Issue 39 - September 2014

THE Airsoft Magazine

D R 3 E G A P 8 10 E U S S I Y A D H BIRT 3 AWESOME COMPS! O 3 A1

WIN AN ASG EV NSFORM4 WIN AN ICS TRA RMS SA-A03 A A N C E P S A IN W

EXCLUSIVE REVIEWPIOSN EVO 3 A1 ASG CZ SCOR 4 ICS TRANSFORM LCT AS VAL

EVENT MREPORTS GUNMAN ‘NA ANCE OP: COUNTERBAL OP: VALRAVN

N O E G R U S T F O AIRS NSHIP PREVIEW INSIDE AIRSOFT

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ARMY OFFICER 1970S

THE PISTOL PROFESSIONALS

PRO AIRSOFT SUPPLIES

AIRSOFT SUPPORT GUNNER l LUGGING YOUR LOADOUT l LOADED OR UNLOADED?

SEPT 2014 - £4.50

A SQUADRON

9 772047 348032

COLD WAR WARRIOR

09

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AMPIO 2ND EUROPEAN CH

12 E +++

V EXCLUSI +++ AA

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

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Cover Photograph: Spectre Airsoft Photography

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, WE13 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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Got something to say? A question for our experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know.

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04

autumn 2014

THIS IS ISSUE NUMBER 39 of Airsoft Action and that means we are three years old!

It is almost unbelievable that we have been going that long, it only seems a few weeks ago that I first received the call asking if I’d like to create a new magazine “about airsoft” and here we are now, about to take another BIG step forwards….

You may have already noticed that this issue seems bigger and heavier and that’s because Airsoft Action now has 108 pages!! That means more articles, more reviews, more of everything.

In fact, the only thing there isn’t more of is the cover price, which is staying at £4.50! So I guess you can add “more value” to that list as well!

You know what we’re like, we like to give back to the community that supports us and we want you to be part of our third birthday celebrations by giving away not one, not two but THREE awesome prizes in this issue’s competitions: The ICS Transform4 that Jay Slater reviews in this issue, the Specna Arms SA-A03 from Issue 36, plus the granddaddy of all prizes… An ASG Scorpion EVO 3 A1! This is the actual gun that Scott Allan reviews in this issue and is one of the first off the production line, so you will not only be winning an awesome AEG but also a very big bit of airsoft history.

On top of that, we preview the upcoming 2nd Airsoft Surgeon European Practical Airsoft Shooting Championship, report from three brilliant events, look at loads of kit and Bob Podesta brings us an insight into one of A Squadron’s pistol training courses – and then we’ve got all our regular features too!

Right, before I get any more excited, I just want to add my sincere thanks and appreciation to all our readers, subscribers, contributors and advertisers for supporting the magazine over the last 36 months. We’ve come a long way but we’ve still got plenty to do and I for one am certainly looking forwards to the next three years.

I hope you are too.

See you out there.

Nige.

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER MARCH 2014

CONTENTS

AIRSOFT ACTION – SEPTEMBER 2014 6

AIRSOFT NEWS

The latest developments in the world of airsoft 10 READERS’ GALLERY Cool photos taken by Airsoft Action readers 12 ARMOURY: ASG SCORPION EVO 3 A1

64 KIT REVIEW: LIGHT WITH BITE! Les Lee brings us the first review of Incentive Design’s Muzzle Flash Generator and finds that it helps him raise his game.

68 A SQUADRON: THE PISTOL PROFESSIONALS

Scott Allan takes a trip to ASG in Denmark and finally gets his hands on a production model of the first ever airsoft aeg fully produced in Europe.

In the first of a new series, ex-22 SAS soldier Bob Podesta and A Squadron Limited’s MD, Faith Cowling, give us an overview of one of their Pistol Training Courses.

20 ARMOURY: ICS TRANSFORM4

73 FEATURE: ONE MAN’S KIT

Jay Slater resists the robotic clichés as he takes a close look at this new EBB from I Chih Shivan.

FireBaseAlpha modifies his kit to suit the season and tells us how he beefs up his plate carrier for the summer.

24 ARMOURY: LCT AS VAL Barry Collins has always wanted one of these, so he was delighted to have the opportunity to review this new entrant from LCT – but did it live up to his expectations?

75 EVENT REPORT: OPERATION VALRAVN Oscar P is back with a report from new company Infiltration Airsoft’s superb first game, held back in March at Longmoor.

28 EVENT REPORT: OP: COUNTERBALANCE

79 INSIDE AIRSOFT: PRO AIRSOFT SUPPLIES

Oscar P finds himself caught in the middle of a ferocious fight as he is introduced to UCAP’s “BattleSim”.

Les Lee continues his journey around airsoft retailers and finds himself chatting to the owner of PAS, Neville Wynne, about his company, how it came to be and all things airsoft.

33 KIT REVIEW: LUGGING YOUR LOADOUT If you need bags of room to carry your kit, then maybe Iggy Roberts has found just what you are looking for, as he reviews Hazard 4’s range of kit-carriers.

37 EVENT REPORT: CHARLIE’S GETTING RESTLESS If Oscar P’s report from Gunman’s latest ‘Nam event doesn’t leave you breathless, best you check that you’ve still got a pulse!

42 COLD WAR WARRIORS: CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ARMY OFFICER 1970S Gareth “Gadge” Harvey casts his expert eye over the uniform worn by a Czechoslovakian Army Officer at the time when Soviet forces stormed into Czechoslovakia and took over.

47 AIRSOFT SURGEON 2ND EUROPEAN PRACTICAL AIRSOFT SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIP 48 2013 PHOTO GALLERY: Some of the action from last year’s Championship.

51 AIPSC: Jim Sephton reintroduces Airsoft Practical Pistol Shooting and tells us how the sport has grown over the last three years at The Grange.

55 PRACTICAL ACTION SHOOTING: Andy Nightingale brings us a new form of Practical Shooting, with emphasis on the word “action”.

83 FEATURE: LOADED OR UNLOADED? In the first of this new series, Jerry Noone looks at two distinctly different loadouts based on the same camo: A-TACS FG. 88 FEATURE: MACHINE GUN MAYHEM – PART 1 With more and more machine guns available, Kris Roberts takes a close look at the role of the Airsoft Support Gunner.

92 DEBATE: GOING OFF THE RAILS Do you love them or loathe them? Gareth “Gadge” Harvey tackles a real “Marmite” subject… Rails!

97 COMPETITION TIME! The chance for you win three really spectacular airsoft aegs – including a real piece of Airsoft history; one of the first ASG EVO 3’s off the production line in Denmark!

101 BOOK REVIEW: FOREVER THE COLOURS Part fiction, part historical novel, Nige took time out to read this first book from new author, Richard Thomas.

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

59 IPAS: “SHOOT FAST… DON’T MISS!” That’s all you have to do according to Paul van den Bosch, IPAS Public Relations Officer, as he looks at this modern version of “the gunslinger’s art”.

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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NEWS

United Forces: In Memory of Lee Rigby United Forces is a new charity, set up to remember and honour murdered soldier, Private Lee Rigby.

To help raise funds for the charity, which was created by Lee’s family members to support other

I have been thinking recently; after experiencing an absolutely shocking display of customer service myself from a

Alpha One can be found just off the M1’s Junction 37, at Wakefield. It’s a massive woodland site offering numerous structures such as Pyramids, a Stargate (yeah, a Stargate!) villages and loads

very well known and respected retailer of

of other cool features.

Airsoft guns I realised that here at UKAPU

Supported by loads of companies such as Leeds airsoft, WE Europe, Land warrior, Action Sports

we too had been guilty of providing

Games, Hardcore Custom Airsoft and more, The “War of the Roses” saw Yorkshire verses

our members with a rather poor level of

Lancashire.

service of late. The current issues within

Circus Ring Master duties were provided by Alpha One founder Jimmy Gillies and the ever-

the organisation with regards to staffing

exuberant Myles and myself (Keith) as Yorkshire and Lancashire leaders respectively. The banter

levels are the main culprit for this lack of

was of epic proportions, with each County trying to outdo each other; a personal favourite

communications, updates and general

aimed at Yorkshire was “The chuckle brothers are sh*t!”

service so for that I unreservedly apologise to you our members.

What I’d like to say though to counter that is that we are making progress!

We have received a few applications

Over 150 players attended, amazing considering the Tour da France ran through Yorkshire that same day! A hog-roast was provided for lunch (best airsoft lunch EVER) and a massive, prizefilled game of “tactical pass the parcel” took place and Souvenir patches were given to all attendees.

for the more senior positions on the

At the end of the day, £3,200 was raised - showing that when the community come from behind

committee which would give us back a

their keyboards and push politics aside, we can achieve great things!

solid foundation on which to build and

I’d like to say a massive congratulations to all the team at Alpha One for such hard work and a

strengthen the association. With what is

fantastic day.

going on in Scotland a unified voice for

To see more photos and add your support, visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/

players is perhaps more important than

teamleeunitedforces

ever and we have been trying to promote the various bills and counters to that on our Facebook page to help not just our members but airsofters in general north of the boarder.

As always, if you feel you can help with this or any other aspect of UKAPU please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Your help will always be appreciated and you could learn a lot about industry and the hobby along the way.

Stay safe, until next time.

Phil Bucknall Chairman, UKAPU www.ukapu.org.uk

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bereaved service families, Alpha One Airsoft ran a Charity Event on Sunday 6th July.

september 2014

NEWS THE LATEST AIRSOFT HEADLINES

Congratulations Gadge and Sian!

MCG The Gaol MCG Events Ltd is proud to present a new Urban Site in the East Midlands, MCG The Gaol MCG The Gaol offers you the chance to play around 4 wings of the former

For those of you that don’t know, Airsoft Action contributor, DJ, Band Member and all-round nice guy Gareth “Gadge Europa” Harvey married his long-time partner Sian on Saturday 26th July.

I know you will join me in wishing them all the very, very best for the future… they deserve it!

HMP Ashwell now known as Oakham Enterprise Park in Rutland.

Open EVERY Sunday and Wednesday evening (Pistol Gaming Wednesdays) with a Safe Zone offering Flushing Toilets, Power Points for charging, Catering and onsite shop selling the usual essentials. It is even going to be heated in the winter!!!

Hope you have an awesome life together.

Gaming areas are both indoor and outdoor playing in and around the former Cells, Security Fencing etc with well over 200 rooms to play through.

Nige.

Sundays Game fee includes free lunch, Tea, Coffee and Squash and is priced at £35 for Non-Members and £30 for Members, Hire kit is available also and

PS. Hope you don’t mind that I stole a photo off your Facebook page…

includes Gun, Mask, Mag and 3000bb’s for £50.

Wednesday Evening Gaming is from 18:00-21:00 with gates open from 17:00, priced at £15 with food and drink available at an extra Charge (No Deposit required for Wed evening Games) A £10 Deposit is required per player (Sunday Games Only) with this being either via PayPal to Justin@mcgthegaol.co.uk or Call Justin on 07976457602 Various other events will be on offer onsite too from Zombie Experience Days, Training Days and A Stalker Themed Weekender in Oct to name but a few.

Our minimum Age is 16 to play, however we will be holding Dads N Lads Game Days for 13-22yr Olds (unless you’re a Dad!) Further information is available on either our website www.mcgthegaol. co.uk or our Facebook Group MCG The Gaol.

New Airsoft Sales Website Airsoft Assault is a new website where players can buy and sell airsoft equipment – for FREE! Created by Steve Carlaw in response to having far too much kit (Is that possible?? Ed.) and needing to save his sanity (and possibly his marriage), all he could find was Facebook pages and Forums, neither of which suited his requirements.

Steve says: “I have been in the airsoft scene now for some 16 years and I’ve seen it change considerably in that time to say the least. One thing for sure is that in this time I have acquired far too much kit and too many guns to justify with any sanity.

It got to the point where I had to start selling some of my collection to make room (and stay in the other half’s good books), so I jumped on the net to find a site to start advertising my goodies. All I could find were forums and Facebook pages! Hey, they have their place and I have used some of these pages to sell bits-n-bobs but I felt that we, as airsoft enthusiasts, need more. We need a site dedicated to buying and selling airsoft items hence “Airsoft Assault” was born.

I designed the website from the perspective of an airsoft player and as someone that has had a long-term love affair with the sport and scene – it’s a free site for all to use and enjoy! You can buy, sell and even place ads for wanted items. Just visit www.airsoftassault.co.uk which can be accessed via a pc, tablet and even a phone.

The aim, and plan I have in mind, is to provide a free venue to buy and sell anything airsoft related, its open to everyone from beginners to advanced players.

As a fledgling site I look forward to not only seeing people trading, but also welcome your comments and suggestions for the future development of the site.

Let me know what you would like to see and if it fits in with the “plan” I will try to include it.

You can contact me direct on the website so please check it out, and remember its FREE!” Steve Carlaw – Airsoft Assault

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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NEWS THE LATEST AIRSOFT HEADLINES

From Paintball to Airsoft Iggy Roberts got his hands on the first of its kind – an airsoft gun made by a paintball manufacturer.

“Tippmann”... is not a name heard of in our world of airsoft.

In fact Tippmann is (dare I mention it) an American paintball company.

Right, once you have all stopped cursing, hissing and booing me for even mentioning the word, hear me out...

Tippmann has been around for about 30 years and is at the top of the game in the paintball world but they recently made a breakthrough by designing and building their first airsoft gun and, of course, decided to base it on the ever-popular M4! This comes as no surprise whatsoever when you consider that Tippmann is as American as the Stars and Stripes and their manufacturing plant is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. When a company like Tipmmann, with all their years and experience of getting things right in paintball, start to take an interest in what we are doing, you had better sit up and take notice.

Tippmann had a few guns sent over to the UK as a pre-shipment, ahead of their official UK and European release date, planned for September. I was privileged to get up close and personal with their M4 and, despite my own personal reservations (I am an avid airsofter after all) I was very pleasantly surprised with my findings.

I was as curious as I was excited to get such an opportunity. My curiosity came from Tippmann’s advertising descriptions, with such comments as “No gearbox”, “anti-jam technology”, “no batteries” and the fact the weapon breaks down just like the real M4.

Is this the future of airsoft? Will it be a hit with airsofters? How does it work?

I had an interview with Tippmann’s Manager of European Sales and Events to get some answers on this groundbreaking new design.

As well as getting a chance to pick the brains of one of the Tippmann Team, I was able to get hands on with the M4 and even try it in the field, along with a few other people at one of the North West Airsoft Alliance games.

Out of the two set ups you can have on the M4, I used a High Pressure (HP) remote line from a portable compressed air tank. Available also is the CO2 cartridge option. This I feel could be of interest with Airsofters that are more concerned with the realistic appearance of the M4. Each magazine contains a 12g CO2 cartridge, meaning no remote lines coming out of your weapon.

There are pro’s and con’s to both set up’s but what I will say, is that I found it hard to return the M4 and go back to my RIF! I look forward to giving you the full report soon.

Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press + Stop Press +

Airsoft Action has had a number of conversations with Tippmann’s European Sales Manager, Paul Banks and not only will we be bringing you a full review of the M4 in the next issue, Tippmann USA have generously agreed to let us give one away as a Competition Prize!

Make sure you don’t miss it!

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september 2014

AA GALLERY READERS PHOTOS

ROGUE’S GALLERY on - Dan Troop

ell Pris The Gaol - Ashw

Survival Airsoft - North Dev

on - Kevin Crowl

on - Kevin Crowl

Survival Airsoft - North Dev

The Gaol - Ashwell Prison

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.

10

september 2014

Dan Tro

op in Za

nte

- Dan Troop

ASG + INNOVATION = EVO 3 A1 SCOTT ALLAN REPORTS ON ONE OF THE MOST MONUMENTAL MOVES EVER FOR THE AIRSOFT MARKET; EUROPEAN AIRSOFT RIFLE PRODUCTION AND ASG’S LONG-AWAITED CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1, AS HE GETS HIS HANDS THE FIRST OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE.

THE CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1 NOT ONLY HAS A BUMPER NAME but it has been chosen by ActionSportGames in Denmark to be their first rifle produced entirely in Europe. “Ah but…” I hear you say and I will stop you there. No Airsoft company manufacturers on mass outside the Far East at the moment.

OKAY SO WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS? Imagine you are ASG; a huge distributor with a good reputation in the EU as being upstanding and straight-laced good guys.

You want a product that won’t be ripped off as soon as you commission a Far Eastern company to produce it for you, so you get burned a few times and end up doing it yourself. Good lads! Brave… but good.

WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE DUMP LOADS OF MONEY INTO NEW PRODUCTS? The move from a box-shifting distributor to manufacturer is not only a mind-bending job but a brave move. Think “Sinclair C5” (Google it) and you get a bit of an idea.... Essentially Sir Clive Sinclair had a great computer company, comparable to Amstrad 12

SEPTEMBER 2014

(who had an investor you may have heard of - Sir/Lord/King Alan Sugar). Anyways, Sinclair decided to revolutionise the transport market by making electric kiddie cars for grownups. You may have noticed the fact that we don’t use them or anything like it even to this day – this is because the idea flopped and all of the investment from the successful computer empire was gone forever.

SO WHO ARE ACTIONSPORTGAMES? For a start they are from Denmark, so I like them instantly. They have casual attitude to everything in life and they make great beer. Oh and bacon! Don’t forget bacon, although I suppose they don’t actually make bacon as that would crudely suggest that there is some bestial skulduggery afoot. ASG was the result of a merger between two companies in 2003, Pedersen & Grobelnik (founded in 1992) and Vestergaard ApS (founded in 1960). They also dip their toe in the air gun market and the budget market, though Airsoft as we know it these days is their key sector. Over the years they have worked with many manufacturers in the Far East to bring us good quality products.

THE ARMOURY ASG CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1

“It is a better rifle than a standard Far East counterpart, even the fire selector was redesigned four times so that it “sounded” better.

That is the kind of attention to detail you would expect from Ferrari.”

Even if they came from the same factories as the “unbranded” rifle types, the ASG versions underwent QA testing so were generally better.

WHY ACTIONSPORTGAMES? Having dealt with pretty much every single manufacturer at one point or another over the years, I can tell you more often than not most promises are hollow tales of sorrow and despair. Sales staff encouraged to get the orders in without actually knowing what is happening on the production line are all too common. Whether this is purely a “get the money in” tactic, they just don’t know, or they are too afraid to say no, I have never worked out. ASG are different. I’d like to think it was because they are European but then most European distributors who I have worked with can be an equal nightmare at times and some of them are, undoubtedly, reading this very article.

Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad companies but the turnover of the product from receipt of an order to delivering into a customer is slow. ASG really are a company after my own heart in terms of service.

Yes things break, turn up late and they have let me down in the past but genuinely, it always worked out okay in the end. They try and that is the key; trying. They are upfront with cock-ups and try and help you make things right. Surely you can’t say fairer than that?

SO WHAT MAKES A BUNCH OF DANISH BOX-SHIFTERS QUALIFIED TO REPLICATE A REAL STEEL RIFLE? Well you start with the two company owners, Johnny Pedersen and Henrik Grobelnik, being engineers - very good engineers actually! For example the machines that Johnny and Henrik designed and built do all the bottling and sorting of the Blaster BBs that ASG sell. Simple designs mean that they machines work very well to deliver a high standard of product to the end user.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE REAL EVO This is a 9mm Sub Machine Gun that is lightweight, reliable and easily manoeuvred in tight spaces. It comes with multiple fire settings; single, three round and full automatic bursts. As you would expect in a modern firearm they come with a variety of rails that allows for mission-specific changes, such as the addition of flashlights and lasers.

Admittedly it is not the most common SMG in the world, unlike the MP5 by H&K. It is reportedly used by the Czech forces but also Egypt, Thailand and Malaysia. Unusual places but there you go.

The real version also sports some great adjustable features such as the stock and the pistol grip. The cocking handle can also be mounted

ASG have created a special website for the EVO 3, at: www.actionsportgames.com/evo3a1

on either side, which means those cursed lefties don’t have to struggle while on duty. The full polymer design means less external corrosion regardless of the geological or atmospheric conditions. The 20mm top rail means that you can fit an optic of any type quickly without any additional mounting, unlike the MP5 family that requires a claw mount. On top of that it is over 10% lighter than the MP5, which means that you will tire less carrying it around and will be able to bring it onto target faster. In a life or death situation, clearly that really could be the difference between you or the bad guy getting hit first.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS VERSION WHEN IT IS RELEASED THIS SUMMER? For a start ASG have worked with Airsoft Systems (who make the ASCU) and so that this £80 extra is pre-installed and set up as standard. The ASCU is the best electronic trigger/MOSFET unit available at the moment and this means you get an amazing trigger response and battery control out of the box.

“Stop on Empty” and “Magazine Detection” features are also on the list of specs and this, coupled with the nonsweatshop production, should have you positively moist!

SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED? Probably, yes! It is an unusual choice but CZ are very much on board with the production and have actually made many of the parts for the Airsoft version, so your pride and joy will have real steel pedigree. Spare magazines aren’t going to break the bank either at £16 a mag for a 75-round magazine. The real CZ parts include the front hand grip section and the entire stock assembly and all the accessories, such as the iron sights and slings, come straight from CZ too. This is quite possibly the most authentic rifle the Airsoft market has ever seen!

The final price of the EVO looks to be just over £360 in the UK which given that the ASCU unit on its own retails at £80 isn’t so bad.

While many of the stats don’t shake the earth in terms of size and weight the performance, construction and the backup behind this product is not only unprecedented but are very exciting. Every part will be available as a spare from ASG. I know as I watched many of these parts being produced in Denmark.

We visited several companies that were involved in the plastic moulding, zinc casting, aluminium casting, CNC machining and more. It truly was an eye-opening experience www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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and while ASG kept costings tightly to their chest for a variety of reasons, we have it on good authority that a single, fairly simple mould would cost around the €10,000 mark. ASG have dozens of moulds that they opened, one of the largest was 8-feet tall, weighing hundreds of kilos and all it did was make 4 polycarbonate magazine shells to the same design spec as the real version!

Quality was always going to be an important factor. The bonus was that most of the factories that are producing the parts are within a short drive, or even walk from the offices and warehouse of ASG. The quality of the work was quite staggering. We saw parts being manufactured for Audi in one plant. The pop-up tweeter from the Bang & Olufsen stereo system – made there. The Audi R8 paddle shifter – made there… And that was just on one set of machines we saw.

The CNC machining company work was also extremely high-end and although they had some really old cam driven machines that would’ve sent Guy Martin into an engineering frenzy, we saw modern machines churning out parts for a variety of very expensive Swiss watch companies. Each of the companies ASG is working with has their own name to promote and image to maintain. They are not small one man bands, they are large businesses with big contracts. That is the important part of the last sentence, ASG work WITH these companies. It’s not just “can we have 500 screws from B&Q or eBay” set up. Everything is counted, measured and planned out right down to the assembly of the EVO. You would have suspected that Howard Hughes had a hand in the assembly line. Certainly “military precision” is a term that pales in comparison to what ASG are doing.

SO WHY NOT JUST MAKE IT IN CHINA? In a conversion with Johnny over a few Carlsbergs, it made sense to ask the question.

While it is nice to make something in Europe if you can make the same item in China for 20% of the cost of Europe then why wouldn’t you? I think largely it is the way the Chinese and Far East Airsoft market works.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

THE ARMOURY ASG CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1

It’s all a bit… off the shelf. They didn’t have a gearbox that would work and it would be a hassle to make a new one, also China wouldn’t build the Evo the way ASG have chosen to build it. Remember the 4 magazine mould, 8 foot tall and weighs hundreds of kilos? If China did that magazine, they would make it in two halves and glue it. ASG wanted it one piece, like the real version – and that meant a mould that is ten times more complicated and more expensive.

Remember also that much of the design has been taken from original drawings given to ASG directly from CZ. Another point is China copies what they’ve done before. Imagine someone built a path with a drain cover that people tripped over, if China copied this they’d make it exactly the same with the same drain cover causing the same problems.

One way in which the engineering eye was cast over the design was the gearbox case and, specifically, the cylinder exposure. Johnny knows that gearboxes crack at the front and always wondered why the cylinder was so exposed. What was the reason? There isn’t one, no reason at all unless you have a porting which only needs to be a few millimetres not the huge area exposed like a traditional gearbox. Also the gearbox is thicker aluminium than a standard gearbox case with rounded edges rather than square, to even the stresses out.

If you are unsure about the stress differences between squares and ovals find a documentary on the De Havilland Comet in the late 40’s.

If that isn’t enough the short shaft motor has a bearing support that fits perfectly into the mounting to optimise power transfer. Many of these designs Johnny implemented himself - simple, but also clever engineering.

That is why it is a better rifle than a standard Far East counterpart, even the fire selector was redesigned four times so that it “sounded” better.

That is the kind of attention to detail you would expect from Ferrari.

BUT WON’T IT JUST GET COPIED? You could make it close, but you couldn’t copy it exactly without considerable cost which would put the price above the ASG rifle and you’d have to make the stock and front end anew, as ASG get the existing real steel parts. So in short, yes you could but it really isn’t worth it? Best of all is Asia is screaming out for this product and finally they will bear the brunt of shipping costs that the European stores have faced for years.

So after seeing how it was all designed, not losing my genitals in an unfortunate smelting accident like Goldmember and firing a prototype we had to wait for the first one to arrive off the assembly line….

D DAY ARRIVED! I’ve seen a lot of rifles real and Airsoft. I’ve fired just about everything that is worth looking at and a lot that would make you cry - they were that bad. I really hoped that the EVO was everything I had hoped it would be.

At the end of the day there are limitations to what can be achieved with an airsoft rifle and the EVO did have a fairly high bar in my mind, most of this being set by ASG’s sales pitch and the manufacturing processes I’d witnessed.

After seeing the precision of the manufacturing I was sure it would be great and I wasn’t disappointed…. Once I got the battery in that is!

So yes, I found the first drawback; the battery is a royal pain in the ass to fit inside. That said, there have been many that are a hassle to change.

Hell, my VFC KAC PDW couldn’t be changed, it had to be charged while in the rifle! The 11.1v LiPo fitted into the EVO after some time and effort between three of us.

The next thing was the hop bedding in; it took about 300 rounds for it to all settle down and optimise. Once it had it was good, very, very good! The realistic function of the EVO is great: Magazine in, cock it and then fire until the magazine runs out and it stops on empty. The 75-round magazines don’t last too long and I think I would be tempted to run the magazine clamps (also real steel from CZ).

“The real CZ parts include the front hand grip section and the entire stock assembly and all the accessories, such as the iron sights and slings, come straight from CZ too. This is quite possibly the most authentic rifle the Airsoft market has ever seen!”

FEATURES EMPTY MAGAZINE DETECTION FUNCTIONAL BOLT LOCK CNC METAL FLASH HIDER QUICK CHANGE SPRING REMOVABLE FOLDING STOCK – REAL STEEL POLYMER FRONT RIS GRIP – REAL STEEL REDUCE BB LOSS HOP UNIT 3 ROUND BURST FUNCTION FUNCTIONING CHARGING HANDLE AMBIDEXTROUS CONTROLS FAST RELOAD DESIGN BATTERY MONITORING FAILURE DETECTION CRISP ELECTRONIC TRIGGER RESPONSE SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT DESIGN CNC MACHINE OUTER BARREL INTEGRATED STANDARD SIZE RAILS BUILT ENTIRELY IN EUROPE STATS LENGTH: 623/425MM WIDTH: 58 MM BARREL LENGTH: 208MM MAG. CAPACITY: 75 ROUNDS HOP UP TYPE: ADJUSTABLE VELOCITY: 95 (312)MS/FPS (UK VERSION) WEIGHT: 2400GR ENERGY: 0.95 JOULE

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FIELD TESTING A slight drawback for this package is the lack of iron sights with the rifle as standard. Although it is still usable without iron sights (by using the top rail as a guide), 90% of players don’t actually use them anyway I find. I fitted it up with an EoTech and a vertical grip and it was good to go.

With this being a “first off the line” rifle I expected niggles but didn’t find anything major. At the time of shipping I was told there is a revision for the final version that changes something in the hop unit - so the bedding-in time may be non-existent by the time these come to market fully. The trigger response is smooth and positive and the range from this compact little monster is definitely above average, winging tightly grouped shots out to 50 metres with relative ease. The version I tested was a Europe spec at 400fps out of the box but I had quickly swapped out the spring for a M100, giving me 355fps. A spring change really does only take 30 seconds with this.

Obviously running a single 75 magazine leaves you somewhat at a disadvantage but still the EVO claimed a good few victims.

Running relatively quiet is probably a major factor, along with the snappy trigger from the extremely good high torque motor often beating an opponent’s gearbox cycle.

IN CONCLUSION The EVO is a first in many ways.

It is the first version of the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1 ever produced. It is the first rifle I know of that uses real steel parts as standard and most importantly, it is the first rifle ever produced in the EU. The performance is very good out of the box, with the quick change spring to suit all game sites in the UK. You could baulk at the price but then you’d just be tight-fisted. When you break down the components, the construction process and the EU manufacturing it’s actually a bit of a steal.

The draw backs are few and generally down to the individual buyer, it is fairly small so large players may feel that it is too little.

There are no high capacity magazines but the mid-caps are great and cheap. The battery is a bit of a fiddle but that wouldn’t put me off personally.

The last potential point is the design. Some people are diehard M4 fans and the futuristic design will undoubtedly put off the odd player who prefers “a classic”. These few picking points aside the EVO is a dynamite little nail gun that has the talk and the walk and I doubt there are many players who will regret buying one.

It is hard to find a major flaw with the design at all and I can’t wait to see them on the game field…. I just hope that they are on my side or I’ll be in serious trouble.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Fancy winning an ASG EVO 3 A1? We thought you might!

With huge generosity, ASG have agreed to let us give away the very gun that Scott reviewed. So you have the chance to win not only an absolutely awesome airsoft rifle but also a little bit (actually, quite a big bit) of airsoft history.

When we told ASG what we wanted to do, they thought we were mad but, like us, they absolutely believe in giving back to the community that supports them.

So one lucky Airsoft Action reader will win this stunning prize simply by turning to Page 97 and entering the competition.

Good luck!

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CNC machined outer barrel Integrated Integr ated standard size rails rails Innovative Innov ative construction Super lightweight and compact design Glass fiber reinforced polymer Strong magazine 4-position fire selector with genuine Ambidextrous charging handle 3-shot burst Secure motor attachment ent CNC made flash hider and barrel nut Easy velocity change nge Industry-standard 8mm bushings ngs Removable folding stock ock Reduced BB spill pill

Precision inner barrel rrel LiPo born ECU CU ULTIMATE basic motor otor Optimal power transfer sfer New designed gearbox b x bo Designed for strength gth MIM steel gears ars CNC processed gearbox box Quality wiring ing Larger support surface ace ECU controlled gearbox box Crisp trigger response nse Intelligent design solutions ons Failure-detection ion Battery monitoring ing Easy service and maintenance nce Gearbox as heat-sink ink Moisture resistant ant No fuse bo boxx Realistic handling ing Functional bolt lock ock Optimized mag-well well User friendly dly Multiple sling mounts nts Fast reloading ing Easy adjustable hop-up -up Ambidextrous controls rols Removable Remov able flash-hider Empty magazine detection Upgradable Upgr adable with industry standard parts

Discover the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 www.actionsportgames.com/evo3a1 FFind ind more more information information on on actionsportgames.com. actionsportgames.com.

ActionSportGames A ctionSportGames® iiss a w worldwide orldwide lleader eader in in tthe he bbusiness usiness ooff rreplica eplica fifirearms rearms aand nd aaccessories ccessories m manufacturing anufacturing – including including Airsoft Airsoft guns, guns, Airguns, Airguns, CO2 gguns uns aand nd firearms firearms replicas. replicas.

Join u Join uss on on Facebook Facebook – “Team “Team ASG” ASG” http://www.facebook.com/actionsportgames h ttp://w w w.facebook.com/actionsportgames

ICS TRANSFORM4 DESPERATELY TRYING TO AVOID OBVIOUS ROBOTIC CLICHÉS, JAY SLATER FINDS OUT IF ICS’ LATEST TAKE ON THE M4 WILL LAST LONGER THAN MARK WAHLBERG’S PERFORMANCES. FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS IN EQUAL MEASURES for corrupt politicians; the cutest girls in Asia; killer typhoons; gangsters; Taiwan’s real-life Sopranos; pineapple pastries and stinky tofu; baseball; suicidal screwballs on scooters; and “dead-and-alive fish” (a dish that consists of a deep-fried carp that remains alive after cooking and covered with sweet and sour sauce, its head still twitching), Taiwan is eclectic as it is beautiful. It is also the home of ICS, or I Chih Shivan Enterprise Co. Ltd, one of the oldest and leading airsoft manufacturers in the world.

Founded in 1983, ICS has been pushing the envelope ever since and raised the bar considerably with their highly impressive take on the M1 Garand rifle, considered to be one of the very best AEGs at some 420 FPS or so – a beautiful marriage of reliability, range, quality and performance. Indeed, the M1 Garand is a stonking piece of craftsmanship.

ICS has entered the airsoft arena fighting fit once more with their much publicised electric blowback (EBB) Transform4 system and yet it is, for most, something of an enigma.

Blazoned in the same tacky typography style as Michael Bay’s pickled brain dead flicks Transformers (2007) and Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) with Mark Wahlberg slumming it, one can only suggest that this might be eye boggling copyright theft. But hey, that is what Asia does well and that’s perfectly fine. “Dead-and-alive fish” anyone?

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SO WHAT EXACTLY IS THE TRANSFORM4?

Coming in two styles – the short-nosed and stubby ICS CXP UK1 (ICS-260) and the longer-barrelled CXP-UK1R (ICS261), both M4 mutations – ICS claim that the new system took them two years of research to perfect. ICS propose that they have revolutionised the AEG with a brand new EBB reinforced split gearbox design with reliability being tested with some 100,000 rounds fired; a reinforced piston; a metal hop-up unit (at long last over their previous plastic units); new designs of the foregrip, pistol grip and trigger guard; and a reinforced MIM bevel and pinion gear. Also, the Transform4 is ICS’s first foray into the EBB marketplace.

Presentation-wise, as seen with their M1 Garand, it is without fault and extremely impressive. The packaging is secure, colourful and heavyweight (WE, please take notice) and all done with a certain sense of pride. The box contains a teenage-style plastic Transfom4 wristband (yes, really!) and the usual airsoft suspects: a bag of BBs, instruction manual, a presentation DVD that makes a great beer coaster, three short RIS rails (albeit secured with the use of an Allen key that was not provided with the review sample), P90-style magazine and rifle. Despite such criticisms, ICS at least tries to provide their customers with a professional attitude with their superb packaging and eye for marketing aplomb and glitzy razzmatazz

THE ARMOURY ICS CXP UK1

“First is its lightness in the field and it is a superbly made, designed and constructed rifle: this thing is made to last and is ideal (for those with short arms) in both CQB and woodland environments”

The ICS CXP UK1 (ICS-260) is like most M4s but with a futuristic stance with some space-age physical modelling and it is very light to use and operate in the field. With that being said, the negative criticisms soon become patently obvious, such as when attempting to remove the handguard. Secured to the rifle body by eight Allen bolts, this is an absolute bitch in the field to remove and replace as well as the possibility to shred a bolt. If you get that far, the battery space is so limited and cramped that fitting a battery into the compartment is an absolute pig’s ear of a chore (an external battery box may be an answer) and the 11.1v LiPo often double-shot on single fire. Plus, when the handguard is eventually fitted to the body of the rifle, the main leads and battery infrastructure are impossible to disguise. Indeed, it does beg the question: what was ICS thinking? Practicality over aesthetics, surely?

Hardcore enthusiasts may raise their noses at the unhistorical ICS external markings and long-armed operators may find the six-positioned stock a bridge too far for comfort, fingers are all too easy to accidentally shoot off.

Lastly, the port cover never closes – just a slight breeze, a softly-muttered obscenity or a curious glance is enough to have it snap open – and is the EBB function really worth it?

Purely a limited function (and it is early days on reliability), it is hardly noticeable in terms of visual eyeball splendour.

However with all that off my chest, enough of the negatives!

Indeed, the ICS M4 takes a critical battering on initial inspections but once one has got their head on how to remove the handguard, fit a battery and ignore that dreadful port cover, then this Taiwan sweetie starts to give a little love. First is its lightness in the field and it is a superbly made, designed and constructed rifle: this thing is made to last and is ideal (for those with short arms) in both CQB and woodland environments. The handguard and rear stock are fitted with a realistic ‘keymod’ system and the rather natty P90-style magazine with its “anti-slippery” lines for grip and clear plastic window is invaluable to gauge how much ammunition one has left (also, the vast majority of M4 magazines fit and feed flawlessly).

Accessing the hop-up is a doddle, by opening the port cover (well, it will be open whatever the circumstances) and swiping the hop-up wheel up and down effortlessly. It really is a work of joy and also made of metal construction – another ICS debut and a most welcome design. With an ambidextrous charging handle and takedown pins that stay attached to the lower receiver, the Transform4 technology also relaxes the gearbox when the safe fire selector is activated. This, in turn, releases the spring tension to prolong the life of the M4. It’s a nice touch, ICS should be applauded for this ingenious innovation and it will be interesting to see if other manufacturers will follow suit.

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So what else does £265 or so get you? As a mid-priced rifle, the range and hitting power of the ICS CXP UK1 (ICS-260) is truly outstanding. Each BB fed without issue and accuracy was also impressive with a series of MadBull .20, .25 and .28 BBs hitting a man-sized target accurately at a range of 150-200 feet or more with an assured wallop. Once the hop-up beds in, expect range and accuracy to go much further, plus it’s a fairly quiet assault rifle, giving one that slight DMR edge if they should want to do so.

With a growing number of superb low- to mid-priced AEG rifles that deliver constantly, it does beg the question if highly expensive and high-grade airsoft weapons (eg. Systemas and Masadas) are truly worth their extortionate asking prices and elitist social allure.

FEATURES LENGTH: 795 MM OUTER BARREL LENGTH: 261 MM INNER BARREL LENGTH: 263 MM Indeed, having tested both manufacturers, they failed extremely poorly when compared to the quality of materials, build, construction and performance of the ICS. This Taiwanese bloody powerhouse of an AEG may have its aesthetic faults and poorly designed battery housing, but it gives the overpriced and overvalued Systemas and Masadas an über-violent roundhouse kick to the cojones.

If you really should have an M4, the ICS Transform4, despite its classless and turgid name, is seriously hard to beat in terms of cost, performance and BB apocalyptic annihilation gusto. Just try to ignore the limited battery space, Allen keys and dysfunctioning port door.

Snap. Snap. Snap!

WEIGHT: 2,587 G POWER: 330 FPS RECOMMENDED BATTERY: LI-PO 11.1V 1,200 MAH MOTOR: TURBO 3000 LONG PIN SPRING: M120 PRICE: AROUND £265

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AIRSOFT STEALTH BAZ COLLINS GIVES US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF A WEAPON HE HAS BEEN WAITING AGES TO GET HIS HANDS ON THE VAL IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT the gaming community from all sorts of FPS games. I am not going to lie, since the first time I saw it, I thought “wow”. After years of playing Russian loadouts in airsoft and seeing all the guys on the Red Alliance forum (big worldwide Russian themed airsoft forum) building their own custom Vals, I am happy to announce that LCT have decided to step in and make a proper production

AS VAL. The real steel AS Val started life off in the late 80’s as a Soviet initiative to make a more silent and stealthy weapon for use by their special forces. A new round was designed to accompany the Val, in the form of the SP-5 and SP-6. These rounds are both subsonic rounds and both are 9x39mm. The SP-5 is a standard ball round, whereas the SP-6 is a highperformance, armour-piercing round. The Val itself is based off the standard AK-74 and the body and receiver are very similar.

The standard fire selector is now located in the trigger guard behind the trigger and is now just an “On” mode and safety. The silencer is integral and was purpose-built

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with stealth being the main aim, making the Val one of the quietest weapons in the world.

The result of this Soviet endeavor was a small, portable and silent weapon capable of reaching out to 300m without making much sound or flash, resulting in the Val being a much sought-after and respected weapon within Soviet and later Russian forces.

So onto the airsoft version. I had no idea that LCT were making Vals. I knew a few other companies were but if anyone has ever seen my previous reviews of LCT AKs, then you know how much I love them. I think they are the best there is, so when Scoutthedoggie (airsoft YouTuber) dropped me a line to tell me that LCT had sent him a pre-production version of the Val and asked if I would like to give it a review, I literally jumped at the chance.

Upon receiving the Val I was pleasantly surprised by the box. LCT have always had bland boxes but this time they had a large sticker on the back showing the variant AS Val and the VSS Vintorez AEGs (which are due out soon). Opening the box was the usual LCT padding, very tough black foam holding the Val in place, instruction manual and the pass certificate

THE ARMOURY RIFLE REVIEW – AS VAL

”I read on the Red Alliance forums from a few chaps who have held/own real steel Vals, that the LCT model is too well made! The real one isn’t as well machined or sits as flush as this one - I love Russian guns!”

from LCT telling you an average FPS read out (305 fps for this one). Lifting the Val out I was pleased to feel the LCT “heft”.

This isn’t a light gun, it’s around 3.5kg without a battery or loaded mag, although this is due to the gun being made almost entirely from steel, which I personally prefer. Playing around with the slide selector gave the reassuring clunk it should - nothing loose here! Looking around the Val you can see how well made it is, everything sits so flush together making this look exquisite and a genuine pleasure to hold. I did noticed that there are no markings on the slide selector though this is probably due to it being a pre-production model. I read on the Red Alliance forums from a few chaps who have held/own real steel Vals, that the LCT model is too well made! The real one isn’t as well machined or sits as flush as this one - I love Russian guns!

Now came to putting in the battery and I am not going to lie, it’s a pain to say the least. You have to unscrew the front silencer and attach the battery at the base. This doesn’t sound much but the wires seem to go everywhere when you are trying to put the silencer back on. A small battery caddy (as you see on some G36s) wouldn’t go amiss here.

Though if this was my own, I could rig something up fast but as it wasn’t, I had to make do. Once I finally got it in I gave it a few shots and it felt snappy and responsive on a 7.4v 1200mAh LiPo. I was quite happy with this as the gearbox sounded well shimmed, very little resistance showing the LCT’s quality control is still well in place.

I took it out on site the following Sunday and grabbed a few games. This is where I got it chrono’d and, just as the certificate stated, it was on average between 305-310fps.

The hop takes very little time to dial in and is slightly different from a standard AK model but works well. Running with the gun most of the day I realised that it is quite heavy to say the least and I never had a sling, so that is one thing I recommend for this gun.

The range was easily out to 50m accurate which isn’t too bad for a stock gun but I wouldn’t say the gun was quiet like

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its real steel counterpart. Due to the silencer being a void, this actually ampliďŹ es the sound a fair bit.

Again if this was mine I would cut some foam up and get it in there. With the silencer being that long you could suppress the sound very well. I borrowed my mates PSO-1 scope to use and this made it much heavier to the point I found it too uncomfortable to use. I would have preferred a Kobra sight but there were none handy though I think it would look unreal with that on it.

All in all I am very impressed with LCT once again. Yes they have cut down their quality since 2009/10 and yes, they have used cheaper materials - but not here! This seems to be the LCT of the old, where the Val feels absolutely rock solid bomb proof. As this is a pre-production model I hope they sort out the little niggles like the battery compartment but I would overlook that for the sheer quality of this gun.

If you ever remotely like Russian guns, do Russian load-outs or just love the look of this then it’s a must!

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ʻʳʶʽʸʰ ʻʫ ʯʪʤ˓˃ːˁ˔ OSCAR P GETS FOUR SEASONS IN ONE DAY AT UCAP’S LATEST BATTLESIM WEEKENDER IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR THE STORIES behind Airsoft games to have a an uncanny resemblance to events in the real world - either historical or contemporary - so it shouldn’t really have taken me so long to figure out the story behind UCAP’s latest 24 Hour game, Op: Counterbalance.

The event had already caught my eye as it’s been a long time since I’d gotten myself down to the Sandpit, their frankly awesome desert-come-industrial-come-lakeside site near Bluewater and I wanted to refresh my memory of the place. I’d also had my interest piqued by the timings for the game; kick off at 11am on a Saturday, play through ‘til around midnight then resume at first light through ‘til 3pm on the Sunday, with teams positively encouraged to bivvy out in the field. But it was the names in the story that had me puzzling; the scenario was set in the Country of “Eniarku”, and more specifically the region of “Aemirc”. Yeah, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? Still took me a bloody age to figure it out!

Anyway, an all-but-overnight scenario, at the Pit? More than enough to get me interested, so I picked up the phone to Andy Stevens, head honcho at UCAP and asked if I could pop over and do a few words for Airsoft Action on his latest MilSim event?

“Yep,” he said; “but it’s not a MilSim”. More on that later...

So, bright and early I tootled my way around the M25 to Kent - the Sandpit’s dead easy to navigate to, even with my appalling sense of direction and pulled up. Prep for the day was in full swing - three factions, (Government forces in Multicam, Resistance in green/black and “outside assistance” in modern patterns, notably rocking more Kryptek than I’ve ever seen in once place) were busy getting rigs and bergens ready for 13 hours out in the field.

The other thing that was immediately obvious was the number of vehicles that were in play. I had expected a few Landies and Quads, given the sheer scale of the Sandpit, but I hadn’t counted on a dirty great DAF transport, three Landies (including UCAP’s WMIK and Snatch), three Quads, various Technicals and a tracked Snowcat! Yep, an ex-Royal Marine vehicle designed for use on NATO’s northern flank in the days of the Cold War. Turns out it works quite well on sand, too!

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EVENT REPORT OP: COUNTERBALANCE

“THEY’D FALLEN BACK ON AN OLD FAVOURITE TACTIC; PUSHING UP IN COLUMNS BEHIND THE SNATCH UNTIL THEY WERE CONTACTED, THEN LAYING ON JUDICIOUS APPLICATIONS OF MORTAR AND SMALL ARMS FIRE UNTIL THE RESISTANCE WAS BROKEN.”

After the usual safety briefing, teams were separated for specific order groups; the Multicam crew loaded up the DAF and were ferried out onto site for theirs. The transport was loaded down with their kit as they would be working from the vehicle for the day, so I tagged along with the other side to get a picture of the day’s play. Broadly speaking, the first day was to be based around Guerrila warfare; the OPFOR were in possession of the territory, including a large urban area (dubbed “The Village”) with a series of assets that needed defending. The Government forces would be making their way towards the village along a main transport route, with the ultimate aim of securing the village and recovering control of the water, power and weapon facilities there.

The OPFOR commanders were sure that the Government team would carry out the assault in two phases; day one would be to get close to the village, secure a safe harbour area from which to base recon activities overnight, then mount the final incursion in the morning. That made their activities fairly obvious; guerrilla hit and fade activities throughout the day, to slow up and wear down the attackers, harass them overnight, then deny them the village in the final battle. Although they were significantly outnumbered, the tactic would play to their strengths - and an advantage in terms of vehicles. The Government had some serious terrain to navigate the main transport route, though a broad and well-surfaced road, was cut down deeply between an impassable cliff face and a high, rough plateau. If OPFOR played their cards right, they could pepper the track with IEDs to slow up the advance, whilst sniping viciously from the high ground. The government forces, on the other hand, would need to push their vehicles (and therefore their respawn/ resupply) up the track whilst deploying their infantry across the plateau to provide security. Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it?

However, I’d had the opportunity to play that area of the site previously - it’s not generally used for open days - and knew full well how tricky the ground is. On a map, the plateau looks flat; once you’re up there, you realise that it’s actually criss-crossed with ditches and dried-out watercourses and at this time of the year it’s also heavily vegetated. This was going to be an interesting day’s fighting!

Game on and I rolled out with a squad of the OPFOR’s “Outside Assistance”. We grabbed a lift across the site (which is HUGE) in a Ford Explorer that’d been affectionately christened “Dora” and deployed up onto the plateau. Comms were going to be central to success; each squad was operating on a sub-channel, with a command net over that. I, being an observer, had plugged into both command nets so I could get a read on the big picture.

The squad spread out in a skirmish line and advanced to screen the enemy, with yours truly tootling along behind.

I quickly realised that the two sides were closer than they realised! The government command net had picked up on the squad I was with and reported their position, realising they were spotters and was manoeuvring a pair of squads to engage. The guys I was with were doing the same; they had eyes on the Government DAF and were reporting their movements to squads down on the road that were rigging charges to slow up the advance. One guy near me seemed to have “spider sense” - he twigged that his flank was open and rolled back a few meters, just in time to catch a glimpse of Government troops moving up. Quick as a flash, both sides were down and dug behind ditches and ridges, trading shots. Both command nets brought up reinforcements and soon small groups were manoeuvring, dodging from cover to cover and trying to turn flanks, crawling along trenches and setting up snap ambushes at every opportunity.

Meanwhile, down on the track, the government forces found their advance slowed to a crawl; every advance taking them forward only a few hundred feet before an IED, snipers or a counterattack brought them to a standstill.

That set the tone for the first couple of hours of play - small unit, fire and movement, fluid battles up on the plateau, with a grinding war of attrition along the track. As the day continued the cloud cover drew back and by 2pm both sides were slugging it out in some fierce heat.

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Getting slightly toasty myself, I decided to move away from the battle on the high ground, get lower and hopefully find some shade - but after only a few yards, I bumped, quite literally into a contingent of Polish players on the OPFOR side, who were making a flanking move right around the plateau with the aim of coming up behind the Government forces and carving them up and, fair play to them, they did just that! Even though they had to cross some of the roughest terrain on the whole site, including a trip all the way down to the base of the plateau and back up again, crossing dozens of 6ft deep ditches to do it, right at the hottest part of the day!

Although a couple of canny Government players had recognised the risk and were keeping a watch, they were quickly dispatched and the Poles went on to demolish a multicam squad!

Leaving them to their fun and games, I tabbed down to the Government respawn to get a read on their progress. The heat was clearly taking a toll - players were getting gallons of fluids down their necks - but they were still keeping the pressure on. They’d fallen back on an old favourite tactic; pushing up in columns behind the Snatch until they were contacted, then laying on judicious applications of mortar and small arms fire until the resistance was broken. Hard, hard work for them, though as each push was gaining them only a few hundred feet; each IED could knock out an entire squad and would disable their vehicle for ten minutes. As the afternoon wore on, OPFOR clearly had the upper hand on the high ground and whilst concentrated force meant that the Government side were making headway, they were running out of time and energy.

Around mid-afternoon, both sides pulled back to recharge their batteries and get some food on, so I took the opportunity to track down Andy Stevens and ask him what he’d meant when he said that this game “wasn’t a MilSim”.

I found him bunkered down with the WMIK crew, up in a sunny over-watch position and put the question to him. His explanation was straightforward; he considers “MilSim” to be an often misused term. From his point of view, a strict military simulation would be… “23 and a half hours sitting around and half an hour doing something interesting.

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debate OP: COUNTERBALANCE

These games are about that second part - the battle rather than the preparation, so “BattleSim” is how I would describe these games.

The players don’t need to play through the long deployment into the territory, and can concentrate on the scrap.”

Andy also explained a bit about how he manages the player’s experience. “We try and get a balance between giving orders and getting the players to work as a team. We make sure it’s easy to ID who’s on which team and have a command structure to direct play, with player marshals on both sides keeping in touch. That means we can simulate the outside Intel that the forces would have in the real world.

We set objectives but it’s for the players to make them happen, or not and to decide how they do them. We adapt to what they achieve; we’re making sure things happen, but not exactly what the outcomes are.”

As we drew into the evening of the first day, the situation began to change – as did the weather. The sun was replaced with clouds… then thunder… then a torrential downpour! Whether it was the weather or just sheer grit and determination on the part of the government forces, the situation of play changed as well; they managed to force their way through the main track and up onto a ridgeline, eventually breaking through to a causeway which could take them up to the borders of the village. Although they were significantly behind schedule – the redoubtable Polish contingent in particular had been frustrating their advance for a couple of hours – their co-ordinated approach, along with some very tasty vehicle tactics, motoring squads straight through defensive positions and into the defender’s rear, got them to their objective for the evening.

However, despite their best efforts, they couldn’t use the momentum to push through the defender’s lines. As the clock ticked around to 10pm, the battle on the causeway ground away under a massive barrage of mortars firing in both directions but the attacking forces couldn’t batter their way through. However, having secured their main objective, they were able to harbour up for the night and prepare for the next day.

And that day started with a bang!

The Government troops came out swinging, their numbers, organisation and mind-set perhaps more suited to the set-piece assault, whereas the previous day’s battle had favoured the more mobile, guerrilla-orientated defenders. Certainly, the government troops wasted no time in fighting their way into the village and over the course of three or four hours had secured all the objectives - and they even managed to defeat the WMIK that had been tormenting them the previous day! I think that it’s fair to say that overall the weekend’s play was a score draw - although the Government team had the village taken by lunchtime, completing all of their objectives, the defending team had drained them dry of blood, sweat and tears in doing it!

So overall, a cracking event and very hard going. I’ve got to raise my hat to both teams for keeping at it even when the British summer - and the terrain at the Sandpit - was throwing everything at them. I saw brilliant gameplay and sportsmanship across the weekend, with equal measures of intelligent manoeuvre and head-down aggressive assaulting deployed by both teams. As always, the Sandpit’s a brilliant site with lots to offer and the players made the most of it!

Ultimately, though, there’s a lot to be said for UCAP’s approach to this event; I think the concept of BattleSim - as opposed to MilSim - has a lot to be said of it. There was plenty of realism to be had, the command and control structures worked well and I didn’t see a single player shifting from a simulation to skirmish mind-set. There were intelligent tactics, great teamwork and real commitment throughout - but the action never let up; even when the sun was at its height and players were feeling the effects!

All in all, a great event, and it’s worth keeping your eyes out for the next in the series.

For more details about all UCAP events and sites, visit their website: http://ucap.co.uk www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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KIT REVIEW HAZARD 4

NOT TO SCALE

L Y L

Iggy Roberts gets to grips with the tricky subject of how to carry all your “stuff”.

BAGS! EVERY AIRSOFTER NEEDS THEM to hold their RIFs and accessories for the day. Most of the time you can get away with a carry case and a few extra pockets for your gas and ammo etc.

In some cases you may need a patrol pack, for those endurance games.

When I was asked to review a selection of Hazard 4 bags from Thomas Jacks, I was initially hesitant. I thought, what’s in a bag? Not in the literal sense but what is the difference between bags that someone can review? What makes them good, or bad? As long as it carries kit then that’s it, isn’t it?

I was mistaken. I took the selection of Hazard 4 bags - a mixture of rifle carriers and patrol packs - and put them to the test. I used them in both skirmish and everyday environments, looking at how versatile, ergonomic and useful they were on a case-by-case (or should that be “bag-by-bag”) basis.

“Progressive Tactical” is the Hazard 4 motto. Their products are designed to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. From functionality, materials selection and manufacturing techniques, through to testing, quality-control and packaging. Hazard 4 products are said to be the most modern and cutting-edge available and they continue to develop new lines as feedback is received from those in the field.

Although Hazard 4 offers a range of innovative and hard

wearing bags, cases and apparel designed for the rigours of tactical operation, you don’t have to be in a warzone to appreciate the benefits. The thoroughbred characteristics of Hazard 4 products make them pretty much ideal for hikers, climbers, cyclists and anyone needing reliable and stylish transportation for their belongings – not forgetting airsofters.

These stylish, cleverly designed products have practicality, endurance and convenience at the core of their designs and will serve even the most extreme outdoor enthusiast when it matters most.

The selection of bags I had to review were: “The Patrol Pack”, the “Evac Watson”, the “Evac Smuggler”, the “Evac Takedown” and the “Kato”.

The Evac Smuggler and the Evac Takedown are Hazard 4’s answer to your conventional rifle carry cases. One is carbinesized and the other large enough to hold an AK47, with the magazine fitted. The Evac Watson and Patrol pack are day sack style bags and the Kato is a shoulder bag designed to hold an iPad or netbook mini-messenger and your trusted pistol.

THE PATROL PACK Hazard 4s’ patrol pack is a well-sized day sack (backpack). It features a unique thermoformed cap to protect sunglasses and

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other breakables and there is a large organizer pocket for pens, lights, knives and so on. The removable MOLLE-compatible belt can be worn alone as a surface for mounting smaller bags/pouches.

This day sack is ideal for any endurance games. It’s comfortable to wear and easily accommodates a small sleeping bag, enough food for 24 hours, navigational and essential survival equipment such as knives, torches, firestarting apparatus, extra batteries, magazines, gas and ammunition. The thermoformed cap is very strong making it ideal for glasses, mobile phones and any other delicate valuables. There is an additional compartment for a laptop or should you wish to carry a Camelback or equivalent.

The only downside to the thermoformed cap is that it does stand out and is not to everyone’s taste. It could also attract the attention of opportunist thieves for this reason.

The comfort of the Patrol Pack is noticeable, as it evenly distributes the weight across your back, making those long range patrols no harder than they already are.

The Patrol pack is unusual to Hazard 4 because it has two shoulder straps, as opposed to Hazard 4’s tendency to use a single cross-shoulder design. In terms of day sacks it certainly is up there with the more prestige options available on the market. The Patrol pack is what it is called, a patrol pack. It does what is expected and is a fair option on the market.

The Patrol pack is available in Black or coyote. The retail price is in the region of £184.95

EVAC WATSON The smallest of the Evac sling series, it is designed to sit at the lumbar area of the back, promoting a low centre of gravity and to carry a smaller volume than its larger brothers. Its wider width allows it to carry wider loads such as iPads and netbook laptops. You can carry a pistol in the middle front pocket, which has a velcro field for mounting the Hazard 4 universal pistol holster.

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Ok, this is a smaller day sack but for a day’s skirmishing, or a lengthy daytime patrol it is ideal. I found I favoured this bag the most. Initially I was sceptical about the single shoulder cross strap, so I took it on an endurance run in the North Wales mountains. I found it very comfortable and secure, it didn’t slip around or rub at all. Using it in a skirmish was great too. I could carry extra “ammo” batteries, gas, maps and even my lunch. I also added a camelback for that all-too precious water. Due to it being smaller, it didn’t cause much of a burden to carry or to move tactically.

This day sack is not big enough to sustain you for an overnight event, but it is great for day skirmishes. Its style is aesthetically pleasing and I found it great for everyday use too.

The Evac Watson is available in Black and Coyote. The retail price is in the region of £112.95

EVAC SMUGGLER The Smuggler is a large Evac sling pack specifically designed to accommodate carbines up to AK47 length but suits anyone who needs the extra room. Shooters can transport their rifles with magazine in and optics mounted. Additional external pockets can carry magazines, cleaning kit, extra parts and everything you need for transporting your RIF, or hauling around urban gear.

This bag carries an M60 E4 perfectly. Full sized M16s are still too long, the barrel and flash eliminator stick out the end of the bag. Although this is a carry case it can be carried very comfortably using the single shoulder strap. This is the most comfortable carry case I have used. It can carry up to three carbine rifles along with extra ammo, batteries, magazines etc.

KIT REVIEW HAZARD 4

I would not recommend skirmishing with this bag, it’s more of a bag to carry your RIFs to and from the site legally. Its capacity means that it can carry all the RIF’s you want for the day. I would recommend this bag for a day skirmish.

The Evac Smuggler is available in Black and Coyote. The retail price is in the region of £209.95

EVAC TAKEDOWN The largest of the Evac sling packs was, by popular demand, specifically designed for 2012 to accommodate the AR-15/M-16 family of rifles in their stripped-down state. You can fit an M4 CQB and any of the MP5 family easily into this bag. It can accommodate more than one RIF of this size. This bag is a comfortable size to take out into the field, carrying your alternative weapon system or a large amount of supplies. One of the outer pockets can carry a pistol using the Hazard 4 universal pistol holster on a Velcro field in the pocket.

The unique feature this bag has, due to its single shoulder strap is, the ability to draw the primary weapon system from the main compartment without having to take the bag off your shoulder. You can rotate the bag around your torso, bringing it to your front and allowing access to your weapons. This allows you to be discrete but still have fast access to your weapon systems. Such a feature can be great for themed games, should you need your guns hidden but to hand.

Evac Takedown comes in Black, Coyote, A-Tacs and Multi Cam. The retail price is in the region of £164.95

KATO Kato is Hazard 4’s tablet-carrying solution. Its size and layout were specifically designed around the tablet and netbook computer. Its fast-

access, padded, and quilted back-pocket cradles your tablet while the other compartments allow you to store various essential gear, which no mere sport/business bag offers. You will certainly understand the appeal of this product, if you find you take your tablet everywhere.

The Kato is not best suited to skirmishing with but you can carry a pistol in the flap pocket using the optional Hazard 4 universal pistol holster and attaching it to the Velcro field.

This bag is a very useful and stylish shoulder bag for day to day use, enabling you to carry more than you can squeeze into your pockets.

The Kato is available in, Black, coyote, Olive drab green, A-tacs and Multi Cam and is priced around £96.95.

These are just a few products in the Hazard 4 range. For more information on these products and any of the others please visit: http:// www.thomasjacks.co.uk/

INFORMATION THOMAS JACKS LIMITED UNIT B2 THE BRIDGE BUSINESS CENTRE TIMOTHY’S BRIDGE ROAD STRATFORD-UPON-AVON WARWICKSHIRE CV37 9HW UNITED KINGDOM TEL: +44 (0)1789 264100 FAX: +44 (0)1789 264200 EMAIL: INFO@THOMASJACKS.CO.UK

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EVENT REPORT GUNMAN ‘NAM ‘NAM 24 24 GUNMAN

IT’S WET, DAMN WET BUT THAT AIN’T GONNA STOP OSCAR P FROM REPORTING ON GUNMAN’S LATEST ‘NAM EVENT…

THE RAIN’S GETTING HEAVIER. THUNDER’S ROLLING across the sky like the gods are dropping arty on our heads and the water’s falling from the rim of my tin lid in a continual stream. There’s so much water in my boots I feel like I’m wading through a paddy field. The heavy cotton straps of my rig are shrinking onto me and getting heavier every second. Everything is soaked through. Even the field dressings in my pockets are bloated with water. And still the VC are there, mocking us from the ridgeline. I’d heard ‘Nam was wet but this is extreme.

I’ve lost my LT. He’s off to the left, out of sight in the sleeting rain that’s gusting down the valley. The only guy I know is Browntown, our ’60 gunner. He’s lugging that pig on top of the rest of the gear that we’re all kitted out with. He’s ditched his flak jacket to keep the weight down but even so I’m glad I’ve only got a ‘16 to carry. My jacket seems to weigh enough to press my shoulders down into the small of my back but at least it’s keeping me warm. The lid is at least keeping the worst of the spray out my eyes. Dry head, warm chest. That’s worth the weight!

1st platoon are to my right, huddled at the base of some trees, keeping their heads down from the plunging fire that the VC are sending out to us. Between the vegetation and the rain I can’t see or even hear anything but I know that they’re up there… and I know that’s where we’ve got to go.

The ditch that I’ve called home for the last five minutes is turning into a stream.

Water’s running into it so fast that it’s filling up. Smoke pops left and right as some of our guys try and buy themselves some cover but there’s so much goddamn water in the air that that it’s knocking the clouds back into the ground faster than they plume out of the grenades. It’s just hanging in layers up across the ridgeline. Looks like some kind of modern art masterpiece. Except art galleries ain’t full of AK47s hammering down trying to smash your friends into hamburger.

All around me grunts are trying to keep their barrels low enough to stop the rain pouring in but far enough up that they aren’t gouging loads of dirt. I’m wishing I’d followed the lead of those guys in my squad that had hung rubbers over their gun barrels when they headed out.

1st platoon’s LT is hollering orders. One of the squads out to the right is taking a pounding. Command is screaming that the VC are hitting the firebase. There’s no way home but through the VC. That means keeping up the hill. Heads up, guns

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up, blood up, 1st platoon, Browntown and me haul our sorry arses out of the dirt and Oh Lord… I’m heading back up the hill again. Gotta get out of this valley. There’s no grip and two steps forward, one step back there’s nothing for it but to haul my way upwards. Rain is coming down and hell are those BBS coming in? No, that’s hail! HAIL? Drumming on my lid like a beatnik at a barbeque. It’s June for chrissakes! Nothing makes sense in this world. Someone out there’s got a sense of humour. I want to pull my arms inside my body armour and make like a tortoise. They’ve got the idea. Take your home with you.

Now, THAT ain’t hail… Hail don’t fly sideways. That’s incoming! I hit the deck and crawl forward through the mud. Browntown and his pig’s up alongside me. He’s got that big belt-fed bad boy pointing up the hill, barrel on a log, sending long bursts out towards the VC. Hell yeah! Get some!! Take that, Charlie. My mag’s empty. 20 rounds don’t last no time.

I let the mag fall, slinging the empty down the front of my shirt, corpsewhite wrinkled fingers fumbling with a bandolier swollen shut with the rain. I fumble out another 20 round mag, slap it into the well and put rounds down whilst the gunner curses at a stoppage on his pig. And now he’s screaming. Dear god, he’s hit! The VC have plugged him good.

He’s down, flailing and begging for a medic. The pigs’s lying silent. That

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thing’s the only chance we’ve got to punch through to the top of the hill.

We get there or we die. I half crawl half slide half swim my way across to him dragging my sodden carcase through mud and leaves and stalks and trees til I’m nearly there then.. NO NO NO!! There’s an AK pointing down in front of me and it’s got a line on me and it’s my turn to scream for a medic when the rounds pound into my chest.

But the medic’s there, coming out of nowhere. Saviour in a poncho.

Thank god, 3rd platoon have found us again and we’re up and staggering up the incline. 1st have pushed up but their blooper dude is taken down as he tries to send some 40mm love towards a bunch of straw hats that have been rolling frags down the hill. More thunder, more rain, more mud. Nothing for it. One hand for my rifle, one hand holding that M1 pot on my head, screaming at the skies I’m up and running to blooper dude.

Hitting the deck, dragging the dressing out of his shoulder pouch, get him back in the game. Need that fire power. Can’t see anything. Looks like more water than ammo coming out the barrel when I pull the trigger.

40 Mike Mike will clear the way. Dude rolls over and gives them the good news. Way clear and one two let’s go but no, the goddamn 1st Platoon LT’s dragging us back down ‘cos command have called in napalm on the ridge line and the village just beyond. Shake and bake. All that fire and all this rain. Want to get close to all that heat and see if it’ll dry me out.

Back down the track towards the fire base. No point dodging around the puddles. Boots full of water and Victor Charles has probably been busy with the booby-traps. Heard that one of the recon teams had had to call in a Seabee engineer to clear trip wires earlier in the day. Wires strung across paths hooked up to nasty little surprises. Catch one of those on your boot and goodbye jolly green. Seabee dude cleared them up whilst his escort stood a ways back. No point in all heading back into the world missing a leg.

Firebase is nearby, now. Careful coming into the gate. Guys are nervous. Heard that some idiot combat correspondent got blown away by friendly fire. Fool had been out trying to get pics of VC body count.

Didn’t make enough noise coming back in and some dude from his own platoon put two into him. Photo guy was on the deck flapping around and bleeding out before a Sarge scratched up a squad to bring him in. VC waited ‘til the the Sarge was almost at the photo guy before they opened up. Three more dead coz someone wanted to get their pics into Stars and Stripes. Heard that the guy’s camera was full of water anyway. Roll of film ruined. Three guys down for nothing. Moral of the story? Stay behind the wire.

EVENT REPORT GUNMAN ‘NAM 24

Massive crash across the valley. Lightning, not incoming. Flash directly overhead of the LZ we cleared this morning. Whole platoon strung out across the plateau in a line. Hard enough to keep touch with the guys to either side of you let alone watch for traps or snipers or worse. Charlie must have been laughing at us. Rain was already coming in. But maybe not. At least we were moving, keeping warm.

He would have been sat shivering. Almost feel sorry for them.

Almost. We came down off that LZ and into a hard position. Had to build a bridge to get across a swamp. That’s when we’d heard Charlie laying into one of our platoons. Hussled out of a nice, dry foxhole and down into that stinking valley. Rain came in just as we reached the bottom of the hill we’d had to fight up.

Captain’s got fires burning all through the firebase. Gangs of grunts huddled around each one. Turning around slowly like a roast on a spit. So much water in their clothes they look like they’re on fire but its only steam. Take my turn at the heat. Carve the lid off of a can of C-ration ham. Couple of guys have rigged up field burners and are heating up their food. Cuts chunks out of my tin, skewer on a stick and char it in the fire. Empty can goes onto a pile to be hung around the perimeter. Noise alarms if VC try to get close. Already had a few grenades catch us unawares.

LT’s working on the platoon’s weapons. So much water and dirt in our guns that none are firing straight. Little fountains of water with every shot.

Almost pretty. That last fight had some guys dropping their 16s and using their 45s. 1911s still working whatever the weather. Rest of the ‘toon are sorting out their admin. Big guy has had to move his gear into the platoon tent. Spent the night before building a chi-chi little hootch of his own but the weather’s too bad. Gallons of water bellying out his tarp. That empties in the night and he’s gonna be unhappy.

Good news. We’ve drawn watch on the firebase. Other platoons are out and we can hear the command net screaming out the contacts. No point in drying out. Back on the wire, towers and www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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bunkers looking like ornamental ponds in some eastern fairytale. At least it’s quiet. Mosquitos buzzing and biting.

Slapping on the bug-juice till my eyes sting and sinuses are burning. Big bugs in this country. Feel like their strafing me, getting closer all the time. Wait… That’s not a bug!

INCOMING!!!

Sniper in the bushes! I’m pinned. Platoon laying it down thick. Whistles blow. Not just a sniper. Not just VC. NVA regulars screaming and charging the wire. Burning through the mags now. 20 rounds gone in a second or two. LT flings spare mags over when my bandolier and pouches are done.

17 mags gone in a flash. Squad are hammering clackers to get the claymores going.

NVA are getting closer. Captain calls back the patrols and the walls are bristling with guns. Still not enough. Captain’s down and carried into the command tent so a medic can get him back on his feet. Corpsman’s get his hands full. Tent’s filling up with wounded and KIA faster than he can work.

Need more guns on the wall. We’re going to be overrun.

Salty old Sergeant blazing away at the NVA with a captured RPK. Some of their own medicine. Sarge swearing about his coffee getting cold.

Pair of gunners come screaming out of a bunker and head to fieldguns emplaced on the perimeter. Charges into breech, down on their knees, hands over ears and mouths open to save their eardrums. Massive crash, gout of smoke and field 40

september 2014

gun blows a hole in the attackers. Straight up and over to the next one. VC’s faster and tags them before they make it. One guy down and screaming, the other’s staggering, dazed but looks intact. Drag him down into cover, ram his pot back on his head and he’s back in the fight.

Other guys gets a field dressing and the arty’s back on our side.

Seabee guy is waving at me. He’s got rounds for the mortar.

Makes me grab the ammo and follow him out. In the middle of the firebase, now.

Never felt so exposed. Tube’s angled over the heads of the guys in a bunker to our front. Mortar set up. Charge down.

Cover my ears and open my mouth like the gunners did.

Bang, crash. Round out but hell no, it’s a premature. Smoking round on the ground six feet out. Water, dirt, dunno, but it’s not gone where it should have. But it still blows and me, the Seabee and the bunker are in the radius. Down and screaming, that’s the end of me. Out of the fight.

Last thing I see is a guy with a movie camera getting the whole mess on film. Something for Walter Kronkite to show the folks back home. I’m on my back, in the rain, and all I can think is that no-one watching the TV can know what it’s like.

They can’t know...

They weren’t here…

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN ARMY OFFICER 1970S WITH AN ARMY CRUSHED BY SOVIET REPRISALS AND MISTRUSTED BY THE KREMLIN, CZECHOSLOVAKIA WAS ALWAYS AN UNCOMFORTABLE “ALLY” OF THE RED ARMY. 68

SEPTEMBER 2014

feature COLD WAR WARRIORS

IN CONTRAST TO THE EXTREMELY LOYAL STATE of Bulgaria featured in last month’s Cold War Warriors, Czechoslovakia was perhaps the Warsaw Pact’s “problem child” from the beginning and the Kremlin’s harsh handling of the country’s internal affairs did little to help their wayward ally come to the fold.

Following WWII the Russians occupied Czechoslovakia as part of its plan to create a series of “buffer states” between Russia and the more “western” countries of Europe. Having been invaded twice by Germany in living memory, the Russians were adamant that never again would the motherland be invaded by a foreign aggressor.

Czechoslovakia was in itself something of an awkward nation state. Originally part of the Austro Hungarian Empire before WWI, the state of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 only to be dissolved again by the Nazis in 1938. With the Red Army liberating the area in 1944 and 1945 the Czechoslovak Communist Party gained control of the country in 1948. The newly formed country was named as the People’s Republic of Czechoslovakia and both Czech and Slovak languages were given equal status by the new government. By 1960 the country’s constitution was modified to divide the nation into two equal republics and renamed the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (Czech: Ceskoslovenska Socialisticka Republika) or CSSR. The new country’s army was closely modelled on the postwar Soviet model and for some time in its early years, was considered one of the best trained and equipped non soviet Warsaw pact (NSWP) armies. This status would change drastically however, as political and social movements gathered power in the Czechoslovakian state. In the mid-1960s the Czechoslovakian communist party were beginning to experiment with greater social freedom for their citizens and a more “friendly” face to the communist doctrine handed down from the Russians. In the spring of 1968 the government announced an “Action Programme” that would incorporate civil liberties, equal rights and basic democracy into the socialist state. While the world in general applauded these measures the Kremlin was far from happy!

SOVIET INVASION! Under the pretext of undertaking joint Warsaw pact manoeuvres on the Czechoslovakian border the Soviets swept in with Airborne Divisions assisted by East German, Polish, Hungarian and Bulgarian troops. CSSR citizens awoke mid-August 1968 to find Soviet amour advancing unopposed through the capital. The armed forces of the CSSR did little to stop the Russian steamroller and within hours the Soviets had occupied all political and military objectives in the country. The Czechoslovakian government was quickly replaced with a pro-Soviet puppet government that would obsequiously tow the party line and the armed forces purged of “difficult” officers and NCOs. In a further move to secure the “buffer state” from any further unrest, the Russians stationed five divisions of troops (both armoured and motor rifles) within the country.

This rapid and militarily successful “invasion” did however, have serious repercussions. Only Bulgaria appeared to take part in the operation with enthusiasm and a large amount of anti-soviet feeling was generated in the other Warsaw pact countries, with the unforeseen result of Albania leaving the Warsaw Pact entirely!

The 1968 invasion was catastrophic for the Czechoslovakian People’s Army (Czech: Ceskoslovenska Lidova Armada) or CSLA. It soon went from being a trusted and well equipped force to being relegated to a “second line” army in the Soviet order of battle.

Despite the CSLA being the second largest army in the NSWP force list at the time and the CSSSR having a high standard of living by Warsaw pact standards, the army found itself now being issued older equipment (in case of further rebellion) and a lower standard of tactical training as “manoeuvres” time was substituted for more in depth political indoctrination.

The post-1968 Czechoslovakian Soldier as shown here was considered by NATO to be well trained and moderately well equipped (partly due to Czechoslovakian substantial armaments industry) but also considered to be an unknown quantity in a future World War, as their commitment to the Soviet cause was questionable. Should they have chosen to fight however, their sizable land forces of twelve motor rifles, (with one airborne

brigade) and two tank divisions (around 140,000 regular troops) would certainly have given NATO an opponent worth worrying about.

INFANTRY ASSAULT As with most Warsaw Pact units the vast majority of CSLA soldiers were conscripts, serving for a duration of 24 months. All males between 18 and 27 (barring medical exemptions) were liable for conscription and made up around two thirds of the manpower of the land forces with the remainder being volunteers. CSLA doctrine was similar to that of the Soviets and emphasised large amounts of armour spearheading mechanised infantry assaults, similarly as with Soviet offensive doctrine these assaults would be supported by massed artillery barrages and chemical strikes while airborne units acted to seize bridges, destroy enemy lines of communication and create diversionary attacks to NATO’s rear areas.

Our Cold War Warrior this month represents an officer of a CSLA Motor Rifles division. In a departure from our usual format we’ve also chosen to show our soldier in both forms of camouflage battle dress worn by the CSLA concurrently during the late 60s and early 70s.

At first glance the CSLA soldier appears to be wearing a mix of East German and Russian influenced equipment. To the casual observer the Vz60 “Jehlici” (“needles”) pattern uniform looks very much like East German “strictarn” or “raindrop” pattern but it is in fact subtly different. Not only are the camouflage markings thinner and less regular than the DDR version but behind the main print is a barely perceptible “water stain” which, on first appearance, seems totally superfluous but actually conceals an interesting feature. While in daylight and to the naked eye the watermark is barely visible, when viewed with infra-red night vision equipment a pronounced black and green “blotchy” camouflage pattern emerges. While this unique feature is well designed it seems odd not to have aided daytime camouflage by deepening the water marks colouration in general. In addition to the Vz60 “Jehlici” pattern suit we have also shown in this month’s feature the short lived “mlok” or “salamander” pattern of combat suit (also prefixed by the VZ.60 pattern nomenclature).

The “mlok” pattern is known to collectors by a variety of names including “sunflowers” and “clown suit” given its garish predominantly yellow and grass green colour base. This www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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feature COLD WAR WARRIORS

pattern was used mainly by the airborne brigade and is commonly misconstrued as a “special forces” pattern but in fact was on general issue to most army units, albeit for a very short time. Its short “issue” and the fact that suits were sold on to middle eastern armies and used up in combat has made the “mlok” pattern highly collectable, with smocks in good condition fetching up to £200 (oddly only surplus smocks seem to come up on the collectors market, with very few trousers, caps or smock hoods ever seeing the light of day). During the Soviet Union’s 50 year involvement with world politics and affairs, it was common for the Warsaw pact to send Czechoslovakian equipment to countries it wished to aid, to avoid sending equipment of obvious “Russian” origin overseas and CSLA equipment could be seen on soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army, Biafran rebels, Lebanese militia and Libyans to name but a few “clients” of the CSSR.

WORLD WIDE EXPORTS Equally notable exports were Czechoslovakian small arms with the AK look-a-like Vz.58 (externally similar to the AK but internally a different beast) being distributed to client states worldwide and the compact but deadly Vz. 61 Scorpion machine pistol finding favour with terrorists and security services alike!

The Vz60 “Jehlici” uniform our CSLA officer is wearing in this month’s article is in the more commonly found “needle” pattern and consists of a heavy duty combat jacket and trousers with matching field cap – almost universally seen worn over a stone coloured shirt. Unlike many NSWP uniforms of this period, the uniform has a minimal amount of pockets and lacks the thigh “cargo pockets” found on similar Polish and East German uniforms and is more akin to the Soviet M69 suit. Rank on CSLA uniforms is displayed via a system of studs or stars mounted on a small tab on the right hand

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breast, although this tab is often missing on some of the parka type garments. The suit is re-enforced at the elbow and knee with diamond shaped patches (again in a soviet style) and has button closure cuffs, fly and jacket front while the trouser legs are fastened with cloth ties at the ankle. A field cap in matching camouflage bears the national emblem and is similar to other Warsaw pact caps, in that it can be adjusted to cover the rear of the head and ears and fasten with a chin strap in poor weather.

Unlike many Warsaw Pact armies who favoured the traditional “jackboot”, the CSLA adopted a short combat boot with an integral “gaiter” of thick leather, which appears to be a copy of the WWII US army “buckle boot” (and the later French army version), although these are crudely made by NATO standards and have the rubber grip nailed onto the boot’s sole.

Load carrying equipment for the enlisted man was generally of the soviet style and consisted of a leather belt, load bearing “Y straps” and leather or canvas ammunition pouches, water bottle and a bayonet. Our officer here is lightly equipped with just his water bottle, capacious holster for his Vz61 Scorpion machine pistol and a matching leather case for spare magazines. Also seen is the CSLA pattern steel helmet which is clearly modelled on the Soviet M40 design but with a modified liner and suspension.

As with most Cold War Warsaw Pact uniforms this impression is relatively cheap to put together and is a perfect set up to go with any one of the recent Vz. 61 Scorpions on the market… with one exception and that is the “mlok” combat suit. While you can pick up a complete “needles” pattern suit for around £50, you might be struggling to find even a damaged “mlok” smock at that price…

So if you fancy rocking the Warsaw pact look but want to be a bit different from the Russians and East Germans, why not Czech out the CSLA!

EURO CHAMPS 2013 PRACTICAL AIRSOFT SHOOTING

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Survival Airsoft - North Dev

on - Kevin Crowl

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EURO CHAMPS 2013 PRACTICAL AIRSOFT SHOOTING

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FEATURE AIRSOFT PRACTICAL SHOOTING

AIPSC is rapidly becoming one of the most popular disciplines in UK Practical Shooting.

Jim Sephton tells us how rapidly it has grown at The Grange.

AIRSOFT PRACTICAL PISTOL SHOOTING was something we were introduced to by Victor of Popular Airsoft, back in October 2011 during the lead up to the Airsoft Arms Fair - and we fell in love with the sport. The AIPSC club at The Grange opened its doors in November 2011 and we’ve never looked back.

Although airsoft pistols are used for the sport, that’s where all similarity to airsoft skirmishing ends. That having been said, the skills you gain from practical pistol can make you a true terror to face in a CQB skirmish environment, as many of the shooters at Gunman Airsoft Midlands can attest.

IPSC rules state that any gun should be treated as loaded live firearm at all times (yes, even unloaded airsoft pistols) and all of the DQ (Disqualification) offences in the sport are based around this principle. Good gun discipline and safe handling techniques are at the heart of the sport, making it a great learning and training environment for airsofters, target shooters, Airsoft Practical Pistol shooters and Real Steel Practical Pistol shooters alike The sport offers some of the most adrenaline-fueled shooting you are ever likely to encounter in a sporting environment in the UK. Combine that with a universally friendly attitude from participants, practice taking place inside warm, dry buildings and some exceptionally pretty guns and it’s no wonder the sport is growing so rapidly in the UK.

Airsoft practical pistols or “race pistols” as they are known, range from the utilitarian to works of art, with price tags ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds. The reason for the price tags is the materials the guns are made from.

Most standard airsoft pistols are zinc alloy or ABS, race pistols are aircraft grade aluminium and stainless steel. The biggest problem faced by airsoft pistol shooters is the cold, as shot after shot goes down range the internal temperature of the gun crashes. If it gets too cold the slide locks and the magazines gas out, therefore the capacity to deal with the cold has to be at the heart of any good race pistol design. This leads to materials being chosen that won’t contract with the cold, ensuring that the gun keeps firing.

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We are several years down the line now from where we started and our own guns have evolved from their humble Tokyo Marui origins to top class race pistols, as we’ve learned how to build guns to the specification levels required to compete in the sport.

There are some key things we’ve learnt along the way.

1. Always base your race gun on a Tokyo Marui 2. You’ve got three valid choices; Hi-Capa, Glock or 1911 3. Start with what you’re comfortable with (you don’t have to spend the earth) 4. Upgrade your gun when you are better than it is - that way it will evolve to fit you as a shooter.

5. Clean and maintain your gun and magazines after every session The AIPSC club at The Grange has become a great training centre with multiple shooters starting to appear in the top 5s of national club matches, after a relatively short time in the sport. We are always on the lookout for new members to join our regular club sessions and offer private coaching and workshops (which is also a great way to do something different for a works event, or Stag /Hen party).

Having got the guns sorted, the club up and running and the rules straight in our heads (thanks to Jim Gibney from the UKPSA) we moved onto running matches, rather than just attending them, starting with 3 national Club Matches through 2012 and 2013. Then with the support of Clarence Lai (Airsoft Surgeon) and the RedWolf team, we took on the challenge of moving from national to international. What came from that partnership was the Airsoft Surgeon European Practical Pistol Championship.

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The 2013 Championship was an intense roller coaster ride for us, with some incredible shooting and many memorable moments. The late nights and early starts are already fading from memory, which is probably why we’ve agreed to do it again.

The 2014 Airsoft Surgeon European Practical Pistol Championship will be held over the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of August. Giving us a theoretical limit of about 160 competitors, but when you’re drawing shooters from all over Europe, that’s not very many. So if you’d like to join us, make sure you keep your eyes on our Facebook page and website for when the booking links go live.

FEATURE AIRSOFT PRACTICAL SHOOTING

“The sport offers some of the most adrenaline fuelled-shooting you are ever likely to encounter in a sporting environment in the UK”

INFORMATION THE GRANGE FROG LANE, BALSALL COMMON WEST MIDLANDS, CV7 7FP O1676 532384 AIPSC CLUB - SESSIONS OPEN TO ALL SUN: 3PM - 5PM MON: 7PM - 9PM

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FEATURE PRACTICAL ACTION SHOOTING

Popular in other parts of the world, Andy Nightingale and the guys at Pro-Tact Training have brought this new form of Practical Shooting to the UK

IF YOU MENTION “PRACTICAL SHOOTING” to anyone in the shooting world, you may hear the words “International Practical Shooting Confederation” (IPSC), “International Defensive Pistol Association” (IDPA) or even “Iron Plate Action Shooting” (IPAS), to name but a few. All these disciplines are a fantastic way of developing new and existing shooting skills and a great way to make new friends. Training nights, competitions, social events and fund raising are just some of the opportunities that can be had with Practical Shooting.

In the UK, the pistol ban of 1996 saw many clubs disband and Practical Shooting as we knew it was all but finished.

The sport was saved some years later when Airsoft guns were introduced to take the place of firearms and the sport began to make a comeback. Air guns were also tried but these, although they worked to some degree, did not function in the same way as firearms and lacked realism. They were slow and had limited capabilities.

Most of the shooters were from the old school, die-hard community and many of the original Practical Shooters turned their nose up at “those toy guns”. So it was left to the few to convince the rest of the UK that Practical Shooting was still here and here to stay.

Clubs using Airsoft guns began to spring up all over the UK; however they tended to be quite small and far apart. With the development in technology and design, Airsoft guns have made a big impression on the shooting community in the UK and this development has seen a vast increase in local Practical Shooting clubs.

I have been around firearms since the age of 4 years and shot my first gun, a Ruger .22, at the age of 6 years, leading me to shoot guns for the rest of my existence. However it wasn’t until late in my shooting life that I was introduced to Airsoft. Once I was convinced to have a go with a friend’s ICS MP5 I was hooked on the idea of owning my own. This was around the time that I was introduced to Practical Pistol

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Shooting using Airsoft Pistols and although I have not entered many competitions (I won’t tell you how far down the score board I have come), I did find it a lot of fun with some very friendly and helpful members in the club.

Since it’s come back with Airsoft, Practical Shooting has boomed and the UK is now hosting the second Practical Airsoft Shooting European Championships in August 2014. A fantastic event that will bring this wonderful family together for 3 days of shooting. So if you have never indulged in this type of shoot before I highly recommend you take a look at what you are missing out on. Practical Shooting is shot world wide, not just in the UK and it is big business with big prize money at its competitions. However it is mainly for the pistol community (with some exceptions) and does not cater for rifles.

However did you know there’s a new discipline in town?

Practical Action Shooting (PAS) was developed by Pro-Tact Shooting Centre to bring all the thrills and spills of Practical Shooting and introduce it to a wider spectrum of shooters. PAS includes the rifle as well as the pistol in its disciplines; however you can shoot either rifle, pistol or both if you wish.

The safety rules and range commands are of course the most important part of PAS and we have adopted the same safety rules and commands as Practical Pistol, with the addition of some safety rules for the rifle. This was to ensure that anyone who shoots practical pistol fully understands the safety rules and range commands without having to retrain.

The targets and scoring system differ from practical pistol in the fact that the targets are steel reactive (knock down) and only measure 160mm high and 80mm across. This small target face ensures that the shooter uses their sights rather than just trying to hit the target as fast as possible and hoping for a high score. The scoring system is simple. The fastest shooter 56

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to hit and knock down all the targets on the course of fire is the winner.

All targets have to fall before the time is converted into points, for example 12.32 seconds would become 1232 points.

The targets are coloured either Red or Yellow. If you are shooting either a rifle or pistol then you are required to hit and knock down both red and yellow targets but if you are shooting 2 guns (rifle and pistol), then you will have to engage all the yellow targets with the rifle and all the red targets with the pistol. With a good mix of colours around the course of fire you can be sure of quite a few transitions from rifle to pistol and back.

At the end of the course of fire you are required to finish on 3 red targets. This ensures that, when shooting 2 gun with an AEG, the timer can easily pick up the sound of your gas pistol. (When shooting an AEG only the timer is set behind the last target).

As with Practical Pistol, PAS courses of fire are never the same twice.

This ensures that shooters have a wide range of problems to solve every week. During the early days, as Pro-Tact was developing PAS, we were asked to include disciplines with a more “military feel” to them. Most Practical Shooting clubs will shy away from the military look but as a majority of PAS shooters are serving or ex-serving members of our armed forces this was something that we just had to do.

The introduction of the “Combat Class” was a huge hit and appealed to Airsoft skirmishers also. This then led onto the “Contractor Class”, having a number of members of the armed security forces in our ranks.

Most of our members shoot the “Civilian Defence Class”, which is on the same lines as Practical Pistol. There are other classes within PAS that includes CCW Class, SWAT Class, Back Up Gun (BUG) Class, and even a Revolver Class. With this array of classes we think that we can cater for almost any shooter. In future issues we will look more closely at the

FEATURE PRACTICAL ACTION SHOOTING

involvement of each of the classes and explain the courses of fire in that class in more detail.

Another thing that you will notice that differs from other practical shooting sports is the guns we use. We still use Airsoft guns and we still treat them as if they were live firearms but we ban race guns or guns that have been up-graded to some degree.

I think it is fair to say that most shooters would love to have an all-singing, all-dancing race gun, complete with all the bells and whistles but alas the vast majority of us cannot afford it. Let alone all the other specialised race kit that goes with it. Race guns are up-graded to enhance the performance of the gun and also the personal performance of the shooter. This, in many cases, is a disadvantage to the shooter with the bog standard, out-ofthe-box gun. PAS has banned all upgraded guns in all classes that enhances the shooter’s own personal performance, such as extended magazine release catches, red dot sights, lasers and extended mag wells to name but a few. If it enhances, or speeds up your manipulation, or acquisition of the gun then it is banned.

However one can upgrade the performance of the gun itself, such as a tighter bore barrel, upgraded hop or even tritium sights, as we often run low light courses of fire. The same rule goes for the rifle as it does for the pistol.

The kit you wear must also be bog standard. Such kit as the holster must be of a traditional design and not a cut away “ghost” style holster and any kit that is used in the Combat or Contractor Class must be of standard issue or readily available from surplus stores. This is a great incentive for the Airsoft skirmisher to join in on the action. As with all things airsoft skirmish style, no two rigs are the same so we decided to make a rule that a minimum weight was limit be enforced. This meant that everyone had a benchmark to start with and it was up to the individual if they wanted to exceed the minimum weight required.

The courses of fire are set out much like an IPSC course, where the shooter has to engage the PAS reactive steel targets under, over, around and through apertures and barricades and includes “No Shoot” targets also. The stages can be as short as 3 targets, up to 50 targets at a time and a maximum of 12 barricades or apertures per course of fire. With magazine changes, transitions, differing firing positions and even hostages to rescue, PAS is a fast-paced, non-stop alternative to Practical Pistol.

Why not give it a try?

“If you are shooting either a rifle or pistol then you are required to hit and knock down both red and yellow targets but if you are shooting 2 guns (rifle and pistol), then you will have to engage all the yellow targets with the rifle and all the red targets with the pistol.”

INFORMATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PAS, CONTACT PRO-TACT EMAIL PROTACTSHOOTING@ GMAIL.COM

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IPAS PRACTICAL SHOOTING SHOOTING PRACTICAL

PAUL VAN DEN BOSCH, IPAS PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, WRITES ABOUT THE RAPIDLY-GROWING SHOOTING DISCIPLINE, IPAS.

IRON PLATE ACTION SHOOTING WAS DEVELOPED by two guys in the late nineties, as a response to the ban on handguns in the United Kingdom. Steve Taylor and Graham Wilkes looked at a shooting discipline developed in the United States called “Steel Challenge” and, taking into account the limitations of airguns, they devised the target sizes, post heights and the width and length of target stages that would be comparable to (and as challenging as) the original. Steve and Graham worked tirelessly at building the sport and over the years several other similarly committed people joined in with their efforts. As a result IPAS is the safe, dynamic, growing, inclusive, action packed and fun sport it is today.

WHAT IS IPAS? In a nutshell, IPAS involves drawing a pistol from the holster and shooting at iron plates, variously measuring 10x10 inches, 12x12 inches and 18x12 inches. The plates are mounted on wooden posts and the plate heights vary from 18 inches to 66 inches from the ground. The different courses of fire, called stages, all have names such as “Double Trouble”, “Entrapment” and “Jethro’s Pyramid” etc. and vary in distance from five metres to 18 metres. The width of the stage, invariably consisting of five targets, varies from 2 metres to 6.5 metres. A typical match would consist of ten stages and each shooter will shoot each stage five times.

The times of each stage are registered on an electronic timer and a computer programme automatically detects and rejects the slowest of each five runs and produces a cumulative time for the four quickest runs of each stage. The ten stage times are then added together and the person with the quickest overall time wins.

It’s as simple as that.

There are two divisions, “Open” and “Standard”. In Open class the pistol can be tricked-up with all the bells and whistles imaginable, including an extended barrel and red dot or laser sights. In Standard class you can add as much “bling” as you like to the pistol, but the barrel cannot be extended and can only have iron sights.

The most common pistols in the sport today are all made by Umarex. They are the Colt 1911 A1 and Walther CP88 semi-automatic style pistols, along with Smith and Wesson 586 and 686 revolvers. These pistols are CO2 powered and fire .177 lead pellets. There is an increase in the number of shooters that also shoot the

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discipline of Airsoft Practical Pistol, and they predominately use semiautomatic pistols that fire 6mm plastic BBs. On ranges that will allow the use of these BB-firing pistols, people are using them for IPAS as well.

As described in the story of a match, below, the “Double Trouble” stage is pure adrenalin! It’s comparable to a stage of fire from the sport of Practical Pistol called “El Presidente”. Both require lightning-fast reactions, deadly accurate shooting and consistency. There is no room whatsoever for the slightest mistake if you want to win. In an analogy from times gone by, “Double Trouble” is the “gunslinger’s” art. This is the story of that stage. It’s a good representation of what IPAS is - and of the people who shoot it.

DOUBLE TROUBLE The squad of eight shooters moves on to the last stage of the day’s competition. There is the usual light-hearted banter going on and not a little nervous anticipation. After a short while to allow people to settle, the Range Officer (RO) announces. “Okay ladies and gents, this is our last stage of the day. The one you love and hate in equal measures… Double Trouble!

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For the newer shooters, on this stage, unlike any other, you need to fire TWO rounds on the grey plate and finish with a single round on the blue stop plate. Any questions?

Okay then, first shooter on the line please.”

The shooter steps up to the firing line and settles himself in a central position, directly in line with the single, 60 inch target post, six metres away from the line. The 18 x 12 inch battleship grey plate is set at 36 inches high and the 10 x 10 inch blue stop plate is set directly above it at 60 inches up the post. The RO says “Shooter, face down range, load and make ready!”

The shooter deliberately draws his tricked-up Colt 1911 from the Ghost competition holster, turns on the C-More red dot sight and adjusts the brightness of the dot to match the shooting conditions. Having assured himself that all is in order, he presses the slide release, the breech opens on the pistol and he loads the eight-round, rotary magazine from the magazine holder on his belt rig into the breech, makes sure it’s positioned correctly and slides the breech closed. Applying the safety and with the muzzle firmly down range, he cycles the trigger several times to ensure the magazine is “in battery” and rotating freely. Re-holstering the pistol, he again checks his stance and alignment and prepares for the draw.

Looking at the target he will engage first, he raises his hands up above shoulder height, in the “surrender position” and then drops his shooting hand down to the pistol grip two or three times, checking that the muscle memory he has developed over years and thousands of rounds of practice hasn’t evaporated with the nervous anticipation. He knows he is in a very strong position to win this division of the competition. But in this game, you can sometimes win or lose by fractions of a second - over a contest that requires you to draw your pistol 50 times and fire at least 250 rounds at the targets! After a few seconds, he raises both hands to the surrender position and settles, eyes behind the safety glasses (that are compulsory for everyone) firmly and intently focused on the grey plate.

The RO raises the electronic timer in the air, slightly behind and above the shooter and asks “Shooter ready?” The faintest of nods and an inhalation of breath from the shooter indicates that he is ready and almost immediately the RO announces “Standby” and pushes the start button on the timer.

The shooter exhales about two thirds of the air in his lungs, and becomes totally still. About two seconds later the timer emits its electronic “beep”.

The stillness changes in a fraction of a second as his shooting hand

IPAS PRACTICAL SHOOTING

For more information on shooting IPAS, either contact Paul van den Bosch, the IPAS Public Relations Officer at ipaspro14@gmail.com or visit the Action Air Shooting forum at www. actionairshootingukforum.com/phpbb. moves in a blur down to the grip of the pistol. At the same time his non-shooting hand starts to push forward at shoulder height, in front of him. The shooting hand, having settled firmly on the grip, trigger finger BESIDE the trigger guard (NOT ON the trigger), moves upward for no more than an inch, drawing the pistol clear of the holster. Then the arm is pushed out, at eye level, directly at the target plate, until it meets the support hand, which wraps around the shooting hand and then both arms lock into position.

The first shot is fired at the grey plate, followed so closely by the second that the sound is virtually indistinguishable and then both arms raise the pistol another two feet vertically until the pistol is centred on the blue stop plate and a third shot is fired. The RO looks at the electronic timer and pauses, for effect. The shooter (and those waiting to shoot) know the time was good, very good but they want the details. Hundredths of a second can make a difference. “1.21 seconds!” he calls out to the scorer and a few muted comments of “That is QUICK!” and “Top shooting!” are heard in the background.

The shooter allows himself the faintest of smiles. This, like his shooting, only lasts for a fraction of a second, as he knows he’s got to match that another four times for that blistering speed to be effective…

If the shooter in this story had missed with a shot and had to “top up” with a further shot, it would have added several tenths of a second to his score. It doesn’t sound much but in this particular match, which he won, his cumulative time for the ten stages was 91.43 seconds! The second placed shooter’s time was 92.29 seconds and the third placed shooter’s was 92.89 seconds. Only 1.46 seconds divided three shooters, each drawing their pistols 50 times and firing 250 rounds!

The motto of Iron Plate Action Shooting, or “IPAS” as it is known, is Shoot Fast… Don’t Miss! and is the mantra that all IPAS shooters must adopt. The whole ethos of the sport is lightning-quick shooting; however, it doesn’t matter how fast you are if you don’t hit the target with your first shot! www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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In the last couple of years there has been an increase in ranges where IPAS is shot, with traditional target shooting clubs recognising the growth in interest for such a fast action sport. One of the attractions is that it is spectator-friendly, as the people watching can hear the sound of the pellet hitting the steel plate and therefore instantly know whether each shot is “good” or not.

This year there are 11 matches being held in clubs from the Midlands, down to as far as the Isle of Wight. At a lot of the Open matches competitors attend from the furthest north to furthest south counties of the country and all points east and west! Whilst the “match story” shows the performance of a top shooter and his close rivals, matches average around 30 shooters and their abilities range widely. Yet those same people return match after match and are happy to compete with (and compare themselves to) those of similar capabilities, or indeed just to try to beat their previous efforts.

At the British Shooting Show, in February of this year, the IPAS Association ran a demonstration and “Have a Go” stand for the three days. Over the course of those three days, nearly a thousand people “had a go.” The people having a go ranged in age from kids under 10 to people in their 60s and older, men and women and people with physical disabilities, including two who were in wheelchairs.

The IPAS shooting community is friendly, helpful and full of fun. Newcomers never receive anything other than full encouragement, help and support from other IPAS shooters.

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People who have the best quality, tricked up, all whistles and bells pistols, worth a lot of money, will let a newcomer try their guns as readily as those with standard equipment.

So why not give it a go, you may just fall in love all over again!

2 DAYS OF NOTHING BUT AIRSOFT!

AIRSOFT AND TACTICAL GEAR SHOW Everything you could need all in one place.

Our exhibitors at present include:

Airsoft International Airsoft World Net Badger Tac CamoLab Cloud 9 Combat Component Shop

Enola Gaye Incentive Designs Infiltration Airsoft JD Airsoft Ltd Patch Nation Socom Tactical

Information correct at 15th July 2014.

21st y a d n u S & th 0 2 y a d r Satu - 5pm daily m a 9 4 1 0 2 r e b m Septe n Centre io it ib h x E e ir h s k ic Warw ventry o C r a e n , a p S n to g Leamin Sat Nav: CV31 1XN

WHAT'S ON Airsoft Expo is a 24,500 sq ft event full of airsoft!

The venue will be exclusively hosting this event and you will be able to see: Guns Gear Latest kit and accessories Manufacturers, leading suppliers and brands for you to meet and buy from Indoor demonstration and scenario area Airsoft Range – try the latest guns out for yourself

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Ticket Adult Child (8-14 yrs) Sat Nav: CV31 1XN

Advance £10 £6

On the door £12 £8

Tickets available in advance on the website. Tickets also available on the day.

www.airsoftexpo.co.uk

@theairsoftexpo

Airsoft Expo

LIGHT WITH BITE! AIRSOFT ACTION’S VERY OWN KATE ADIE, LES LEE, GETS ALL FLASHY WITH THIS NATTY LITTLE ADDITION TO YOUR GAT. IN THE INTEREST OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH, ghillie-clad Snipers should look away now…

Now I’m no expert on gun tech, or any tech for that matter, so when Nige asked me to do a field test and review for a new product for the Airsoft world, it was effectively a first for me.

However, one particular skill I picked up during my 18 years as an Officer was a strong ability to be objective, so I agreed.

The item in question is the M.F.G. VENOM (Muzzle Flash Generator), an independently powered suppressor look-a-like type device which you simply screw onto the muzzle of your gun, connect to a battery and away you go.

Yes, it really is that simple! So on Sunday I did just that and took it along to UCAP Green Ops to give it a thorough test drive, gather some valuable intel. from other ‘softers and evaluate the Venom on just about every angle I could find - and some very interesting finds were to come.

At this point I must let you know that this is a selection of varied constructive comments and opinions from other players, many with years of experience and perceptions unique in their own right, as during the briefing I introduced the Venom and what I was looking for from my fellow players, who were more than happy to offer up their personal views.

With this in mind I realised that I had probably just made myself Britain’s Most Wanted, with a bounty on my head bigger than the one sailed by Captain Bligh and his rapidly un-friended Mr Christian.

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But before my results are revealed, here is the technical info, provided by airsofter and designer Jason Cameron (BA Hons), the owner of Incentive Designs, Dorset. His ethos is based around three primary objectives (It fits... It works... and it puts a smile on your face!) and his dynamic enthusiasm behind his ideas, which are created to increase every facet of realism that we are all looking for in Airsoft.

CNC’d from a solid billet of aluminium and engineered by aerospace standard engineers who make fighter plane parts, the unit has been designed with a removable front section so that different fronts with various hole-patterns can be used to give different light effects. When released, these will be available separately and will be fully interchangeable.

The electronics are protected by a 2mm polycarbonate lens that has been tested with 100 (very high-velocity) rounds at point blank range and the anodised matt black finish not only makes the unit look good but also strengthens the aluminium and it becomes very resistant to scratches. Every unit is laser-etched and individually serial coded.

Incentive Designs are so confident in their product, they offer a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty and each Venom is also pre-fitted with a signal return wire that will be used to trigger the sound module, which is currently being developed and will be released at a later date.

They have also designed a 9v battery box that is machined from aluminium and again anodised to the same spec. The box is designed to fasten to the forward RIS rails and mimic the look of the RIS in style and is not much bigger in size to a standard 9v battery.

The Venom is not a cheap product but it is built to the highest specification, assembled with skill and more importantly, it works on any AEG or GBB. Incentive Designs will also be machining their own thread adapters (to allow fitting to a CW weapon) and will offer kit deals on a Venom, battery box and adapter combination.

They are also going to offer deals on team purchases as they feel the Venom will be most effective when there are more in the game.

The product is designed only for brave men as (of course) it will give your position away day and night - but no more so than the flash lights often seen in use during night-games. In dark conditions your rounds will be illuminated by the muzzle flash, giving an almost tracer-like effect but it is important to realise that the Venom is also effective in the day time, particularly when faced towards you.

So now you have the tech spec, here are my findings - which were interesting in many ways.

The first and most repeated comment was simply “You were easy to see because of the muzzle flash.”

Okay, let’s explore this one a little. Yes, I agree that this is in fact true and I have many little bruises which confirms it but isn’t that all part of the game?

This may at first seem to be a negative, however when you step back and look at the bigger picture, my opinion leads me to conclude that this single fact alone will demand that you become more strategic in your playing style. No more sitting behind a bush and keeping your finger on the trigger and the other fingers crossed! This actually gets you moving around a hell of a lot more and I found a double-tap carefully deployed, followed by a swift change of position increased my tactics which, in turn led to a more satisfying style of play. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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kit review MFG VENOM

INCENTIVE DESIGNS ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR RETAILERS INTERESTED IN STOCKING THEIR RANGE OF PRODUCTS. CONTACT DETAILS JASON CAMERON INCENTIVE DESIGNS THE OLD BLACKSMITHS GRANGE ROAD CREECH WAREHAM DORSET BH20 5DG UK WWW.INCENTIVEDESIGNS.CO.UK INFO.INCENTIVE@ICLOUD.COM 01929 556688 07860 471561 In addition, I found that as I was in many players’ crosshairs I was being hunted like a Wild Boar however, what the “enemy” didn’t take into account was that, as they were all focused on killing me, the mission objective was being achieved in the enemy’s absence and they simply forgot what they were supposed to be doing in the first place. Crafty eh?!

Many players simply loved the realism of the Venom and agreed that it definitely had a valued place in Airsoft. Both myself and others were equally impressed with the build quality and flawless functionality of the unit, it didn’t skip a beat and is obviously built to last.

One or two commented that they would like to see a slightly smaller version which is a fair and valid point, however as I’m sworn to secrecy all I can say on this is “watch this space”.

Another good point was that as soon as you are out of ammo it ceases to work, which I think is a marvellous feature. Added to this is that in a darkened arena, an effect not dissimilar to a tracer unit is produced again enhancing realism. There are also other “tweaks” either available or currently in production, including laser-etched designs, different finishes (such as a variety of camo patterns) and coloured lens covers.

The MFG Venom comes complete with a cloth bag, spare Deans, heat shrink, instructions and is presented in a strong box, so will be well protected when not in use.

Retailing at around £119.99 it certainly isn’t cheap but when you compare what you are getting against a standard snazzylooking flash hider or suppressor, with prices not too far away, I believe the Venom will change the way you think, the way you play and ultimately make you a better player.

I do know that Jason has other “concepts” under way in his determination to make Airsoft as real as it can be, so I would strongly urge you to check-in on his website and his YouTube pages to stay apprised of his products and creations because, as the saying goes.... “You snooze… you lose”.

Les OUT!

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SEPTEMBER 2014

THE PISTOL PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIRST OF A NEW SERIES, BOB PODESTA AND FAITH COWLING OF A SQUADRON LIMITED GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF ONE OF THEIR PISTOL TRAINING COURSES SATURDAY 5TH JULY 2014, AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION in Hereford, the heart of SAS country, nine intrepid participants arrive for a 10:00hr RV with ‘A’ Squadron’s Training Wing. Having received their Warning Orders some weeks prior, the group eagerly await the opening briefing. Some have travelled from town and nearby Ross-on-Wye and others from much further afield, Manchester, Norwich and Portsmouth. Their backgrounds and previous experience differ widely but they share the common goal of wanting to learn pistol skills from the best. And no one is better placed to teach them than 25-year SAS veteran and weapons expert Bob Podesta.

After a downpour overnight we are blessed with a bright start to the day and with brews in hand everyone settles into the training environment and introduces themselves. Ages range from early 30s to 50+. Some have never held or fired a pistol of any kind before, some regularly play airsoft and one is a Close Protection Officer with over 10 years of experience. ‘A’ Squadron does not discriminate; we welcome anyone with a willingness to learn. No matter what student’s previous experience we know that they will always find something to take away from the day.

Students take their seats in the classroom and we begin with the all-important safety briefing. While we are using airsoft pistols exclusively on the course we cannot reiterate enough our ethos of treating them as if they were the real thing. Airsoft prides itself on its realistic imitation weapons and they are realistic. We have been lucky enough to visit the City of London Fire Arms Department a number of times in the last two years and the vast array of their impounded weapons proves just how close to their full calibre counterparts they are. Even at close inspection the airsoft variant can deceive a well trained eye and therefore we believe it is a must to drive home the importance of adopting routine and automatic safe handling techniques in all instances.

As Bob himself explains, “The pistol is an ideal weapon for maritime, personal protection and close protection type operations. However because the pistol has such a short barrel it can be an extremely dangerous weapon if not handled correctly. It

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“While we did get to shoot hundreds of round off in the Killing House, fast rope down buildings and out of helicopters and disappear into the night at high speed in the latest Range Rover, getting to that stage was nothing less than extreme hard work.”

is therefore imperative that anyone who needs to handle a pistol should attend a professional weapons course. Learning pistol safety, drills and tactics is essential before picking one up.

“During my army career I’ve seen lots of guys picking up pistols incorrectly and badly wounding themselves, thus taking a soldier out of action and useful service. Not only is this completely unnecessary and avoidable it takes up vital medical resources which could (and should) be being employed elsewhere.”

Today’s course is the first step in ‘A’ Squadron’s “CounterTerrorist Team Training” programme; CTT1 Pistol. Whilst a critical foundation to our counter-terror and black ops training the pistol course stands equally well alone, in its own right, as an informative and enjoyable day for anyone looking to gain a new skill, professional training, an insight into small arms and the SAS, or just for a fun activity day – with the emphasis on active!

Managing director and assistant instructor Faith Cowling continues, “We like to give context to all our courses and so begin in the classroom with an introductory lecture and outline for the day. It is important for our students to know who we are and why they are in safe hands. We always start with a run-down of Bob’s credentials as it is upon his expert first-hand knowledge and, crucially, his experience that all our courses stand. You simply cannot get any better than being taught by someone who has not only operated globally, but thrived in some of the world’s harshest environments. As well as the technical side of things we like to discuss the historical background where applicable, to give a wider overview of the subject in question.”

After a quick refreshment break the group moves across to the training area for the practical work which takes up the majority and remainder of the day. With ease Bob demonstrates the pistol hold, stance, aim and movement, breaking each stage down in turn. We teach the famed “Weaver” method - but as adapted and updated by the SAS to suit their combative requirements.

Bob elaborates, “Many people think that every soldier is trained to use a pistol from day one but that is not the case.

My first experience with a pistol was when I joined the SAS. We went on a Close Quarter Battle course and mine was carried out by a very well respected senior SAS soldier who had many years of experience. He taught us an adapted version of the Weaver method. The CQB course was a basic Regimental course and was necessary for the work we would undertake. Because our role would involve bodyguarding, close protection, anti-terrorist work and missions where the only option was to carry a small arm covertly.

“All of this happened before we’d even gone to the Team (the anti-terror team). Wherever you are in the world, on whatever operation in action, you needed to be able to pick up any weapon and use it competently. Our training made sure of this. Before going on the Team you then went through a refresher CQB and pistol course. Further refreshers then took place before any task was undertaken.

“After the Iranian Embassy Siege everyone wanted to don “the black kit” and storm an embassy of their own. This was evidenced by the huge increase in applications to join 22 SAS post May ‘80 but most were in for a shock as the real job of the SAS falls short of the perceived Hollywood glamour. While we did get to shoot hundreds of round off in the Killing House, fast rope down buildings and out of helicopters and disappear into the night at high speed in the latest Range Rover, getting to that stage was nothing less than extreme hard work.

“The only way that an individual can attain the standards that we do in the Regiment is by continual training and repetition.

Everything is so repetitious that you cannot forget it. I think people would be surprised at just how many hours I’ve put in over the years on the range, shooting one pistol again and again and again.

Until the weapon became an extension of me and the rounds found their intended mark every time. This type of methodology and discipline isn’t for everyone but it’s the only way to gain mastery.”

Faith adds, “It is with this insight and real world experience that we have developed our Pistol course. You cannot expect to master any new skill overnight but the techniques taught on this in-depth training day give students all the knowledge and confidence they need to go away and practise and develop their personal skills further.”

As one student commented after the course: “I expected great things, but it was even better than anticipated.

The course was varied, dedicated, challenging and fun. I was particularly impressed with the time and attention paid to moving with a pistol in order to achieve accuracy and confidence, rather than just target practice from standing. I loved all the drills and now have a solid foundation on which to build. I also noticed that Faith and Bob made the effort to spend time with everyone individually during breaks – it’s one of those little things that count towards a top quality teaching environment. I highly recommend training with ‘A’ Squadron and look forward to my next course.”

Emily B

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training ‘A’ SQUADRON

“The course was delivered in an extremely professional manner as one might expect given the expertise & calibre of the trainers. They both made you feel at ease & comfortable to ask questions or re drill at any point. I felt that the course was extremely good value for money & look forward to the next phase of training.”

Steve G. ‘’I would recommend this course to anybody who wishes to expand their knowledge and skill set in the application of the use of the Pistol and Close Quarter Shooting Techniques.

Bob Podesta and his Team deliver an excellent course and you will come away from it gaining valuable experience that is second to none.”

Chris S. CP Consultant and Advisor to BBC TV series SAS Survival Secrets

Bob concludes, “I was very impressed with the attitude and efforts of every student. They were keen to learn, which makes my job that much easier. As an instructor it’s always a privilege to see the growth and development of each individual throughout the day.

Sometimes I don’t think they realise how much they have learnt and achieved in a small space of time but I hope as they go away and process the information they appreciate how well they have done. Most have no previous military or security background and it never ceases to amaze me just how good they are. It is always an honour to award the completion certificates at the end of the day because they earn them 100%.”

‘A’ Squadron are available for private, individual and group bookings. Our next public training day is on Saturday 11th October 2014 in Hereford and this will be our “CTT2 : Primary Weapon” course. For more information or to book your place please contact us by email trainingwing@a-sqn.com or phone 07762 507 146.

You can also follow our day-to-day news on www.facebook.com/ asquadron Until next time this is ‘A’ Squadron signing out..

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Tel: 01753 800009

With thanks to Black Lagoon

GM01.14/107/r

103 HIGH ST, ETON, Nr WINDSOR SL4 6AF

EVENTFEATURE REPORT GUNMAN ‘NAMKIT 24 ONE MAN’S

MY PLATE C FIREBASEALPHA’S MODIFIES HIS KIT ACCORDING TO THE SEASON. HERE HE TELLS US HOW HE BEEFS UP HIS PLATE CARRIER FOR THE SUMMER.

WITH THE SUMMER NOW ON US AND MORE REGULAR game days and events on the calendar, I looked at my current load-outs (which are normally “fight light” set ups) and decided to beef up my capability with my plate carrier. This set up is for maximum magazine carry and does not include communications, medical or pistol but as you can see, still has plenty of real estate left for those additions.

My current plate carrier of choice is the MARZ Tactical Plate carrier in Multicam (pictured). It has a huge number of benefits as part of the package that most other plate carriers do not have, you either have to purchase them separately or they are just not available.

• The shoulder straps are standard and are adjustable. They are incredibly comfy and allow a very good distribution of weight.

• It includes x2 cummerbunds as standard.

1) The elasticated one (my normal choice) is made up of a very strong and flexible cordura/tweave mix. It has x4 primary pockets ideally suited to magazines and at the rear has x2 other narrower pockets. Personally I do not use the rear two pockets but I could envisage others taking advantage of those.

2) The “Armour” cummerbund marries with the elasticated one very nicely. The reason you see this cummerbund in use is to allow for the Swift-clip attachment of my main pack using split rails.

You also get all the normal extras such as drag handle, Velcro front for identification, morale patches, admin tearaway panels etc. as well as hydration and communications tabs running both left and right of the harness.

I do like the fact that all of MARZ tactical pouches (pictured mounted) use the “paraclete” attachment system, something I find a God-send for mounting and dismounting pouches very quickly. The plate carrier and pouches are all made out of a 1000D and manufactured in the USA. The second element to this set up is the addition of the Tactical Tailor “Fight Light Removable Operator” Pack in Multicam. Now at the time of writing, I had not got much ground time with this pack, however saying that I have used Tactical

Tailor kit for many years and more recently I ran their MAV “Fight Light 2-piece” chest rig. I also own a Grey Ghost Gear Stealth Pack, so I really have no concerns over the performance of this particular pack.

It comes with what you expect, is manufactured in the USA out of 1000D and is made up of three compartments.

The main reasons I desired this particular pack are listed below • Attaches to modular vests and packs or can be used as a standalone assault pack. The fact that padded shoulder straps and sternum strap that you would require for a standalone are easily and comfortably stowed away in the main body of the pack is big plus. The swiftclip system allows you to marry or detach the pack incredibly quickly. It also includes the two sets of attachment hardware that are needed; you so not have to do a separate purchase!

• Hydration pocket accepts 2 or 3L bladder (located inside strap stowage pocket) You can also see other elements of my personal style including the Tactical Universal Clip which is a great piece of kit. I normally have the baseplate of these on my Plate carriers and chest rigs so that, should I choose to run both sling and the TUC, I do not have to mess around attaching the key parts. The current carry capacity for this set up is 10 magazines, x1 Smoke grenade, 2ltr SOURCE bladder and whatever your desire is in the pack.

That’s me sorted for the summer!

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EVENT REPORT INFILTRATION AIRSOFT

OPERATION VALRAVN

Back in March, Oscar P headed down to Longmoor to check out the first event by new company, Infiltration Airsoft INFILTRATION AIRSOFT BURST ONTO THE SCENE in March 2014 with Operation Valravn, the first in a story arc charting the fates of two organisations fighting in a Britain caught in the throes of a civil war.

So much, so old, you might say – but the moment I saw their quality website, video trailers and the buzz on their team Facebook pages, we thought this could well be something ground-breaking. Why? Because they promised a host of technical innovations: RFID kill tags to log scores and manage medics, electronic hacking units, NPCs to be captured, won over then employed and a list of unlockable perks for teams that secured objectives – everything from vehicles to an awesome Juggernaut.

Yep, a Juggernaut! A fully-armoured, riot-shield-wielding, support-weapon toting BADASS who could be sent off to really ruin someone’s afternoon!

Suffice to say we picked up the phone, booked on for the day and grabbed the cameras.

Op Valravn was played at Longmoor (in conjunction with Ambush Adventures), a firm favourite for Airsofters in the south of England. An MOD FIBUA site, it’s got a wealth of terrain built around a block of houses and regularly hosts cracking skirmishes. On the day of the event, the sun broke through the claggy British weather and shone on 100-odd players lining up to do battle.

With both sides kitted up, the Infiltration team briefed us on the game: Op Valravn was set in a shattered Britain; raging social inequality had given birth to separatist movements, with Wales and Cornwall following Scotland in declaring independence. In the main parts of Britain, protest movements had spiralled into violence and eventually the Government had no option but to declare lock-down across the country. As the country teetered on the edge of anarchy, the old Government organisations coalesced into The Flame, seeking to control the activities of the numerous separatist groups who themselves had come together under the banner of The Rain, building a network of safe locations and hideaways across the country.

Each faction was broken into a number of squads with differing loadout looks and the day’s play would see these teams firing the opening shots in a battle around one of the Rain’s hideout locations.

After the game brief the Infiltration team unveiled some of those technological goodies. Every player was issued with an RFID kill-tag – a small, individualised chip in a bracelet. These meant that every time a player came back to spawn, they would tag themselves back into a swanky logging machine in their faction HQ, keeping track of exactly how many times they’d been knocked out of the game!

On top of that, the Infiltration guys had built a number of safes and hacking sets. As the game progressed, players

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“With the kit they’ve built, the story they’ve scripted and the whole community that’s growing up around their events, Infiltration Airsoft may well just have changed the game.”

Briefings done, the event kicked off and straight away we got a sense of the really strong narrative that the Infiltration guys are building. Their intention is that the story should build from event to event, with the outcomes of each game laying the foundations for the next scenario, including the scores gathered from the kill tags! To this end the day was broken down into a two long games, each with a series of sub-objectives which would evolve depending on the action. Each team was issued with a detailed grid of the site and as play progressed the organisers issued orders to player units to manoeuvre towards grid objectives and carry out required actions.

The opening sequences saw a priest preaching peace in a town market square – but all his words came to nothing as the Rain staged a snatch operation on the Flame’s OC, bundling him into the back of a Landie and racing him away. As might be expected all hell broke loose as Flame units charged into the fray to try and rescue their leader, with intel sending them towards a suspected holding area to try and recover their man. Whilst a series of battles erupted across the whole site, a unit managed to storm the holding cell and extracted their leader, battered but unharmed. However their celebrations were short lived, as a Rain blocking force moved into position and after a brutal exchange of fire, recaptured the hapless Flame officer. At the close of play his whereabouts remained unknown.

might be required to take a hacking set – a key card and code – out to a particular stash and use it to unlock a safe. Hacking units took a set amount of time to unlock once activated, meaning that players would have to defend the stash until the hacker finished its beeping, blooping business.

And in the safes were a whole host of goodies… The booty might include use of a vehicle for a set period of time, information on objectives, ammunition and in-game currency which could be used to bribe various members of the Infiltration team who were bumbling about the site as helpless civilians or running black-market stalls. There was even a radio station, pumping out Rain broadcasts across the site!

Undeterred, the Flame reassessed he situation and, deciding that the area was a lot hotter than foreseen, re-tasked to focus on gathering intel and at this point the Infiltration perks system came into play. Facing stiff resistance in their efforts to sweep through and search the entire site, they decided to go with that old favourite, bribery and bought information from some “innocent” market traders. Finally in possession of the bigger picture, Flame went onto the offensive and attacked six key positions; the morning’s conflict would be won by the faction controlling the balance of these points. As the sun moved closer to noon, the power swung back and forth between the factions until a fierce battle erupted around a train siding, drawing Rain troops away from other locations. Eventually, a brutal assault by two Flame units swept over the defenders and secured the train in the dying seconds of the morning, leaving each side in possession of three locations – a score draw.

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After a short break for both sides to lick their wounds and get some fluids on board, intel was handed to both sides to shape the afternoon’s struggle. Mr White, a notorious dealer in all things weaponised was in the area, making contacts with The Rain to furnish them with materials to assault the Flame – especially an explosive device large enough to blow the main line of communication in to the area, preventing Flame reinforcements.

Unfortunately his location (and that of the bomb) were unknown to either side!

Both sides spread out on search missions to find the dealer and the bomb. Flame were quick off the mark, locating the device and setting up strong defensive positions but the dealer was more elusive. Eventually he was flushed from cover in the midst of a firefight and nobbled by a Flame fighter but unluckily the captor was downed, allowing the dealer to skedaddle into the Rain’s lessthan-warm embrace.

After suitable persuasion (and more than one attempt to do a bunk), the dealer agreed to the Rain’s demands and a major push was mounted to get him to the device. Try as they might though, the Flame defences were far too effective and despite vehicle support, they could not break the line. Though the device was eventually disarmed, the dealer remained in Rain clutches.

As the afternoon drew to a close, with major threats to communications closed down and a Flame foothold established in the area, word was passed down to begin denting the Rain’s morale. In particular, DJ Dystopia of The Voice of Reason (the rebel radio station that had been broadcasting all day) had a bounty placed on his head; Flame units moved out to take down the Rain’s rabble rouser.

This time, however, it was their turn to run up against dug-in defences. Despite their best efforts, the Flame units couldn’t break through The Rain, who bundled the DJ through a series of positions to an extraction point; although his escorts took a pounding from the Flame bloodhounds, they got their man to safety.

So, at the end of play, the Rain had two high-value captives and had saved their broadcaster. The Flame, though, had inflicted

punishing blows on the Rain, secured a major bridgehead and had prevented attempts to cut off their logistical lifeline.

So what’s the verdict?

Play throughout the day was excellent – hard fought but good natured, complex but well thought through, fluid but not chaotic.

Levels of sportsmanship were excellent as well and despite the bright sunshine Grumpy O’Clock never came around! The scenario and style of play was a cracker and definitely has legs to it and the organisation (from pre-game and all the way through) was astounding, especially for a new team’s first event – and if you need evidence of that, Infiltration’s second event sold out within a day!

But - and this is the key thing - the tech deployed was astounding! Although there was the odd teething trouble that needed sorting, the RFID tags, perks, NPC characters, kill counters and hacking sets were blimmin’ marvellous. I watched one squad frantically holding off an assault as they hacked the lock on a safe, with the countdown seeming to take forever. Brilliant stuff and excellently tense. Similarly, the need to manage perks and currency made for some massively inspired moves – bribing local civilians to stick their head around doors and count defenders, courier intel to HQ when comms went down and all sorts of shenanigans and, of course, I have to mention the Juggernaut again.

Armoured like a Kevlar tortoise (and moving about the same speed), if you ever want to see a defensive position shattered and a bunch of airsofters running for their lives, you need one of these guys in your life. On the other hand, the smile on a player’s face when they managed to bushwhack the big green behemoth was a sight to see!

Every now and again something new crops up in Airsoft; a different type of RIF, a revised camo pattern, a new site but it’s rarer that something genuinely revolutionary comes along. With the kit they’ve built, the story they’ve scripted and the whole community that’s growing up around their events, Infiltration Airsoft may well just have changed the game.

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INSIDE AIRSOFT PRO AIRSOFT SUPPLIES

Avid airsofter and confessed shopaholic, Les Lee visits Pro Airsoft Supplies in North London I LIKE TO SHOP! YES I’M BIG ENOUGH and ugly enough to man up and say it. Don’t get me wrong, even though I’m 100% total geezer, love my gals and guns, I do like to shop. Maybe it’s some inherited genetic mutation but any opportunity to go visit a shop is good enough for me. So when I was invited along to peruse inside the exciting world of Pro Airsoft Supplies of course I wasn’t going to say no!

Parking was easy, it was free and right outside the shop, a great start to what turned out to be a damn fine day.

Neville Wynn, proprietor of Pro Airsoft Supplies in Highgate, London gave me a warm welcome as did his team of staff and immediately made me even more welcome by putting the kettle on (some do - some don’t) and from that moment on I knew I was going to have a great visit. I was already beyond excited when I walked into the shop, it was smart, bright and very well laid out. I particularly liked two features; a mezzanine floor complete with indoor shooting gallery and a second sales counter which works very well on busy days. This is a nice touch as it puts the customer first, allows for informed sales and no one is rushed through.

It was time to chat with Neville over (another) coffee and find out a little bit of the story so far, the present and the future of this remarkable shop, so I presented Neville with some questions which will unfold the who, what, when, where and why PAS is one of the best in the business.

LL: When and how did it all start and with whom and why?

NW: “Pro Airsoft Supplies opened the store for business in November 2011 and the website went live early in 2012. The decision to open the shop was neither quick nor easy.

Prior to the shop opening I’d always worked in the travel industry and in 2010 we sold part of a company that I had an interest in, to a venture capital firm. The proceeds of the sale didn’t make me a multi-millionaire, but it was enough for me to

take a year off. I’d become disillusioned with the travel industry and wanted time to consider what I wanted to do with myself, if I wasn’t going back into travel. My son and I had been to a few Airsoft games, which we’d both really enjoyed and without the burden of work, we started to play more and more games and at different sites. We’d both become hooked on this littleknown sport or hobby and started to take a keen interest in the huge variety of guns and kit available for purchase.

When I started to buy kit, the experience I had as a customer was very varied and “patchy”. Some retailers offered good customer service but lacked stock. Other retailers seemed to have a good amount of stock, but poor customer service. There were some retailers that appeared to work well and ticked both boxes, but they were definitely in the minority.

When purchasing, my strong preference was to buy in store, rather than online. I was relatively new to the sport and wanted help and advice from experienced retailers. I also had the luxury of time and was prepared to travel relatively long distances to visit different retailers and indeed sites.

I came to a few conclusions: 1. That Airsoft was not well known or understood. Very few people know that Airsoft and organised Airsoft skirmishing even exists. Also, almost everyone who plays their 1st game

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seems to enjoy it. These two factors combined meant that there was likely to be a huge untapped market that had the potential to grow enormously.

Other added advantages were that people of virtually any age (normally 11+) or fitness level could play together. For me personally, I think it’s fantastic that I can spend a day with my 14 year old son doing something that both genuinely enjoy, without one or other having to compromise 2. There were good reasons to believe that there was room in the market for an additional Airsoft retailer in London or the South East, with a strong emphasis on customer service, to support a growing market. It was at this point that I started seriously considering setting up an Airsoft business, so I continued to “research”.

Every weekend I’d invite a different friend of mine, or friend of my son, to join us at a skirmish and judge their reaction. In every instance, the friend had a great time and many of them are now regular players. I also tried to test another belief that I held. I believed that having a broad range of products in stock and on display meant that most customers would make impulse purchases in addition to their planned purchases (the point being that if true, the greater the range of stock available the better). This was hard to prove but after a lot of lurking about in different retailers I concluded that the belief was certainly true of a significant percentage of customers. Based on this research I decided that I wanted to move forward with the project.

Given the economic climate of the time, I resigned myself to the fact that we would have to fund the project without the assistance of the Banks, which meant a big financial commitment on my part. The big things that I was missing were a deep varied knowledge of Airsoft and experience in retailing from a store. I had become friendly with Daniel De Cicco who had spent years in retailing and had a great knowledge of all things Airsoft. He was looking for a new challenge and agreed to join me in the venture. The company was registered in May 2011 and after a lot of hard work and preparation the store opened November.”

LL: Explain how the shop has progressed up to being one of the UK’s best.

NW: “First off, thank you for such a kind description in the question. It was honestly quite simple: Good service, honesty and only stocking products we trusted without compromise. This combined with very committed staff and fair prices has worked well for us. We, of course had to have a 80

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relatively large marketing budget and to attend and exhibit at the available shows, to get our brand known.

We feel that honesty and integrity are vitally important to build customer trust and loyalty. A good example would be where a customer wants to “upgrade” their beloved AEG. If a customer requests an “upgrade” that in our opinion will have little or no benefit, we tell the customer why. We never “hard sell” any product by exaggerating its merits. Because we only sell products we trust and know work well, there is no need for us to “hard sell”. This doesn’t mean that we’re perfect, we’ve stocked products that haven’t performed as well as hoped, occasionally, like everyone else, but not often thankfully.”

LL: Neville, tell me a little about your staff.

NW: “We’re now a lot more flexible. Despite our growth we still only have 5 full time staff including me. However, we have 4 excellent part time staff, which fit in where needed. This more flexible model works much better and we have 2 engineers (although they pitch in with sales when needed).

Ben is the shop Manager and has worked wonders in terms of organisation of stock and staff since he joined us. He played Airsoft “back in the day” but had dropped it prior to joining us. He’d managed one of the biggest Blockbusters in the UK and his management skills, learned outside of the industry, have been very useful. “Crawsh” has been with us a while and has recently been appointed as Assistant Manager, he’s an avid, experienced Airsofter with a great level of enthusiasm. Every member of staff, full or part time, play Airsoft as often as possible.”

LL: I’m curious, do you offer any products or services that others don’t?

NW: “Customers are welcome to pick up and test any product on our in store shooting range. We are pragmatic where children are concerned. We see them as future customers and they are normally welcome, if behaving responsibly. However, in busy periods where we can’t dedicate a member of staff to chaperone them, for health and safety reasons, we may ask them to come back at a later date.

Every gas powered RIF that leaves the store is not only tested but lubricated with Frog Lube. We’ve found that both TM and WE pistols are normally quite dry out of the box. By lubricating the pistol with Frog Lube (best lube on the market for this purpose, in our opinion) it improves performance and longevity of the pistol. A small touch that takes seconds, but something that is appreciated by our customers.

INSIDE AIRSOFT PRO AIRSOFT SUPPLIES

Whether a customer or not, anyone is welcome to pop into the shop and test the velocity of their RIF. We have 2 SKAN chronographs and can therefore be confident that the reading is correct. Whether that reading is the same as the reading they get at a site is another matter!”

LL. Tell me about your range of products, any top selling brands, current top sellers, any sole distribution rights?

NW: “We decided that we would not compromise on what we stocked. By that, we meant we would only sell products that we strongly believed would work and work well, whilst offering good value for money. We were very fortunate in striking a deal with G&G, whose products we decided would form the core of our stock. At the time G&G seemed to be underrepresented in The U.K. and (to some extent) misunderstood. We tested sample after sample, in both the CM “Sport Line”-type brand and the Top Tech, GT brand. We really couldn’t fault them in terms of quality and value.

Originally we only stocked TM pistols because we believed they were the only brand that offered good levels of reliability.

However, with the increase in quality of the new WE pistols we now stock both brands. We worked very hard in promoting G&G and educating the market regarding the quality of the brand, which worked very well for both us and G&G. Our sales consistently increased month on month and G&G’s reputation and market share became stronger and stronger in the UK. Gradually other retailers woke up to the fact that the G&G products offered great reliability and great value. More and more retailers started to either add G&G to their portfolio, or increase their G&G offering, if they were already selling the brand. This obviously diluted sales of G&G products and we needed to diversify if we wanted to continue to grow. We’ve looked for products and brands that would complement, rather than replace our core G&G offering. G&G is our strongest selling brand and will probably remain as our core product, however, we’ve selected and added more and more brands recently, all of which are selling well.”

LL. In your personal opinion, where Airsoft is going and have you anything to say about why you do what you do?

NW: “I am by nature an optimist. I believe that Airsoft will grow and become better known and more mainstream. As this happens, the normal “turn up and walk on skirmish” with no ammo limits, etc. will to some degree, give way to more games targeted at players with their own preferred style of game e.g.

MilSim, Practical Pistol type events and other variations that come under the broad umbrella of “Airsoft”.

I believe that technology will continue to improve the reliability, functionality and realism of the RIFs we use. I’m hopeful that the industry in general, but especially retailers, will become more united in promoting and, indeed, protecting Airsoft as an enjoyable, responsible, safe and legitimate pastime. In my opinion greater cooperation between retailers and sites will bring benefits to all, including players and customers.”

LL: What about technical facilities, who is your gun techie and what can he do?

NW: “We have an engineering department in the basement and we aim to have an engineer available whenever the shop is open. We have 2 “techies”; Jez is responsible for the department and spends 99% of his time devoted to engineering. He can do upgrades, downgrades, repairs, internal custom work. He particularly enjoys working on gas guns, which we believe is a

growing market. Our other techie, Chris, enjoys engineering and is a technically very competent but prefers to split his time between engineering, sales and IT.” LL: Do you have any ties and affiliations with sites or teams, discount schemes perhaps or connections with the local community?

NW: “We work well with a lot of sites, providing AEG’s for rentals and consumables i.e. bbs, gas and pyro. We have a fixed shop at RIFT’s primary Airsoft site in Oxfordshire which is open on every game day. We also had a shop at AWA Herts and are in the process of setting up a PAS (Pro Airsoft Supplies) Member’s Club. The details haven’t been finalised yet but the intention is to reward regular customers with discounts, prior notice of any new products we’re getting in and the ability to reserve them and to run invitation only games etc. We support “Fire Team Zulu”, who started their Airsoft experience with us. I believe they bought some, if not all of their first RIFs from us and have been loyal customers ever since.”

LL: Why should Airsofters buy from PAS? NW: “I’d say the primary reason, if I had to pick one, it would be customer service.

We recently won an industry award for “Best Customer Service 2014” of which we’re incredibly proud. Also, as I mentioned before, we only sell products that we believe in and we carry out our own extra level of QC as well as honouring guarantees.”

LL: What would you like to see more (or less of) in Airsoft and does PAS have anything in the pipeline?

NW: “We have big plans for the future. When we established the business the economic outlook was very bleak and Banks weren’t lending to new or small businesses. We are totally self-funded at present and always have been. However the situation with Banks has changed and they are now prepared to provide funds for the growth and expansion of enthusiastic companies in markets that are expanding, where the owners have also committed significant funds. We are currently working on a plan to restructure and expand the business. This will mean more brands, more consistent stock levels and possibly an additional retail outlet in the not too distant future (not in London or The South East).

In terms of what I’d like more or less of, it would have to be more cooperation amongst retailers and less petty politics, especially in the public domain e.g. Facebook, Twitter etc. which must do damage to the perception of Airsoft, if read by players and non-players alike. We all know that aggressive “keyboard warriors” are not typical of the normally friendly, welcoming crowd who turn out for a skirmish.”

LL: Finally Neville, is there anything else that you would like to add?

N: “Just a big “thank you” to our customers for their support and loyalty. It has genuinely been overwhelming. I’d also like to thank our industry partners who we’ve worked so well with over the last 2 and a half years and my staff, past and present, for the commitment they’ve shown to the company. Sorry, it’s starting to sound like a BAFTA Award acceptance speech, so I’ll stop and shut up now!”

Neville, on behalf of the men, women and young guns out there that spend a lot of their time and money on this incredible sport/hobby/pastime (I never know what to call it) I would like to say a huge thank you for this unique insight and opportunity to find out what Pro Airsoft Supplies is all about.

Thank you for being so candid in your perspective and your enthusiasm is to be admired, I’m sure many will agree.

Oh and before I go, can I buy one of those… and this… and a couple of these…. and…... Les OUT!

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FEATURE FEATURE LOADED OR OR UNLOADED? UNLOADED? LOADED

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IN THE FIRST OF THIS NEW SERIES, JERRY NOONE LOOKS AT TWO DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT LOADOUTS BASED ON THE SAME CAMO. FIRST UP; A-TACS FG. IF YOU’RE HEADING TO A GAME, especially a major one, these days it’s quite usual for the organisers to ask players to adhere to either “green or tan” forces.

This helps with the immersion of the scenario and makes it easier for players to differentiate which team they’re on.

I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved with the airsoft scene for some years now and, like many, have built up a right old collection of gear. I usually work on a theme with different camouflage patterns and with the aid of reference pictures try to build a loadout that is as accurate to “the real world” as possible.

Many of you who are starting out though, will want to put together a set of gear or two without breaking the Bank - although some I know go to quite extreme lengths and spend wads of cash to get their setup exactly how they want it!

In “Loaded or Unloaded” I’ll attempt to give a little of both; simple for those on a budget with a “Recce” feel to it and more detailed in the “Direct Action” version. This time round I’m going to have a look at two distinct loadouts in A-TACS FG for “Green Team” players.

Now I do see a lot of A-TACS AU (Arid) around but not so much in the FG (Foliage) variant and I have to ask “Why?” as it’s a great pattern for UK woodland in the summer. A-TACS has been developed by Digital Concealment Systems, (DCS) in the USA to answer the call for a more effective camouflage pattern and complementary system of clothing, footwear and equipment for operators, the general military and law enforcement personnel.

As I’m certain many of you are aware, many of the modern digital camouflage patterns currently in use by the tactical community are flawed. Square pixels used to create the camouflage distortion effect do not replicate the shapes, forms and shadows of the environment they are used in - especially when viewed through optics; this is what we often refer to as the “unification” effect. The “visual noise” in these same patterns tends to merge into a solid colour when viewed at close quarters, producing a unified effect when viewed from a distance. A-TACS addresses and improves these critical issues in three ways.

Unnatural square pixels are replaced with organic pixels. DCS’ patented process creates a palette of natural colors digitally sampled from real-world elements in carefully controlled lighting. This complex pattern is then recreated using an

algorithm that “writes” organically shaped pixels using the specific colour information given. The end result is still digitally produced, but much more “natural”.

A-TACS uses small patterns to create larger more distinct shapes designed to work at a distance. Small shapes create larger shapes and larger shapes are organized into a distinct pattern with no horizontal or vertical orientation.

This unique “pattern within a pattern” concept allows A-TACS to effectively break the human outline at great distances, thereby minimizing the unifying effect and the more effective use of the colour range produces a better concealment system. A-TACS is created using a far greater range of inter-mingled natural colours than was previously possible.

So far so good, it’s a great camouflage pattern and luckily for us as players there are now a LOT of manufacturers using A-TACS FG in their clothing and gear ranges.

RECCE LOADOUT With the “Recce” set of gear I’ve tried to look at a complete, head to toe loadout that would work well during the summer in UK woodland, yet doesn’t cost the earth! I’ve stuck to gear that you should be able to find easily in either your local shop or online.

First up is the base and for this I’ve chosen an excellent “jungle” type uniform from Leo Koehler. This is still a little known brand in the UK but they’ve been making gear for the German army for years and luckily www.flecktarn.co.uk keep a good range of their kit in stock! Newly developed to provide a hot weather uniform, the operator shirt or lightweight tropical jacket and trousers are designed with

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durability and ventilation in mind. Slotted buttons are used throughout and the shirt features two large expanding pockets on the front which can zip open like chest dump pockets and large arm pockets with a small insignia panel on the arms to reduce the Velcro coverage. The underarms are not sewn together but are left open and an extra panel of mesh material is sewn in place; this automatically ventilates under the arms and near the upper back and chest areas with movement.

Elbows are reinforced with a double layer of material.

The trousers feature two hip pockets, one seat pocket, two bulgy cargo pockets, one internal knife or magazine pocket within the right cargo pocket, D-rings for attachment of material and lanyards, wide belt loops and shoulder brace points and adjustable thigh ties to reduce riding and bagginess when cargo pockets are fully loaded. There is Cordura seat and knee reinforcement and the lower leg has an internal baffle with its own elastic and toggle adjustment to prevent the trousers from riding over the top of the boot during movement.

The expanding cargo pockets each have their own riveted drainage hole and close with “no-loss” fold over lids, secured with two large 25mm diameter tape buttons. This is a superb uniform for summer skirmishing, rugged yet comfortable, and is priced well.

For the rig here I’ve gone with a Condor OPS chest rig (basically just a MOLLE platform) which allows you to configure your pouches exactly as you want them. I’ve kept things very simple and in keeping with the “Recce” feel carry just triple, closed top Condor magazine pouches for my King Arms FAL, along with a Condor T&T pouch for carrying maps, notebook, compass and a multi-tool. At under £100 for the lot this is a solid and cost-effective rig which came from www. proairsoftsupplies.co.uk.

For additional load carriage I chose the ELF pack from UR OPS Tactical which came from www.hueys.co.uk. This a small, neat expandable pack that’s ideal for carrying those extra bits and pieces that you need with you on the field and as it’s made from genuine A-TACS Cordura fabric with ITW Nexus Mil-Spec hardware, it’s tough as old boots too. The inclusion of a pocket and opening for a hydration setup also means that you can carry your water accessibly on the field.

In relation to accessories I chose to go with a Boonie from www.appliedorange.com which is a great bit of headwear but you could also go for a cost effective BULLE version from Flecktarn, which works just as well for airsoft purposes. Jungle boots, Foliage Green Mechanix gloves, an OD web belt and a scrim net complete the overall look that I aimed for and all of these are relatively inexpensive, easily obtained items. A simple OD holster and two-point sling from www.vipertacticalshop. co.uk round things out, with an 0241 Tactical cover from www. tactical-kit.co.uk to keep my optic safe.

DIRECT ACTION! Now I have to admit I enjoy a good woodland game as much as the next player but I do love the intensity of a good CQB site, whether it be a full MilSim or just a well run skirmish in the right place. This is where I tend to get a bit “geeky” about my kit because FIBUA tends to bring out the failings in a loadout very quickly indeed!

Now I will preface this by saying that I’m not a huge lover of body armour and bulky plate carriers; luckily in airsoft we are getting shot at with little white balls of fun, which although

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FEATURE LOADED OR UNLOADED?

they sting a bit sometimes aren’t going to endanger life and limb. If you wish to add a plate carrier to this style of setup, then Condor, UR OPS Tactical and Warrior Assault systems do very nice ones in A-TACS FG at reasonable prices.

For the base of my “DA” kit I’ve searched a little wider. The PROPPER TAC U Combat Shirt is made to keep you comfortable under a plate carrier but works equally well on its own in warmer weather as a lightweight base. The clever main body knit wicks moisture away from your torso and the antimicrobial fabric prevents you getting too smelly too fast! The durable Battle Rip fabric on the sleeves, coupled with pocketing on both the upper and lower arms, provides incredible versatility. This is a great, well priced piece of kit at a great price and mine came from www. uktactical.com.

Trousers here are courtesy of a friend of mine in the Far East and cut in the CRYE style. I personally love this style as the integrated knee pads do away with any restriction around the joint whilst providing more than adequate protection when you’re playing on bricks and gravel. You’ll find these by the likes of Emerson easily with an online search, although I do warn you that finding genuine CRYE kneepads in green will prove problematical! The trousers are superb for an urban environment as there is lots and lots of movement in them thanks to the incorporated stretch panels around the knees and lower back.

Load bearing gear here is all UR OPS Tactical from HUEYS and the

rig is the Integrated version. The “integrated” part of the equation is that it comes in one piece with no MOLLE or similar. All the pouches are sewn in place, but they are where they need to be. There are 8 x M4 (P,E and Standards all fitted fine) magazine pouches with adjustable flap, 1 x radio pouch, 2 x pistol mag / taclite pouch, 2 x utility pouch (small 5”(H) x 2.5”(W) x 1.5”(D)), 1 x utility pouch (large 5”(H) x 4.5”(W) x 1.5”(D)), 1 x flash bang pouch, and 1 x mesh pocket (internal 8” x 7”).

It’s an extremely well constructed rig made with official A-TACS FG 500D Cordura, MilSpec webbing, and ITW NEXUS buckles throughout.

Everything about it screams “quality” and I can’t see the stitching coming apart any time soon. It comes with ergonomically cut, fully adjustable padded shoulder straps, a webbing waist strap, and if you want to attach it to one of the OPS QD Plate Carriers it is fully compatible.

I’ve also stuck with the ELF pack here as it’s nice and low profile; once again it’s MOLLE compatible should you wish to marry it up to a plate carrier. I also added a foldable dump pouch from their range. The only bit of gear not from UR OPS Tactical is the singlepoint sling, and this one is an Agilite “Telson” version which I obtained from Applied Orange.

Belt kit here is also a little more esoteric. The belt itself is a Wilderness Original Instructor Belt imported from the USA. The Original was developed in 1983 and has been refined ever since. It’s a very strong belt with a specially designed carbon steel V-ring buckle coated with non-glare black Roguard, a tough MilSpec finish which is highly corrosion-resistant and will not chip like cheaper coatings. The belt was originally designed to clip into a secure system while “instructing” others in high places, although they can be used for emergency abseiling with proper training.

I wanted something here though for vehicle and helicopter security as the belt works very well with a safety lanyard. The holster is a “one off” Kydex that I had created specifically for my WE226; not only does this accommodate the pistol but it also allows me to carry it with a taclite already mounted. There are a lot of people out there working with Kydex right now so if you want to take this route then ask around at your local site.

I chose for this loadout to go for a little protection in relation to my headgear; once again, hopefully in an airsoft skirmish we’re not dodging bullets and shrapnel but overhead obstructions in a CQB environment can often be a real hazard. This is an OpsCore FAST replica from dragonredairsoft.com which I’ve fitted with an A-TACS FG Helmet Cover, again from UR OPS Tactical. Not only does the helmet offer me some

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GEAR LIST AND WHERE TO GET IT www.flecktarn.co.uk Leo Koelher Operator Shirt and Trousers and also a cracking BULLE Boonie or Ballcap www.proairsoftsupplies.co.uk PAS offer a full range of Condor Tactical gear in A-TACS FG www.hueys.co.uk.

Go to HUEYS to find the full range of UR OPS Tactical gear and clothing in A-TACS FG www.appliedorange.com Probably the best boonie hats on the market right now and also full uniform setups. AO also stock a good range of Agilite gear. www.vipertacticalshop.co.uk Viper gear will certainly give you “good bang for your buck”, especially when it comes to tactical nylon. You’ll also find their gear in most good airsoft shops. www.tactical-kit.co.uk Go to Tactical Kit for Mechanix gloves and 0241 Tactical accessories… as well as just about most other good gear you can imagine! www.uktactical.com UK Tactical offer a full range of clothing and Warrior Assault Systems nylon gear in A-TACS FG; the DCS Plate Carrier is pretty tasty! www.thewilderness.com For the Original Instructor Belt www.dragonredairsoft.com Great online store in the Far East, stocking some really good replica uniforms and “gears” www.trekitt.co.uk Sole stockist of the excellent AKU boot range in the UK www.military.outdoorresearch.com For a great range of tactical gloves and accessories; hopefully someone will start bringing these into the UK soon!!! head protection but it also means I can mount accessories, in this case a V-Lite and Night Evolution helmet light. If you don’t like the idea of wearing a helmet then once again Flecktarn offer a great ballcap in their own BULLE range of gear. Topping this off is a neck gaiter from 0241 Tactical which offers a little additional facial protection.

Gloves and boots here are the “real deal”, namely my trusted SEAL Spider MKII boots from AKU courtesy of www.trekitt.co.uk. These are a great, low cut and lightweight boot that give good support, protection and utterly stupendous amounts of grip. For an urban environment they are truly superb, although they’re certainly no slouch in the woods either! As I’m more likely to be using pyro in a CQB game I’ve also invested here in some Outdoor Research Tactical “Firemark” gloves; these are fire retardant so should I have a smoke or thunderflash fizz up on me I know my hands will be protected. Sadly at the moment you’ll need to order these from the USA until ORT appoint a UK distributor.

DRAWING IT TOGETHER If you do decide to follow the A-TACS FG route for your summer gaming then do bear in mind that there are a LOT of manufacturers DCS work with that I haven’t mentioned here. Your own loadout can be as individual as you like whilst maintaining an overall pattern consistency.

Also remember that with the addition of insulated and weatherproof garments, which are all easily available in A-TACS FG, you can extend the life of your setup well into the autumn and even winter. Look for gear that works not just for one setup, but for multiple, such as the UR OPS Tactical ELF pack in this instance.

Work out what you need, buy wisely and buy once!

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MACHINE GUN MAYHEM PART 1 WITH MORE SMGS AVAILABLE THAN EVER BEFORE, KRIS ROBERTS TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT THE ROLE OF THE AIRSOFT SUPPORT GUNNER. FEW WOULD ARGUE THAT THE INVENTION of the machine gun changed the dynamic of the battlefield forever. From the hand-cranked design of the multi-barrelled Gatling gun, to the recoil operated belt-fed Maxim design, the fields of warfare had welcomed in a new century beneath a saturation of hot lead.

Small teams of trained gunners were now able to muster the firepower of an entire company of riflemen, causing a massive tipping in the balance of strength. As technology advanced, these machine gun teams reduced in size until just a pair of soldiers or even a single man could dominate an area, creating killing fields that the world had yet to witness.

The effect cannot be overestimated and history tells of one-sided, often repeated, massacres which had exceeded the expectations of Privates and Generals alike. Lessons were slow in being learnt and tradition often won over common sense.

By the First World War, tactics had developed to maximise the effect of this firepower. Along the German defensive lines machine guns were positioned to create overlapping fields of fire in front of their own trenches and, instead of firing head on into the advancing columns, the gunners would allow the British to march into these kill zones before opening fire. The results were devastating and horrific and it is little wonder that swift executions often faced the captured gunner teams; such was the hatred for them.

Even in the modern age the machine gun finds itself at the forefront of the fighting. In a time of supreme accuracy and the automatic rifle you would be forgiven for thinking that the machine gun is obsolete but, be it the enormous .50cal Heavy Machine Gun or the smaller calibre Squad Automatic Weapon, the need for firepower is still very much in demand. Suppression, destruction and fear are powerful tools of war and few weapon systems can deliver this like the machine gun.

Used correctly, such weapons can effectively hammer the enemy into submission by cutting off their mobility, removing their ability to return accurate fire and breaking apart their defences (and morale) through the sheer volume of fire.

The machine gun is, without question, a true weapon of terror.

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feature AIRSOFT SUPPORT GUNNER

“It’s time to let “Old Painless” out of the bag.”

Sergeant Mac Elliot in Predator

FROM BATTLEFIELD TO SUNDAY SKIRMISH So how does this apply to Airsoft? In a sport dominated by the Automatic Electric Gun, where the vast majority of players can deliver hundreds of rounds with a simple squeeze of the trigger, how does the traditional support gun fare?

First, we need to clarify what constitutes an “Airsoft support gun”. The overwhelming opinion (mine included), is that we use replica weapons and therefore your choices should be a reflection of what the original was designed for. I have no doubt that an MP5 with a 1,000 round drum mag is a huge amount of fun in certain environments but you’ll be hard pressed to convince most players that you have seriously embraced the role of support gunner.

Instead I’m talking about the M249, the M60, the PKM, etc.

Weapons that were designed to withstand the forces of sustained fire. Heavy pieces of equipment that worked best when mounted on a bipod.

So what of the magazine-fed Light Support Weapon? Many countries use a beefed up version of their assault rifle to be used in the support role. With heavier barrels and the fitting of a bipod, should we forget the possible use of the British LSW for example, or the use of a full length G36 with fitted bipod and drum mag?

Much of that has to do with the rules put in place by the site you are playing at and the restrictions of the game design.

I don’t have a problem with it, the support gunner is restricted in his movements by a cumbersome piece of kit and so long as the weapon reflects the size, weight and method of use as a real world support weapon should, I see no issue. But there are those who disagree and before you put your hand in your pocket it would be worth considering the restrictions of your regular sites.

Thankfully the options for support gunners have really opened up over the past few years and there are many guns available to suit your needs. Whatever your budget, load-out or preferred style there is plenty to choose from - and it’s not just for the modern warrior either, with examples from the Vietnam era or the Second World War there really is too much to list here.

Which is the best? It’s a question often thrown about in Airsoft and to which I have only one answer... whichever one suits you the most!

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE Back to the question of the need for support weapons in Airsoft.

In an Open Day scenario, when the air is filled with thousands of BBs flying in all directions, can a gunner find a use for himself and his weapon?

In truth, in that situation, not really.

A support gun may be an enormous AEG fitted with a huge box magazine but it is still an AEG. It is limited to the same restrictions and physical capabilities of any other electric gun on the field and although they may possess the ability to lay down long bursts of fire without the need to change magazine, this is counter-balanced by the fact you are carrying a heavy and cumbersome weapon.

But that’s not to say that such a gun is a pointless purchase.

All Airsoft weapons hold their attraction in some way or another and the support gun is no different. If you are happy with the pros and cons then the big gun can work as a perfectly valid primary weapon for most game scenarios.

And that’s without yet mentioning the aesthetic appeal.

Support guns look awesome and attract a large amount of attention, especially from those new to the sport. Their menacing charm is undeniable and, regardless of the fact they perform in an identical manner to other AEGs, they carry an air of intimidation in the same way that sniper rifles do.

The times when I’ve seen support guns used most effectively in an open day game are when the gunner embraces the fear factor. Hidden out of sight on the enemy’s flank, the gunner waits until his targets are well inside the prearranged kill zone. When the ambush is unleashed, the gunner opens up with a murderous fire that decimates a surprised and panicked enemy. With an unstoppable barrage of continuous fire that comes from an unexpected quarter, the opposing team have no time to react and come to their senses. It’s a simple tactic, but very effective and a huge amount of fun.

COMING HOME Where the support gun really comes into its own is in the ammo limit game. When the game scenario enforces tight ammo restrictions on each player and his weapon and does so as a reflection to its real world counterpart, the support gun becomes not only a valid option but a necessity for its team. Here it can be used as intended, in support of the defensive or offensive actions of the players’ teammates.

Real world tactics can also be brought into play. The use of gunners on the flanks, or used in conjunction with fellow gunners to create overlapping arcs of fire, can not only be a deciding factor in the outcome of the game but add a hugely enjoyable element to the team dynamic. www.airsoft-action.co.uk

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TEAM PLAYERS I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve played alongside or against a support gunner. More often than not I find myself cursing them out for not being in the right position, or for becoming too focused on their own target and ignoring the movements and needs of the teammates around them.

It’s that all too common trait, especially among newer players, where the lure of the sniper rifle or massive support gun overrules the senses and people buy the equipment without really knowing how to get the most from it. I call it “The Ninja Appeal” and the reality rarely lives up to the fantasy. If you are simply looking for a cheap thrill from using a select weapon then go for it, It’s your choice and no one has the right to tell you how to have fun. But if you are looking to garner respect and earn a reputation as a support gunner, you have to be a team player.

A support gunner needs to be selfless. Their actions need to be in support of the team - hence the name. If you are out for individual glory or are seeking the epic kill shot then support gunning is not for you. You need to be in constant communication with your team, moving and relocating to keep the pressure on the opposition so that your own team can close in for the kill.

Your rewards come from the accolades of your team mates.

A considerate, intelligent, patient and persuasive gunner can dominate on the skirmish field, but how often do you find a player with all of those virtues?

NEXT TIME In Part Two, I follow a veteran player of our great game as he takes his first steps into the support gunner role. Can he take his years of experience in the field and adapt them to the new role? Did the experience match up to the hype, or has the bubble been burst from the very first outing?

I’ll be there to cover the highs and lows of the day, and separate the fact from the fiction.

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GOING OFF THE RAILS IN THIS ISSUE’S DEBATE, GARETH “GADGE” HARVEY TACKLES A REAL “MARMITE” SUBJECT… RAILS! Once again it’s debate time. This month we’re looking at a practical but also “aesthetic” choice that really can divide people’s opinions on the look of a rifle... even before you clip anything on.

Yep, the RIS rail.

Love it or loathe it the 20mm RIS/RAS rail system is everywhere you look on the skirmish field (except perhaps at WWII and Cold War games!). Since its introduction at the start of the millennium we’ve seen a move from one or two “cutting edge” rifles of the time sporting them, such as TM’s early G36C, to a state of play today where even a 1940s Tommy gun isn’t safe from a bolt-on sight rail!

In my own airsoft experience I know that my first ever AEG, a TM G36C was literally festooned with rails! Not content with the stock short under barrel rail and the long top rail, I invested in some side rails even before I had anything to put on them - or had played more than a handful of games with the gun. With all that sexy rail space just begging to have some add-ons clamped to it, before long my trusty G36 had a red dot, high power tac-light, foregrip, the works really, clipped onto it and I loved it. It was only turning up on site one day to find I’d stupidly left the red dot switched on all night and not having packed a spare battery that forced me to reluctantly unbolt the RDS and resort to iron sights.

While I was at it I figured that I probably didn’t need the laser or flashlight for a bright summer’s open day play and took these off as well…THEN I admitted to myself that I never actually used that tactical foregrip either so off it came too.

The end result was an AEG that weighed about a KG less and played just as well, perhaps better with fewer things to snag on while crawling! If that experience hadn’t turned me away from the allure of the RIS rail then playing in a few Vietnam games with a “stock” AK made me realise that, perhaps, I didn’t need that 65 lumen flashlight after all. As I’ve got more into “historical” based airsoft games, RIS accessories have become less relevant to my playing style as, to a purist like me, bolt-on extras on classic guns can have me shooting the odd disapproving glance at their owner.

However for some sites and scenarios a handy taclight is a life saver, likewise in a dimly lit tunnel site a laser can be a great

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aid to pointing out targets to team mates (although beware that this “bonus” works both ways) and it’s probably fair to say that properly used “mission specific” RIS fittings would still be in my pre-game check list. It’s also fair to say that doing a WWII mission in UCAP’s tunnel system, with a 1940’s torch in one hand and a pistol in the other is “tense” but a real pain in the bum when you need to reload!

But that’s just my opinion, we asked our readership whether you can have too much of a good thing? Do RIS rails really help or do you just end up bolting on more tat you don’t need? Do you feel they ruin the lines of classic guns or do you feel that bolting a flashlight to your MP40 is “evolution”?

Are rail systems “fair game for all”, or do you feel that some things are best left as nature (or Mikhail Kalashnikov) intended them to be? Are some players compensating for skill with a compensator, or do you feel that the modular nature of quick fix aftermarket parts gives you the flexibility to adjust your rifle to the environment?

So bolt em on or sack em off… are you a fan of RIS rails?

Dave Renniks: “Only put on a gun what you need/will help you.

Torch, foregrip, laser, etc. - if it doesn’t help you, ditch it. I like the utility of rails, but I definitely prefer the aesthetics of the old school.”

Matthew McMahon: “Bung them off and burn them, I’m a great advocate of the RIS Rail Witch-hunt.”

Oliver Holmes: “Keep it simple. Too many people want to hang everything off their rails.”

Nigel Wright: “Only bolt something on to a RIS rail that is actually needed. A torch might be handy for a CQB arena but that 3X optic is going to be like nipples on a fish. A fake PEQ box with your battery in did look quite good but with the advent of LiPo and LiFe batteries, they can be binned too. Unfortunately there are those that think any length of RIS rail has to be festooned with adornment of some description to make you more Ally.”

Jack Agate: “I think the RIS should only be applied to modern weapons and not added onto older ones. I have an AK-104 with a front Rail system for a more modern look and god forbid adding rails to an old style AK-47.”

Liam Olphert: “I don’t see the point of half the attachments you can buy for woodland games. You can argue the toss better with CQB and night games. My torch and red dot was a life saver in a recent CQB game. In woodland I just rock iron sights and maybe a fore grip for comfort. The only thing that looks worse than a railed gun with numerous needless attachments, is a railed gun with no

attachments at all. So plastic furniture is the win for woodland games.”

Mark Gillard: “The more rail space people have the more crap they feel they need to attach to it. Some guns should never have a RIS front end on such as MP5s, Thompsons and other classics.”

Daniel Shears: “Rail systems are useful but people do seem to think they need to use every last inch. I have an H&K 416, however I generally only have a foregrip and iron sights attached, with maybe an optic for long range games, or a weapon light for CQB games. My motto is “Function first, form second.” Having said that, I love the look of some rifles with rail systems (L119A1 and the 416) but I also love more traditional looking weapons such as the AK47 and MP5.”

Rik Jones: “The RIS in my opinion is simply reflective of the loadout look you’re aiming for. If I’m doing a Vietnam loadout or older Brit kit you won’t find a RIS on my stuff.”

Matt Houghton: “I have a RIS rail in my skull bucket and I have no idea why! Maybe we like everything ribbed for our pleasure!”

Chris Sinclair: “Thing is, you see all these programs like Red Jacket Firearms (Sons of Guns), etc. and they customize guns.

There is nothing wrong with a Tommy gun having a RDS on an RIS. Certainly if it was for a realistic approach, then no RIS. But I think a lot of players get into the envy mode. They see some guys with RIS mounted lasers doing a tiesto gig on their clothes and want to be equal.”

Gareth Adamson: “I’m of mixed opinion. The ability to add a red dot or torch to a gun does become useful but some guns do look a lot better aesthetically without. The Thompson and PPsH look much better without modification but it’s possible to add say, a dot sight rail without taking too much away from the old-look appeal.

On the other hand, it is possible to take “modernized” too far I’ve seen a “real steel” Mosin-Nagant with the wood replaced with polymer, an AR stock, *very* cut down barrel and forward RIS with foregrip. I feel nauseous just thinking about it....”

James Caddy: “I have my TM MK18 Mod0 accessorised up to hell, I’m talking 180lm Surefire, PEQ, Aimpoint, grip. Do I use the torch during the day at woodland? Hell no. Is the aim point an effective visual aid? Not really. Does it look the nuts because that’s how it SHOULD look? God yes, it’d look bald without all those toys!”

Chris Sinclair: “The only rail mod I don’t like is the pistol overslide one for sights. Just makes a pistol look too cumbersome. The like of a Tommy gun was designed like a “less is more” thing. Back then rail systems were glue and copper wire.”

Wyvern Airsoft: “RIS is like a big rucksack. An opportunity to www.airsoft-action.co.uk

93

debate RIS

load up with all sorts of cack you don’t really need!”

James Watt: “I’m Pro-RIS on “suitable” platforms. The point of the RIS is to make the platform as flexible and ergonomic as possible, giving the user the ability to respond to situations instantly, without having to fish around a pouch for a torch etc. As for all the bolt-ons, torches, lasers, sights etc., I think most people (or I do) really like the look of an AR with loads of stuff hanging off it.”

James Szomolanyi: “Depends on the gun. If the real steel has it then yes, but I don’t like seeing a Thompson with a rail. I use an M416 with a bipod, foregrip and a sight. All of which I use in game. It’s personal choice but I think if the gun is supposed to have rails, it will. If you have em, use em.”

Chris Hinds: “Its 50-50. I like RIS rails on some weapons like M4s and on some of the newer AKs because I can put a grip or bi-pod on for additional support. But I don’t like them when someone takes iconic weapon like an SLR or an original AK and spoils it with a weird RIS not even meant for it. I hope they don’t start making RIS kits for WW2 weapons, it will spoil the look.”

Penfold Tierney: “Short answer… No! Long answer...

Nooooooooooo!”

94

SEPTEMBER 2014

To Advertise here Ring Nige on 01684 878003

COMPETITION WIN AN ASG CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1

WIN

ASG CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1 So you’ve read Scott Allan’s exclusive review and would love to get your hands on this amazing piece of airsoft history – well now you can!

ActionSportGames manufactured the World’s first all European airsoft aeg and invited Scott Allan to Denmark, where he saw the awe-inspiring processes that have been to put in place to make sure the quality on the EVO3 is simply the best.

The gun Scott reviewed is one of the first off the production line and it can be all yours simply by answering a few simple questions – and you will find all the answers in Scott’s review.

The first correct answer picked out of the editor’s hat after the closing date wins.

These are the five questions:

A) B) C) D) E)

WHICH TWO COMPANIES MERGED IN 2003 TO CREATE ACTIONSPORTGAMES? HOW MANY ROUNDS DOES THE SUPPLIED MAGAZINE HOLD? WHY WAS THE FIRE SELECTOR REDESIGNED FOUR TIMES? WHAT WAS THE VELOCITY WITH AN M100 SPRING? HOW LONG IS THE BARREL?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply send your answers in before the closing date, either by completing and returning the Entry Form, or sending your answers by email (details below).

You can also enter via the Airsoft Action website - simply visit: www.airsoft-action.co.uk, click on Competition and enter your answers and details in the relevant section there - and why not take some time to have a look round the site while you’re at it.

WRITE YOUR ANSWERS HERE: A)

………………………..

B)

………………………..

C)

………………………..

D)

………………………..

E)

………………………..

N I W

Name __________________________________________________

Postcode ________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________

Telephone _______________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________

Post your entries to: ASG EVO3 Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@ airsoft-action.co.uk with “ASG EVO3 Competition” in the subject line. Entries received after 27th August 2014 will not be valid. One entry per household. The winner will be the first name pulled from the Ed’s hat.

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

Q

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

97

COMPETITION WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

WIN

WIN A SPECNA ARMS SA-A03 Three issues ago we reviewed this fabulous aeg, very kindly supplied by Polish company, Gunfire and we could think of no better time to give it away, than on our 3rd Birthday.

But if you haven’t kept your copy of the magazine, you might just have to go beg, borrow or “acquire” a look at

someone else’s, as all the questions are based on Jay Slater’s review.

The first correct answer picked out of the editor’s hat after the closing date wins.

These are the three questions:

A) B) C)

WHAT WAS THE TITLE OF THE ARTICLE? WHICH VERY WELL-KNOWN WEAPON IS THE SA-A03 BASED UPON? HOW MANY SPRINGS ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE SA-A03?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply send your answers in before the closing date, either by completing and returning the Entry Form, or sending your answers by email (details opposite).

You can also enter via the Airsoft Action website - simply visit: www.airsoft-action.co.uk, click on Competition and enter your answers and details in the relevant section there - and why not take some time to have a look round the site while you’re at it.

WIN

WIN AN ICS TRANSFORM4 Jay Slater resisted the obvious clichés but can you resist the opportunity to win the rifle he found so alluring?

I didn’t think so!

In conjunction with the lovely people at ICS, Airsoft Action is giving away the rifle that Jay reviewed and it can be yours

just by answering three simple questions – and here’s a hint… You might just find them by reading the review, after all, we don’t want to make it too hard, do we?

The first correct answer picked out of the editor’s hat after the closing date wins.

These are the three questions:

A) B) C)

THERE ARE TWO STYLES AVAILABLE, WHAT ARE THE ICS MODEL NUMBERS? HOW DO YOU ACCESS THE HOP-UP? HOW HEAVY IS IT?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply send your answers in before the closing date, either by completing and returning the Entry Form, or sending your answers by email (details opposite).

98

september 2014

You can also enter via the Airsoft Action website - simply visit: www.airsoft-action.co.uk, click on Competition and enter your answers and details in the relevant section there - and why not take some time to have a look round the site while you’re at it.

WIN A SPECNA ARMS SA-A03 WRITE YOUR ANSWERS HERE: A)

………………………..................................................................

B)

………………………..................................................................

C)

………………………..................................................................

Name _________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Postcode _______________________________________________________ Telephone ______________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________________________ Post your entries to: Specna Arms SA-A03 Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@airsoft-action.co.uk with “Specna Arms SA-A03 Competition” in the subject line. Entries received after 27th August 2014 will not be valid. One entry per household. The winner will be the first name pulled from the Ed’s hat.

Calibre Publishing would like to keep you informed of other offers and publications.

Please tick here if you would NOT like to be contacted by post or email

Q

WIN AN ICS TRANSFORM4 WRITE YOUR ANSWERS HERE: A)

………………………..................................................................

B)

………………………..................................................................

C)

………………………..................................................................

Name _________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Postcode _______________________________________________________ Telephone ______________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________________________

Post your entries to: ICS Transform4 Competition, Airsoft Action, Calibre Publishing, Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Malvern, Worcs, WR13 6PL, or email to: competition@airsoft-action.co.uk with “ICS Transform4 Competition” in the subject line. Entries received after 27th August 2014 will not be valid. One entry per household. The winner will be the first name pulled from the Ed’s hat.

Calibre Publishing would like to keep you informed of other offers and publications.

Please tick here if you would NOT like to be contacted by post or email

Q

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

99

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BOOK REVIEW FOREVER THE COLOURS

FOREVER THE COLOURS BY RICHARD THOMAS PART FICTION, PART HISTORICAL NOVEL, NIGE TOOK TIME OUT TO READ THIS FIRST BOOK FROM NEW AUTHOR, RICHARD THOMAS AT SCHOOL, I HAVE TO ADMIT that I was crap at History; I simply couldn’t see the point of learning all those dates and dry, boring facts from dusty old books that probably hadn’t seen the light of day since the Magna Carta was signed. Well, that’s how I imagined it anyway.

The reality is that history is for historians, or for those with an interest in the subject. Me? I prefer my history wrapped up in something I can get my teeth into – something that grabs my attention, draws me in and immerses me in the sights, sounds and smells of the time and place. So when I received a call asking if I’d like to review Forever the Colours by Richard Thomas, I was intrigued to hear that it was about a modern-day soldier fighting in a largely forgotten Victorian battle.

Tommy Evans is a soldier serving in Afghanistan and like many others, would rather be anywhere other than up to his neck in dust and flies. While out on Patrol one of his mates takes a round to the face and in the ensuing firefight Tommy

is on the receiving end of an RPG. It doesn’t kill him but when he wakes up he is no longer in 2012, he finds himself transported back in time to just before one of the worst defeats for the British Army in the Victorian era, the Battle of Maiwand.

In what turned into a complete disaster, a 2,500-strong Brigade under Brigadier-General Burrows ended up facing an Afghan army numbering in excess of 25,000 and armed with very modern guns. Needless to say, the British were routed and Forever the Colours finds Tommy Evans slap bang in the middle of it but worst of all, he remembers reading about it at school so knows what is about to happen and can do nothing about it. Try as he might, nobody believes him, all he can do is fight alongside soldiers of the 66th Foot (the Berkshires) and watch as the British forces are slowly pummelled into the ground. He is caught between the fleeing brigade and a charging Afghan Cavalry and looks up just in time to see two British guns firing at the cavalry but he is right in their line of fire and is blown up for the second time – and wakes up in an RAF BE2C biplane that is about to crash after being shot down by Afghans armed with a maxim…

I have to say that there were elements of the book that I really, really enjoyed.

Richard Thomas uses words to paint a very real picture of what life might have been like for soldiers of that time, in that place. The descriptions of the British Army, the soldiers, their camp and way of life are vivid enough to let the reader create their own mental image of smoke and morning mist rising over rows and rows of tents, just as it is vivid enough to see the blood and guts and feel the pain of men and horses being torn apart by the ensuing carnage.

There are other elements that, for me, just seemed a little unnecessary, such as the “mystical” Indian bloke that seems to drift through the story. Personally, I think it stands on its own without that particular character but that it just me, you may well think differently.

Forever the Colours is the first of a three-part series, as Tommy fights through time to get back to where he belongs. In the second book, Flying the Colours, he finds himself transported a few years forwards, to 1919 and the 3rd Anglo-Afghan war where, among others, he meets a certain young RAF officer named Arthur Harris.

I enjoyed the book and not just because it was a good read but also because it brought a piece of history that I had no idea about to life. Since reading the book I have dug up more information about the Battle of Maiwand and it is fascinating to realise neither the names, nor the places have changed and British soldiers are still fighting and dying on the very same pieces of ground that they did all those years ago.

INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY THAMES RIVER PRESS AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON, PRICED £9.79

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

101

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

BARNSLEY AIRSOFT

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

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

AMBUSH ADVENTURES – CHOBHAM

BATTLETEC 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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september 2014

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

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

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

SITE DIRECTORY

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

FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

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

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

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

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

BRAVO 2-2 AIRSOFT

CHESTERFIELD IMPERIAL AIRSOFT

COMBAT ACTION GAMES

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

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

BRIT-TAC AIRSOFT

COMBAT SOUTH URBAN

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

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

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

BUNKER 51

COMBAT SOUTH WOODLAND

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

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

C3 TACTICAL

CONTACT! FIGHT SCHOOL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIREBALL SQUADRON

ELITE ACTION GAMES – GATWICK

FIRST AND ONLY – ANZIO CAMP

Holmbush Farm, Crawley Road, Faygate, Nr. Horsham, W. Sussex, RH12 4SE 07882 686242 www.eliteactiongames.com

Leek, ST13 8 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

ELITE ACTION GAMES – DORKING Dorking, Surrey, RH5 5AB 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE ACTION GAMES – EPSOM Epsom, Surrey, KT18 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

ELITE ACTION GAMES – WORTHING Worthing, BN13 01784 433023 www.eliteactiongames.com

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

FIRST AND ONLY – BUNKER WOOD Kidderminster, Worcs, DY11 5SA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST AND ONLY – KHE SANH WOODS Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 2NA 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

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

FIRST AND ONLY – ASYLUM Bexley, Greater London, DA5 1NX 07968 448475 www.elitebattlezone.co.uk

Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 07862 288359 www.firstandonlyairsoft.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE HIVE EXPERIENCE AIRSOFT

CUMBRIA AIRSOFT

FIREFIGHT COMBAT SIMULATIONS

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

ELITE BATTLEZONE CORNWALL AIRSOFT ASSAULT

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

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

DRAGON VALLEY AIRSOFT

BRISTOL AIRSOFT

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE SANDPIT

DOGS OF WAR

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

CLOSE ACTION AIRSOFT

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

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

DRAGON’S LAIR

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

CERBERUS AIRSOFT - THE COMPLEX

DELTA TEAM 3

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

Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AZ0161 727 8863

FIRST & ONLY: THE ARMOURY Wrexham, Denbighshire, LL13 9RG 07554 800040

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

103

INVICTA AIRSOFT – RAINDEN WOODS

MILITARY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

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

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

ISLAND RECON AIRSOFT COMBAT

MILSIM UK

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE ACADEMY

GRANGE FARM AIRSOFT

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6QF 07779 157440

Leicester, LE9 9FP www.gingerliberationfront.com

FIRST & ONLY: THE ASYLUM

LAND WARRIOR AIRSOFT

NCIS AIRSOFT

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

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

LAC SITE 1

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

GREENZONE COMBAT

Kidderminster, DY10 3PT 07779 157440

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

FIRST & ONLY: THE OUTPOST

GUN HO AIRSOFT

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

Kidderminster, DY11 5SA 07779 157440

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

LAC SITE 2

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – CAMBRIDGE

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

FIRST & ONLY: SLEEPY HOLLOW Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 5LS 07880 316716

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

LAC SITE 3

GUNMAN AIRSOFT – MIDLANDS

Saxillby, LN1 2JW 07775 877057 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.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

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september 2014

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

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

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

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

NSC AIRSOFT LAC SITE 5 Kirton Rd, North Lincs, DN16 www.lincolnshireairsoftclub.co.uk

LINDSEY AIRSOFT 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

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

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

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

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

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

SITE DIRECTORY FIND SOMEWHERE TO BE THIS WEEKEND…

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

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

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

SG1 COMBAT GAMES

TACTICAL WALES AIRSOFT

UCAP GREEN OPS

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

SKIRMISH AIRSOFT BILLERICAY

TACTICAL WARFARE AIRSOFT

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

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

SKIRMISH EXETER

TECH BRIGADE

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

Newgate Street, Hertfordshire.

SG13 8NH 07841 713356 www.techbrigade.org

SOUTHDOWN AIRSOFT PLAYERS OF WAR High Bonnybridge, FK1 3AD 07767 203979 www.playersofwar.co.uk

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

RAVEN’S NEST Suffolk, IP8 4 01473 831563 www.ravensairsoft.co.uk

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

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

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

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

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

UCAP SANDPIT 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

SPEC OPS AIRSOFT – BLOXWORTH

THE BUNKER

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

Aberystwyth, www.aberairsoft.co.uk 07841 462806

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

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

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

SUSSEX AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT

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

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

S.W.A.T. AIRSOFT

TROJAN AIRSOFT – OLYMPUS CQB

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

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

SECTION 8 AIRSOFT

TA EVENTS

UCAP AIRSOFT

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

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

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

Weir Mill, Viaduct Street, Chestergate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 7JP

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

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

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

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

www.airsoft-action.co.uk

105

DEALER LISTINGS

ADVERTISERS INDEX Land Warrior Airsoft 2 + 36 RedWolf Airsoft 3 + 46 + 58 Airsoft Zone 9 + 71 JD Airsoft 11 + 41 + 74 ActionSportGames 17 Airsoft Armoury 18 + 19 BadgerTac 23 Airsoft World 27 + 107 Wolf Armouries 32 Military 1st 45 Leeds Airsoft 50 Airsoft TV 54 Airsoft Expo 63 Pro Airsoft Supplies 67 + 108 Gunman Airsoft 72 Eton Guns 72 SWAT 78 Digital Editions 82 BagerTac2 87 Epic Militaria 91 E-W Trading 91 Gunman International/RedWolf 95 Crawley Surplus Store 96 NoVAT 96 Dragon Valley 96 Military Outdoor 96 Just BB Guns 99 Bookshop 100 106

september 2014