatsu make a $1,200 1911 then why not go for the Assault Rifle? You’d use it a lot more that’s for sure. It really is all about justifying it to yourself and people who dismiss it as “crap” really need to pull their heads out of their backsides and research before jumping on their mighty keyboards of Airsoft doom and gloom. It’s never going to be SF MilSim and the price is off-putting but the collection wants it even - if your wallet doesn’t.

I utterly love it!

features SHORT MOTOR STEEL GEARS LAST METAL TOOTH PISTON SILVER WIRING QUICK RELEASE SPRING ELECTRONIC FIRE SELECTOR / ON AND OFF SWITCH ELECTRONIC SHOT FIRED DETECTION SYSTEM MOSFET MANUAL SAFETY CATCH MAGAZINE DETECTION SYSTEM FOR RELOADS STOPS ON 0 ROUNDS 95 ROUND COUNTER WEIGHT 4.5KG LENGTH 800MM HEIGHT 250MM 350FPS WITH 0.20G BLASTER RRP £730 www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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PRECISION DEATH “HITLER’S BUZZSAW” WAS A TERRIFYING AND FEARSOME MACHINE TO STAND AGAINST BUT SCOTT ALLAN ASKS “DOES THE AGM VERSION HAVE TWO BALLS, OR LIKE HITLER… JUST THE ONE?” AIRSOFT World War II weaponry has slowly expanded over the years and it is surprising that the MG42 hasn’t been produced in the last ten, although certainly it has been rumoured for the last 8 years. Well now it is here; made by AGM and you can be damned sure we were excited to get it out and tested.

WHO ARE AGM? AGM are a Chinese low to mid-range brand. They initially produced the MP40, which was amazingly good value even though it wasn’t a brilliant rifle. It gave players a cost-effective choice if they wanted to play German WWII and use something other than a poor performing gas blowback, or a Tokyo Marui Thompson. The potential for problems with this system are fairly high but externally it looks nearly perfect.

So why the MG42?

The MG42 is an iconic piece of engineering, so good that it is still used today by a few different armed forces. This is an aluminium and steel constructed replica that sports real wooden parts and it certainly pays homage to its real cousin.

The heavy and long design of the MG42 should set pulses racing as this budget support weapon is fairly wallet friendly.

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THE REAL STEEL The real MG42 is a 7.92mm, 1200 rounds per minute machine of precision death. With quick change barrels and small crews required to operate it, it ensured that fewer troops could carry more weapons which could lay down more fire.

When you run simple maths like that you can see why the German forces did so well for so long.

Having had the pleasure and sheer joy to fire the real version at the 2014 Shot Show, I can tell you which end I’d rather be on… The range warden did say “lean right into it” and after pumping out a few belts on the GPMG and the M60 E4, I figured I easily had this in the bag. I was wrong! I leant right into it, bipod straining forward and

THE ARMOURY AGM MG42

“The real MG42 needed a three man crew but you should happily be able to buzz around your site with relative ease, setting up and moving whenever you see fit.”

unleashed what I expected to be a 3-5 round burst. Before I could blink the bipod was raising and I was being driven back. I eased off the trigger holding my aim to count around 15 shells still bouncing around the range. I smiled, tightened my grip and leaned in even further.

The MG42 was not only a more efficient design of the already great MG34 but it was a leap forward in warfare. The contending Allied weapons were seriously out of date from slow to change military forces. Safe to say it was a pivotal weapon in the history of warfare and redefined the general purpose machine gun role.

out-ranged by a MP5K. Sadly this is where so many Chinese mass-made weapons fall down generally. Cheap production means corners are cut (sometimes whole sides) and AGM are as guilty of this as any of the others. I’m not knocking them by any means but you must be aware when buying Chinese you are taking a little bit of a gamble. Good companies who sell the product will offer you a warranty and better companies will test rifles before they are shipped to you.

THE AIRSOFT VERSION Externally it is a big old beast (as you would naturally expect) but when I assembled the whole thing what did surprise me was the lack of weight.

At 6.5 kilos it is considerably lighter and therefore much more skirmishable than all other MGs on the market. The finish on it is unassumingly brilliant too, the black is a smooth satin finish (which would take weathering really well if one was so inclined) and the wood looks solid and pleasantly finished.

The cocking handle looked nice but when fitted it kind of just flopped about like a dead fish; a shame as a good, tightly sprung version would have set it off even better.

Performance for a support weapon is paramount. There is little point in wasting your hard-earned cash by lugging a heavy and cumbersome beast around, only to find you are www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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This saves you a huge amount of hassle when you could order from overseas, only to find the tin foil wiring held in place with chewing gum has come loose. I have found some bizarre things in Chinese gearboxes over the years, the most weird was a dead fly and tiny pebbles like the ones you find in a fish tank - and that is no lie!

Internally there are a few things I’ve come to expect from AGM and I wasn’t really surprised by the quality but the M249 style gear box which this uses is a great design and this version has the quick change spring which is helpful. The MG42 gearbox also splits (a little like an ICS M4) which is also handy. The trigger has two separate switches when you pull it. Firstly a micro switch that activates the box magazine to wind and then secondly a standard trigger contact to fire. The gearbox typically had much more grease than required and I also found the shimming to be sketchier than a MP’s expenses sheet.

On paper and to look at, the MG42 is a fantastic bit of kit and if you want to go down the WWII German Airsoft route, I’d be sorely tempted by this. That said, there are things I would do before I skirmished it that I will cover later. However a plus point is the battery space available is quite good and we easily fitted in a 1450mah 11.1v LiPo battery, unlike the recent MG34 design which didn’t really take into account that it needed to be powered by a battery.

As I mentioned previously, AGM, like a lot of Chinese companies, are a bit hit and miss with their Quality Assurance. A hit and you’ll get a really great quality rifle for a very respectable price; get a bad one and you can be lucky if it will fire. The issues I had with the MG42 almost straightaway were the box magazine had winding issues and the hop up didn’t work at all.

Nothing major then…. But that said, it didn’t take long for the tech team to get them all back up and running – a bonus if you have a tech team on hand yet a real bummer if you don’t have much technical knowledge. This is why UK purchasing can be so handy for these brands, make it someone else’s problem straight off the bat. A good company will have test fired the whole thing to ensure it works rather than the Hong Kong fire and forget issue. The box magazine is okay but, as with all box magazines, you may have to opt for a lower voltage and a slower rate of fire to suit the winding speed of your magazine. I think a high-cap box magazine can sometimes be less hassle than an iffy electric magazine, especially a Chinese one.

IN THE FIELD It is genuinely light enough for me to extend it out single handed. I couldn’t run and shoot that way obviously but it’ll give you an idea of what is achievable. The real MG42 needed a three man crew but you should happily be able to buzz around your site with relative ease, setting up and moving whenever you see fit. The length may not be suitable for all sites mind you and the only time you’d want it indoors would be for storage.

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CONCLUSION It is an utterly ridiculous, long and iconic nice support weapon and I don’t play WWII Airsoft, so why do I want this so badly?

Partly because the engineering behind the real version was so spot on that it has rightfully held its place in firearms history. I am no stranger to having a tech rebuild a gearbox to make sure it is entirely smooth and sweet at the point of purchase. For the sake of a few quid more I could go from hit and miss performance to a really solid and intimidating platform.

The WWII re-enacting scene love this type of gear too, as even a deactivated MG42 can go for £800 so it provides a more cost effective option for those events. In short it really is good value, it looks fantastic and if you can ensure you have a good one it shouldn’t let you down.

LIST OF FEATURES EXCELLENT EXTERNAL METAL FINISH GOOD WEIGHT BUT NOT OVERLY HEAVY REAL WOOD STOCK FOLDING STEEL BIPOD ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS MOCK CHARGING HANDLE LENGTH 1.2 METRES WEIGHT 6.5 KILOS MAGAZINE CAPACITY 2500 ROUNDS FPS 360 WITH BLASTER 0.20G BB RRP £550

OPERATION NORDLICHT CHRIS WRIGHT REPORTS FROM THE A WW2 GAME, WHERE RUSSIANS AND GERMANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN 1942…

LIKE ALL GREAT AIRSOFT DAYS, THIS STORY STARTS IN A MCDONALDS… A group of us from the 34th Infantry WW2 airsoft team have met up near Keele. It’s 07.30 and we are getting some strange looks as a couple of my friends are trying to figure out how to put Russian gaiters on. The weather, after a week of rain, is nice and sunny and the forecast is good. We set off and make our way to Gunman Stoke; “The Hill”, some folks have camped the night before and are up bright and early. Normally we tend to play American infantry but today it’s the second part of an ongoing storyline from the 900 Days Group, who are a group of players running Eastern Front airsoft games. Last year in Part One we played Russian but today we are mixed bunch, some of us on the Russian side and some, myself included, on the German side - and the banter has already started.

This game is set in the Autumn of 1942. The German army has captured the hills overlooking Leningrad but both sides have depleted numbers due to the battle so far. The Germans are trying to move their artillery forward and the Russians are trying to regroup and hold the line and, if possible, counter-attack the invading forces.

Looking around as we got ready it seemed that the Russians had rallied well as they seemed to outnumber the Germans but I was sure with our superior training, we would be fine. Well, that and a couple of MG42s, mines and artillery! The Russians had higher numbers and whistles (though at this time we did not know about the whistles).

After a safety brief and a quick rundown of the site, the Russians moved out to their base which was unknown to us and were issued ammo. For this game no player

brought any ammo, he was issued some from a limited amount in little cardboard ammo boxes (a nice touch). Every player was also given a pyro grenade. For rifles you were given 50 rounds, SMGs 100 rounds and support weapons 500 and our depleted squad of 5 Gebirgsjager (German mountain troops) collected our ammo. Between us we had 4 gas KAR98s and me with my ICS M1 Garand. I never really noticed how few BBs 50 is - so much so I counted them thinking I had been short changed but it turned out I had not.

We set off to our base which was only 200 feet away but up a large, steep slope. This would have been fine apart from having to get an MG42 on a tripod and 2 artillery pieces up there. After much shoving and pulling we got to our base and took stock of our position. We believed any Russian attack would come from the west side so we deployed our artillery facing that way.

Our first job after a quick breather was to set up defences in case of attack. Convinced that any would attack from the west, the other squad of Germans set out on a mission to deploy a mine field and barbed wire, while we started to build a barricade out of anything we could find and set up a defensive position covering the western flank. With an MG42 and a nice supply of grenades at the ready and up the hill to our right, a second MG42 on the tripod behind sandbags, the Russians would be in for a shock if they attacked.

By the time we had finished the other squad had returned, so we set off on patrol to try and gather any “Intel” we could on enemy locations or movement but just as we had moved out we ran into a Russian patrol, they outnumbered us and had the high ground and engaged.

We were pinned down and returned fire. One of the Kar98s got an early kill as we heard the scream of the first Russian to fall

“THE WHISTLES BLEW AND THE RUSSIAN HORDE CHARGED. WE OPENED UP WITH EVERYTHING WE HAD BUT AS SOON AS WE KILLED ONE RUSSIAN ANOTHER TOOK HIS PLACE.”

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and straight after I got my first kill when a Russian popped out behind a tree and did not see me. But then their numbers and high ground advantage began to tell, with two of my unit falling to their fire. We managed to deploy a smoke grenade to provide us with some cover and bandage the injured. The Russians seeing they had the advantage started to push down the hill but they had failed to notice that the fire fight had attracted the attention of the second German unit! The flanking Germans managed to manoeuvre behind them and tore right through, leaving no one alive.

After a few quick words of thanks and a quick ammo check we moved out and after about 5 minutes we saw a group of Russians in what we thought may have been a base. After observing them for a while we marked their location down on our map and continued our patrol. We soon came across a Russian minefield (which we also recorded the position of) and set off back to base to report our findings. Almost immediately we saw a large Russian patrol heading our way and being heavily out-gunned, we took cover and let them pass us by. As soon as they had gone we carried on back to base to report all of our findings to our officer.

On our return I managed to restock my ammo and we grabbed a quick snack (there was no lunch break, it was eat when you could). With the intel provided to our officers, they asked both squads to each send a two-man patrol to check out a couple of areas to see if any Russians were there. However, due to a breakdown in communications, the other squad sent a patrol of 8 out and left 2 behind, leaving only 5 of us and 2 officers defending our position.

For a short while all was fine, until the moment we heard the sound of whistles along our east and south east flanks! A Russian horde appeared from the woods and charged towards us. With our artillery and main MG facing the other way and being outnumbered about 4-1, we rushed to defend our position.

I grabbed the MG42 which was beside me and with another Gebirgsjager took cover in a small ditch facing the enemy attack.

I opened up with the MG42, felling 2 Russians straight away and this held up the south east attack as they went to ground. We turned to face the eastern attack and fired at the enemy once again felling a couple of Russians. Like their comrades they went to ground as the remaining Germans took defensive positions. Again the whistles blew and the Russian horde charged. We opened up with everything we had but as soon as we killed one Russian

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another took his place. With concentrated fire and support from the MG42 we forced the Russians to ground again on a ridge just above us, within spitting distance of the second MG42. This time the Russians were taking no chances as they patched up their wounded; smoke grenades began to come over the ridge as well as grenades. Lucky for us they were dropping short of where we were dug in. We had managed to stall them but ammo was getting low. Every time the Russians popped up their heads we would send a small burst their way - but it was just a matter of time. Half of our defensive force was lost already and again smoke dropped over the ridge. With the MG42 running low on ammo I crawled to my rifle. Just as I got to it I found that the Russians had got behind us. Almost surrounded and with rounds flying in every direction, I was shot in the back. Soon after, my fellow Gebirgsjager was shot as well. We could do nothing but lie wounded as our position was over-run.

The enemy force managed to get explosives to our artillery pieces and blow them up but before they could inflict worse damage on our base we were saved. Our patrols had returned and were now flanking the Russian horde; with them not knowing the numbers attacking their flanks, the whistles blew again and the

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Russians melted away back into the woods from where they had come.

After the enemy withdrew, the returning patrols tended to the wounded and we took stock of the situation. The Russians had managed to destroy our artillery which was a heavy blow but they did not have time to gather our intel. While the attack was devastating, there was some good news... As the Russians were attacking in high numbers our patrols had found the Russian base, including a map marked with all of their positions and supply areas.

We managed to grab a quick snack as we restocked our ammo and prepared to go out on patrol to check out a couple of locations shown on the captured map. This time we were taking no chances - the MG42 and a bag of grenades were coming with us!

It was during the patrol I realised how challenging this site was.

It was very up and down with mixed terrain and with four by fours using this site on some weekends, it had some huge tracks to cross over, which made it great to patrol and fight across and quite different to a lot of sites I had played at. The idea of the patrol was to loop around the area in one direction, with the other squad going the other way and hopefully hitting the Russians from both flanks.

Twice we encountered a couple of Russian scouts but we managed to sneak past them and head to our target, which was one of the Russian supply bases. When we arrived we found it to be empty of supplies so we resumed our patrol. Not long after we heard a fire fight close by and we saw that the other German squad had been engaged by a large contingent of the enemy so we closed in on their rear. The Gods were against us again and some Russians who had been back to their base to regen hit our flank. After a quick fight they over-ran us, but at great cost to them.

After the enemy had passed we headed back to our base where we stocked up on ammo and supplies for a final assault on the main enemy base. Both squads set out together. As we got closer we encountered small pockets of enemy resistance which were trying to slow us down to allow their main force to get back to their base. It worked; forcing a large fight all around the enemy base with attack and counter attack by both sides until we slowly whittled the enemy down to a handful remaining in their base, which we then over-ran! Later on the way back I found out that

most of the remaining Russians had no ammo left or were down to just a few rounds.

We all then headed back to the safe zone for the normal war stories as we changed and packed up and I have to admit I was shattered! I had not expected the site to be so physically challenging and felt I could have just rolled up into a ball and gone to sleep there. It was nice to play on a site which was very different to most sites I play at and what a great day it was too. Looking around at the faces of the other players, the smiles and the banter all indicated they all felt the same.

A lot of hard work had been put into this game by the organisers and it had paid off. I was a bit worried about such small ammo limits but it worked out well and the Russians players I talked with loved how they fought literally to the last round during the final battle. Had their ammo carrier made it through the hail of MG42 fire that had cut him down, they felt they could have held out until the end.

So many thanks to all those that ran this game, myself and many more look forward to Part 3 in 2015.

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THE AULD ENEMY ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR HITS ITS 7TH BIRTHDAY, AS SCOTT ALLAN REPORTS PICS: STEPHEN REYNOLDS (DIRECTOR WHO SHOT THE MOVIE VENDETTA)!

FROM ENGLAND V SCOTLAND 2014 STIRLING AIRSOFT have been running airsoft events in the UK and Spain for well over ten years now. They are said to be the best in the business hosting the biggest events, with the best scenarios on the best game sites available. They are unique in the fact that they have no home site or direct affiliation with anyone and this gives them great flexibility.

Their game styles vary from event to event. While they are all “MilSim” to some extent, they do run open events that anyone can attend and take part. How much you get out depends on how much you put in. The highest level is the combat mission games that often lean toward the role-playing, so forget the running around crazy spraying everyone. The events held in Spain are the best games I have ever played, extremely immersive with role-playing (which isn’t my thing normally) and with more thought involved – including using translators!

The England V Scotland event was standing at three games a-piece, so the pressure was on both sides to get the fourth win. Scotland has never been ahead in games as England has successfully broken the tie each time. To date no side has ever won two games in a row so the outlook was fairly bleak for Scotland, even though in 2013 they had a landslide victory.

The battlefield of choice is the Catterick Garrison training village which Stirling have used for many years.

They hold around five events there every year, including the Auld Enemy game. The training village is an old housing estate converted for police and military training, which offers a great range of terrain in a compact format, from rubble-ridden assault courses, burnt-out armoured vehicles, houses and tunnel networks, plus a multi-storey tower

block. The perimeter of the area is light woodland that allows great creativity with the tactics teams deploy during a game. You can have your snipers hold the woods, supported by support weapon platforms and as you enter the buildings you can go all door-kicking and grenade-slinging! This makes the event very tough to manage for the team commanders as the players you have sign on come from a variety of different backgrounds.

The event came around seven years ago, from the Stirling Christmas game. It was always an “invite-only” game and more and more people from Scotland began attending, due to Catterick only being a few hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Matt Belgrove, Stirling’s owner and organiser, then approached me to ask about running it as a competition. Now I’ve always been up for a competition and thought competitive airsoft was a good idea.

The first year saw a foot of snow across the site and Scotland were embarrassingly crushed beneath the English heavy boot. It really felt like history repeating itself. We were outmatched and outplayed at every single turn, we knew we had to do better in the future. The main teams on the Scottish side spent more and more time looking at what we did and how we worked and over the years they got better and better. The win in 2013 was the most convincing to date for Scotland but, just because you did well one year does not give you the right to win the next and, if anything, the history of the event showed the exact opposite. Given that I was the Scottish Commander in 2013 there was some expectation (if only a personal one) that we should achieve a good result again… Shouldn’t we?

Naturally with airsoft (and like real warfare) the game is never totally even. To prevent any single team being given a perceived advantage, coins are tossed for which camouflage is worn (greens or deserts) and which side of the site each team starts

“THE ENGLISH SIDE WAS SWITCHED ON FROM THE GET GO ON THE SUNDAY, THIS SHOWED AS THEY HAMMERED IN THE POINTS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. BOTH TEAMS WERE EATING UP THE MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES QUICKLY AND THE POINTS EVENLY CLIMBED.”

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on. To the eastern side lies “Regen 1”, the main safe area and accommodation. To the west lies the “Regen 2” area, which has a slight advantage of being on higher ground and gives you better access across the site. The site is nearly a classic “keyhole” shape, with Regen 1 being at the base and Regen 2 being at the top. The Regen points can be used by either team and when it is open for a team at one side, the opposite side is open for the other team.

Then both shut for 5 minutes and switch around. This keeps the flow of battle moving and prevents a solid front line being formed.

If anything the front lines often look like the contours of Ben Nevis - and that’s being optimistic!

The scene is set, the players sign up then the best part happens – the Friday night social! It’s no secret that the English used to, in part anyway, count on a large Scottish knees up happening. Sleep deprived and feeling rough is definitely the enemy of choice if you can have them. The social evening is an important part as airsoft is a social game and it gives both sides a chance to catch up as friends where North and South have a few beers and a laugh.

With 88 players signed to the English side wearing desert gear and 78 to the Scottish side in green gear, the game kicks off at 11am on the Saturday. This gives time for breakfast, general safety brief which covers site specifics, such as no full-auto indoors and then there is a team specific brief just before game on. The way each team is managed is a personal choice of the Commander.

Ben Watt, the English commander is a good friend and has probably commanded more Catterick events than I have played, so I know he will not give us any leeway. Any mistakes that are made by either side are quickly exploited and pushed on. Then you are in the poo… big time! The trick is not being on the back foot at any time on the event but that is easier said than done.

The first objectives are a row of split buildings that run straight North to South through the site. As well as being worth 30 points, they give maximum control of the area with minimal effort. It’s a thin green line that we have to try and hold at all costs, the Regen is pretty far so any man we lose means he is gone for at best 5-10 minutes and a well organised team can overrun a position in that time. Due to an overzealous assault by the Scottish team, they left a building unoccupied so failed to score points. This meant of a possible 30 points we achieved 10 - but prevented England from gaining any points whatsoever.

Most of the afternoon was toe to toe fighting for both teams, a real slugging match. The firefights were thick and always fast,

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teams thought and fought on the fly. This is where your side can unravel and it was at this point in 2013 that England fell apart quickly, thankfully for the English side, this time they stayed coherent throughout the afternoon, even as Scotland nudged ahead slightly.

Being a December game you are always against the light, even the buildings are dark early on so you quickly need to rely on a torch of some sort. Many players sport night vision of various types that can begin to get frustrating for some players. That said it is all about adapting what you do at night: Move in areas you know are secure and if you suspect there is enemy in an area, treat it as hostile. Often I have seen players from both teams wander aimlessly up to a hedge full of the enemy only for them to be cut to ribbons in seconds under a hail of torch light, grenades and weapon fire. Night fighting happens closer and identifying friend from foe becomes a bigger issue.

Scotland began the evening campaign with a slight lead, a lead that could quickly crumble and be lost if the team lost direction. Night fighting at this event is fought on multiple levels and coldness, fatigue, frustration and even a healthy dose of fear are all things you have to deal with before you have even found

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an enemy player. The fighting always concentrates around a few key buildings, the best fight by far was around the multi-storey tower block. With a huge stairwell, room top and basement to fight and clear it is a challenge during the daytime. In the evening it is practically a minefield. Both teams lost scores of players taking and retaking the ground levels. The English side really worked well clearing the tower, sweeping out the Scottish side a few times. The last points in the evening were only narrowly missed by England due to a last minute QRF coming in from the Scottish team that saw the building contested.

Unfortunately the Saturday had a 20-odd minute halt, as a Sandy had slipped and dislocated his elbow and that saw the Scottish side down a good player. At least we got to see him before the paramedics escorted him off and tease him about letting us down. The gas and air kept him chirpy enough to kindly advise us where we could go and jump and that we had better bloody not lose!

At the end of a confusing evening of much blue on blue, the Scottish team ended with a good score just over double England’s 50 -105. The marshals commented that without so many blue on blues the Scottish side would have run amok. There is little that can be done to prevent this - regardless of challenge and responses, different camouflages between sides, the fact that you have a torch and everyone has regional accents… If someone is convinced you are the enemy there is little you can do to prevent blue on blue happening. Often we would move from the Regen area to a target building perhaps 150 metres away and lose half the guys on the way. I have often wondered how many get lost or just decide to try something different.

The end of the evening sees a chance to get some much needed food and to take on plenty of fluids. A quick chat with the marshal team to see if there are any serious issues that need resolved. The first day has run pretty smoothly play-wise, there are always frustrated calls from each side but nothing major and the play seems to be solid for each country. Its 1am, we rise at 6.30 to head out for 7am. Curling up in my sleeping bag I don’t think a whole thought passes through my head before I sleep.

Babies don’t sleep this well…

Then I doubt babies are woken up by a 6’ 9” jock asking me if I’m having a long lie! A quick coffee and an energy bar and put on all my gear. Swapping out socks and underwear is a religious habit

at these games and I am very thankful I filled all my magazines and swapped over batteries before bed to save me thinking too hard first thing.

There is something wretched about getting up in the cold and damp, to get dressed into cold clothes and to get ready to fight - and it’s still very dark. Game-on was at 7.30am and happily the first signs of light were creeping across the site. We had held a building the night before so this is where we started the next day, gratefully it was a target building for an early objective so we knew it was in the bag. The English team had locked down Building 45 at the far end of the site, an open garage building. It’s a tough building to take and defend in equal measure. We hit it continually for a sustained period but we couldn’t wear down the solid defence. It was a slight dent in the moral for our team but the momentum kept up. Various fire fights were popping up all over the site but we were consistently hitting the points we needed.

The English side was switched on from the get go on the Sunday, this showed as they hammered in the points time and time again.

Both teams were eating up the multiple objectives quickly and the points evenly climbed.

Ultimately at 11am, the final whistle was blown. With the points scoring it was impossible for England to catch Scotland from 9.30am on the Sunday but with great spirit they fought on regardless and treated each objective like it was the last winning point.

The final objective saw Scotland holding one area and England locking down two areas. Regardless of the big push that Scotland made they couldn’t get the traction to uproot England’s foothold.

It made little change to the final outcome but it certainly showed how tough both sides were willing to play regardless of scores.

The final scores were: England 95 – 160 Scotland Players KIA: England 1832 – 1967 Scotland The final brief for congratulations all round saw the handover of the “Stirling Shield”, which will spend another 12 months on display at Land Warrior Airsoft in Edinburgh!

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Gear Overview KIT AND KABOODLE

KIT AND KABOODLE RICHARD BELL, AKA FIREBASE-ALPHA, DOES HIS REGULAR ROUNDUP OF KIT THAT HAS CAUGHT HIS EYE Haley Strategic Partners For me personally, the Haley Strategic Partners reputation for high quality gear and equipment has been growing since the release of the D3CR (Disruptive Environments Chest Rig) in early 2013. My thoughts on the D3CR have already been well documented but I have been fortunate to get hands on with some other bits of gear from HSP recently.

I have had the “INCOG Discreet Rifle Case” for about 2 months now and it currently holds my D3CR (fully loaded) as well as my PTS RM4 ERG, although at a recent event it contained my G&G AKSU74. Currently it is only available in the “Disruptive Grey” colour, constructed out of 1000D with YKK zippers and Velcro placed conveniently to increase both load as well as the versatility for a user’s specific requirement. I hope to do a larger, more detailed review of the HSP gear after SHOT SHOW 2015. The 2nd pieces of gear that I have been using quite extensively, especially in such mild and sunny weather are the “Gasket” model sunglasses from Liquid Eyewear. The most notable design feature of these glasses is that they are hinge-less, something that I had not come across before. They are CNC machined out of aircraft grade aluminium making them incredibly lightweight, very strong but also durable, to a point, to allow a very comforting fit to the users head. You have two choices for lenses; the ones I have been using are the polarised non-ballistic lenses; however you can get transitional ballistic rated ‘Hellfire’ lenses. Overall I really like the HSP Liquid Gasket sunglasses and although I may not fully use the INCOG rifle case in the role it was originally designed for, it is a great piece of gear and certainly makes life easier with everything I would need stowed in one simple, compact case.

UK Distributor: Tactical Kit UK Retailers: Tactical Kit and Land Warrior Airsoft

Griffin Technologies Protective Cases I wonder how many of you got some new “Tech” from Santa this year? I know that our household just increased the strain on Wi-Fi as well as increased the stress element for damaging our new toys.

For me the one company that has provided a sense of relaxation is Griffin Technologies.

I started using their “Survivor” protective case for my iPhone over 4 years ago and as the technology increased, so did the number of protective cases. We now have two iPhones, one iPad mini and an iPod all utilising their systems and to date not one incident! We have had drops, bangs, spills, submersions, overnight back garden stints as well as skirmishes, travel, work and several other events not to be repeated and no problems.

The key features of the Survivor series are Shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame, shockabsorbing silicone, Screen protector and Sealed plugs for connectors and ports. When I first got my case they were not available in the UK however that has now changed and most stores stock these and other cases from Griffin Technologies. Regardless of your thoughts on the Griffin systems I would strongly advise you to look at the protective case you may have/ have not and ask if it’s up to the task. There are many companies out there producing cases of a similar nature and for me it has been a worthwhile investment.

Manufacture: Griffin Technology

Magnum “Scorpion” Patrol Boots These were sent to me a few months back by Military1st and I have to be honest and say, I did question why I was being sent a pair of desert patrol boots to rural Scotland in Autumn/Winter time. However, me being me I just addressed my choice in sock and adhered to my winter foot regime and cracked on with using them.

I can recall the first Magnum Hi-Tec boot coming out over a decade ago and they were a beautiful boot, so I had high expectations of these and guess what? They meet them and more! The combination of breathable 1150D and leather makes for a very light weight but very hardy boot that also allows for very quick drying. Some of the other features include a reinforced toecap, anti-microbial treatment, cambrelle lining, speed lacing eyelets and high traction outsole. Overall as a non-waterproof boot they have performed exceptionally in this current climate and I can only envisage that performance will increase as we move into hotter seasons.

Retailer: Military1st 30

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SMALL ARMS OF THE SUPER POWERS

CONTINUING HIS COMPARATIVE SERIES, GARETH “GADGE” HARVEY TAKES A LOOK AT NATO AND WP SOLDIER’S PERSONAL WEAPONRY

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WORLD WAR II LEFT A DRASTIC CHANGE on the face of modern warfare. The age of the bolt action rifle was over and in both the East and the West the search was on for the next generation of personal weapon.

In this month’s article we’ll continue our short series on comparative equipment of the major players in the cold war era.

This issue we’ll be looking at the assault rifles, battle rifles, SMGs and other small arms commonly in service with the Warsaw Pact and NATO. Prior to the Second World War nearly every army in the world equipped its soldiers with long magazine fed (albeit small internal five round magazines or short removable 10 round box mags) rifles capable of engaging an enemy up to kilometre or more away. This emphasis on a large, heavy rifle round and extreme range was perhaps a throwback to colonial warfare and the hard lessons learnt in the Boer War but, in WWII it was found that most infantry engagements happened at 800 metres or less. Post-war studies had also found that the accurate but slow firing bolt action had had its day. US designs like the M1 Garand (which would spawn the M14) with semi-auto fire capability and the German Gewehr 43 enabled sections that had lost their light or medium machine guns to totally dominate firefights. Previously, the rifle section had been seen as a means to supply the squad’s one or two light machine guns with ammo to supress an enemy before an assault could be made but, with the introduction of lightweight automatic and semi-automatic rifles, cheap to manufacture SMG’s and even the world’s first “assault rifles”, the bolt action had become a liability.

The first true “assault rifles” came late into WWII in the shape of the German MP43/44. A fully automatic rifle looking (superficially) like a primitive AK47 with a large curved magazine but most importantly, it fired a relatively new type of cartridge.

The short “intermediate” or Kurtz 7.92 round combined the range and stopping power (to a degree) of a rifle round but was lighter to carry, enabling the MP43/44 “sturm gewehr” (German: Storm Rifle) to be used as a powerful alternative to the sub machine gun.

By the end of WWII the Germans were equipping entire platoons of men with hastily produced MP44s (Machine Pistol 44) hoping to trade off the massive allied superiority in men and equipment with increased firepower. A ten-man section with MP44 was worth more than a platoon of men with bolt action rifles in a firefight.

LEARNING THE LESSONS OF WWII After the war the Russians were the first to seize onto this German innovation by creating the classic Kalashnikov automatic rifle, model 1947 – or the AK47. Superficially this looked like the German MP44 but worked on different mechanical principles; the effect however was the same… a massive amount of firepower in the hands of each soldier.

With a huge conscript army, the AK47 was perfect for the Soviet Union. It was simple (with few moving parts and a near indestructible build), it had a high rate of fire and used en masse was effective. Its loose tolerances and large (by western standards) gaps between moving parts meant that it could fire when other guns would fail with fouling from dirt and carbon build up; although this did make it somewhat inaccurate. It was also, in its initial form, very heavy. The AK would see several major changes through the Cold War years. Initially the heavy milled steel receivers were replaced with lighter stamped steel constructions and a compensator applied to the muzzle. This used the vented gasses from firing to push the rifle down and reduced its tendency to climb when fired on automatic. This model is commonly known as the AKM (M for modified) In fact the rifle itself exemplified Warsaw Pact (WP) doctrine.

Overwhelming short range firepower. Unlike most western weapons which cycle from “safe”, through “single shot” to “automatic”,’ the AK47 (and the lightened AKM) goes straight from “safe” to “give it loads” with the safety catch doubling as the bolt’s dust cover… sheer utilitarian genius. The Soviet Union allowed its Warsaw Pact member states to make their own domestic version of this classic rifle and, with the exception of the Czechoslovakian Vz.58, even the Chinese would copy the design of the AK with their Type 56 rifle. The differences between them were largely cosmetic, meaning an exceptional level of cross training and parts commonality across the WP easing logistical problems dramatically. Rather than concentrate a new SMG, the old WWII PPSH and similar models found their way into police and rear line units as the AK could do everything an SMG could… and more.

Towards the end of the Cold War the Soviet Union decided to follow NATO’s lead with developing a lighter infantry round (more of this later) and created the AK74, a 5.54mm rebuild of the tried and tested frame. A few concessions were made in the creation www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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his predecessors. In the field however the M16 was found to suffer from catastrophic design flaws which would take at least a decade to iron out, poorly trained conscripts often used full automatic fire in a panic as the “default” and wasted their extra ammunition - and the reliance on 7.62 light and medium machine guns meant that the squad still had to carry heavy 7.62mm ammo anyway!

ENTER THE ASSAULT RIFLE These problems were ironed out and later models of M16 had the full auto option replaced with a “three round burst” setting but not before many soldier had lost their lives in Vietnam, found dead with a cleaning rod stuck in the barrel of an M16, or trying desperately to reload one of the two 20 round mags they had been issued with for a rifle with a cyclic rate of 800 rounds per minute! Combat accounts from ‘Nam frequently report the frustration of trying to fight the NVA or VC, who would be carrying up to nine magazines of 30 rounds a piece for their AKMs, while US soldiers initially only carried 40 loaded rounds… the other 400 or so being in plastic bags!

In the UK things were not that much better. While Special Forces (who generally perform reconnaissance and don’t plan to be in a firefight) had adopted the M16 largely due to its light weight benefits, the rest of the army soldiered on with the SLR. Combat experience in the Falklands led the army to believe that a fully automatic rifle was needed and the “small arms for the 1980s” programme was brought into production, with the first SA80s and LSWs entering trials service in 1986. As with the Soviets, the SA80 and its short length replaced the need for dedicated SMG and the “light support weapon” was intended to replace the ageing L4 LMG (a rechambered WWII bren gun!)

of the AKSU for tank and vehicle crews, a compact carbine version of the AK format and recce units and paratroopers were often issued with the folding stock variants of the AK47, AKM and AK74 – generally suffixed with an ‘S’ to donate a folding stock.

SPRAY AND PRAY On the other side of the political spectrum NATO small arms policy was largely led by the USA. Early on NATO had believed that accurate marksmanship was superior to high volumes of automatic fire and most western designs reflect this. Before the formation of NATO, Britain had developed an outstanding bullpup 7mm round, selective fire assault rifle with 4x optical scope, the EM2. The EM2 was clearly a world leader and could give many of today’s weapons a run for their money. However the US Government were set on the heavy 7.62mm round being the “NATO Standard” for all nations to use, for a logistics parity with the Warsaw Pact. While NATO trials were allegedly rigged to show the M14 to be a superior rifle (and this fully automatic “son” of the M1 Garand would be adopted by the US Army for us up to the Vietnam War) few NATO countries had faith in the heavy, overpowered M14 that was difficult to control on full auto. Germany and Spain opted for variants of the Spanish CETME 7.62 rifle while Britain, Belgium and many other nations opted for Fabrique Nationals FN FAL (in British service the option of fully automatic fire was removed and it was sold as the SLR or Self Loading Rifle, again emphasising the British Army’s priority on accuracy over “spray and pray”).

All of these rifles which served NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the 50s, 60s and 70s are what we now call “Battle Rifles”. However experience in the “small wars” in South East Asia led NATO to believe (well more for the US to admit - other nations had known all along) that adopting a 7.62 individual weapon was a mistake. The rounds themselves were heavy - limiting how many could be carried and fully automatic fire was extremely hard to control. Once again NATO looked for a new round and while Britain plumped for a bullpup rifle of 4.85 calibre the US again took the lead in pressuring for a 5.56mm round and the M16 to be adopted by NATO. On paper this seemed a wise choice. The M16 itself was light and had a high rate of fire in its secondary fire mode for emergency use, the 5.56mm round was also very light allowing a soldier to carry much more ammunition than 34

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Like the M16, the SA80 (or more technically correct L85a1) and its LSW brother (L86) were initially disastrous, with reports of rifles falling apart in service and critical parts like firing pins breaking easily.

Many of the worst problems were fixed by unit armourers but it would take a post-Cold War overhaul by Heckler and Koch to make the SA80 the top class assault rifle it is today.

By this point the world had already entered a new phase of personal weapon for the infantry soldier, the “assault rifle”.

Optimised for engagements of around 500 metres (rather than 800 metres or more) and capable of accurate fire or high rate suppressive fire and with a light round the “assault rifle” began to replace the battle rifle in nearly every army’s inventory. The US adopted the M16; The UK the L85 and the as aforementioned, the Soviets made their AK74 for a lighter 5.45 round. France had adopted its own excellent 5.56mm bullpup (the FAMAS) while Germany and other NATO nations persevered with the G3 battle rifle - a revolutionary caseless ammo assault rifle had been trialled by the Germans (the G11) but had been plagued by problems and found to be too expensive to equip across the army.

While it’s impossible to cover the small arms of every Cold War army in a short article I hope that this issue’s Cold War Warriors has shed a little light on the doctrine and politics of cold war firepower.

Of course as airsofters we overlook these small but vital changes in design… well let’s look at it - nearly every one of the dozen AEGs I have fires the same calibre, to the same range and with roughly the same rate of fire! Even my BB weight makes little difference to the amount of kit I’m humping on site but to the grunt in Vietnam these small things were, quite literally, the difference between life and death.

ACES HIGH

LES LEE TRAVELLED TO TUNBRIDGE WELLS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY TO REPORT FROM A SITE THAT IS GETTING A LOT OF INTEREST

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SITE REVIEW ACE COMBAT PEMBURY

HAVING RETURNED FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, I felt compelled to air my views on the frontline combat I had witnessed as any credible embedded journalist would do. While the rest of the civilian world were relaxing on a lazy Sunday, the battle rattle raged on in this Godforsaken rain soaked wilderness.

Well Kent is technically in the East and Pembury is somewhere in the middle, so if you were thinking I had strayed beyond my job description you would be ever-so-slightly wrong and, as much as I love my reporting I would be looking for a bit of a wage increase before I joined the rest of the Western Journalists. Besides, I like my head where it is so thanks but no thanks before anyone asks… but give me a fully loaded Mini gun and I just might be tempted.

So now my bad humour moment is out of the way (maybe), let me tell you about this rather awesome Airsoft site just outside of Tunbridge Wells.

Ace Combat was formed by husband and wife team Liz and Chris Ockendon approximately 10 years ago. Their passion for Airsoft was forged from 15 plus years of playing and they were so enthused with this unique way to spend a well-earned Sunday, they decided to create their very own site and found themselves signing a deal securing a piece of land in Kent, which they were determined to make one of the best Airsoft sites in the South East of England.

That particular theatre is Ace Combat Brenchley but you are going to have to wait a while before I head back out that way, as this review is all about their second site: Ace Combat Pembury. Still in relative infancy by comparison, don’t think for one minute that this is just a quick “make do” of a site because the high standards that are set in stone at Brenchley are emulated in this amazing mix of forest, valleys, babbling brooks and open fields covering approximately 40 acres.

As usual with my regular site reviews (as if there is such a thing as a regular site), let’s start where my reports always begin with; directions - this time taken from the Ace Combat website. The road in is very well detailed and of course, a piece of cake if left to a Sat Nav. It’s when you get to the gateway where, according to the directions, once through the gate I was to follow the red arrows....... So I waited....and waited..... but as impressed and excited as I was, there was still no sign of them. After all the website clearly says ‘follow the red arrows’.

Okay Les, don’t let this little factor jade your judgement as there were probably perfectly good logistical reasons. Maybe they got lost in the clouds or were busy showing their stunts at an air show somewhere but they just didn’t appear. So I had to simply find my own way in with the help of lots of little white directional signs, symbolised with directional arrows painted in..... red.

Anyway, enough of my bad humour, let’s get back on point.

So upon arrival I was able to park right at the front door and there to greet me were Liz and Chris and a considerable number of combatants all raring to go. The safe zone is a well-constructed series of covered wooden buildings which blended in with nature’s

“DELTA MADE IT TO THE BRIDGE WITH HALF THE MISSION TIME TO SPARE. THE ONLY PROBLEM NOW WAS THAT THEY NEEDED TO HOLD THEIR EXFIL. POINT TO THE END - AND THEIR DEFENCE WILL GO DOWN IN THE ANNALS OF HISTORY IN THE MISSION BOOKS.” clearly makes Chris earn his keep so well done Chris, you deserve to be Master of the Marigolds 2014!

Gates open at 08.15 hours and the morning protocol gets underway. After the safety brief, chrono check and formalities, the mission details were released and I must say, the planning that had gone into this single game day would have impressed even Eisenhower himself!

Now this is where this review takes a twist away from my typical and sometimes very “vanilla” style of reporting. This time, as well as the regular overview of another quality site in this corner of the world, I’m going to give you the actual playbook of that day.

As this was Remembrance Sunday, Ace Combat had created some very clever combat roles for every man, woman and child on site.

Nathan Scott, a veteran of some 10 plus years and Head Marshall, is the brains behind the sorties and we have been given exclusive access into this particular event’s objectives and results, including the final scores, so for those strategists amongst you, please enjoy this next section where I hand you over to Nathan.

Missions Format: surrounding woodlands with a kind of Alpine lodge feel about them; dry, solid and very functional. Yes, this safe zone has been very well thought through and every modern day expectation was there, including the purpose-built wooden male and female toilet building, which is the cleanest I have ever seen at any site. Liz

We ran four missions during the day, with a Spec Ops team made up of a quarter of the players from each of the two main teams attempting to get from their infiltration point(s), complete a mission and then get back to an infiltration point, all against the clock and the rest of the adversaries.

Everyone gets the chance to play as part of a Spec Ops team in one of the missions and prove they’ve got what it takes to operate www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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under pressure and against the odds, as it’s up to the team to decide how to tackle their mission.

Each Spec Ops Team is given a Mission Brief which gives them the basics of what they have to do and the team is also briefed by myself.

The Spec Ops Team are then given a 5 minute head start to get to their infil. before the two main teams set off for their start points. The Spec Ops have one set of lives plus an additional self-medic bandage and if they use up all of their lives during their mission they rejoin their Red or Yellow main team as a normal player.

The rest of the team operatives are pitted against each other for the highest kill count, as well as trying to capture the Spec Ops to gain valuable bonus points. At the end of the day we tally the points and give each of the four mission teams a score based on their success – whether they have fully or partially completed the mission and whether they have all, some or none of the players at the exfil. at the end of the mission, and the two main teams based on their logged regens. and how many Spec Ops they have captured alive. That is all written up in an After Action Report posted to the Ace Combat Facebook page and the Ace Combat forum a few days later.

After Action Report Pembury 09/11/14 Remembrance Day Missions: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”

We would like to start by saying a massive thank you to all the guys and gals that turned up for the Remembrance Day Missions, especially for their very generous contributions to the Royal British Legion, along with the donations from last week’s Brenchley event.

The morning began with a chill as the players flooded in but the grey clouds cleared mid-morning and the sun broke through for a great day of battling in the woods and open fields. The crowd were very eager all day long with four Spec Ops teams that pushed to the end against very determined forces resulting in no mission failures and a lot of regens.

Alpha Team pulled the LZ mission, where they had to make their way from the Bridge to the LZ and clear the landing pad of mines. A small group encountered early resistance but battled their way through to the LZ, against the odds and in an excellent example of a good plan executed well, they cleared the area with plenty of time on the mission clock. Not to be caught napping, they left a small distraction team in Zone A to deal with the inevitable search parties whilst the rest set up a perimeter at the exfil. Despite an intense firefight and the exfil. being discovered towards the end of the mission, Alpha held their own to finish with a fully completed mission and 11 at the exfil. with only one operative captured.

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The Reds logged 35 regens and the Yellows logged 9 regens and one capture.

Bravo Team drew the Triangulation mission where they had to place LED markers on both of the main team regens and the Bridge. This meant they would need to push into the heart of both main team’s territory and engage. The team was given the option to split their force and use two different infil. points but they opted to stay as one cohesive unit. At the start of the mission they split and one team headed to push down from Kazaa but they encountered immediate, heavy and organised resistance resulting in heavy losses against the Reds. Having been pushed back, they circled back round with the Reds in pursuit only to find a wall of Yellow cutting them off in the corner of Zone A. Bravo put up one hell of a fight but one-by-one they fell to a combined Red and Yellow offensive. During this, a breakaway Bravo force did manage to get a marker on the Red regen but by the end of the mission they had suffered three captures to the Reds and none got to the exfil.

SITE REVIEW ACE COMBAT PEMBURY

The Reds logged 31 regens with 3 captures and the Yellows logged 27 captures.

After lunch Charlie Team set up for a Surveillance mission, with the task to get at least five identifiable pictures of each team. They were split into two groups with each having a camera and separate infil. points, allowing them to stalk each team separately. Once again the two main teams pushed hard and fast from the start, engaging Charlie quickly although the teams were heard discussing possible mission targets to cover, not realising that they were the targets themselves! Despite taking some casualties and a minor technical hitch with one of the cameras Charlie managed to succeed in getting some photos as well as getting nine operatives to the exfil. and only losing one capture, taken by the Yellows.

With the big numbers it was always unlikely that there would be a complete mission success with a full complement of survivors but all four teams did excellent jobs as there were zero mission failures.

That truly shows just how committed each and every person was to the task at hand, so congratulations to you all. That said, it was a close call between Alpha and Delta for the top dog honours but Delta edge it as they both had 17 operatives at the start but Delta held on to 12 and suffered zero captures.

And there you have it. A rare insight “behind the scenes” of the type of game scenario that you can expect from a day at this rather unique site.

Ace Combat has a strict adherence policy to rules and regulations which I always like to see. This is a very professionally operated site of the highest standards. These standards are in place to protect you and your fellow ‘softers and to ensure that everyone goes home in one piece having had a cracking day. This was apparent to me as the day unfurled and the high standards were clear to see.

The Ace Combat website has all the information you will need and I would urge everyone to take a look, as there are specifics that you will need to know to not only enhance your day but at the very least to allow you to reach compliance when it comes to FPS limits and standards on certain types of guns that can be used.

So as I close off this review, I can only wonder...

If this “new” Ace Combat site is this good already, then surely the very well established sister site at Brenchley must warrant a visit early in the New Year, where I’m assured that site has even more to offer. Sounds like a no-brainer to me so I’ll see you guys in the early part of 2015 and remember, keep your pistols polished and rifles at the ready - they’re not known as ‘Ace’ Combat for nothing, that’s for sure.

As once said by the famous Arnold Squashaknacker “I’ll be back”.

Les OUT!

The Reds logged 18 lives and the Yellows logged 15 with one capture.

The final mission fell to Delta and they had Dead Drop, where they had to recover two hard drives from Kazaa and get them to their exfil. at the Bridge. Delta incorporated some well-seasoned veterans in Pembury Missions and it showed from the off. They had a plan and they made sure the whole team were up to speed… literally!

They doubled-timed it from their infil. at the LZ to Kazaa, quickly recovered the drives and then started making their way to the Bridge.

Amazingly, they encountered light resistance and the bulk of Delta made it to the bridge with half the mission time to spare. The only problem now was that they needed to hold their exfil. point to the end - and their defence will go down in the annals of history in the Mission books.

It wasn’t too long before engagements from the main teams began and from there Delta were subjected to a relentless hammering from both of the main teams, as the combined Red and Yellow forces desperately tried to break through to the small territory on the other side of the gulley. Wave after wave crashed against the Delta force but they held strong for more than 20 minutes to finish the day with a complete mission and 12 survivors at the exfil. This was all the more impressive as they started with 17 and suffered zero captures.

The Reds logged 19 lives and the Yellows logged 18.

The final scores were: Alpha: 625pts Bravo: 250pts Charlie: 312.5pts Delta: 625pts Reds: 300pts Yellows: 600pts

contact LIZ & CHRIS OCKENDON ACE COMBAT WOODLANDS FARM PEMBURY KENT TN2 4BL ACECOMBAT.CO.UK INFO@ACECOMBAT.CO.UK 01303 814803 OFFICE HOURS 07849 372704 SITE MOBILE www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME NIGE REPORTS FROM THE REDWOLF/BLUESTREAK CHARITY EVENT, HELD LAST DECEMBER. 40

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event review REDWOLF/BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

SWEET AND SOUR PORK, rice, Pancake Rolls and Dim Sum are not the normal fare you would expect for lunch on an airsoft site but that is exactly what was on the menu at the second RedWolf/ Bluestreak Airsoft charity event, held last December - and while the food was good, the airsoft was even better!

In December 2013, RedWolf ran their first charity event in aid of Maggie’s Centre in Cheltenham and almost a year to the day later the 2014 event was also in aid of Maggie’s, along with a second charity, Soldiers Off The Street.

Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jenks.

Registered in August 2010, Soldiers Off The Street was set up to help ex-service personnel whose lives have been affected by homelessness. As their website says, “[We] think they deserve better after going through the traumatic experience of war in far off lands, what they have been through for the country they love, to be forgotten and homeless is a national disgrace” - and I think few of us would argue with that!

It was an early start (actually, it was a very early start) but as the sun came up and I had to put my Ray Bans on, the promise of a really good day of airsoft soon had the miles dropping away.

Regular readers may well remember my report from last year’s event and I was really chuffed to be invited back again, although I had such a great day last year I was wondering if this would be as good - I shouldn’t have worried!

The event was being held at BadgerTac’s site, “Bluestreak Airsoft”, just outside Aylesbury. For those of you that don’t know, BadgerTac is based at Westcott Venture Park, formerly an RAF Station and the home of the Rocket Propulsion Establishment. One of the projects worked on was the “Blue Streak Ballistic Missile”, which is where the name for the site came from and when the guys say the site is “right on the doorstep” of the shop, they are not joking!

Having been waved through the manned Security Gate I arrived at the Safe Zone, which was already buzzing with players getting their kit together, grabbing a coffee or browsing through the goodies for sale in the on-site shop. Ratty, Billy and Banzai were

immediately visible in their customary Hawaiian shirts and there was a nice array of Raffle Prizes out on display (donated by a large number of different companies), tempting you to buy “just one more” ticket.

As soon as all 80-odd players had arrived and signed in, one of the marshals (affectionately known as “Pumped Up”) gently called everyone together for the safety brief. Actually, I say “gently” but residents as far apart as Aylesbury and Bicester were probably looking around, wondering who was shouting at them!

Safety brief over, new and walk-on players were taken to one side and given a separate briefing on how to use any hire kit and pyros etc. I really like this aspect and I’m seeing it more and more, which is a good thing as, much as we like to think we are, we are not born with an innate sense of how to change a mag, use a smoke grenade or prime a BFG! With 80+ players two teams were quickly created, one with armbands (“The Bandits”) and the other without (“The Greens”) - a very simple thing which adds to the overall gameplay, as you don’t have to look for a colour, just whether they are wearing an armband - and then it was out for BlueStreak’s signature warm up game. The objective of this first game was to shoot out all the other players (so far so good) but with a twist; the only way a hit player could be put back into the game was by being shot again by one of his own team!

As you can imagine this is absolutely hilarious, as players were repeatedly hit and then had to take another shot to carry on playing. At one point I watched a player who seemed to spend most of his time shooting his own team. He was very good though and only shot them on their packs or bits of kit that wouldn’t hurt… mostly!

I have known this site for quite a while. Many issues ago I reported on a Tier 1 event here, which involved helicopters and a 48-hour mission and have been back on a number of occasions since. It is not what you’d call a “big” site but it is absolutely packed with features, including a variety of buildings and blast shelters (well, it was a rocket testing site after all!) Ratty and his team have done a huge amount of work to make it even more playable and have created some fiendishly wicked “Kill Houses”, one of which stands out above the rest. Moving into the

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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event review REDWOLF/BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT

building you are greeted with what, at first, looks like an ordinary arrangement of doors and passageways - except all the doors open both ways and have been cunningly placed so that the next time through it is completely different depending on which way they are open. Definitely not something to try and figure out if you had a particularly “heavy” Saturday night!!

The second game of the day involved three separate objectives that had to be found and brought together in order to complete the mission. Both teams quickly realised that the only way to be successful on this site is to work together to drive the opposition back and then push up. Unless you move quickly to hold taken ground, the opposition has time to regen and come back at you. On a couple of occasions I’d moved up with the attacking team and then gone off for a few minutes to photograph some of the action, only to return and find the other team now in possession.

The morning passed quickly and it was soon time to head back to the safe zone and the aforementioned Sweet and Sour lunch and perhaps I’d best point out that Ratty and the guys don’t do the cooking! Just up the road from the main entrance is the Waddesdon Deli (where you will find some of the best sandwiches ever in my opinion) and they prepare the food for BlueStreak, which arrives freshly made and piping hot just a few minutes before players return for lunch.

Chinese was the order of the day today and it was delicious and a far cry from the “usual” burger/hotdog and a Mars bar - the “seconds” queue was almost as big as the “firsts”! The raffle was held after lunch and everyone crowded around as tickets were drawn and prizes collected. Weeks before the event the call went out to the airsoft trade asking for sponsorship of the prizes and, once again the generosity of the response was superb, with prizes ranging from guns (lots of guns) to tee-shirts, gas and just about everything in-between.

The afternoon’s play got underway and I have to make a confession….

Normally when I cover an event, I deliberately leave my kit at home as it is just too much of a temptation to play, when I am supposed to be… erm… “working”. I don’t know how it happened but when I opened the back of my Jeep, there it all was! Kit bag, gun case, gas, ammo… Must have fallen in while I wasn’t looking! Only one thing for it…Camera down and kit up!

Fifteen minutes later found me in the company of Iggy Roberts (an Airsoft Action contributor who’d made the trip up from the South West especially to play), as we stood in a building keeping the attacking forces’ heads down. I was having one of those days when it seems that all I had to do was just point my rifle in the right direction and pull the trigger to get a hit and, knowing that it couldn’t possibly last, I was making the best of it. I very rarely play on full-auto (can’t actually remember the last time), preferring the good old “doubletap”, with the occasional “wait a couple of seconds and fire a third” thrown in for good measure - and it was working great. That was until they managed to get round the back of the building and we were both toast in a matter of seconds - brilliant fun while it lasted though!

The rest of the afternoon whizzed past in attack and counterattack as we alternatively stormed and defended locations but above all else, one thing stood out way above everything; the sportsmanship and attitude of the players. I don’t know how many times I heard “good shot”, or “nice one player” being called and I think the marshals were enjoying themselves as much as we were.

As the light started to fall we made our way back to the Safe Zone and, as is so often the case, it really didn’t matter who won or lost, what really mattered was that everyone had had a great day and loads of money had been raised for two very worthy causes.

Speaking to Chris Kong of RedWolf Airsoft later, he said how pleased he’d been with the whole day, that so many players had turned up and played in the true spirit of the game and that two very good charities would be benefiting directly from the generosity of airsofters.

Would there be a 2015 Charity game? “You bet!” was the answer.

On behalf of both Maggie’s and Soldiers Off The Street, a huge thanks to all the companies below, who helped raise a significant amount of money for both charities - and, of course, to all the players for supporting the event and making it the success it was.

Tactical Apparel, Swindon Airsoft, Army Surplus & Toys Stitch Me Up, BadgerTac, Patrol Base, Combat South, WE Airsoft Europe, Land Warrior, Fire Support and RedWolf www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER HOW SAFE ARE LASER DEVICES? ANDY BOURNE, THE TACTICAL OPTICIAN, PEELS BACK THE CURTAIN ON THE MYTHS TO GIVE US THE FACTS. Lasers in airsoft. We’ve all seen them used, most of us have tried them, love or hate. There are plenty of opinions out there about lasers. I’ve heard most of them. Sites that won’t allow them to be used; sites that only allow certain colours; restrictions on type; players claiming they are dangerous; that they have been deliberately dazzled by an opponent using one. But what is the bottom line with lasers in airsoft? Are they safe or are they an accident waiting to happen? In this article, I will attempt to separate the myths from the reality and explain just what hazards exist with laser use.

The laser as we know it is named from an acronym; Laser Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

In today’s world we are surrounded by lasers in our everyday lives; CD and DVD players, supermarket bar code readers and laser printers. In the medical world, laser use

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has ushered in a revolution in eye surgery (but that’s a story for another day). Over the last 50 years, lasers have become mundane and common. The first functioning laser was operated in May 1960 at Hughes Research Laboratories in California. Since then, they have become, like much of the technology around us, smaller, cheaper, more efficient and widespread. A quick search of a well known internet auction site finds laser pointers available for less than five pounds. Also, military uses have grown hugely. We are familiar with the Laser Guided Bombs which preceded GPS Guided munitions widely used today, as well as infantry target marking units such as the Insight AN/PEQ2A and AN/PEQ15. Modern antimissile systems and electro-optical countermeasures units rely (to a great degree) on lasers. At this point it is worth noting that the use of lasers as blinding weapons was outlawed by Protocol IV of the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, issued by The United Nations in October 1995. This came into effect on 30th July 1998.

So what exactly makes a laser different to a torch?

Firstly, a laser produces a concentrated spot of light via a very narrow beam. This is easily seen in a laser light show; sharp coloured lines of light are produced. These narrow beams are known as “collimated” beams and are characteristic of lasers.

Torchlight has an inherent spread or splash of light and cannot produce the same spot effect. Secondly, a laser source produces light of a single wavelength, which means a single colour. Some laser wavelengths produce light of a wavelength that is not visible to the human eye, such as the infra red units used by the military in PEQ boxes. The common colours are red and green but any colour of laser beam can be produced. The wavelength gives the colour of the beam. Visible light has a wavelength of between 380 nanometres (violet) to 780 nanometres (red). Beyond 800 nanometres is infra red light. Green light is about 560nanometres.

Thirdly, the energy in a laser beam is highly concentrated into that small spot, just like concentrating the energy of the sun through a magnifying glass. It is in this concentration of energy that is where the dangers lie.

feature LASER SAFETY

Lasers in airsoft are widely available and we can group them into two types: Firstly those that are marketed for airsoft use, such as replica PEQ boxes and pointers built into other items such as sights.

Secondly there are lasers of an industrial or military nature which are utilised by airsofters. These can be either home-built or of military origin. So how do we know that a laser is safe for use and in what manner can we define “safe”?

Like many things, laser safety is defined and classified according to a standard. In this case, the most up to date standard is IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60825-1, which sorts lasers into classes according to their output or power. It also refers to the “MPE” (Maximum Permissible Exposure), which is the longest time that a laser can be directly viewed with safety. So, let’s take a look at the various classes of laser.

CLASS 1: A Class 1 laser is safe under all conditions of normal use. This means the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) cannot be exceeded when viewing a laser with the naked eye or with the aid of typical magnifying optics. The magnifying optics used are a telescope and microscope. Viewing a laser through such apparatus can be considered similar to viewing an opponent’s laser through a magnifying sight such as a sniper’s scope or an ACOG sight, from an airsoft point of view. So we can consider a Class 1 laser as posing no risk to eyesight on the airsoft field.

visible-light lasers, as only visible light will cause a blink reflex. This is an important point for infra red laser use, which we will come back to. Class 2 lasers are limited to a continuous power output of 1mW (milliWatt). Many laser pointers fall into this category.

At this point it is worth noting that eye damage will occur if a user deliberately stares into the laser of a Class 2 unit. There are documented cases of burns to the retina from this, usually in children who have stared into the beam of a “toy” laser pointer.

CLASS 2M: Class 2M lasers are safe thanks once more to the blink reflex, unless viewed through magnifying optics. This class is particularly important to us as airsofters, as it is the lowest class of laser which poses a potential sight risk to a player. If viewing such a laser while looking through a magnifying scope, the blink reflex of the eye will not be quick enough to prevent possible damage to eyesight.

Scary, isn’t it? In as little as two tenths of a second, damage to your eye could be caused by a laser of this output. The risk is low, but it could happen.

CLASS 3R: A class 3R laser is considered safe if handled carefully, with restricted beam viewing. Damage can occur to sight with a class 3R laser but it is not likely with brief exposure. Such cases of damage

CLASS 1M: A class 1M laser is safe for all conditions of use except if passed through magnifying optics such as microscopes and telescopes.

Class 1M lasers produce large-diameter beams and hence deliver higher power. A class 1M laser is still safe to view without magnifying optics. We must consider that there is a risk to eyesight if viewing a class 1M laser through sufficiently strong magnifying optics such as a high powered rifle scope. However, the time of exposure required to cause damage would require the viewer to stare into the beam for a significant time. We can consider that this is very unlikely, as the normal reflex is to blink and/or look away from such bright light shining through a scope.

CLASS 2: A Class 2 laser is safe because the human blink reflex will limit the time of exposure to no more than 0.25 seconds. It only applies to www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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feature LASER SAFETY

“CLASS 2M LASERS ARE SAFE THANKS ONCE MORE TO THE BLINK REFLEX, UNLESS VIEWED THROUGH MAGNIFYING OPTICS. THIS CLASS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO US AS AIRSOFTERS, AS IT IS THE LOWEST CLASS OF LASER WHICH POSES A POTENTIAL SIGHT RISK TO A PLAYER.” have usually resulted in a temporary loss of vision which has recovered.

Class 3R lasers are restricted to no more than 5mW power output.

Class 3B: A class 3B laser poses significant risk to eyesight if viewed directly but reflections of the laser light (such as from a rough surface) do not pose a risk. Reflections from a shiny surface however, do pose a risk. Such lasers are normally between 5mW and 500mW power output (visible light). They are a significant risk to eyesight. Many everyday appliances such as CD players use Class 3B lasers but are classed as Class 1 because the laser light is enclosed in the item and cannot be seen.

Class 4: Class 4 lasers are of the highest power output. They can cause extremely rapid damage to eyes, burn skin, and can ignite fires, not only as a result of direct beam exposure but also from the reflections as well. A Class 4 laser must be fitted with a key switch and safety interlock. Most industrial, medical and scientific lasers are in this class.

It is highly unlikely that they will be found on the airsoft field.

So we can see how the laser can pose a hazard to eyesight but it is worth noting that visible lasers up to and including Class 3R are unlikely to cause permanent harm - unless viewed for more than a moment. The risk is greater if viewed through a scope or binoculars, however. Thanks to our eyes’ nifty blink reflex, we can get some protection but what happens if we can’t see the beam?

Infrared lasers are becoming more common amongst airsofters using night vision equipment. These units produce a laser which is not visible to the human eye, so there is no blink reflex to protect the delicate tissue. This poses a real risk, particularly those users of military PEQ units. Most commonly seen in airsoft is the Insight AN/PEQ 2A unit. It carries an infra red spotlight and laser pointer and is a Class 3B

laser producing 50mW in high power setting. In other words, it can cause significant eye damage if viewed directly, even for a moment.

Being infra red, the viewer would not know that they were viewing a high power laser. The PEQ 2A has a power output switch and a blue removable safety screw (often missing). The low power outputs are safe for training use as classified by the US Military. The high power setting should not be used by airsofters as it poses a significant risk to other players’ eyesight.

But surely our eye protection can help? Sadly not. There are military-use-only lenses that can help to reduce the amount of laser light getting to the eye but these are restricted and not available to the general public.

So we must be very careful using a military laser in airsoft but commercially available airsoft versions are fine, right? Well, most of these are not classified in any meaningful way, as they have been manufactured abroad and produced cheaply. This author has seen laser pointers producing over 70mW of power (which would make them a class 3B laser and hence hazardous to even momentary exposure) sold as Class 2 (and hence safe to eyes). There is no proof that the laser you bought is safe to use when shone directly at another player for any length of time. The news carries stories of laser effects on pilots; in 2012, the Metropolitan Police alone handled 252 cases of lasers used to dazzle aircrew.

The message here is to be aware of what potentially could happen on a skirmish field. I do not support the idea that all lasers should be banned from airsoft but I think that everyone who owns and uses one should understand what could happen and use their laser responsibly.

Don’t shine it directly at another player’s head. If you have a real PEQ unit, keep it on low power. Site owners and operators should consider including as much in their safety briefings, so we can raise awareness amongst our fellow players.

One last thing, if you think you may have had your eyesight damaged by a laser, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andy Bourne BSc (Hons) MCOptom is an ophthalmic optician, former reserve forces officer and keen MilSim airsofter.

He is associate optometrist with the Vision Surgery & Research Centre, UK, has written widely on the latest advances in optics and refractive surgery and his research has been presented worldwide. He currently divides his time between hospital, general practice and airsoft, although not necessarily in that order. You can contact him at www.Facebook.com/AirsoftOptician or tacticaloptician@airsoft-action.co.uk.

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february 2015

TIGER PHOBIA

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FEBRUARY 2015

FEARED BY ALL THOSE THAT CAME UP AGAINST IT, JAY SLATER TAKES A LOOK AT ONE OF HITLER’S GREAT KILLING MACHINES, THE TIGER.

BBT THE TIGER TANK

ONE OF THE MOST FEARED WEAPON platforms of the Second World War, the success of the Tiger was so profound that no Allied tank dared to engage it in open combat; this psychological fear soon became to be known as “Tiger phobia”.

Before the war German military policy did not specify the parameters used to define a light, medium or heavy tank. In essence, it was accepted that the light tank was to be used in reconnaissance missions, which demanded mobility over armour protection and as a weapons platform; medium tanks had to be fast as well as packing armour and a large-calibre gun; and heavy tanks, or “panzer”, were to support the infantry as well as penetrating enemy defences so that the medium tanks could exploit a breakthrough. Whereas roles for the light and medium tanks often crossed, the heavy panzer lacked speed and endurance due to its greater weight and size.

At the time, Nazi doctrine focused on the offensive. With that being said, when the tide of war was going against Germany’s favour, armour formations would be held back to counter-attack a possible breakthrough. Therefore, the Tiger was to be operated in a defensive and offensive capacity – to annihilate the enemy’s heavy armour.

Development began in 1939, but was stepped up two years later when the German Army requested a 45-ton tank with a highvelocity KwK 36L/56 88-mm gun to dominate the battlefield (the same used as an effective flak cannon against high-flying bombers over the Third Reich) and was capable of penetrating 140 mm of armour at a range of 1,000 meters. The Tiger was a phenomenal weapon and struck admiration and fear into the Allies, whose tank design was woefully lacking.

”IN TUNISIA, THE BRITISH FIRED EIGHTY ROUNDS FROM A 75-MM ARTILLERY GUN AT THE SIDE OF A TIGER FROM 150 FEET AND THEY ALL BOUNCED OFF ITS NICKEL-STEEL ARMOUR PLATING.” The Tiger I, with its 88-mm gun, coupled with superior optics could accurately hit and destroy targets at ranges the enemy could not even aim at, such as American Shermans, Russian T-34s and inadequate British tanks (although these improved throughout the war and were vastly superior to Italian and Japanese lightweight tanks). In Tunisia, the British fired eighty rounds from a 75-mm artillery gun at the side of a Tiger from 150 feet and they all bounced off its nickel-steel armour plating. The same panzer, Tiger 131, is currently housed at The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset, UK and is the only fully working Tiger I in the World. (It is also bloody awesome!)

The hull of the Tiger was a simple design with a one-piece superstructure welded on top. At the front, its armour was 100-mm thick, 80 mm on the sides and 26 mm on top. To aid production when the war effort was very much against Germany and valuable metals becoming increasingly scarce, all shapes were kept simple. Whereas future tank design would dictate sloped armour to deflect shells, in the case of the Tiger, this was a moot point due to the thickness of its staggering armour plate. Such was the potency of the Tiger that it got an aura of invincibility; however, the tank could be stopped and its sheer size and weight caused transport and logistical issues.

The first prototypes, with a five-man crew, were ready for Hitler’s birthday on 20th April 1942. Henschel and Porsche versions were tested and the former won as Henschel’s design was easier

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BBT THE TIGER TANK

to produce for mass production; Porsche’s Tigers were therefore converted in to the mighty Ferdinand Panzerjager tank destroyer.

The official designation of the new tank was Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. H. The Tiger I was the first German tank to be fitted with overlapping road wheel suspension, which gave it very good weight distribution and was comfortable for the crew. However, the Tiger had issues. During the winter, mud and snow would pack into the tracks and freeze, inflicting performance issues and reliability on the Eastern Front; also, she craved fuel. Original Tigers were underpowered (this was rectified) and a journey of sixty miles would guzzle some 150 gallons of gold juice, something that was a rare quantity in the Third Reich. Costing three times as much to produce as a Panzer Mk IV and maintaining a decent fuel supply was always a difficult process thanks to marauding Allied fighters such as the rocket and bomb-armed Hawker Tempest, arguably the finest fighter of the Second World War, Tigers were built in limited numbers with some 1,350 leaving the production lines.

It was in the retreat from Russia that the Tiger proved itself in a defensive capacity as well as giving the Allies a rude awakening in the liberation of France.

On 18th October 1943, a Tiger commanded by Sepp Rannel destroyed eighteen Russian tanks. Michael Wittmann, an infamous ace with 119 kills, enjoyed great success in Normandy; his Tiger claimed twenty-five British tanks, fourteen half-tracks and fourteen Bren-gun carriers in a massacre around the village of Villers Bocage.

With that being said, Wittman’s unit lost six Tigers and these invaluable tanks, as well as the experienced crews, were impossible to replace. In France, the Tiger blooded itself and became a myth that terrified the Allies and the phrase “Tiger phobia” was common talk amongst terrified Sherman crews. Indeed, on 11th July 1944, thirteen British Shermans out of twenty were lost in action and just two Tigers held up an advance of the 53rd British Infantry division.

The Tiger became the stuff of legend.

Despite technical issues and a lack of fuel, the Tiger decimated the opposition. British gallows humour soon followed and the Sherman was dubbed the “Tommy cooker”, a notorious deathtrap for its crews; with an unfortunate habit of going up in flames when hit, it was estimated that several Shermans were necessary to take on the Tiger and penetrate its thinner rear armour. Despite overwhelming numbers as The Third Reich faced defeat, the Tiger arguably became the finest tank of the Second World War. ‘One day, a Tiger Royal [sic] got within 150 yards of my tank and knocked me out. Five of our tanks opened up on him from ranges of 200 to 600 yards and got five or six hits on the front of the Tiger.

They all just glanced off and the Tiger backed off and got away. If we had a tank like Tiger [sic], we would all be home today.’

Sergeant Clyde D. Brunson, 2nd Armored Division, 1945 There were advanced versions of the Tiger. The Tiger II, or the King Tiger and Royal Tiger, first saw action on the Eastern Front in May 1944 and Western Front three months later. A monster of huge proportions, it weighed 68 tons and was powered by a 690-bhp engine: the Tiger II was a formidable and feared weapon platform.

Like the Panther, the Tiger II represented the ultimate tank design of the war. Previously, armour, firepower and speed had to be carefully balanced to achieve tactical designs (the British preferred speed over armour). With the Tiger II, this metal behemoth boasted formidable specifications in all three areas. The best performing tank of the war, even when at standstill, the Tiger II was a formidable pillbox and

attracted the attention of RAF and US fighters. The story of the Tiger, however, as the Third Reich’s finest tank does not end there.

In late 1944, the Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus, or “Mouse” (a rare show of German sense of humour) was a 188-ton super-heavy tank and fielded a mighty 128-mm gun. It was, and still is, the most impressive tank the world has ever seen. Dr Ferdinand Porsche was the driving force behind the Maus, as well as the 140-ton E-100; however, the crippling war effort and dwindling resources restricted production and a total of nine of these monster tanks were in various stages of completion. The turret alone weighed 50 tons and was almost the total weight of a fully loaded and fuelled Panther.

Considering that Germany was lacking in many resources during the closing stages of the war, the Maus was a fantastic feat of engineering and it is alleged that two completed examples were sent into action in the final days of the war. One tank was destroyed by its crew to evade capture and the other was sent to Russia where it can be seen today at the Kubinka Tank Museum. However, the story still does not end there. German engineers had designed a version of the Maus that was armed with a 305-mm breech-loading mortar – it was named “Bear” – and a colossal 1,500-ton vehicle with a 800-mm gun as its main armament and two 150-mm guns in separate turrets.

This beast of war was to be powered by four U-boat diesel engines but (thankfully) the war came to a close before these monsters could be unleashed.

And the Tiger comes full circle; its name is legendary and part of society’s consciousness. Even today, everyone has heard of the Tiger that has become iconic as has the Supermarine Spitfire some seventy years later. The Tiger was flawed as a fighting machine; despite its excellent design, it suffered from mechanical and logistical issues for a tank of its size. It was prone to mechanical faults and required constant repairs and maintenance in the field to keep it running.

Indeed, it was forbidden to run the Tiger for extended periods due to wear and tear. Also, the Tiger drunk fuel, a resource that Nazi Germany was in short supply of. Production-wise, the Tiger was a very expensive and resource-consuming tank when Hitler was running out of time. The average cost of a Tiger was some 250,800 Reichmarks (some estimates are higher at 800,000 Reichmarks). In contrast, a PzKpfw III Ausf M cost 103,163 Reichmarks, a PzKpfw IV Ausf. G cost 115,962 Reichmarks and the Panther, arguably a better tank, cost 117,100 Reichmarks. Also, each Tiger consumed 300,000 man-hours and 6,000 people to manufacture in a week; the Third Reich simply could not afford to burn such precious commodities as the war came to a close.

The Tiger may have been the pinnacle of tank design but it came too little too late to save Hitler’s crumbling regime. After all, all wars are wars of attrition and although 1,350 Tigers were built, they paled in significance to the 55,000 T-34s built in Russia alone. For the legendary Tiger I, King Tiger and Hitler’s Third Reich, it was endgame where sheer numbers consumed and overpowered an enemy that was growing weaker by the day.

As for Tiger survivors, as mentioned previously, the only surviving and working example is located in England (it is a “must-see” and also featured in the Brad Pitt film Fury (2014)); however, there are five static Tigers Is located in the US, France and Russia. There is one fully operational King Tiger in the Saumur Tank Museum in France with seven other stationary examples located throughout the world. There are also two Sturmtigers, three Jagdtigers and two Elefants in various museums.

Achtung! Long live the Tiger!

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OPERATION COLOSSUS KRIS ROBERTS ONCE AGAIN FINDS HIMSELF CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ON-GOING BATTLE BETWEEN THE FLAME AND THE RAIN

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EVENT review INFILTRATION AIRSOFT

FLASHBACKS It has been a full week since my return home. Yet still, whenever I close my eyes, even if only for a second, I’m back inside that room and living the moment.

It is dark and cold, my feet tread softly on the carpet and I try to avoid standing in the beam of orange light that cuts in through the open window from the streetlamp outside.

Someone across the way has seen me and I have only a millisecond to react as tracer rounds zip towards me, missing my head by just a couple of inches. I stay low behind cover and watch the glowing rounds flood into room and ricochet off the walls in a spectacular light show.

Then the rounds stop and I hear the tell-tale sound of my opponent changing his magazine. I pop up and quickly bring my silenced MP5 to bear. Across the street in the neighbouring gardens I see my target as a shadowy form in the gloom. I fire a series of shots, instantly losing sight of my rounds but hearing the thud as they impact across his chest. As I draw back into the room I spot two more figures moving swiftly along the street and trying to assault my building. A quick flurry of fire and the threat is stopped dead in its tracks. For a second things fall quiet, the enemy has paused.

TIME TO GO I fly down the stairs and try to get out of the back door, only to curse out loud when I find it locked. No choice, I have to move fast and get away before they launch a proper assault. I slip quickly out of the front door and double back up the side of the house. Keeping the barrel of my gun up in the aim, I walk as fast as I can across the back garden, through the gate into the field behind the row of houses, and towards the garages on the street corner where I believe my team mates are holding up.

Suddenly an enemy player steps out of a gateway two feet in front of me. I push the silencer of my MP5 into the padding of his chest plate and fire a single shot. He jumps out of his skin and as I move past him he chuckles and offers me a “Well done!”

One more garden to cross, a dozen shadows for the enemy to ambush me from, I keep moving forward and clearing the corners. Right now I feel like a mega dude, like Charlie Sheen in “Navy Seals”. This isn’t adrenaline surging through my veins, its tiger blood!

Didn’t stop me from getting shot by my own team mate two seconds later though!

A YEAR OF BATTLE Operation Colossus, the latest instalment from the team at Infiltration

Airsoft, was held on the first weekend of December at the Rype Village training facility on the south coast of Kent. This establishment, used to train our Armed and Police Forces is home to row upon row of terrace houses, block buildings, alleyways, shops and open crossroads. There is even a newer section built to look like a modern housing estate and it is eerily deceptive just how realistic the whole environment feels. A perfect setting it would seem to host the final battle of 2014 between the warring factions of “The Flame” and “The Rain”.

RECAP For those readers new to the games of Infiltration Airsoft, allow me to give you a quick overview of the world they have created.

Set in a dystopian future, the system of government has collapsed as the divide between the rich and the poor grew too vast. A revolution unfolded and what remained of the establishment called upon those still loyal to create a stronger government. Now titled “The Flame”, they set out to enforce a new set of laws onto its people. These “Purge Laws” were met with hatred and defiance and this resulted in the formation of a People’s Army, one which would grow and unite with others under the name of “The Rain”.

These aren’t the only factions in play though, with further characters, groups and bizarre additions adding to the complexity of the tale and experience as well.

This setting is the bedrock for all of Infiltration’s games and the story evolves according to the results of each event and to which objectives were won or lost. The outcome of this is a rich and detailed back story unlike anything I have seen in Airsoft and, as I stated in my review of their previous event, I cannot do the story justice on these pages.

Instead I urge you to make a fresh cup of tea, grab a packet of biscuits and visit their website at http://infiltrationops.com. It’s well worth reading.

What is really of note is the technology that Infiltration brings to the scene. Each player is issued with a computer-chipped wristband, which is used not only to log players at regen but is also used to activate various other devices which must be captured and held throughout the day. There are no “capture the flag” moments here, these are complex props which require download times and the players must plan and strategise accordingly if they wish to succeed. No effort has been spared by the game designers in helping the player to feel as immersed as possible.

WENT THE DAY WELL? Saturday kicked off under a bright but chilly morning sun. The players www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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event review INFILTRATION AIRSOFT

had been won by those who were fortunate enough to afford such shiny luxuries. I felt as though I had been robbed of the chance to get involved in a fair fight and allow the better player to win rather than the fatter wallet.

I fell asleep that night thinking of how maybe such formidable weapons like Night Vision devices should be balanced between teams, or limited on usage, or allowed as a mission reward... Anything to balance the field and give everyone a fighting chance.

When I woke the next day I knew that no matter what, I would never want to deny any player the chance to use such a fantastic piece of kit and much of what I felt the night before was jealousy. I still thought that some kind of usage restriction would be better but I had a wonderful moment of clarity that instantly wiped away all of that misplaced and unjustified negativity.

PERSPECTIVE

burst forth from their bases like children running through the gates of Disneyland. The excitement level was fizzing in the air and within minutes the sides met and battle lines had been drawn. Both sides were eager to flex their muscles and in no time at all the streets were filled with the sounds of fighting.

As usual I was armed with my camera for the daytime hours and I tried my best to keep up front with the action as the battle lines flowed like water in and out of the houses and gardens. This was no easy task, as the level of play from both sides was top notch and the determination, skill and aggression meant I was frantically trying to keep up.

I’ve been in numerous close quarter environments before, but the scale of the site was huge and it allowed for multiple opportunities to perform flanking manoeuvres and surprise attacks. Sometimes the shooting was at arm’s length and would involve fighters from both sides holding different levels of the same building. With fifty players per side and with the scale and design of the site, the fighting would range from individual distant skirmishes to insanely intense moments of all out war as everyone fought over the same street corner.

This level of engagement took its toll on the players and even the hardcore were feeling the strain. Still, as small groups here and there filtered back to the safe zone for a brief respite and a bite to eat, the sounds of fighting never ceased. It was a long day and everyone knew that the coming hours of fighting in the dark would require every ounce of strength and awareness they could muster.

DISADVANTAGED? OR JUST PLAIN LUCKY? My only negative experience seemed to come late in the evening game. I was trapped and alone on the long balcony that ran above the shopping precinct. My team mates had already been hit trying to get down the single stairwell and instead of following them in a fool hardy attempt to get back to street level, I opted to hang back and try to pick off the enemy shooters.

What I hadn’t counted on was that I was facing a group of enemy players equipped with Night Vision Goggles. Every single move I made was checked, every attempt to slip away or fight back was met with a storm of vicious and accurate fire and the whole situation left me feeling limp and useless. I called up my team mates on the radio and requested that as they return from regen they attack the enemy position that was causing me so much grief. My plan was either to use the distraction to get to street level and join the attack, or provide covering fire from my higher location.

But, alas, every attack was driven back and eventually I received a call over the radio to tell me that the Flame force was too well dug in and that their NVGs were making it impossible. I was on my own.

Later that evening I thought about how much of a game changer the night vision had been and I began to feel bitter that the fight

I was fifteen years old when I bought my first Marui Springer pistol, this was over two decades ago and my group of mates quickly followed suit. We had no idea of Airsoft, none of us had even played paintball. What we had was a love for movies like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Predator etc. and we were simply mucking around in each other’s houses and gardens and using our imaginations to create epic gun battles worthy of Hollywood. We would talk about favourite action scenes and what cool scenarios we could dream up and fantasise about.

I’ve never forgotten those games because they were the foundations of why I play today. So on that Sunday morning I allowed my fifteen year old self to replay what I had been through the night before…

My team moving down the road, an enemy machine gunner firing from behind a parked car, take cover, return fire, can’t get the angle, smoke grenade out, team mate goes right, I push forward as he covers, I slip into the next garden, shouting, firing, gunner down!

Regroup, clear these houses, torches flashing, blinding, keep moving, clear! Move outside, slip through alleyway, into the shopping presinct, stay in shadows, five of us in line, guns cover every angle, up the stairs, enemy! Cover fire, smoke grenade, push them back, push them back!

They’ve barricaded themselves in, smoke them out! Breach and clear!

We have the balcony, move back downstairs, sniper fire, men down!

Cannot move, fall back into rooms, silent shadows below, fire pouring in at me, I cannot move, try to fire, try to escape, call for help, duck for cover, help not coming, I must run, I must run faster than they can shoot. Go now!

As a boy, I had never in my wildest dreams imagined such an exciting, thrilling, varied and remarkable moment could be found playing a game.

I could never have imagined that our little pastime would develop to a point where such astonishing games could be fought in such a remarkable location.

Rype Village was like finding paradise and to be in such a place with one hundred like-minded people who were constantly pushing to get the most out of the opportunity, created some of the most memorable moments I have ever experienced in Airsoft. It was a Valhalla moment, when I realised that I wanted to be here, doing this, every single day and I would never get tired of it.

I was glad of the Night Vision, as I was glad of the tracers and the snipers and the gunners and the little speedy ninja types who seemed to pop out of nowhere. I was glad of it all.

Everything was a challenge and it left me salivating for more.

A CHANGING TIDE I think it’s fair to say that by the end of play on Sunday afternoon everyone was completely done in. The teams had given their all.

So far in 2014 every victory had been awarded to The Rain. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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They had performed solidly throughout every operation to date but this time round things had changed. Even before the official announcement had been made back in the safe zone, everyone knew that victory had been won by The Flame.

On the day they were simply the better team and their use of observation and communications was absolutely spot on. The Rain, in their self-confidence, had lowered their guard and slipped into fighting as individual groups without a huge concern for the bigger picture. The Flame on the other hand, worked as a solid and cohesive unit, strengthening their weaknesses through effective use of radios and team tactics.

A deserving victory for The Flame then but, before I had even made my way back to the car to head home I heard one “Rain” player turn to his comrade and say “Lesson learnt. That isn’t happening again!”

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK What has really impressed me about Infiltration is that in less than a year they have appeared on the scene, seemingly out of nowhere and changed our awareness and expectations of the game. They haven’t pushed the boundaries, they’ve smashed through them in a Tiger Tank and invited us along for the ride. They haven’t lost sight of the basics though, openly embracing the fun factor which is sadly misplaced in some other “High-end gaming” ideas.

Before I sign off, I wanted to know more about what makes the minds at Infiltration tick. So I got in touch with the head man, Harry Ford, and asked him to reflect on the last year.

Kris: 2014 has been a very busy year for Infiltration. Looking back, has it lived up to your expectations and have you achieved everything you initially set out to do?

Harry: “It has been a mad year for us. After the first event back in March we expected things to move at a much slower pace, turned out that our vision really took off as popularity and immersion grew rapidly around the events. For this we have only the players to thank, many of which have put in every effort to attend each and every event throughout the year, bringing with them a high quality level of play that makes it all a worthwhile venture.

“Despite developing and building a lot of tech in our first year, there is so much more in the pipeline to bring to the Airsoft scene in order to further improve the experience had by those attending our events. Introducing new concepts, such as our in game phone app currently in the build and testing stages, will help keep us ahead of the game as more innovative and original ideas are introduced. Let’s say I’m very excited about what’s around the corner.”

Kris: Colossus took place at an amazing venue, how important do you feel the locations are to the success of your events?

Harry: “As players we have attended venues all around the UK and even abroad. As many will say, variety is most definitely the spice of life. So with each of our events being held at varying locations it brings something different to each of our events and alongside each location comes a different chapter in the Infiltration storyline.

“Every effort is made to choose the best possible venues to cater for the type of event we have in mind, each environment has an important influence on the strategy and structure of each event. The combination of location, structure and gameplay in unison are key to delivering a successful event, which ultimately can only be judged by those participating.

“Having hosted events at Longmoor Camp, The Compound (Hampshire), Battle Lakes (Kent) and most recently Lydd Training Camp, there has been a real opportunity to partake in both woodland 56

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and urban environments, allowing us to identify the popularity of each occasion. I am always looking forward to where we will be heading to next.”

Kris: The Flame managed to grab their first victory of the year. As an onlooker it seemed to me that as a team they became much more involved and focused on unity and teamwork. How does it make you, the game designer, feel when the players immerse themselves into your scenarios and push themselves that extra mile?

Harry: “This is what makes Airsoft so unique, allowing everybody to immerse themselves to varying levels of involvement, whether you’re heavily into teamwork and running right alongside the storyline or simply operating as a lone wolf. The deeper that players delve into the occasion, the more personal the situation becomes and results in many pushing themselves that extra mile to fight for their cause.

“Operation Colossus was a turning point for The Flame, who drastically improved communications and implemented a number of tactics to help them claw back the deficit of previous defeats. One idea they implemented was to plant two civilians and have them explore the site for much of the first day. Having confirmed with us that they were able to do this, as long as they were unarmed as civilians, the two players were able to wander around and scout out enemy movements and routes. This intuitive behaviour is encouraged by us and this involvement from our players highlights how far people are willing to go to get the upper hand.”

Kris: The facebook groups you have in place are a great forum for the teams to prepare for and debrief after each game. Do you monitor the feedback when preparing for the next instalment?

Harry: “That is a major part of what we do. I actually try and make sure to speak with each and every player that attends our events, whether it be before, during or after. It is the feedback from these conversations that have enabled us to continuously improve and develop over the year.

“It’s been a steep learning curve for us and we’re still the new guys on the scene but being a group of passionate Airsofters ourselves has meant that we can bring the best possible experience to the players and has ultimately helped to gain their trust.

“The private Facebook groups not only allow us to collate feedback, they are also great fun to have, allowing everyone affiliated to The Rain or The Flame to have some good banter and laughs about what we all enjoy doing so much.”

Kris: 2015. There are plenty of people out there who are itching to learn about what you have in store for the next few instalments.

Are there any titbits you’d be willing to share or is it all still very top secret?

Harry: “We are currently working towards some massive technological advances. There will be two new phone apps launching, one of which can be used during our events. The aim is to push the boundaries of what can be integrated into the Airsoft battlefield without having to overcomplicate things beyond necessary.

“Further introductions to our inventory of tech units are also planned, allowing even more game scenarios and missions to be implemented and allow players to have more interaction with their objectives.

“I can’t really disclose too much about our plans for future events, except that the Church of the Armageddon are pretty displeased with The Flame for spoiling their recent plans and rumour has risen regarding Volktech ramping up its arms company internationally across the waters…”

Personally, I can’t wait for the next instalment!

RAIN HELL! DAN BARLOW WRITES ABOUT THE TEAM HE CO-FOUNDED AND WHAT THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE FUTURE. “RAIN HELL!” is the motto used by the amateur West Midlands-based Airsoft team “The Reapers”. They say “don’t fear the Reaper”, however this ten to twenty man team gives you every reason to fear him and his new found dwellers of Death (well in the Airsoft world of course).

I’m Daniel Barlow and I am Co-Founder and team leader of the Reapers. In this article I’m going to give you an insight into what it means to be a Reaper and brief history of the team. If you want to contact myself, or even drop us a LIKE on Facebook, you can find us at the following link; www.facebook.com/pages/The-REAPERSpublic After a year learning the ropes, the craving grew for taking the gaming experience to the next level by putting together a team, a team that would make a difference.

While working as a Cleaner for Birmingham’s Bullring (yeah I know but it pays for the BBs) I met the other Co-Founder of the team, Dean Stinton. He had only just started airsoft but felt as passionate as I did about creating a team, so Dean and I paired up and started improving our combat skills together. When we weren’t out slinging plastic we racked our brains together over names, rules, image, kit, media options. You’d think two heads are better than one.

After some time and refinement, we’ve developed several sets of rules. They’re simple once in practise and are in a constant state of change if necessary. They are also “open” to debate by Reaper members as we’ve adopted a democratic approach to how things operate. Some may believe this isn’t effective, or as efficient but in our experience this is real life and real people that are all dealing with their own problems outside the Airsoft world. If all our members have equal opportunity for their say and we have found it has made it all easier for us to get on. Should you wish to join our ranks, you’ll quickly learn most of our processes work in threes.

Since both our beginning, Dean and I can recommend Fireball Squadron based at Bassets Pole (www.FireballSquadron.co.uk), it’s where our Team began and will end. By no means have we limited

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team profile THE REAPERS

ourselves to just this field, at one time we had sub-branched to Manchester, where I have personally organised trips to F&O sites at Bolton. Fireball’s services and support to our members has been flawless and we, as a team, would like to thank them for putting up with us.

They say naming something you care for can be one of the hardest things to do and it was months before we decided on “The Reapers”. I had already used a Medal of Honour-styled patch on my kit, in the form of a “Wolf Pack” call-sign and we both enjoyed the artwork but an animal type name didn’t stick. We wanted something darker and doom impending.

Eventually after casting a vote on a long list of names, also considering the word “Reaper” being already used in military backgrounds, “The Reapers” was the winner and always will be.

Since day one we’ve strive and continued to strive to honour all that is good in our sport and it’s something we regard as the most important factor in our recruitment process.

Over the last two years, as I mentioned, we’ve established ourselves at Fireball Squadron and being there we’ve been lucky enough to take part in their weekenders, Operation Blue Shrew and Operation Red Bull and are very much looking forward to taking part in Operation Dirty Beaver, in 2015. These weekend/two or three day operations have been vital to the team’s development and evolution. As some of you will already know, it’s a whole new ball game in comparison to standard skirmish days but the hardships and laughs you have make it worthwhile. It all makes you better as a team and those quality moments (drunken or not) are the back bone of any team, what you learn getting amongst it is priceless... and for everything else there is MasterCard!

THE TEAM The team is made up of solid players (of course), so let’s briefly introduce you to them (in its current form).

Each member is given a number based on when they were recruited. The numbers don’t represent rank, please don’t be mistaken in that, we run a democratic system in the team that provides an equal chance for important decisions to be made and each member is given ample chance to have their say. So without further a due I give to you ‘THE REAPERS’: DANIEL BARLOW (RE01) - El president, leads from the front.

JOHN MCARTHY (RE06) - The horse-loving ninja of the group.

ANDY TAYLOR (RE07) - The head strong tech and also a member of the command.

PHIL TAYLOR (RE10) - The big, tall guy with the big gun, also a member of the command.

ADAM DOWNING (RE13) - The sharp-witted, funny-accented, decent guy of the group.

DAVID REEVES (RE15) - The dependable, full of ideas, all round nice guy.

STEVEN YOUNG (RE16) - The one the only BAD horse.

KIERAN WOODCOCK (RE17) - The gun-ho-aggressor.

JAMES DYSON (RE18) - A ladies man with the wheels.

Are these the men you could put your faith in… no? (You should see what they look like). As you can see there are currently three command members and our full capacity is 20 men (or women). We have had members come and go for this reason and for that reason - but none have left on the grounds that they are no longer our friends in our out of the airsoft scene.

Ultimately our aim for the future is to become the most rooting, tooting, beer drinking, plastic slinging, hit taking, beard growing operators of all things operator… NOT! (But it would be nice if I could grow some more face pubes!)

All jokes aside our aim for the future is to continue to cultivate our team inside our own community and in other communities too (airsoft ones of course). We pride ourselves on the honourable reputation we have built so far and we’d like to continue to maintain that reputation. So that somewhere near you, on an airsoft field or not, when you’re asked about “The Reapers”, hopefully you will be confident in saying “yeah, good bunch” or “great players”.

As we all know the beauty of the airsoft network/community in the UK, is that it’s a small world that’s growing in an even smaller world. So whenever we kit up and roll out, I can’t stress enough to my team mates that we are all representing The Reapers and what we do affects us all. No pressure but, touch wood, we’re proud to say our reputation as far as we’ve found has preceded us.

Now that you have seen into a small part of what we do I wish I could tell you more but don’t have time and they don’t the ink for it.

I hope to see out there some time and if you want to get signed up to operations (weekenders) or open days (standard skirmish days) at Fireball Squadron, go to: http://www. fireballsquadron.com

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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A BIT SPECIAL IF YOU WANT TO PUT TOGETHER A HALF WAY DECENT “UKSF” LOADOUT ON A BUDGET, THEN THIS MONTH JERRY NOONE WILL POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IF YOU’VE GOT MONEY TO BURN, HE’S THE VERY MAN TO HELP YOU SPEND IT! WORDS: JERRY NOONE PICTURES: NETEE ONE OF THE BIGGEST “CHAIRBORNE WARRIOR” debates I’ve ever come across online is to do with replicating a good “UKSF” loadout, one that will give a nod to the likes of “Task Force Black” whilst not going completely overboard!

I am always amazed when I see some of the historical loadouts whether they be WWII, ‘Nam, Cold War, or other. Many of these are so historically accurate that they wouldn’t be at all out of place at a living history event and luckily there’s a lot of good reference material out there to work from.

This exact replication though does lead us into some very muddy waters and there’s a lot of very volatile debate out there as to what is acceptable and what is not. I personally sit in the camp that unless you have actually served in a particular unit, then you shouldn’t adopt any of their hard-won signature items of uniform, like a sand coloured beret bearing the winged dagger of the Special Air Service! Many airsoft players have served in the Armed Forces and indeed I’m always proud to play next to them; one friend in particular, a former member of the Parachute 60

february 2015

Regiment proudly wears his red beret in the safe zone as is his right… He earned it.

So where do we draw the line on this? My opinion, right or wrong, is that if you are involved in a properly themed historical game, where the scenario is completely immersive to the period, then go for it and make your loadout as accurate as you possibly can. If however it’s a Sunday Skirmish, where you’ll see all sorts of gear at the same time, then follow the spirit of the real deal. As usual I’ll say do your research well and put together a set of kit that works and, in this respect, at least looking at what the “good guys” out there have and are using can be a very good starting point!

Although not a member of a particular team I play regularly with a bunch of friends and we all made the decision to follow a generic “UKSF” theme with our loadouts. When we made this decision everyone went off to research and luckily for us (and for you) if you decide to follow a similar theme, there are some excellent reference pictures easily found online - and let’s face it, more and more video images come out every day.

KIT LOADED OR UNLOADED

We’re also probably in a time when there is more and more airsoft gear out there than ever before, so getting the “look and feel” of the loadout is more easily achievable on a tight budget.

Yes, you can scour the internet for a good deal on the very thing worn by the guys at the sharp end and if you’re doing this as a living history project, then I would urge you to do so. If you are wanting to put together a cracking set of kit that will serve you well on the airsoft field though, then the loadout doesn’t have to be so “in depth” and money can be spent wisely; once again I’d say go for the “spirit” of the loadout rather than absolute replication. To this end, this month I’ve put together two sets of gear that certainly take their lead from gear used at the “sharp end”!

UNLOADED

The first loadout is inspired by the gear worn by members of “Task Force Black/Knight” during the war in Iraq. Working out of “The Station’, within Baghdad’s Green Zone, this unit was made up of elements of 22 SAS, 18 (UKSF) Signals Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group; it’s also thought that some members of the SBS were part of the unit as well.

Working closely with US Special Forces along with other coalition partners, it is believed that “Task Force Black/Knight” removed or eliminated some 3,500 insurgents in the Baghdad AO, drastically reducing the number of bombing incidents. They were also on standby for hostage situations.

One of the things for me that made this a really interesting theme for a loadout was the way that members of the unit were allowed great leeway in their choice of uniform. Although there are a couple of key pieces that really need to be included (I’ll come on to that!), reference pictures show a real mix and match of British and American kit; British DPM and DDPM were liberally mixed with US Tri-colour and even ACP. Black boots were worn but so were tan. Your choice of gear for this loadout can therefore be as simple or as complex as you want to make it!

To form the basis of this loadout I chose to go with US Tricolour trousers that I picked up at the War & Peace show for a tenner! They have all the features that I need and are made from a really solid, heavy duty cotton mix. For the top half I decided to ditch the DPM smock and go with a replica SPEAR fleece that I got second hand from a mate for £20; leather DDPM gloves came in at a fiver from a military surplus shop locally. ALTA kneepads work well here too and you can usually pick these up pretty cheaply at Militaria fairs.

In relation to footwear I already had a pair of leather LOWA Mountain Boots; these have been with me for a while and actually come from the right period so they were a simple choice. They’re sturdy, supportive, have a great sole unit which gives superb traction and above all they’re waterproof so they’re ideal for our balmy British climate!

I mentioned earlier a couple of key pieces that are shown in virtually every reference picture there is. The first of these is the green armour vest. Now the real deal would have been a split front Releasable Armour Vest (RAV) from the likes of BLACKHAWK! or Paraclete but both of these are VERY expensive items and the correct models are becoming harder and harder to get hold of.

This was one area where I wanted “the look” though, so I decided to do some internet trawling to see what I could come up with.

Military1st proved to be the winner here with an Olive Green Quick Release Plate Carrier from the “Condor” range. Whilst it’s not a split front rig I wanted to save some money here and the Condor carrier gave me the “spirit” of the thing I wanted and didn’t cost the earth; if you want to save even more then Military1st have a range of OG Condor plate carriers that are all great value for money. This great rig has all you would expect from MOLLE system equipment though. It comes with front and back panels, both padded with soft air mesh, featuring special internal compartments for soft armour and plate pockets for hard armour.

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

61

MISSION PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

38.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 52 x 24 x 32 cm

Internal hydration sleeve Ventex system back panel Adjustable hip pad/harness Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Multiple compression straps Hydration/coms outlet Side carry handle 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock SRP £84.95

RANGER PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

36.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 46 x 33 x 26 cm

Multiple compression straps 4 point, Ventex system back panel Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Side carry handle Internal hydration sleeve Internal retaining straps/bungees Felt lined exterior utility pouches Hydration/coms outlet 2 x Velcro ID panels 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock SRP £84.95

VAILABLE IN AV ALL A &. /$&. %/$ % ((1 ( *5(( /,9( 2/, ( 2 &2<27( &$0 & 9Ë&#x17D;Ë&#x17D;&

OGUE AL ALO T TA AT KIISTS / FREE CA FOR STOCK 0327 74 4 23 TEL 01

uk o..u o www.viperkit.c

RECON EXTRA PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

20 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 45 x 22 x 20 cm

Internal hydration sleeve Internal retaining straps/bungees Felt lined exterior utility pouches Hydration/coms outlet Multiple compression straps 4 point, Ventex system back panel Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles Grab carry handle MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings 2 x Velcro ID panels, 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock

SRP £54.95

TACTICAL

MIDI PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

22 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 43 x 23 x 26 cm

Internal hydration sleeve Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles 2 x side stow pouches Internal Nylon utility sleeves Mesh back Compression straps MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock

SRP £45.00

MINI MODULAR PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

19.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 42 x 23 x 34 cm

Mesh helmet hammock located on front with compression straps for adjustment Internal hydration sleeve 2 x External side pouches Hydration/coms outlet Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles Multiple compression straps MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock

SRP £45.00

ONE DAY MODULAR PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

13.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 19 x 20 x 43 cm

Hydration/coms outlet Multiple compression straps Internal mesh pocket to accommodate hydration bladder Shoulder straps with QR buckles.

MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panels.

2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock

SRP £26.50

SHOULDER PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

10 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 31 x 20 x 16 cm

Retaining straps/bungees Exterior utility pouches.

Mesh back panel.

Shoulder straps with QR buckle.

MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings.

2 x Velcro ID panels.

2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock

SRP £29.95

SPECIAL OPS POUCH Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:

5.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 20 x 15 x 18 cm

MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior front External mag/phone pouch Sectional internals Fold out compartment Removable shoulder carry strap Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock

SRP £2 £24.95 4.95

Both panels are connected at the waist level with an adjustable internal elasticated cummerbund. The Quick Release Plate Carrier also has nonslip padded shoulder straps with additional removable wrap around pads for extra comfort and support. All these allow for quick adjustment and modification, and provide maximum comfort, fit and ventilation; there’s literally acres of MOLLE attachment points too!

To this I added a holster, dump pouch and a selection of magazine and utility pouches, sticking with items from the VIPER range to keep costs down and added a BULLE hydration carrier from Flecktarn.

Between VIPER and BULLE you can put together a very serviceable pouch setup and keep everything on a very tight budget.

The last piece of the puzzle was the lid and once again I found a replica Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH) in olive green from the budget Mil-Tec range at Military1st. Once again, the MICH helmets were a bit of a signature piece and this really helps to pull the whole loadout together. To this I simply added an NVG mount I found cheaply online (although I’m still searching for a PVS21 version!), some ballistic goggles from Wiley X and a replica SORDIN headset I already had in hand.

Job done!

LOADED

Now as I said earlier, I don’t play with a “formal” team but the guys and I really decided to push the boat out for our more up to the minute sets of kit and if you’re on a budget I’d look away now!

The basis for this loadout is the excellent Gen II combat shirt and trousers from CRYE Precision. Even second hand these go for a pretty penny but they really are key pieces of gear for ANY “SF” inspired look.

Let’s face it, CRYE Precision were really one of the big names early in the game when it came to equipping the “operator” and the combat shirt and trousers still feature some pretty unique features. The shirt is designed specifically to be worn under body armour. it keeps you cool with a lightweight high-performance flame resistant DRIFIRE® torso, and reinforced Mil-Spec 50/50 NYCO ripstop sleeves designed for use with CRYE’s own removable Combat Elbow Pads, although you need to buy these as an accessory. The shirt also features a deep zip collar that allows

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you to get it on and off easily and this is also high enough to avoid the dreaded “sling rub”.

The trousers are aggressively cut for maximum mobility. These combat-proven pants are sized in 2” waist increments and multiple lengths for a perfect fit. They feature a unique padded waistband and high mobility stretch panels at the knee and lower back for added ease of movement. Ten pockets mean that you have space to carry all those necessary items. They are designed for use with CRYE’s removable AirFlex™ Combat Knee Pads, again sold separately. The base fabric is a bomber tough Mil-Spec 50/50 NYCO ripstop with durable a 4-way stretch panels.

Next up is load carrying gear and body armour and I was able to fulfil the look I wanted by visiting just one single manufacturer (apart from the hydration carrier that came from Intelligent Armour).

I’ve long been a fan of Warrior Assault Systems (WAS) and their Low Profile Harness and Frag Belt form the “first line” of the load gear. Onto this I’ve added a couple of open top magazine pouches, utility and first aid pouches, a Personal Retention Lanyard, Dump Pouch, and a custom Kydex holster. This gives me a basic fighting load should I have to ditch my plate carrier.

When it comes to the plate carrier itself I simply bought a WAS DCS DA 5.56 combo. The DCS (Dynamic Combat System) is a lightweight, low profile system which is rugged, yet ergonomically designed to provide exceptional comfort and functionality. Designed with direct input from active SF operators the DCS is suitable for anything you can throw at it. The DCS was developed to be worn in tandem with the Warrior Frag Belt and Low Profile Harness and comes as standard with 5 open top pouches for 5.56mm mags and two small utility; I also added an admin panel and one of the personal rip off medic pouches along with the hydration carrier.

When it comes to footwear you’ve got a pretty wide choice. Once again reference pictures show the “real deal” wearing boots from LOWA, Salomon, and Asolo just to mention three. My choice though was the AKU Pilgrim High Leg. Available with a Gore-Tex lining in Black and Forest MTP and AKUs own “sanifit” high wicking liner in Desert Beige, these new models are exclusive to Trekitt Mountain Sports and have been developed from the hugely successful AKU Pilgrim which hit the market with such a bang last year. In its Gore-Tex lined version this versatile and hugely practical boot is completely waterproof with increased breathability and the outer is very quick drying; there’s just no point having a highly breathable boot lining if the outer fabric stays waterlogged as this will prevent moisture dispersion from the inside.

With a 3D fully taped Gore-Tex booty lining and Air 8000 uppers the Pilgrim HL GTX is 30% more breathable than conventional Gore Tex lined boots! As Trekitt are based in Hereford I think I’d be on safe ground that a few of the “gentleman” may have chosen these excellent boots too!

To finish things off it was back to VIPER for me, with one of their new “FAST” helmet replicas in Multicam. Under this I have a genuine PELTOR headset and a multicam neck gaiter from 0241 Tactical adds a little extra comfort and face protection. Gloves here are the superb HWI Combat model, once again in multicam.

KIT LOADED OR UNLOADED

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL These are two loadouts that would look great at any airsoft game, inspired by (but not completely copied from) the real world. They are both setups that work well and if you put your loadout together with friends or team mates they certainly look impressive too.

One final consideration to make here though is your choice of primary and secondary RIFs. Both Glock 17 and SIG P226 handguns are used by UKSF and I have one of each from WE Airsoft Europe. The choice of primary though is pretty specific in that the firearm of choice is the L119A1 - NOT an M4 as many think. While there are obvious similarities, the “119” is based on the Diemaco C8 produced by Colt Canada. These differ from an M4 in that they have a distinctive 16 inch hammer forged mid-length barrel although there is also a 10 inch barrel “CQB” version, often seen with a Surefire suppressor, ACOG with mini red dot and an AN/PEQ box mounted. Just google it and there’s a LOT of information out there.

I’ll close this month though with my personal “tip from the top”… If you want an L119A1 then just pay a visit to J-Tac Custom; based in the main on WE Airsoft Europe donor guns, John at J-Tac is producing some of the sweetest “119” replicas that I’ve yet come across. He holds all the necessary parts in stock and can build you exactly what your heart desires if you want to be “a bit special”!

GEAR LIST AND WHERE TO GET IT www.viperkit.co.uk VIPER make some of the most cost effective tactical clothing and equipment available, and their quality just keeps getting better and better. The new range of packs, tactical gear, footwear, and clothing is being released already, and believe me when I say there are some surprises there! www.flecktarn.co.uk For their own range of BULLE nylon gear and a huge selection of clothing footwear and tactical kit Flecktarn are well worth a visit. www.warriorassaultsystems.com For really first rate tactical gear including plate carriers, chest rigs, packs and more then give WAS a look. Their website is constantly updated with new kit, and their combo deals are tasty! www.top-of-the-range.co.uk To check out the full range of HWI gloves Boots give the TOTR website a visit. They’ve also got some other great tactical brands in their portfolio and you’ll find full details tech specs and stockist details. www.military1st.co.uk Need tactical gear? Military1st is pretty much your one stop shop in this respect. All the Condor is on their website, along with so much more! www.cryeprecision.com For the ultimate fix of “gucciness” visit the CRYE Precision website and be prepared to drool more than a little. None of their first rate gear comes cheap, although stuff does come up for sale regularly online via forums and Facebook groups. www.body-armour-protection.co.uk Intelligent Armour produce gear for the real world, so everything they make or stock in the shop is absolutely 100% legit. Their belts and accessories are made from the best material and components and are first rate! www.weairsofteurope.com For more details on their RIFs as well as gas, BBs, batteries, and accessories please pay WE Airsoft Europe a visit! They’ve been busy in recent months with new product releases, and believe me when I say there’s a LOT more to come! www.jtac-custom.co.uk J-Tac started out making bespoke armour covers and replica SAPI plates for airsofters but has grown to become one of my “go to” suppliers of custom airsoft rifles, carbines and pistols. Go and check them out and prepare to be VERY impressed by what you see! www.thomasjacks.co.uk Thomas Jacks distribute the Wiley X range of eyepro and gloves (amongst many other quality brands). Pay them a visit to check out stockist details. www.trekitt.co.uk Trekitt Mountain Sports in Hereford are the sole supplier of the excellent AKU military boots so do pay them a visit to check out the full range; new sole units have just been added to the very latest models. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

65

debate AIRSOFT ENGINEERING

HOW MUCH OF AN AIRSOFT ENGINEER ARE YOU?

IN LAST MONTH’S ISSUE WE LOOKED AT THE CHANGING FACE OF “HIGH TECH” AIRSOFT, WHICH LED THE WIFE TO ASK ME HOW I’D COPE IF AEGS GOT ANY MORE COMPLEX THAN THEY ALREADY ARE AS MY ABILITY TO FIX AND MAINTAIN MY KIT IS PRETTY MINIMAL. SO THIS MONTH WE’RE ASKING… HOW MUCH OF AN AIRSOFT ENGINEER ARE YOU? Can you change a gearbox or do you struggle to change mags?

As I mentioned earlier, sick of seeing me break another beloved AEG, my beloved Sian asked me why on earth I just didn’t learn to fix it myself, or just do more regular maintenance?

The answer is I just can’t do “technical stuff” and believe me, I’ve tried. I once bought a “wrecked” M4 off a mate as a “project” to do up. With the help of some very technically-minded mates we got a new body for it, improved a few things and reassembled it into a roughly working order but it didn’t last long and by now, well I’ve totally forgotten 90 per cent of what that rebuild taught me as it was almost a decade ago.

While all of us love a good shoot out in the woods, some of us (me included) are real luddites and when it comes to what makes my fave hand cannon work I’m lost.

I’m such a klutz with kit that I steer clear of gas guns and if my AEG dies on me these days it’s back to a store for a professional fix (or more likely my long suffering buddy Evo gets tasked with fixing it)… The thing is, I’m just not technically minded when it comes down to electronics. I’m not too bad with DIY and happy with stuff I can fix with a hammer - but the sight of a soldering iron can bring out a cold sweat.

So how good are you with the innards of an aeg, the gubbins of a gearbox?

We asked how much technical knowledge do you feel a player should have about their kit?

As a former infantry soldier a fundamental part of my training was being able to strip and reassemble my rifle in minutes blindfold. We learned how to strip the bolt down and were even tested on the names of the component parts, daily cleaning was part of the job; but with airsoft – well I can just about change a battery and bolt on a RIS handgrip. I guess the issue is no one is making me do this stuff anymore and my life will never depend on knowing how to shim a gearbox. I also think that once again, this “real world” gun maintenance is far more akin to household DIY than tinkering around with the tiny parts in an AEG gearbox and this seemed to be a sentiment echoed by many of you. Plenty of you felt you were comfortable with the “mechanical” workings of the gas pistol, with fitting a new barrel or perhaps a new stock that required screwing in but opening a gearbox… well Pandora would have blushed.

As the Ed. remarked, sometimes it’s best to not even go there having recounted a tale of an AEG shipped back to the store “as it didn’t work” that had had a particularly bold attempt at “home fixing”; the gun had been disassembled to the level of an exploded parts diagram and literally rattled in the box. The moral of the story being, by all means have a go at fixing it but it’s a bit rich to totally destroy it before sending it back to the shop!

A few of our readers, however, felt they really enjoyed getting greasy with a gearbox and that rebuilds and maintenance were almost a second hobby (and could provide a tidy “beer money” income fixing for friends) in itself and thankfully, while most of you felt that we should all be able to clean and look after our favourite shooter, none of you thought my lack of skills were a serious crime against airsoft!

So this month, our survey said: Gear Addicts (Roger): “I’ve got the technical knowledge about AEGs. I’m doing everything on my own (got a lot of stuff like chrono, internal/external parts etc.). It’s fun for me to make changes and upgrades in my airsoft guns. That’s like another hobby for me. I’m not struggle when other players don’t know anything about it – I think that they are my future customers.”

Matt Crowe: “To put it into perspective, it took me over an hour of swearing; crying and stubbed thumbs to get the mag release tab back onto my AK105 yesterday. I’m ok with changing out wiring and barrels and hop units but when it comes to anything finicky involving small spaces or springs my sausage fingers soon ensure it’ll never work anywhere close to passable ever again.”

Scott Allan: “I don’t do springs.... they should be banned. All of them!”

Jez Power: “I can’t even change a battery.”

Alex Higgins: “I tried to fix my SCAR mag release and stabbed myself with a drill bit. So far as I can tell it’s still in there!”

Martin Garrett: “I am happy to sort out barrels, bucking

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and hop ups but anything more and I go to those that have the skills I don’t.”

Neil Coupland: “I can build a pc, diagnose and fix any pc fault, haven’t even got a clue how to open any of my gats, they break it’s to the shop they go.”

James Sivieri: “Learnt everything off YouTube. Change springs, gearbox internals, motors, hops and barrels. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had some “Oh balls!” moments when bits go flying across the room but never had to take a box of bits to the local techie yet.”

Daniel Shears: “I think its good practice to have a basic knowledge about how your stuff works. I’m pretty confident that I can diagnose and fix most faults with my airsoft guns and I’ve helped out a few people who might be less confident in repairing their guns (mostly guns I don’t own and therefore it has increased my knowledge in the process). I’ve been lucky that I know a pretty competent airsoft tech and if I can’t fix it I dump it on his desk.”

Dean Cerys Phillips: “As I’m just getting into it, I’m not 100% confident to take bits apart however I’m a mechanical engineer by trade so have been busy making bits for my gun rather than buying them and building the odd riot shield too!”

Sean BE: “I am not technically minded but owning a Trabant and spending most of my time at the roadside trying to repair it, you learn a lot and it’s the same with AEG’s; the more I use them and watch others doing repairs the greater my knowledge is becoming. I am still at the early stages but it is rewarding doing something for the first time.”

David Miller: “I pretty much always have someone’s gun on the desk being fixed - it’s what funds airsoft for me really. I don’t despair that people don’t know how to change a spring, or even a motor. I’ve worked on everything except PTWs, my favourite being gas guns as 90% of the time they are basically only one step away from the real thing in terms of how they operate.

“It’s almost a separate parallel hobby for me, albeit one that feeds

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debate AIRSOFT ENGINEERING

back into skirmishing very well. I think that people should know how to clean their own guns. Hands down the easiest money maker for me is the gas pistol that “is feeling a bit tired and worn out” and all it needs is a good clean and re-lube. Handing a working gun back to someone is a great feeling, especially when they pay you for it!”

Gary Gazthepainter Mulligan: “I wouldn’t know where to start, and I’d be scared of making it worse by going in blind! Good idea for an article on maintenance and repair I’d say!”

Barnes Kno Al: “I will fix anything that uses gas of any sort but ask me to open a gearbox and off to the shop I’ll send you! I really love working on GBB as it’s a mechanically similar process to my real rifles. There’s no feeling like stripping and fine tuning a trigger sear even if it makes zero difference in the field. Thankfully, airsoft is a hobby with so many facets.”

Nick Shaw: “Ten years behind the workbench, pretty much seen it all and have just started getting into making my own custom parts and guns.”

Matt Keen: “I don’t know how to anything. I also don’t want to know. It will ruin the magic.”

Andy Waters: “I have 3 or 4 guns that need repairs and I need to order replacement parts but it’s the taking them apart and all the bits that’s intimidating to do so myself. I will give it a bash however I think it’s probably more frustration than it’s worth sometimes!”

Zakku Kurai: “When it comes to repairing gearboxes, I’m not the best but if it’s just swapping parts like a new motor, gearbox, barrels, it’s really no problem. Like right now I’m trying to fix and upgrade the bolt assembly on my spring sniper rifle. It’s really no problem to fix at all, just everything I want to do to it just costs so much. And that’s just the stuff to get it field ready again.”

Martin Seymour: “Only been airsofting for a short time but I need to learn. Thankfully not had issues with my AEG yet but I will strip it soon for a deep clean and that will be my first time inside of one.”

Chris Sinclair: “Gas or spring I can fix fine, but aeg is definitely harder. I’m sure it will be easy enough but it’s the idea that you are dealing with cogs and pistons that scares me.”

Jethro Holberry: “I was that sprog with a screwdriver who’d strip the radio!

“I am pretty new to the world of airsoft tech but the internet provides. There seems to be a common consensus (among techies) that after every X amount of BBs you should open her up and clean out and replace grease, check wear, replace primary O ring etc.

“Perhaps learning about your internals and performing services on your weapon will help you become acquainted with it, you don’t need to know how to shim to put the shims back onto the axle stubs. If carried out properly these services will prolong the life of your airsoft gun. I’ve done this a few times on my M4 and it has lead my confidence onto upgrading the internals bit by bit. That’s my two pence anyway!”

Phil Bucknall: “I quite enjoy the fixing and upgrading side of things and have built many different guns for people. No custom manufacturing of parts but building off the shelf components into a rifle they can’t get for example. I also do the hire guns at my local site but I especially like working on GBBRs. “I don’t think everyone should be expected to fix their own stuff.

A basic knowledge and ability to say change a hop unit or motor yes perhaps but not necessarily the more in depth stuff.”

Scott Grimsley: “I’d like to upgrade my own but when it comes to anything other than a spring sniper I’m lost and don’t have the courage to take it apart to have a go.”

Got a good idea for a debate, or is there a burning question you’d like the airsoft community to answer?

Send an email to Gadge (gadge@airsoft-action.co.uk).

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tickets on sale now!!

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HOLD IT STEADY

IF YOU’RE NOT STABLE WHEN YOU FIRE, YOUR SHOT IS MORE LIKELY TO MISS. PRO-TACT’S ANDY NIGHTINGALE RUNS THROUGH SOME BASIC RIFLE SHOOTING POSITIONS. POINTING THE DANGEROUS END OF A RIFLE at something that you want to hit with a round and pulling the trigger is simple but, for that round to actually hit the intended target with the desired effect takes a little more effort than just “point and squeeze”. At the very beginning of the shot the weapon must be held in the most stable position possible. Remember the marksmanship principles rule number one: “The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon”.

In this article we will look at some of the different ways in which we can provide a stable platform to support the rifle in combative and defensive situations. Due to the diverse conditions and situations we face during combative and defensive situations there is no single way in which we hold and support the rifle. We all know that to hold the rifle we must ensure that we have a good solid grip on the weapon, with a strong cheek weld and the head upright.

The stock should be pulled tight into the pocket of the shoulder with the elbows tucked in towards the torso. Due to the different styles and grip accessories of modern rifles, the particular way in which we actually hold the rifle differs from weapon to weapon and shooter to shooter. However the principles are all the same… Strong and solid.

Once we have mastered the hold we have to provide a stable position to shoot from. I want to share with you five ways to overcome positional situations.

STANDING The most common is the standing position and everyone has shot from this position at some time or another. All positions have pros and cons and standing is no exception.

Standing offers ease of movement for the shooter.

PROS: It is quick to adopt and quick to deploy the rifle from. Lateral movement is not hindered in any way and a 360 degree response is possible without any problem whatsoever. If the need arises the shooter can move off line in an instant and relocate at speed. However the cons side of the standing position tend to out weigh the pros.

CONS: The standing position is a very unstable platform to shoot the rifle from due to the lack of stability provided by the shooter. Close quarters shooting is not too much of a problem but long precision shots are near impossible to achieve, even for the most skilled of shooter. The rifle can, however, be supported during the shot by a fixed support such as a wall or branch of a tree to aid stability but this may not always be possible.

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The profile of the shooter in some situations (such as out in the open) remains large, providing a greater target area for the enemy to zero in on. No matter what situation you may find yourself in you will probably end up shooting from the standing position at some point.

SQUATTING Squatting, also known as the “Rice Paddy Prone” is the adapted version of the standing position.

PROS: Much like the standing position the squatting position is quick to adopt; basically it’s the standing position but with a lower profile. Its quick to adopt and quick to move off line with little effort.

From the standing position the shooter simply bends at both knees and adopts a squatting posture. The elbows are supported by the knees but remember not to put bone on bone. Make sure that the balls of the elbows are resting in front of the knee caps to aid stability during recoil. It may not feel as stable as the standing position as you can not lean into the recoil but placing both feet flat on the ground ensures that a more stable supportive platform is ensured. Moving off line is simply a case of standing up and moving.

The squatting position also lowers your profile by at least half, making you not only harder to shoot at but also harder to find.

CONS: Lateral movement and 360 degree cover is a lot harder to achieve with the squatting position. The lower the shooting position to the ground the slower movement will become. This position can also become uncomfortable during long periods of use.

KNEELING Like standing, kneeling positions are a favourite of most shooters and this is because the kneeling position is easy to adopt and easy to recover from. The kneeling position can be used on either a single knee or both, depending on the situation you find yourself in.

Adopting the single knee position requires the shooter to simply step forwards with the weak side foot and place the strong side knee on the ground. With the weak side knee raised the weak side elbow (supportive elbow) can be placed on the knee to aid in stability. Remember not to have bone on bone. Also, if you are using a side arm, adopting a strong side knee down will allow you to access the side arm with ease, especially if you are using a drop leg holster.

skills RIFLE SKILLS

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skills RIFLE SKILLS

The shooter can either be in a raised position, with the strong side thigh in a vertical position, or in a low position by sitting on the strong side foot.

PROS: The single knee position will allow some vertical adjustment to the position during shooting, simply by raising the torso up and down using the knees as a pivot. It provides a stronger and more stable platform than the squatting position and is less tiring during long periods of use. It is also a good position to adopt during magazine changes and stoppage drills due to the fact it is easy to adopt and reduces your personal target profile.

CONS: Lateral movement is restricted and swapping knee positions (strong to weak) may need to be done to secure a better firing position in some situations. Without padded knee protection this position can be uncomfortable in urban and similar situations (I think we all may have said a few choice words when we have knelt down on a BB or two!!)

PRONE The prone position is by far the most preferred position to adopt in combative and defensive situations. It is the most stable of all shooting positions and reduces your profile to its minimum. Adopting the prone position can, with careful practice, be fast to adopt however recovery can be slow.

To adopt the prone position first adopt a single knee position then taking charge of the rifle in the strong hand, place the weak hand in front of you, to aid stability and adopt a laying down position. Bring the rifle up into position and obtain the correct grip. To recover you just simply reverse the action.

The kneeling position can also be a two-knee affair. This can be adopted by simply adopting a single knee position first then the weak side knee comes along side the strong. Although a lesser used position this is still a good position to adopt if using low cover to shoot from.

PROS: This is the most stable of all shooting positions to fire from due to the support it offers. Your personal target profile is also at its minimum (only your head is exposed).

PROS: Vertical movement is easy to adopt by simply raising the torso.

It’s quite comfortable to use (with knee pads) and is less tiring.

CONS: Movement is severely limited in the prone position. Although adopting the prone position is relatively quick, recovery is very slow.

Lateral and 360 degree movement is very slow although not impossible to achieve.

CONS: movement from this position is very slow and standing up can be tricky if the ground is uneven. This position will not allow you to use the knees for support during firing however other artificial support can be used.

SEATED The seated position is probably the least used of all combative and defensive shooting positions. This is due to the fact that it is the slowest to adopt and also the slowest to recover from. It does have its place in shooting though. During a fast-paced shootout it is pretty much useless but for an ambush position, or defending a LUP or OP over a long period, then this position comes into play.

As with the kneeling position the elbows can be rested on the knees for additional support providing the shooter is sitting in a crossed leg position.

PROS: This position is comfortable and can be used over long periods

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of time. Stability is great due to both elbows being supported by the knees.

CONS: It is slow to adopt and movement is severely restricted.

Recovering from the seated position is dangerous if you need to bug out fast.

february 2015

The above are just some of the most popular firing positions used in modern warfare today. There are other positions that are less used and are more specialised and will be covered in another article. It is worth spending time to practice all of the above mentioned shooting positions as you will at some point in your Skirmish life need one or all of them in a day.

Make sure that not only when practicing these drills but also when in the field, you observe all safety rules to make sure we are all safe.

You will be surprised where the muzzle points when adopting some of these positions. You will also notice that you will be able to adopt some of theses positions easier than others, especially us old folk (like me).

Physical fitness also plays a valuable part in being able to adopt and use these positions to their full potential.

Take things slow when practicing, learn by any mistakes you make and remember your knee pads!

Have fun and stay safe.

WORLD WAR II SELF-LOADERS MILITARY HISTORIAN, WILL FOWLER, TAKES A LOOK AT THE PROS AND CONS OF TWO WELLKNOWN WW2 SELF-LOADING RIFLES SVT The SVT-38 (Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva - Tokarev Selfloading rifle) was originally adopted in 1938 after more than 20 years of research and development, undertaken by the famous Russian small arms designer Fedor Tokarev. It was not the first Soviet semi-automatic rifle - there were the select-fire “Avtomat” of 1916 by Fedorov and also the select-fire AVS-36 of 1936 by Simonov.

The Avtomat was chambered for Japanese 6.5mm Arisaka rounds and had been declared obsolete and the AVS-36 showed some design deficiencies, so a new rifle was required. The SVT38 was the winner in a competition and was a gas operated weapon with a short-stroke, spring-loaded piston above the barrel and a tilting bolt. It thus it became one of the pioneers of this configuration, which eventually became widely used – notably in the Belgian FN FAL and its derivative, the British L1A1 SLR. The SVT 38 was issued to the Soviet Army but following experience in the Winter War with Finland in 1939-40, the initial reaction of the troops to this new weapon was negative. Among the criticisms was that the rifle was too long and cumbersome, difficult to maintain and the magazine had a tendency to fall off.

This led to modifications and updated the new rifle went into service in 1940 as the SVT-40.

This new weapon (to give it its full title; the 7.62mm Samozariadnyia Vintovka Tokareva o1940g, SVT40 automatic rifle or, 1940) had a ten-round box magazine and weighed 8.5 lbs and eventually two million SVT40 rifles were manufactured.

When German soldiers captured SVT40s they were quick to put them back into use against their former owners, re-designating them A1Gew259(r). The biggest drawback with the SVT40 was that it had a heavy recoil. Other versions of the rifle were the SNT sniper’s rifle and the fully automatic AKT-40. Poor workmanship meant that the sniper’s rifle was unreliable and most Soviet snipers favoured the vintage bolt action Mosin–Nagant. Though it was an innovative design the SVT40 demanded too many man-hours from skilled machinists and was phased out between 1943- 44.

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feature HEAD TO HEAD | SVT V GARAND

Like a lot of Soviet military equipment – the T-34 tank and M1938 120mm mortar – the SVT40 had come as a shock to the Germans, who ramped up their semi-automatic rifle development efforts significantly. The SVT gas-operated mechanism was copied

by Walther in the G41(W), producing the Gewehr 43 (or G43). The simpler, sturdier design and mechanism of the G43 made it lighter, easier to produce, more reliable and also much tougher than the earlier self-loading rifle, the Gewehr 41. It was said that the G43 was tough enough that Alpenjäger elite German mountain troops would use them as ladder rungs during climbing. The addition of a 10-round detachable box magazine was an improvement over the fixed box magazine of the G41(W). The Gewehr 43 was intended, like the G41, to be loaded using 5-round stripper clips without removing the magazine.

That the German small arms industry copied the SVT40 proves that imitation, as the saying goes, is the highest form of flattery.

SPECIFICATIONS Caliber: 7.62x54 mm R Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt Overall length: 1226 mm Barrel length: 625 mm Weight: 3.85 kg Feed: 10 round detachable box magazine

GARAND The “Rifle, Calibre .30, M1” rifle adopted by the US Army in 1936 was designed by John Garand of the Springfield Arsenal in the late 1920s. This eponymous weapon was a robust semi-automatic gas operated rifle that weighed 9.5 lbs, was 43.5ins long and had an eight-round box magazine. The effective rate of fire was between 16 and 24 rounds a minute and although the sights were set out to 1,200 yards, the effective range was just 460 yards. It also had the minor tactical drawback that the clip was ejected with a distinctive “ping” when the last round had been fired. Realistically in a fire fight, opposing soldiers would be unaware of this sound and that it meant a soldier would need to load another clip of rounds.

General George S. Patton described the M1 Garand as “the best battle implement ever devised” and “the most deadly rifle in the world.” The Garand would be the US Infantryman’s weapon through World War II, Korea and briefly in the early years of the Vietnam War. By the time production stopped in 1957, over 5,400,000 M1 “Garands” had been manufactured by Springfield Armory and three private contractors.

The British Commando Officer, Brigadier Derek Mills-Roberts, would carry an M1 Garand during his service in World War II, having seen its effectiveness in training as second in command of No4 Commando prior to the landings at Dieppe in August 1942. The Commandos had men of the newly formed US Rangers attached for the operation and one of them was Sergeant Alex Szima.

For Szima, training with No 4 Commando had been his first chance to familiarise himself with the M1 Garand rifle. In the US Army his personal weapon as an NCO in the headquarters was a Thompson SMG, but over the ranges he would be engaging the enemy a rifle would be a more effective weapon. In the first practice he would be firing an un-zeroed rifle on the ranges in Portland. His American accent and GI uniform (and the right side of his face scared from a pre-war cycling accident) had already lent him the reputation of a mystery man to British soldiers, whose knowledge of the United States in the 1930s and 40s was derived largely from Hollywood films. His “beginners luck” on the ranges would add to it.

To any British soldier who has fired on the old pre-electric target ranges, the orders issued at the end of a firing practice (“Cease firing.” “Unload.” “Show clear.” “Stand up.” “Dress down the range and check targets.”), are as familiar as a temple mantra to priests and worshippers. On the words “…check targets” firing www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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point instructors and students run the distance that separates the firing point from the targets (or butts) to check the hits and so the accuracy of the sight settings on the rifle and the marksmanship of the shooters.

To Szima and his fellow US Army Rangers this range procedure was novel, almost exotic.

“Surprising and not so surprising: at the cease fire,” he recalled, “everyone on the line ran like a herd of buffalo with Maj. Mills-Roberts leading the pack.”

Walking back from the targets, Mills-Roberts met the US Ranger Sergeant. The British officer was shaking his head and Szima was convinced that his shooting was in British range parlance a “wash out” and that every round had missed the target. In fact his five rounds were in a tight 200 mm (8 inch) group.

“Sergeant, are you a member of the American Army rifle team?” asked the Commando officer. “No Sir,” came the reply, “I’m just a bartender from Dayton, Ohio!”

The man who designed the formidable M1 that would bear his name was John Cautious Garand, who was born on January 1, 1888 in a small farm in Quebec, Canada. By the age of 11 he was working as a floor sweeper at a Connecticut textile mill, where he was fascinated by the machinery he saw around him. Naturally inquisitive, he began to spend his spare time learning from the mechanics and by 18 he was working as a machinist.

Garand had an inventive mind and by November 1919 was working at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts, where he would eventually become the Chief Civilian Engineer. Garand invented the self-loading .30 calibre rifle, known as the M-1 or simply “the Garand,” which was adopted in 1936 after gruelling tests by the US Army. For the M-1 and numerous other technical innovations related to weaponry, Garand received no monetary compensation beyond that of his modest salary.

A bill introduced in Congress to grant him $100,000 did not pass. He was, however, in 1941 awarded a Medal for Meritorious Service and a U.S. Government Medal for Merit three years later.

SPECIFICATIONS Calibre: .30-06 (7.62x63 mm) Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt Overall length: 1103 mm Barrel length: 610 mm Weight: 4.32 kg Feed: non-detachable, clip-fed only 8 round magazine.

Cyclic rate of fire 600 rounds per minute

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GARAND VERSUS THE SVT The Garand is a little like the Jeep – both are World War II veterans that have soldiered on long beyond the date when they entered service.

That the Garand was used in two more conflicts after World War II is an indication of its excellent design. The M14 that was an attempt to “improve” it never lived up to expectations.

The SVT family of weapons are very innovative and features were copied by the Germans. However the Soviet Union lacked the highly trained workforce of the USA and so the quality of the workmanship was not high. Arguably the ten round detachable box magazine makes the SVT a more useful weapon in a fire fight and it is lighter than the Garand but if there are stoppages, or the Soviet weapon is inaccurate, then the heavier Garand wins every time.

WHERE ARE YOU BIG TEN? SOMETIMES SNIPERS HAVE TO PUT THEIR NORMAL INSTINCTS ON HOLD AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. SNIPER ONE, DAN MILLS, WRITES ABOUT ONE SUCH OCCASION IN VIETNAM. JOSEPH T. WARD WAS A US MARINE, part of 5th Marines stationed at Hill 65 near a place called An Hoa in Vietnam.

This action occurred late into his long tour of duty in Vietnam and he had worked his way to be squad leader of a sniper team in the US Marines, with 63 confirmed kills.

Working on intelligence gained he set off on a hunter mission before sun up, along with his number two, Lance Corporal Terry Lightfoot. Navigating their way into the desired area they had selected a position to over-watch an area known to have an increase in enemy presence. The area they selected was overlooking some wide, open fields, some of which contained rice paddies.

They quickly worked to get secure and set up a fire position from which they could freely observe for signs of enemy movement and which they could defend and (if needed) escape from - all good sniper stuff. Ground selection is key and when operating in small teams it is vital to make best use of any ground that hands you any advantage. A sniper will select ground that provides concealment, is defendable, has good covered routes in and out and one that communications can be made from.

Within the field of view of the sniper pair were wide open breaks within the jungle, which surrounded the open areas being cut into by locals. Overlooking transit routes or known areas of enemy activity can prove very valuable for logging and reporting, gaining information about how they operate - and for destroying them.

This open area was being used by the local population to grow crops and also by the VC/ NVA to transit through, as it was often easier to move through, though more dangerous being exposed. Underfoot would have been wet and slippery in the fields with drainage ditching surrounding the perimeter, then the jungle set slightly back.

The sniper pair quietly set up shop and lay in wait to see what would happen.

With quiet disbelief the prone observers could not believe what their eyes were telling them when at first light the enemy appeared straight away, bursting through the jungle treeline; not just a patrol but in their hundreds!

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What was worse is that they were patrolling straight towards the OP from one side of the open ground to the other. Ward had to think and think fast.

It was blindingly obvious that Ward and Lightfoot could not take on and defeat such a large force as this, they appeared to be of at least a battalion strength of NVA, heading fast and soon they would be within rifle range.

Instances like this are rare. A good sniper training course involves each and every sniper being taught how to use signals to call in air or artillery assets when the situation dictates and this was one of them, an opportunity not to be missed. But they had to act fast as the enemy front vanguard was almost on them.

Instantly Ward radioed back to base calling in some air support, “Grid Reference 123 456 Massed Enemy Troops in open destroy now!”

Air traffic operations room staff quickly re-routed two F4 Phantoms heading elsewhere on task and gave them to Ward…

ETA seven minutes.

Lightfoot was armed with an M14 assault rifle and quickly emptied his pouches of magazines in front of his position, laying

Sniper SNIPER | JOSEPH T. WARD

“JUST AS WARD DROPPED YET ANOTHER MACHINE GUNNER FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER MORTAR MAN, THE GROUND AROUND THEM ERUPTED IN NOISE AND VIOLENCE.”

them out making it easier to reload. Knowing it would be a tough fight, they were going to have to delay the advancing enemy in order for the air assets to have time to arrive on scene. This was not the normal for the pair, usually they went out and hunted prey in the single digits group size, not Company plus!

Ward pulled his weapon back into his right shoulder taking aim on a machine gunner, in this situation the MG was likely to cause them a lot of bother. Lightfoot would concentrate on the nearer section of approaching troops.

“Fire!”

Ward put a round right between the unsuspecting gunner’s eyes then switched to the next target, whilst instantly Lightfoot had shot down the closest three men. With rapid bolt manipulation Ward shot a second gunner then hit a third, a mortar man, in the neck dropping him instantly. The NVA had no idea what was going on, quickly though they returned a furious weight of fire but luckily for the two snipers their position was still concealed.

The enemy advanced slowly and cautiously forward, still heading right towards them. Ward glanced at his watch, “Big Ten where are you? Hurry up!” It was going to be close. If the Phantoms did not arrive soon they would undoubtedly be overrun.

It was going to be very close as the enemy fire grew in accuracy.

The fourth round hit the number two on the mortar, the loader.

It struck him as he was feeding a round into the mouth of the mortar and as the mortar man fell dead to the ground his mortar round fired off and exploded amongst his communist comrades.

Even better, now they thought we had called in mortars.

Lightfoot was firing away, dropping two more of them and keeping the remainder pinned down out front, whilst a fifth shot from Ward hit another MG. Rounds were flying everywhere because they had still not found the position they were being engaged from, testament to the snipers ground selection.

Searching around for targets Ward was doing two things at once, trying to engage with the airframe whilst simultaneously trying to engage another machine gunner and because of this his sixth round missed the target!

Looking across he could see his buddy was methodically shooting and reloading, shooting and reloading, the two of them were causing absolute chaos out of all proportion to their size, with deadly accuracy.

The rounds were hitting much closer to home now as the enemy soldiers got nearer, crawling forwards on their bellies in the rice paddies, Lightfoot swore as dirt was kicked up into his face a

round impacting in the earth close by. “Hurry up Big Ten, where are you?”

As Ward reloaded he heard an awesome message over the radio: “Long Rifle, Big Ten. Final approach now. Out.” Excellent, they were almost on target, just a little while longer.

Just as Ward dropped yet another machine gunner followed by another mortar man, the ground around them erupted in noise and violence. The tree line was decimated by napalm, fire breathed its way engulfing both fighters and forest and those in the open were torn apart by rockets and gunfire.

All incoming fire at the sniper pair ceased, the enemy had something bigger on their minds now. Immediately Ward switched to the artillery support net and called in a fire mission, peppering the survivors and likely escape routes with shells from 105mm and 175mm guns. Whilst the bombardment from hell came down on communist heads, the pair packed kit and bugged out back to base camp. A job very well done, they had decimated many men from a whole NVA battalion and lived to tell the tale.

In all, take from this classic sniper skills; navigation, to and from the selected target area. Selection and sighting of an OP, from which one can stay concealed, undetected, observe and report, fight and destroy. Shoot, with skill, at various ranges take out targets in priority order, crew served weapons, officers, signallers, foot soldiers. Abilities, to use other assets as and when the situation dictates.

Awesome! www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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WAR IN THE AIR CONTINUING HIS SERIES ABOUT THE 1ST WORLD WAR, DAN MILLS TURNS HIS ATTENTION UPWARDS TO A NEW ARENA OF BATTLE, THE SKY. THE FIRST WORLD WAR USHERED in many new technologies, new methods of warfare and one of these was the introduction of the airplane, which brought warfare to a whole new level.

It wasn’t until the Italians had dropped grenades on Turkish formations in Libya in 1911, that the airplane was considered for an active role in combat. Until then they were designed for aerobic displays, acrobatics and record attempts. The man that bombed like this was Italian Lt Giulio Gavotti when he dropped four grapefruit-sized 4-pounders over the side of his aircraft, he also carried out the first ever night mission in his plane.

The effect of the grenades was physiologically significant but most commanders in their war preparations dismissed the aircrafts use, intending to keep them as reconnaissance platforms, scouting ahead sending back information and being used as artillery spotting platforms.

Roland Garros was an aviator who had been a pre-war racer in early planes and was also the first pioneering pilot to fly across the Mediterranean. On the outbreak of war he quickly joined up and was again amongst the early pioneers looking at firing machine guns forward through the aircraft’s propeller, a feat he achieved and becoming the first to do so on the 1st April 1915.

Garros did this after a visit to the Morane-Saulnier plane works, taking forward the work on metal deflector wedges fitted to the blades. This pioneer achieved the first shooting down of an enemy aircraft using this method, achieving two more kills before himself having to crashland behind German lines. After careful German study of the plane it was sent to Anthony Fokker who invented the “Interrupter”, which allowed guns to shoot through with much better accuracy and warfare in the air was born.

Remarkably the Allies were still reluctant to get properly involved in the new warfare, whilst the Germans went full speed ahead we cried of “unsporting behaviour”. The fledgling Royal Flying Corps had a mere handful of planes whilst the Bosch had hundreds, which led to the term the “Fokker Scourge”.

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The RFC were in action from the outset. During the early days of the BEF they were up in the air spotting enemy forces and movements, reporting back strengths and dispositions in August and September 1914, prior to the disaster at Mons and beyond.

Another early air invention was the “Kite Balloon”, stolen this time from a German invention they quickly spread around the Western Front. Kite Balloons, though very vulnerable to fire from both air and ground still played an important part, their use continued well into the Second World War. Ideally used as aerial platforms to monitor enemy troop movements and observing for the Artillery, the brave souls who used them were fitted with a parachute attached to mooring lines and the canopy.

Different, better, fighter planes replaced the early crates and soon the names of several pilots began to stand out, initially these brave pilots went out alone searching for an enemy plane to shoot down single handed but by the war’s end up to fifty or more aircraft were out patrolling the skies together.

Names such as Albert Ball, who had shot down 43 enemy planes before his 21st birthday. Before his death he was awarded the VC, DSO and Bar, plus the Military Cross amongst other

WW1 WAR IN THE AIR

“THE ALLIES WERE STILL RELUCTANT TO GET PROPERLY INVOLVED IN THE NEW WARFARE, WHILST THE GERMANS WENT FULL SPEED AHEAD WE CRIED OF “UNSPORTING BEHAVIOUR”. THE FLEDGLING ROYAL FLYING CORPS HAD A MERE HANDFUL OF PLANES WHILST THE BOSCH HAD HUNDREDS.”

awards after joining up as a Sherwood Forester. Manfred Von Richthofen was one of the most famous, shooting down 80 allied planes before his death in the red plane he painted, gaining him the distinction “The Red Baron”.

To be an ace one had to shoot down five enemy planes. Many pilots went on to achieve much more than this but many did not, there was a high rate of attrition however air warfare had proven its uses and was here to stay.

Another later but notorious Ace was Hermann Goering. He also started his life in the trenches as an infantryman before moving into planes. Goering absconded and transferred himself off into a friend’s plane and was initially sentenced to punishment for doing so, though this was never carried out after news of his success spread. He quickly gained awards and recognition before eventually taking over the same unit recently led by the Red Baron, after the Baron’s successor’s death. Goering became an ace, achieving a total of 22 kills and receiving Germany’s highest award, the Pour le Merite long after winning the Iron Cross First Class.

Many arguments about the use of the planes went on, some argued against wasting planes in flashy sporting aerial dogfights over the trench lines, to crippling German munitions and supplies in the industrial heartlands of Germany. Later planes were fitted with skis for landing at sea, these were used to attack submarines, another new invention of warfare, naval shipping and logging and reporting and escort duties.

Another method of air warfare introduced was the Zeppelin air balloon. Balloons had been in development since the 1870s and now were moved into aerial combat. Ferdinand Von Zeppelin had pushed the balloon idea forward, stumbling many times but eventually at the outbreak of WW1 his balloons were taken on by Imperial Germany. The term “Zeppelin” seemed to have become the household name for these big lumbering air beasts and it stuck.

The German Army and Navy operated the airships, at first for reconnaissance missions but then bombing missions. These bombing raids captured the public’s imagination and much propaganda appeared about them, they went on to drop leaflets over warring opponents too.

Bombing raids over British cities and towns were made, with the first Zeppelin raid on London being the night of May 31st 1915. This raid instilled fear amongst the population, dropping incendiary bombs and grenades on innocent civilians below. Seven civilians were killed with another 40 being wounded.

The British public were left astounded that this slow moving

craft could ease its way into British towns and cities and escape after causing death and destruction. The largest ever airship raid came in early September 1916, as 14 of them crossed over the Channel. One British pilot, Lt. W. Leefe Robinson earned himself the Victoria Cross for shooting one of them down, along with much admiration from the population.

Reaching their raiding peak with 22 raids that year, by 1918 the anti-air systems and RAF took a great toll and attacks that year dropped to only four.

Over the years of the Great War each arm or service had developed their own flying machines. This came to an end in April 1918 when the Naval Air Service, British Air Corps and the Royal Flying corps amalgamated to become The Royal Air Force. The main driving force behind this since his early command of the RFC in August 1914 was Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard. With his foresight the RAF went on to become the force that was to defeat the Germans for the second time that century in WW2.

By mid-1918 the allies had air superiority and an impressive line-up of aircraft, approximately 22 thousand of them and no shortage of trained pilots volunteering to fly them.

Air warfare had gone from strength to strength and instead of single pioneering pilots dropping grenades mass squadrons now flew bombing missions. Trenchard had even drawn up plans to bomb Berlin but the end of the war beat him to it. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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BROTHERS IN ARMS

BILLY WRITES ABOUT A CORNERSTONE OF THE BRITISH MILITARY, WHICH HE HAS EXPERIENCED MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER SOLDIERS OF THE BRITISH ARMY are arguably still the best Army in the world. Alright we haven’t got as many toys to play with as the Americans, as many soldiers as the Chinese, or look as grizzly and as menacing as the Russians (which is hardly a surprise as they all have a pretty rotten life compared to our boys). But potent and powerful things do often come in small packages and we’ve got a long proud history of outstanding soldiering behind us, as well as the fantastic support of the country as well as our family and friends.

The British Army (as do our other sister services the Navy and the other one….. just kidding, the RAF) does face challenges in the future, there’s no doubt about that. I recently watched a 2-part series on our adventure in Afghanistan called “The Lion’s Last Roar” and it made sobering watching I can tell you. However I didn’t subscribe to its central premise; that we’re a spent force in terms of projecting a large force overseas to protect our national interests or to help out an ally.

If you bear in mind what a tiny island nation we are relative to the other nations that I just mentioned, what exactly is it that makes our Army such a cohesive family and a potent force that is the envy of the world?

The Americans (some of them anyway) sometimes look at us askance at the way we do our business because we are often focussed on helping people, rather than just smashing up the bad guys. But what makes us great is our esprit de corps, our love of our friends and our Regiment and a distinct pride in what we do. This cornerstone of this is the “Buddy Buddy” system and that’s what we’re going to chat about today.

Anyone who’s served in the Army will have been told that the smallest unit in the ORBAT is the Infantry Section but I believe that this splits down further, to a more potent unit. Obviously you’ve got the fire teams Charlie and Delta (4 men in each one that make up the 8 man section) that will break the section into two parts when they are in the last stages of the assault. What makes up the Fire team is two sets of two oppos, or muckers, mates, friends, battle buddies - in essence two men that rely on one another and the glue that bonds them together in a friendship that is often lifelong. This friendship is often more powerful (and here I at risk of being controversial) and has more “stickiness” or endurance (for want of a better word) than the relationship between a man and wife.

Basic Training: I am still in touch with several of my mates that I did Basic Training with, over 25 years ago. I speak to a few of them once every couple of weeks, there

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is a bond which was created during periods of cold, hunger and stress. We all knew that we were in it together and that a smile or a joke or a kind gesture was only a minute away and that was a powerful incentive to keep with the pack, not to give in and be left behind by a group of men/brothers that you felt increasing brotherly love for.

“Manners maketh the man” someone once said, it was probably Noel Coward or Churchill (Ed is a cultivated chap, he’ll no doubt put me right on that score (William of Wykeham - Ed.)), whoever said it was right. Despite the mud, sweat and tears the guys that I trained with always cared for, considered and helped one another out and that’s what the Instructors were seeking in us.

Their job was to whittle away the wasters and chancers until that what was left was a group of likeminded individuals who could form a team and who understood what had happened to them and what to look for in others.

billy basics BUDDY BUDDY

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billy basics BUDDY BUDDY

Arduous courses: As I mentioned earlier, British Army training is some of the best and the most demanding there is; it’s realistic and tough and prepares our young soldiers for Battle and War. It also forms friendships and bonds that are hard to break, it can bring out the very best in people. One example I remember was of a young soldier in training who was clearly wiped out but just kept on helping his friends, it was heart-warming and I remember calling a few of the other Instructors over to witness it when I first saw it.

We were on one of the Ranges up in Sennybridge in Wales, each section had about 30 minutes on the range at a time and the other three sections were back in the shelter either re-bombing, feeding or getting their heads down. There was a distant sound of gunfire from up the hill, a line of doss bags on the floor with wet smelly boots, soaking wet bergens and belt kits everywhere and the smell was wonderful (to those that love that kind of thing – which I definitely do). There is normally no getting someone out of their doss bag in those circumstances other than for a very, very good reason. But time after time when the sections came in and swapped over with the next group. This young fella (who was himself – shattered) would get up out of his bag and help the others sort their kit out. He’d fill magazines, get brews on for them and then retreat to his bag for another vital 15 minutes before he and his section

were called forward.

We were so impressed with this young lad and about a month later when he suffered a bad fall, twisting his ankle (which normally would have seen him re-join the following course a few months later) all the Instructors decided that there was no way we were losing him. We arranged for him to be driven by the Instructors onto the target for the final assault, he stayed in Fire Support and then we all carried his kit for the exfil out - everyone and I mean all the Instructors as well as the OC. He was just too good to lose and all the other boys completely got it.

Going a bit OTT (over the top and not in a trenches kind of way): I

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was in the US some time ago on an exercise with a mixture of American and Brit soldiers. We had a super exercise, did a substantial amount of shopping and then had a night out on the beers. US Soldiers have been scarred by conflicts like Vietnam and Somalia and a central plank of their ethos is never leaving anybody behind.

We had made an outline plan that we would visit a series of hostelries along the strip in Las Vegas in a circular pattern that would take us back to our hotel. We were all in a good mood after the ex, clearly on the hunt for a good time and some ladies, so when one of the lads trapped off with a suitable looking young lady I nodded to him that we were off to the next pub and thought nothing more about it. He knew where we were going and was an adult.

We were all pretty leathered at this point and I had my arm around this chap’s quite big shoulders when he asked where Brad was. “Brad’s back in the pub with some tasty looking bird, I told him we were off” I replied, well with that he whipped my arm away from his shoulder and started vigorously chest poking me. He had a disappointed but furious look in his eye and was very cross indeed…

“Goddam it man! You of all people should know man, you never leave your buddies behind man, not ever….” They might look like us, carry similar weapons but oh boy they’re quite different in lots of ways.

As you can imagine the Brit lads thought it was all extremely funny but the cultural exchange at that point was well and truly over.

Operations: Ops are where it’s all bought together in one place and for one purpose to achieve the mission and destroy the enemy.

The culmination of all the hardship, training, adventurous training and endless weapons training and ranges. Now most of the time this is where the “Buddy Buddy” system flourishes and it is the glue that binds fighting units and men together but, like any relationship, you need to work at it and it sometimes needs TLC. One of my best friends and I were in Afghanistan together. We had known one another for years and I thought we were as thick as thieves and nothing could get between us but slowly and almost imperceptibly our friendship began to unravel. I can look back now and identify how it happened over a period of about two years (which is a very long time for me not to notice isn’t it?) and the milestones. I won’t bore you with it but it was a case of my ego getting in the way and me not looking at the situ from his perspective, there was fault on both sides but the point is that a wonderful friendships was dashed because we both let it happen. If you can feel one of your friendships drifting towards the rocks, give it a hand back to deeper waters and away from the rocky shore. It’ll be the best thing you ever do. I think that’s as good a point as any to end.

Finishing on a good note my chum and I are back in touch now and have exchanged a few emails so I think it’ll all end well.

Take care everybody and “Move fast, stay low”

THE HIDDEN ENEMY MINES ARE BOTH HATED AND FEARED WITH EQUAL REASON. MILITARY HISTORIAN, WILL FOWLER, LOOKS BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS LOATHSOME WEAPON.

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feature MINE WARFARE

The iconic “Skull and Crossbones” sign and the word “Mines” has the power to frighten and deter even the boldest and experienced soldier.

Land mines, the reason why this sign is displayed, come in two broad types - anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank (AT). The former are designed to kill or disable soldiers, although tragically many of their victims are civilians and they have become the scourge of countries in Asia and Africa. The grim rationale behind antipersonnel mines is that they are not designed to kill but rather disable - a man or woman missing a foot or leg is alive, in pain and requires immediate evacuation and this will tie up between two and four soldiers, further depleting the strength of the unit that has entered the minefield.

Mines also slow down soldiers. Soldiers who are picking their way carefully through what may be a minefield are easy targets for direct or indirect fire.

Many AT mines are designed to cut the tracks or wreck the wheels of AFVs, known as an “M Kill” or “Mobility Kill”. A disabled tank can then be destroyed by anti-tank guided weapons or even close range shoulder-fired weapons, like the ubiquitous RPG or LAW family.

A “K Kill” destroys the vehicle completely. This may by a shaped charge penetrating the belly armour which in turn sets off the on-board ammunition and fuel, resulting in the total destruction of the vehicle.

Early mines were constructed from steel, however it was the Soviet Union in World War II who pioneered the use of simple mines made from a wooden box fitted with a booby trap pressure switch. Wood had two advantages; it could not be detected by electronic mine detectors but, unlike metal, it was not a strategic material. Carpenters could make mines. The Germans were quick to see the advantages of this type of mine and not only made wooden mines but also used glass and pottery - splinters from these materials could produce nasty wounds.

After the war the material of choice became plastic; tough and light, it could be coloured and textured. British Royal Engineers in the Falklands in 1982 were faced by the Italian Misar SB-33 that had been sold to Argentina. This compact AP mine is only 85 mm in diameter and 30 mm high and contains 35 grams of high explosives. What made it even more challenging was that the plastic body was textured so in the darkness in a minefield breaching operation, to an engineer this little mine could feel like a natural object lying on the surface. Plastic bodied mines could be produced in shades of ochre for desert environments or green for temperate.

Minefields themselves fall into three broad categories: Barrier, Tactical and Nuisance.

Barrier minefields were a feature of the fighting in the huge open spaces of Russia and North Africa where, while there might be some natural obstacles like escarpments or rivers, there was also open ground over which armoured vehicles could manoeuvre.

The Barrier minefields would block, or canalise movement and force armoured units towards dug-in anti-tank guns. Barrier minefields took time and manpower to lay.

Tactical minefields would be dug around a battalion or company position and in the British Army might be undertaken by the battalion’s Assault Pioneers, rather than Royal Engineers.

Depending on the nature of the threat they might simply be a couple of belts of anti-personnel mines. The laws of war require that both barrier and tactical minefields should be marked.

Nuisance minefields are just that. They are unmarked and may just be a single anti-tank mine placed in a defile through which vehicles will be obliged to pass. If the mine is triggered and has wrecked a vehicle or caused casualties, the immediate reaction is to stop and check if there are any more in the vicinity, so slowing down movement.

There is a fourth, slightly odd type of minefield; the Dummy. In this case all the markers and fences are in place for a real minefield and if engineers have the time, they may even scatter empty mine boxes, dig holes and then replace the turf in a minefield pattern, or even put scrap metal in so that it triggers a response in electronic mine detectors.

The nastiest and craftiest thing to do is lay out a dummy

minefield but include real mines in it. The engineers become fatigued, assume that it is a dummy and then take casualties when they trigger the real mines.

ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AP mines come in two types; “blast” and “shrapnel”. Blast mines contain a small amount of explosive – in the Soviet-era PMN-3 as little as 80 grams, though the older PMN-1 has nearly 250 grams.

They are roughly the size of a shoe polish tin. The nature of the injuries they inflict can be the loss of a foot or a leg. In Vietnam the American M14 mine had the cruel nickname of a “Toe Popper” and was used by patrols inside hostile territory to deter the enemy if they were in hot pursuit. Mines like this could also be used to impede movement of enemy logistic units on tracks and supply trails.

At close range shrapnel mines can kill. Probably the most widely known and most widely copied is the American M18A1 Claymore. This is a command detonated, directional mine that blasts around 700 1⁄8 inch steel balls in an arc out to 250 metres, though the effective range is 50 metres. Developed following the Korean War, when American and UN soldiers were faced by massed assaults by Chinese and Korean soldiers, it came into its own in Vietnam.

The design has been copied in different sizes, including a massive version that the Swedish Army deployed to cover likely helicopter landing zones in the event of an attack on Sweden by the Soviet Union.

The other shrapnel mine is the “bouncing” mine and is much older. In the winter of 1939-40, when French soldiers encountered the first examples of the S-mine (Schrapnellmine, Springmine or Splittermin) on the German border, they nick named it “The Silent Sentry” although other names since the war include the “Bouncing Betty”. Unlike the Claymore, this is an omni-directional mine that is designed to explode at a height of three feet after it has been fired from the ground following the initiation of primary charge. At this height the secondary charge explodes blasting steel balls in a 360º arc. What made the S-mine mine particularly versatile (and lethal) was that it could be rigged with a variety of www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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initiation devices, including the S.Mi.Z 35 (pressure), Z.Z.35 (pull), Z.U.Z.Z. (tension release) and E.S.Mi.Z (pressure and electric). It was a design that would be copied widely following the war.

A less sophisticated, trip-wire activated mine, the Soviet POMZ, POMZ-2 and POMZ-2M (͕ʿʽʺʯ͕ ʿʽʺʯͲϮ͕ ʿʽʺʯͲϮʺ ) are mines in which a charge, surrounded by a cast iron fragmentation sleeve, is fixed to a wooden stake and initiated by a pull switch and trip wire.

Finally, a simpler and cruder device (and more of a booby trap) can be made by attaching a trip wire to the ring on the pin of a hand grenade and securing the grenade to a post at about a foot above the ground. While this can be constructed from a fragmentation grenade, a nastier version can be made by attaching a CS grenade to a White Phosphorus grenade. The combination of a gas that produces an intense burning sensation in the eyes and throat, with the burning globs of phosphorus that stick to clothing and skin, is a lethal deterrent to enemy troops who may be in hot pursuit of a patrol. Phosphorus burns carry a greater risk of mortality than other forms of burns, due to the absorption of phosphorus into the body through the burned area resulting in liver, heart and kidney damage,

ANTI-TANK MINES For many years AT mines were rather like a cake tin; a circular metal container with a fuse well in the centre. In World War II the German range of Tellermines were seen as the benchmark design.

AT mines employed in World War II used mechanical mechanisms that operated when a sufficiently heavy load was placed on them, which would drive a firing pin into the detonator. The firing pin might be held in place by spring-loaded ball bearings (ball control), or a strong metal pin (sheer pin), or might be on the inverse side of a metal diaphragm that, under pressure, would invert (diaphragm control).

Generally speaking the mines produced an M Kill but if the tank was immobilised it was vulnerable to anti-tank weapons located outside the minefield. It was also possible to produce a K-Kill by burying more than one AT mine in the same hole – so producing double the blast effect.

It was after the war that electronics and the development of shaped charges changed mines dramatically. They could now deliver a K Kill and perhaps more disturbingly, they could “think” for themselves!

The “thinking” mine could be fitted with a sophisticated fuse that was triggered by the seismic signal generated by a hostile tank and more ingeniously, the mine could be programmed to explode when the tank straddled it. The explosive was a shaped charge that would send a jet of intensely hot gas, or a slug of molten metal through the thin belly armour and ensure a K Kill.

A cruder (but simpler) way to ensure that the mine exploded under the belly was to fit a “tilt rod” (an extension to the fuse that stood about 18 inches proud of the mine) in grass or debris. It was hard to detect but as the front of the tank pushed it out of alignment the mine would explode after a couple of seconds delay. However what can be switched on, can also be switched off and mines fitted with electronic fuses could be programmed to “self-sterilise” after a set period. This was not a design feature motivated by humanity but rather by pragmatism. If an AT minefield had switched itself off, then the forces who had laid it could safely manoeuvre across it.

AT mines had been fitted with mechanical anti-handling devices during World War II, including pull and/or pressure switches. If the mine was lifted they would detonate it – killing the engineers and deterring further mine breaching or clearance operations. Electronics made these devices smaller and more sophisticated and mines could be detonated even if there was a slight movement. Perhaps the “development” was that it was now cost effective to fit AP mines with anti-handling devices.

MINE LAYING In the past mines were laid by hand and it was slow, labour-intensive work. Holes were dug at specified intervals, mines positioned, fuses armed and finally soil and turf replaced camouflaging the hole.

Probably the most efficient mine laying system developed after the war was the British “Barmine Layer”. This could be towed behind a variety of wheeled or tracked vehicles and cut a neat furrow in the ground and then slotted in the L9 Barmine. This powerful 1.2 metre long mine could cut the tracks of any AFV. If the Cold War in Europe had become a “hot” war, Barmine layers would have produced barrier minefields across West Germany.

Mines have also be laid from low flying helicopters and as the warhead of projectiles from multiple launch rocket launchers.

Today the mines in Africa and Asia that are posing the major problem (not to soldiers with sophisticated search and destruction equipment but to civilians, including farmers and their families) are the AP mines laid by insurgents that are unmarked and often in valuable agricultural land, or near water sources. Their location and destruction is a challenge to governments and NGOs. Sadly an AP mine that can cost a few dollars to produce can cost ten times that figure to locate and neutralise but whilst these minefields are still in place, we will continue to see a steady stream of badly maimed, or wounded civilians… or worse.

There are moves to ban the use of mines but, as always, only the honest will follow the rules and terrorists will continue to defy convention. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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EMERGENCY NAVIGATION OUT IN THE WILDS AND LEFT YOUR GPS AT HOME? SURVIVAL EXPERT, PAUL YELLAND, GIVES US SOME TIPS ON HOW TO NAVIGATE WITHOUT A MAP OR COMPASS.

IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE JUST escaped from capture. All of your equipment, including any survival items have been confiscated by the enemy. You know that by travelling south you should get to safety, however you have no means to navigate your way there... or do you?

Nature provides us with ways to navigate without the need for a map and compass. The first thing to do is to look all around you. Observe the lay of the land. Make a mental note of all the features such as rivers, forests, hills and valleys. Try and relate the terrain that you can see with what you can remember about the locations that you have seen on maps or in aerial images. As you scan the landscape, is there anything that seems familiar to you?

There are several different ways to navigate with natural direction indicators. Most are weather-dependant and some only work in daytime, with other methods only usable at night. Therefore it is important to learn a few different ways of natural navigation. Also, when trying to identify a direction by using natural signs, use more than one technique to confirm the direction, as inaccuracies are possible by relying on just one method.

POLARIS - THE NORTH STAR The chances are that if evading capture, you will be moving during the hours of darkness. If so, the way to navigate is by using the moon and stars (subject to cloud cover). In the northern hemisphere, the best method to start with is by using Polaris, as it always points to true north (it is also known as the North star).

To find Polaris on its own is quite difficult due to it not being very bright. So, look for The Plough (also known as the Big Dipper). The shape of the plough is easy to spot as it looks like a saucepan. Locate the two stars which form the side of the plough. Draw an imaginary line between these two stars and continue this line along until you reach Polaris. As a tip, Polaris is approximately x4 the distance away. Be aware that the plough rotates around through the different seasons of the year, so sometimes it may appear upside down but this method of finding Polaris will still work.

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feature EMERGENCY NAVIGATION

THE SUN It is possible to navigate by using the sun. However, the effectiveness does depend on the amount of cloud cover and the time of day.

As a rule the sun rises in the east and sets in the west but this can vary slightly with the time of year. Regardless of the actual direction of the sunrise, the sun will track from the east via south and towards the west. If you have a way of telling the time, then the suns position at midday will point in a general southerly direction.

THE MOON On a clear night, when a crescent moon is visible, there is a way of identifying a general southerly direction.

When looking at the crescent moon, imagine a straight line joining the top and bottom angles together. Now continue this line downwards maintaining the same angle until it meets the horizon.

The point where the line meets the horizon indicates a general south direction. This is not a 100% accurate indicator of south as on some nights you will find that the angle of the line points towards the south east and on other occasions the line may point in a more south westerly direction. However, this technique, although variable with the results, will get you facing towards the general southern sky.

WRIST WATCH If you are wearing an analogue wrist watch, then you can find south by using the watch face and the sun.

Hold the watch horizontally and line the hour hand up with the position of the sun. Then divide the distance between the hour hand and the 12 o clock position by half and draw an imaginary line through the centre of the watch face, running along this division. The line running away from you will point towards the south.

If you are wearing a digital watch, simply draw a watch face with hands showing the current time and follow the above procedure.

Make sure that you have made allowances for any daylight saving time periods.

STICK AND SHADOW

ORION In the northern hemisphere, the constellation Orion is visible in the southern sky during the autumn and winter months. It is possible to find south by using Orion’s sword, as long as the constellation is upright and reasonably high in the sky. Locate Orion’s belt which consists of three stars. Beneath the belt hangs the sword, which again is made up from three stars. If you imagine a line joining the three stars of the sword together and continue the line down until it reaches the horizon, it will point due south.

“REMEMBER THAT WHEN THE EXCREMENT HAS HIT THE FAN, DO NOT LET PANIC TAKE OVER. WHEN YOU ARE LONELY, SCARED AND FEEL THAT YOU HAVE NOTHING, JUST TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOU.”

On a sunny day, you can use the shadow that is cast by a stick to determine the cardinal points.

Select a stick approximately one metre in length and place it vertically into the ground so that it stays standing upright.

The choice of ground should be somewhere that is well exposed to the sun and is bare or has very short vegetation to allow a clear shadow to be cast.

Look and see where the end of the stick’s shadow is being cast and mark that point on the ground with a small stone or wooden stake. Wait at least twenty minutes and www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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feature EMERGENCY NAVIGATION

check the shadow. You will notice that it has moved. Mark the end of the shadow with another stone or wooden stake. Now draw a line between the two markers and you will have an east - west line. The first marker points west and the second one points east. From this you can now work out the direction of north and south.

Windswept trees leaning away from the prevailing wind towards t he north

THE PREVAILING WIND The prevailing wind direction in the UK comes from the south west. In exposed places such as hills and coastal areas the prevailing wind will sculpt the shape of trees and vegetation causing them to lean away from the prevailing wind. We know that the normal wind direction is south westerly, so an exposed and windswept tree will be leaning towards the north east. From this it is possible to work out the direction of north and south.

Tufts of windswept grass, all leaning east

There is a degree of error with this method though, so do not just rely on one windswept tree but identify several different trees and note the general direction that they all lean towards before making any decisions.

As well as trees, tufts of grass on exposed hills can also be effected by the prevailing wind. The long tufts of grass will look like they have all been brushed in the same direction which will be towards the north east. However, there is also room for error, so be cautious and confirm your findings with other natural navigation signs.

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FOLLOWING A RIVER The old advice of “if you are lost, then follow a river” may seem like an ineffective way of navigating your way to safety but in reality, it is probably one of the more reliable ways of getting yourself out of trouble.

Small streams join rivers and rivers flow near settlements, under roads and alongside railway lines. Following a river is not going to directly show you which way north or south is, but it may lead you to a location that you can recall from memory which does.

To test this method, I put myself into the middle of Dartmoor on a day that had weather which could only be described as “challenging”.

After locating a spring at the bottom of a hill and with visibility at almost zero because of fog, I started to follow the small trickle of water. The flow of water quickly formed itself into a small stream which became deeper and faster flowing the further I followed it. It was difficult ground to cover in some places because of marshes and bogs which had to be negotiated with care. It was easier to move away from the stream and keep to the high ground in places but still keeping the sound of the flowing water in earshot and to my right hand side. I kept returning to the bank of the stream as often as possible as the water course often changed direction without any warning. The water was snaking through the land and now providing a prominent feature to follow.

After a few miles the stream led me to a track with a ford crossing. If I had followed this track, it would have taken me to Okehampton Army Camp. Some distance further, the stream widened and turned into the East Ockment River. If I had continued to follow the river, it would have led me into the town of Okehampton.

SUMMARY Remember that when the excrement has hit the fan, do not let panic take over. When you are lonely, scared and feel that you have nothing, just take a look around you. Remember what you have read in this article and you will soon realise that you are surrounded with everything that you need to get yourself safely home.

N

O TI

IP R C 9 S B 7.9 U S £3 E U ST S S JU I 2

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DIGITAL EDITIONS

AVAILABLE ON iPAD, iPHONE AND ANDROID VISIT

BOOK REVIEW ROBERTS RIDGE

‘ROBERTS RIDGE’

BY MALCOLM MACPHERSON

KRIS ROBERTS ON A BOOK THAT DOESN’T PULL ITS PUNCHES AS IT DOCUMENTS A REAL-LIFE NAVY SEAL BATTLE AGAINST THE AFGHAN TALIBAN

‘Fifty feet above the ground, as soon as Calvert flared the Chinook, bullets crashed through the chin bubble. In the right seat, he watched as holes pinged through the windshield glass. Two bullets hit his helmet and jerked his head left, as if a hammer had slammed his skull. In the same spray of fire, he was shot eight times across his chest, one bullet lodging in the Kevlar armour while seven flecked off.

On the controls, he increased the Chinook’s speed; he was aborting the landing.’

Content Roberts Ridge is the extraordinary true-life account of the battle of Takur Ghat on March 4th 2002. As part of Operation Anaconda, a combined US and Afghan government push to destroy Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the Shahi-Kot Valley, a small US Special Forces unit was tasked to set up an observation post high in the mountains to provide overwatch in support of the battle below.

This seven man team, designated ‘MAKO 30’ flew by Chinook helicopter to the target location of the snowcapped peak of Takur Ghat mountain.

With only day’s old intelligence available and a position as strategically important to the enemy as it was to them, the team had planned to insert after nightfall further down the mountainside and use the cover of darkness to climb to the peak and assess any potential threats.

The plan quickly fell apart when the time scheduled for take-off was pushed back by delays on the ground.

Faced with the prospect of climbing the mountain in daylight and with the battle already underway in the valley, MAKO 30 had no choice but to attempt a landing at the peak itself.

As the Chinook lowered its tail ramp and descended onto the mountaintop, an explosion of enemy small arms and RPG fire tore into the aircraft.

The helicopter bucked and reared in a desperate attempt to stay flying, tossing the men around like ragdolls inside the cabin. With massive system failures the pilot fought for control. In this critical moment, Navy Seal Petty Officer 1st Class Neil C. Roberts lost his footing, fell through the open tail ramp, and disappeared into the darkness of the enemy held mountain below.

‘Jeremy Curran got up on the ICS. “What the hell’s going on, sir?” he asked, wondering where they were heading.

Mack told him, “We’re going back.

There’s a guy on the LZ.” “But the guns don’t work.”

“Test-fire ‘em.”

Curran and Nutall did, and they did not work.

Mack said, “All right, we’re going in anyway. Any complaints?”

“No, sir, let’s get him,” came from several points on the ICS.’

Impressions I must confess my enduring cynicism when it comes to modern books on recent American conflicts. Not because

of the subject matter but because all too often the reader has to wade through pages and pages of flag-waving patriotism and a God-given justification to cause. Refreshingly this wasn’t the case with Roberts Ridge and the story focussed on the facts at hand. The mission, the action, the men.

By the time MAKO 30 reached the mountain peak I was hooked but this is only the start of a story which involved multiple rescue attempts, awesome displays of direct aerial support and an ever-watching command chain that struggled to keep control.

The close proximity of the fighting is nail-biting to read, and the author cleverly manages to involve the reader even more by taking brief pauses to give a little background on the history and character of the men we are reading about.

What captured me the most was that this mission was set in the early stages of a decade of war. It’s clear that lessons were learnt from what worked and more painfully, what didn’t. Inter-service coordination, state of the art technology and weapons, even the command and control structure are all opened up for criticism. This is because fundamentally these systems failed the men on the ground, who were ultimately forced to call on enormous reserves of courage and fight using techniques that were thousands of years old.

A no nonsense approach that delivers a powerful lesson, if you’re looking for an honest book on modern warfare then you won’t be disappointed.

INFORMATION PAPERBACK RRP £8.99 PUBLISHER - CORGI www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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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

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

ATROOP AIRSOFT

ACE COMBAT

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH CQB

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

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

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

ABER AIRSOFT – THE BUNKER

AIRBORNE 101 AIRSOFT CLUB

ALL ARMS AIRSOFT

Allt-lywd Wood Farm, outside Llanrhystud, nr. Aberystwyth, Wales.

07511554740 www.aberairsoft.co.uk

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

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

AIRSOFT ASYLUM

ALPHA 55

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

Halkyn wood, North Wales CH8 8DF 0845 257 6937 www.alpha55.co.uk

ARENA AIRSOFT

ALPHA ELITE GAMING

AWA HERTS

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

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

AMAZON EVENTS

BADLANDS AIRSOFT

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

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

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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

AIRSOFT COMMANDOS ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES Holbrook Coppice, Buidwas Bank (A4169), Buildwas, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 07786 192832 www.aceairsoft.co.uk

Sutton, near Ferrybridge 07723 061386 andyace@ntlworld.com

AIRSOFT KGB

ACE AIRSOFT WAR GAMES

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

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

AIRSOFT SKIRMISH

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

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

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

SITE DIRECTORY

Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

BATTLETEC AIRSOFT

DARKWATER AIRSOFT

FINMERE AIRSOFT

Hythe, Kent CT21 5SL 07947 558433 www.darkwaterairsoft.co.uk

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

DELTA TEAM 3

FIREBALL SQUADRON

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

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

BLACKDAGGER AIRSOFT

DOGS OF WAR

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

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

FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP

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

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

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

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

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

BLUESTREAK AIRSOFT Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Aylesbury, HP18 0XB 01296 658600 www.bluestreak-airsoft.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

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

COMBAT ACTION GAMES Maryland, Norfolk, NR10 4 07748 023832 www.facebook.com/ combatactiongames

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE COMPLEX

CORNWALLS ELITE AIRSOFT

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

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

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

FIRST AND ONLY – KHE SANH WOODS Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

DOG TAG AIRSOFT

COOL UNDER FIRE

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE SANDPIT

FIRST AND ONLY – BUNKER WOOD

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING

FIRST AND ONLY – ASYLUM

Worthing, BN13 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 0161 727 8863 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

ELITE BATTLEZONE

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE

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

Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ 0161 727 8863

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG 0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS Lewisham, SE13 5SU 07973 240177 www.firefight.co.uk

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

FIRST AND ONLY – MANCHESTER WOODLAND

FIFE WARGAMES

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF 0161 727 8863

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

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

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LAC SITE 1

NOMAD AIRSOFT

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

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

LAC SITE 2 Gainsborough, North Lincs, DN21 4JH 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST

GUN HO AIRSOFT

Kidderminster, DY11 5SA 0161 727 8863

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

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

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

NORTHFLEET CQB LAC SITE 3 Saxillby, LN1 2JW 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE

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

NSC AIRSOFT

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

LAC SITE 5

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS

LINDSEY AIRSOFT

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

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE DEPOT Glasgow, G45 9SB 0161 727 8863

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

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

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

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

RAF Honiley/The Grange Frogmore Grange, Frog Lane, Balsall Common, West Mids CV7 7FP Tel: 01676 532 384 info@suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk www.shop. suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

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

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

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

HUMBER AIRSOFT North Lincolnshire, DN21 www.humberairsoft.co.uk 07792 680297

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT Near Shorwell, Isle of Wight, PO30 07964 751047 www.islandrecon.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OVER THE TOP AIRSOFT CLUB Anglesey, LL71 www.ottairsoft.co.uk 07731 744471

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

PATHFINDER GROUP AIRSOFT MILITARY SIMULATION

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

Former RAF Camp Sopley/ Merryfield Park, Hants, BH23 02380 899369

MILSIM UK

PHOENIX AIRSOFT

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

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

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

Huge thanks to our friends at Airbana (www.airsoftmap.net) for supplying data

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

PLATOON 1HQ

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT

UCAP GREEN OPS

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

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

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

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

PLAYERS OF WAR

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT

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

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

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

PREDATOR COMBAT GAMES

SKIRMISH EXETER

TECH BRIGADE

Ballynahinch, BT24 8NF 02897565651 / 07825169631 www.predatorcombat.com

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

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

SG13 8NH 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

RAVEN’S NEST

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT

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

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

RAW WAR AIRSOFT CUMBRIA

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

THE BUNKER

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

Aberystwyth, www.aberairsoft.co.uk 07841 462806

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

RED1AIRSOFT Chislehurst, Bromley BR7 6SD 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk co.uk

RED1AIRSOFT CQB Red1 CQB. Kings Langley, WD4 8RN 07956 522691/01727846069 www.red1airsoft.co.uk

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

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, N Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

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

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

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

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

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

URBAN6AIRSOFT – THE BLOCK SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – THE ROCK

THE DESERTERS AIRSOFT

Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EG 07984 656947 www.specopsairsoft.co.uk

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

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

URBAN ASSAULT STIRLING AIRSOFT

THE EX SITE

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

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

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

VIKING AIRSOFT STORMFORCE AIRSOFT

THE WARGAMES CENTRE

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

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

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

WARMINSTER AIRSOFT

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

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT Boathouse lane, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH64 3TB www.swatairsoft.eu 07703 177756

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT Shotts, North Lanarkshire, ML7 5AB 07974 026517 www.s8airsoft.com

TASK FORCE SKIRMISH

UCAP SANDPIT

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

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

TROJAN AIRSOFT Macclesfield, SK10 4SZ 07428 024874 www.trojan-airsoft.com

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP

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

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

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

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

105

DEALER LISTINGS

ADVERTISERS INDEX Land Warrior Airsoft RedWolf Airsoft Airsoft Zone JD Airsoft Airsoft Armoury eHobbyAsia BadgerTac PatrolStore Military 1st Gunman Airsoft Leeds Airsoft VIPER British Airsoft Show S.W.A.T. VTG E-W Trading Airsoft Action Subscriptions DynaTex Eton Guns Sly Photography Crawley Surplus Store NoVAT Dragon Valley Military Outdoor Wolf Armouries Airsoft Action Digital Percy Publishing Advertisers Index Airsoft World Pro Airsoft Supplies

106

OD8J 2014

2 + 71 3 + 19 + 66 7 + 79 9 + 35 + 75 24 + 25 31 42 47 50 54 57 62 + 63 70 82 82 86 87 87 91 91 91 91 91 94 99 100 106 107 108