Issue 02 - Nov 2011

ACT

ION

NOVEMBER 2011 - 3.95

ARESM3A1GREASE GUNREVIEW

GLOCK 17PATROL SKILLSGZ WEEKENDER REPORT

tactical comms game reports gloves n glasses ex-mil land rovers Airsoft virgin

WINOakley

Monster Dogsworth 75!

AirsoftA

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OVEM

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2011

THE Airsoft Magazine

2 October 2011

3www.airsoftaction.com

CONTENTSAIRSOFT ACTION - NOVEMBER 2011

7 AIRSOFT NEWS BRAND NEW RIFLES AND MORE

12 RIFLE REVIEW HANDS-ON WITH ARES M3A120 REAL OR AIRSOFT? HOW TO LOOK THE REAL DEAL24 FOREST LABS, BEXLEY ON-SITE FOR FOREST LABS LAST HURRAH

28 STIRLING AIRSOFT THE ALL OUT WAR SAGA CONTINUES

32 MEDIA REVIEW DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION36 BIG BOYZ TOYZ FANCY OWNING AN EX- MILITARY LAND ROVER?

40 YOUNG GUNS BECAUSE AIRSOFT IS CHILDS PLAY

43 CAMO COMPETITION RECOGNISE THE PATTERN BELOW?

45 GROUND ZERO WEEKENDER AIRSOFT ACTION REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINE OF THIS YEARS WEEKENDER

50 PISTOL REVIEW THE ICONIC GLOCK 1755 NOMAD AIRSOFT SITE REVIEW FROM NORTH OF THE BORDER

59 AIRSOFT VIRGIN BECAUSE THERES NOTHING LIKE THE FIRST TIME

62 KIT REVIEW GLASSES AND GLOVES GO UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

69 WORLD WAR TWO AIRSOFT AN INTRO TO PERIOD AIRSOFT73 COMPETITION: OAKLEY OH, WE DO SPOIL YOU.

74 TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS HOW-TO FOR USING RADIOS IN THE FIELD

76 INSIDE AIRSOFT: LEVEL PEAKS THE INNER WORKINGS OF AN AIRSOFT GIANT

78 TEAM PROFILE GET TO KNOW UNIT 1382 RETAILER LIST FIND OUT WHERE TO BUY84 BOOK REVIEW SEE WHAT WEVE BEEN READING THIS MONTH

85 BOOKSHOP BUY WHAT WEVE BEEN READING THIS MONTH!

86 AIRBANA SITE DIRECTORY FOUR PAGES OF WHERE TO PLAY

SEE PAGE 43 FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR HUGE MONTHLY CAMOFLAGUE COMPETITION!

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004 November 2011

WelcomeBefore I say anything else, I just want to say a massive thank you to all our readers for making Issue One of Airsoft Action such a huge success!

When you start a new magazine it is dif cult to know if you have got it right until it is out but now we know! From the feedback we have received (which has come from right across the airsoft scene, from players and marshals to shop and site owners) it seems you like what we are doing and I can assure we will keep on doing it.

There is simply so much going on in airsoft that one of the biggest challenges I have as editor is to decide what to cover and which features to put into each issue. I know that players like to see reviews of kit, guns and sites, and will read articles that are of interest to them. What I would like to know is what you think: have we got the balance right, or should there be more (or less) of some types of article? What do you

like, and just aas importantly, what do you dislike?

From day one I have stated that the most important people in airsoft are the players and I want Airsoft Action to be a players magazine. So tell me what you think, make comments and suggestions and let me know what you would like to see in the mag. If you have an idea for an amazing article, or know of brilliant site we should visit, tell me about it. Obviously I cant promise that we will take up every suggestion I can only be in so many places at once! but we will do our best to keep writing stuff you want to keep reading.

Write to me at the Blaze Publishing of ces or send me an email: [email protected].

In Issue Three we will be starting a Readers Write column, so keep sending us those letters and you never know, you might just see it in print!Keep safe,

Nige

Editor: Nigel Streeter

Assistant editor: Anthony Platt

Art Director: Chris Sweeney

Ad design: Ryan Dixon

Advertising: Hannah Benson

Operations director: James Folkard

Assistant publisher: Ruth Burgess

Editorial director: James Marchington

Publisher: Wesley Stanton

Full UK 13-issue subscription rate: 59.40For overseas prices visit:www.airsoftactionmagazine.com

Blaze Publishing, Lawrence House, Morrell Street

Leamington Spa.Warwickshire. CV32 5SZ

Tel: 01926 339808 Fax: 01926 470400

E: [email protected]

W: www.blazepublishing.co.uk

Blaze Publishing Limited, 2011

Distribution: Distributed to the newstrade by Comag Magazine Marketing, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE T: 01895 433 800

Copyright Blaze Publishing Limited 2011. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publishers in writing. The opinions of the writers do not necessarily re ect those of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions prior to print.

Find us onwww.facebook.com/AirsoftAction Search Airsoft Action

Letter, idea or question?Got something to say? A question for our experts? Or an article, or article idea? Drop us a line and let us know. Either email the assistant editor ([email protected]), send us a letter at the Blaze Publishing address below or talk to us on Twitter or Facebook.

005www.airsoftactionmagazine.com

6 October 2011


AIRSOFT NEWSAIRSOFTNEWSGEIGERRIG PRESSURISED HYDRATION

M&C WEAPONS SYSTEMSA new company M&C Weapons Systems is set to launch ve new airsoft guns in the UK. Airsoft Action was privileged to be invited to an exclusive rst look at the ve AK variants.

The guns are assembled here in the UK. They feature metal bodies, real wood furniture where appropriate and have been designed to be as close to the real thing as possible some even have Russian markings.

Due to commercial sensitivities we cannot bring you too much information at this time. Weve had a good close look at the rst pre-production models though, and if the nal versions are as good as M&C says they will be then we cant wait to put them through their paces.

Pricing has not yet been settled but an M&C spokesman has con rmed they will be very competitively priced, and available early in the New Year. M&C is not releasing any other details at this time so watch this space...

More importantly though: M&C has agreed to add a ri e of the winners choosing to our Camou age Competition Prize Pot! Check out the details on page 43.

Platoon Stores is a new stockist of the revolutionary Geigerrig hydration system.

Unlike its competitors, Geigerrig takes the suck out of your hydration problem with its air pump system. The bite valve sprays water rather than wasting energy trying to suck uid through.

The additional puri cation kit allows you to collect water from natural sources and purify it in the hydration system,

without the need for purifying tablets and works for up to 50 gallons.

Tried and tested by Platoon Stores, it is recommended as a professionals choice.

Shown here is the RIG 1600 Ballistic, a 26-litre pack with a three-litre bladder, which retails at 114.95

Distributed by Whitby & Co: 01539 721032, www.whitbyandco.co.uk.

Platoon Stores: 01634 829063, www.platoonstores.co.uk.

AIRSOFT ACTION EXCLUSIVE

008 November 2011

Would you like to have a say in running the UKs Airsoft Player Union? That is exactly what is on the agenda at the UKAPU 2nd Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held on 19 November in Worcester and will include the vote to decide the 2011/12 committee members. If you are interested in a committee position then please visit the forums at www.ukapu.org.uk to register your interest or email [email protected]. The venue for the meeting is still to be con rmed so please keep an eye on our website for further information. All members are welcome to attend on the evening.

Last month UKAPU attended the Ground Zero weekender organised by Zero One Airsoft and had an excellent time. UKAPU provides a social area where players can relax in the evening and join in with our movie night with a nice cold beer in hand! Some 60 players signed up as a result and we would like to thank you all for your support during the weekend. A special mention goes to Team Recon Six (www.reconsix.co.uk) who signed up the entire team during the event. Teams signing up together can bene t from a reduced price, as it does remove a lot of the admin work required to verify new members and send out membership packs. If your team would like to sign up then you can do so by mailing [email protected] and asking for more details.

A big thank you to all those who have joined UKAPU already. Annual membership is available for only 5 from www.ukapu.org.uk. Existing members can renew their memberships online it only takes seconds to renew so be sure not to miss out.

Chris Neill United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union

Airsoft Action recently came into contact with a sterling charity, Rays of Sunshine Childrens Charity.

Rays of Sunshine Childrens Charity grants wishes for seriously ill children in the UK aged 3-18.

The charity gives brave and deserving children and young people the chance to escape the reality of their illness and experience the magic

of having their wish come true. Wishes are as unique as children

themselves: whether a child wants to drive a tank or swim with dolphins, Rays of Sunshine works hard to make that wish come true. Recent wishes have included cooking with a celebrity chef, owning a spa pool, meeting JLS, having a celebration of life party and visiting Disney World in Florida. The charity granted its rst wish in 2004 and will celebrate its 2,000th in September.

As the whole family lives through the pain of a childs illness, the charity always includes the whole family in the wish.

The charity receives no government support, but relies on the generous support of fundraisers and supporters.

Rays of Sunshine Childrens Charity: 0208 782 1171, www.raysofsunshine.org.uk

RAYS OF SUNSHINE

NEWSAction Sport Games (ASG) has released two new variants of its Dan Wesson revolvers for airsoft use.Already a popular airgun range,

ASGs licensed Dan Wesson revolvers feature an almost full-metal construction and a realistic weight.

The new versions are a 6in barrelled chrome version and a compact 2.5in barrelled black version, perfect for concealment and backup.

The revolvers, in true six-shooter

style, come complete with six individual shells which can be loaded with single plastic BBs and then loaded into the gun just like the real thing. It also comes with a speedloader.

Powered by 12g CO2 bulbs the 6in version can deliver a stonking 420fps+ from a new bulb. While this power does mean the revolver is unlikely to see much use on skirmish sites it is incredibly good fun, and looks and feels excellent too.

ASG has stated that the two new models will be available from October, though prices are uncon rmed.

Action Sport Games: (+45) 8928 1888, www.actionsportgames.com

ASG SIX-SHOOTERS

10 October 2011


AIRSOFT NEWS

Intelligent Armour is now the of cial UK distributor of Potomac Field Gear. Potomac Field Gear is designed for use by soldiers serving on international missions, and its tactical garments are used by the US Marine Corps, Navy SEALs and the FBI among others.

Potomac Field Gear is made of a unique material called Advanced Protective Fabric. The bre composition of this material gives the clothing an array of properties useful to serving personnel, and which other materials do not provide. These include being ame-retardant, sweat wicking, anti-microbial, anti-odour, anti-static, temperature regulating and UV protective and all for an affordable price, too.

Alex Bomberg, CEO of Intelligent Armour, said: Potomac Field Gear

will truly revolutionise the clothing that is used in combat, both today and in the future. Potomac has shown truly innovative produt design by ful lling the needs of a serving soldier with its comfortable garments that ensure protection.

With its Advanced Protective Fabric, Potomac aims to reduce the number of troops who suffer burn or blast injury on the battle eld.

Shown here is the Potomac Advanced Combat Shirt Gen II, retailing at 144, and the Potomac Boxer Shorts, which cost 33.60.

Intelligent Armour: 01453 700574 www.body-armour-protection.co.uk, [email protected].

ADVANCED PROTECTION

THE RANGEA new airsoft shooting range cleverly called The Range has opened in London. Billed as a great place to learn and practise the art, skill and sport of shooting in a very safe and fun environment, shooting time at the range can be booked in 30-minute slots, costing from 6 for non-members.

The site also features a retail shop, and specialises in tactical target shooting an IPSC-inspired airosft shooting discipline. It also uses airsoft guns to give instruction on real steel shooting.

The Range is open to people of all ages, and is easily accessible by tube and bus. It is located on the Edgware Road so there is ample public parking too.

The Range: 0207 724 6781, www.airsoftrange.co.uk, [email protected]

012 November 2011

HistoryIn February 1941, the US Ordnance Corps set out a requirement for a cheaper sub-machine gun to act as an alternative to the Thompson M1 and M1928. A prototype, designated the T20, was a very simple weapon, made mostly from stamped steel. After trials, the newly designated M3 was put into service in 1943. The M3 red .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) rounds and was full-auto only, using a blowback mechanism from an open bolt.

Early M3s showed up some problem points in combat, mostly the cocking mechanism. These problems were overcome and in 1944 the newer, more reliable version (designated M3A1) served with distinction with US Armed Forces through the latter part of WWII. This version saw heavy use in the Paci c as well as service in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was still the personal weapon of US Army tank crews until the 1980s.

Interesting PointsThe M3A1 could be converted to use 9x19mm Luger ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt and a magazine adaptor so it could use British Sten gun magazines. The retractable stock, when detached, doubled up as a cleaning rod, and also featured a magazine loading tool. The hollow pistol grip contained a small gun oil bottle, which was required as the cheaper steel rusted quite easily in wet climates. A silenced version of the M3A1 was produced for special operations.

First ImpressionsAres is well-known for trying to make its airsoft ri es as realistic as possible.

Ratty gives his opinion of Ares M3A1 Grease Gun, which has been around (in real steel, of course) since 1944

GREASE GUNELECTRIC BLOWBACK

ARES M3A1

The company has done a cracking job with this weapon! On opening the box there is a basic

operation manual which is very easy to follow, with a good exploded parts diagram.

Taking the M3A1 out of the

box, youre instantly struck by how heavy it is (4.5kg), and its distinctive nish. Ares has really gone to town to make it look industrial-like, tting the M3A1s basic functions and crude weld marks. This faade works well as the receiver is stamped steel and the outer barrel aluminium, so the materials used are very robust and almost indestructible. With the wire frame stock tted, this looks one awesome piece of kit!

Unique to the Grease Gun is the fact that the battery is housed in the magazine, which holds 65 rounds of


THE ARMOURY

6mm BBs. There is ample space for an 8.4/9.6v stick type-battery and tting is quick and easy. It will also take LiPo or nunchuck batteries.

The battery contacts are located at the top of the magazine, which marry to contacts inside the mag well. The downside of this system is that you are going to need a battery for each mag you have, as you dont want to be scrabbling around in the middle of a re- ght swapping batteries every time you do a mag change and with a capacity of only 65 BBs you are going to need a few extra mags too.

14 October 2011


THE ARMOURY

SPECIFICATIONSWeight: 4,500 gramsBuild: Steel receiver and stock, aluminium outer barrelLength: 580mm stock retracted750mm stock extendedInternals: Metal gearbox with high torque motorHop-up: AdjustableMag capacity: 65 BBsBattery: 8.4v/9.6v stick/nunchuck type NiMH 7.4v LiPoVelocity: 288-307 (hop on) 311-335 (hop off)Price: Around 230

To nd out where to buy the Ares M3A1, check out the retailer list on page 82.Thanks to RedWolf Airsoft for supplying The M3A1 Grease Gun used in this article: www.redwolfairsoft.com

The safety is easy to use as it is just a big lever on the right-hand side of the receiver. The hop unit is simple to adjust by lifting the hinged ejection port cover (which you need to do when ring) and sliding back the imitation bolt to allow access. The adjuster itself is a simple slide lever.

The stock is a basic two-position all way in/all way out and the catch is located at the top right-hand side of the pistol grip. The magazine release catch is on the left-hand side of the receiver at the top of the mag well. Magazines t very snugly and initially require a gentle tap to engage fully. The xed aperture rear sight and xed front sight, as well as the sling mounts, all add to the realistic look.

Using the M3A1With mag rmly in, ejection port cover open and stock fully extended I took off the safety and pulled the trigger Wow! Straight out of the box with the hop half-on, I was hitting my target at just over 100ft. The electric blowback mechanism really put a smile on my face. As the imitation bolt went back and forth with a chugga-chugga sound I was really impressed and still smiling like a kid at Christmas!

Firing at around 660rpm which is faster than the real thing I was

achieving a reading of between 288-307fps (with hop on).

Must PointsThe Ares M3A1 is made mostly of steel so it is very important to keep the externals clean as part of your regular maintenance, or you could nd rust getting into the bodywork. Secondly, keep the contacts on both the magazine and inside the mag well clean. It wont take long for muck from your pouches to get on them, which would severely hamper your use and enjoyment, and keeping these clean will stop carbon deposits building up.

SummaryHaving been a fan of Ares as a manufacturer since buying my L1A1 SLR a while ago, Im really pleased that the thought put into the design and construction of the M3A1 has reaf rmed Ares as an attentive, top-quality manufacturer producing exciting weapons. The only downside I can see is the battery-in-mag scenario, but given the compactness of the Grease Gun I can see they had little choice.

Although not everyones cup of tea, the Grease Gun is iconic and, if you are doing WWII airsoft in a US role, this gives you another quality option

besides the usual Thompsons that you see. Because the real version had such a long working life, it lends itself to Vietnam or even Cold War loadouts too.

All in all a phenomenal bit of kit. I just wonder what else Ares will be releasing in its classic line range n

16 October 2011


SKILLS ROOM

The Monkey RunThis is the normal hands and knees crawl, useful for moving behind low cover. It is possible to move quite fast but tends to make noise.

You can prevent twigs cracking by moving more slowly and putting your knees on the spot where your hands have been, as this would have cleared that spot of any debris. Keep your rear and head down but continue to observe the enemy has a strange habit of popping up when you least expect it.

When doing this movement with a ri e, hold the weapon at its point of balance and make sure that the muzzle gets no dirt in it (you will not believe how many people I have seen try and re a weapon with half a ton of dirt in the barrel, and wonder why its not working!).

If you dont want to let the enemy know where you are, learn how to move properly even at night

MOVEMENTIN THE FIELD

Following last months article, Communicating in Silence, this article looks at how to move in the eld in daylight and at night.

This is a relevant skill that could improve many airsofters game, for a number of reasons. The rst is that, even in airsoft, once you are close you dont want to let the enemy know where you are. Secondly, to

get close to the enemy in the rst place you need to know how to move without alerting them to your approach.

By using the basic movement techniques outlined here and using any available cover you should be able to get close to your target without detection. n

The Leopard CrawlThis movement is quite hard on the old elbows and knees but is great when you need to get somewhere in a hurry and have no real cover to speak of.

Crawl on the inside of your knees and elbows. Move by using alternate elbows and knees, rolling your body a little as you bend your knees. Keep your heels, head and body down and observe at all times.

When doing this movement with a ri e, hold the weapon with your right hand on the pistol grip and the left hand on the handguard (reverse if left-handed). Do you remember the cheap toy soldier that you used to be able to buy, that would crawl across the oor then re his weapon? Well, this is the exact same movement!

018 October 2011

The Cat Walk (Night)Not really a walk, as you crawl on your hands and knees, searching the ground in front of you for anything that is going to make a noise and give away your position, along with trip wires and booby traps.

Take it slowly and move forwards by putting your knee in places where your hand has been.

018 November 2011

The WalkThis is as simple as it sounds but there are a few steps (no pun intended!) that should always be followed.

Your ri e should always be held in the alert position, ready for action at any point. Always maintain that alertness when walking, observing in all directions. Be ready to take on the enemy. Dont walk on the at sole of your boots, use the edge to walk quietly and feel with your feet where you are placing them. It helps to keep your balance if you slightly bend your knees as you move.

The RollNot of major use in a regular airsoft game but for anyone who has ever been caught on a skyline or the crest of a hill, this maneuver is incredibly useful for getting you off there safely.

Protect your ri e, holding it closely into your side, keep your feet together and your body straight, and roll down the slope. I would suggest you do this at a controlled pace otherwise you could end up hurting yourself and (probably more importantly) your weapon.

Movement at night With the increasing number of MilSim and night games, being able to move ef ciently and quietly in the dark has become more important. Noise travels further at night (due to ambient noise being less and hearing senses being heightened) so it is especially essential.

Movements used during daylight are not necessarily suitable at night, they have to be adapted.


For more information about movement (and everything else a soldier needs to know), get yourself a copy of the Soldiers Pocket Book (Published by Military Pocket Books, SRP 8). Every soldier should have one in their kit.Military Pocket Books: 01430 472087, www.milpkbk.co.uk

SKILLS ROOM

The Ghost Walk (Night)Lift legs high, sweeping them slowly forwards. Feel gently with your toes for a safe place for each foot step then place your weight down gently. Keep your knees bent and use your left hand to feel the air in front of you, from head height to the ground, checking for any twigs or branches that you may snap, or even just move (which might alert the enemy).

This may also help detect any hidden trip wires or booby traps.

The Kitten Crawl (Night)This is slow and tiring, but a very quiet movement.

Lie on your front, moving any ground obstruction to one side, then lift your body on your forearms and toes (if you have done the plank in the gym you will know this movement). Press forward and lower yourself to the ground.

The movement is repeated until you have reached your target.

I would only use this movement when doing Close Target Reconnaissance and the like, where you are close to enemy positions and noise discipline is essential.

So there we have it: these basic movement techniques, when perfected, will help you move to your required position effectively and quietly whether day or night.

020 November 2011

BRITISH WOODLAND

DPM

REAL LOAD-OUTS

IN AN AIRSOFT WORLDLast issue we were out in Afghanistan, this time were a little closer to home with a British Army CEFO (Combat Equipment Fighting Order) loadout standard equipment for a British soldier.

1

2

3

4

5


LOAD-OUTS

1 HatDPM Jungle Hat (around 15)2 Shirt DPM Para Smock (around 10)3 Belt Airborne Webbing (around 25)4 Ri e WE Gas Blowback L85A2 (around 380)5 TrousersDPM Trousers (around 10)6 Boots Blackhawk Warrior Light Assault (around 145)

The hat, shirt, trousers and belt were bought from a local military surplus store. Check out our list of UKARA-approved retailers on page 82 to nd out where you can buy the kit featured.

22 October 2011

024 November 2011

FForest Laboratories Bexley site has seen many hard-fought airsoft battles. But on 21 August it was time to say goodbye for this

was the last day that airsoft would be played before the bulldozers moved in. The site is to be demolished to allow for the building of 54 apartments and 16 houses.

Fire ght Combat Simulations (FCS) had been using The Labs for nearly a year and its 120,000sq/ft of space, three oors and 150 rooms was perfect for its mix of action and education.

About 50 players turned up for the nal ing, the majority of whom seemed to be regular FCS players although there were one or two rst-timers. The huge, high-ceilinged Safe Zone was alongside a room in which every gun was chronographed and the site limit of 328fps strictly enforced. As each gun passed, a numbered sticker was applied, identifying it as

THE ENDOF AN ERA

They say all good things must come to an end and, for the Forest Laboratories complex in Bexley, that end came on 21 August 2011

FOREST LABS

having been chronographed and also for random checks through the day.

The day started with a few familiarisation games and, in true FCS style, progressed through a series of increasingly demanding, squad-based scenarios. Certain pyros were allowed (particularly those that went bang or made a lot of smoke!), and for this day the Perks System made a return.

The Perks System allows team leaders to select from a list of perks, such as an impervious riot shield, a 30-second head start, or a supply of pyros and allocate them to his individual squads. Using a perk at the right time could be the difference between winning and losing a game and added another dimension to the play.

Once serious play got underway, it soon became apparent that you really need to know your way around this place and it was quite easy to lose your bearings.

Before each game, Andy Janson (an FCS Director who was running the day) would give a brie ng and indicate the objectives on a oorplan of the building. However, nding room number 29, on the third oor, near the old lab in the annexe, while under re and nearly blinded by smoke, seemed to require either an uncanny sense of direction or a miracle..

Tell you what though The players loved it!

Regen was kept to a minimum and each game seemed to ebb and ow until one side eventually got the upper hand. The layout of the buildings meant that you couldnt sit still for too long without the risk of someone getting round behind you and, in one

instance, standing in the middle of an empty room was no guarantee of safety!

The game had not long started and a couple of squads were moving across the open expanse of a large, empty room. As they neared the centre of the room and without seeing where they

nding room number 29, on the third oor, near the old lab in the annexe, while under re and nearly blinded by smoke, seemed

to require either an uncanny sense of direction or a miracle


26 October 2011


FOREST LABS

Stop press! By the time you read this Fire ght Combat Simulations other site, in North eet, Kent, will also have seen its last ever game day, having been served notice for demolition. FCS also runs games at other sites, including The Mall, in Reading. Contact Fire ght Combat Simulations: 07973 240177, www. re ght.co.uk

came from, two grenades suddenly appeared at their feet. Needless to say the squads scattered, but not before most of them were taken out by the explosions. When the room had cleared suf ciently, they again moved across and, once again, a grenade appeared out of thin air. This time they were ready, nobody was taken out and they decided to wait and see what happened next.

They didnt have to wait long as a smoke bomb seemed to drop out of the ceiling, onto the spot where the grenades appeared. There was a pipe leading up through the ceiling that was just wide enough to drop a pyro down from the room above. Local knowledge used to great effect indeed!

After lunch the afternoon moved into more advanced scenarios that included High Value Target snatches and rounding up mercenaries, and culminated in a number of pretty intense re ghts.

When the nal whistle had been blown on the nal game, Andy called all the players together for the scores. Yes, one team had more points than the other but it didnt seem to matter. What really mattered was that everyone had a brilliant day and Forest Laboratories had been given a great send-off!

TEAM ORANGE

TEAM GREEN

THE FCS CREW

028 November 2011

I was inserted into the Task Force (TF) at a Forward Opera ng Base (FOB) in the Bousso region, where Divine Brotherhood of Roy (DBR) fi ghters were known to be ac ve. The Task Forces objec ve: to fi nd and capture the DBR Commander and eliminate the rest.

It was dark when I arrived at the patrol base, a derelict farmhouse standing on a small plateau at the end of a long valley. The quarters werent exactly fi ve star, but I found some fl oor space and a er a quick meal bedded down for the night. Sleep did not come easily but I eventually got a couple of hours shut-eye, having been assured there was no enemy nearby.

Dawn was beau ful and the sun came up to the sound of tea being made and weapons being readied. I would spend the day on patrol with Zulu (a four-man squad), checking buildings and searching for opposi on forces. Their High Value Target was the local DBR Commander who, from the picture Zulu had of him, was instantly named Ginger.

With briefi ngs complete Zulu moved out

cut the rope, removed the wood and, with perfect ming, burst in.

Nobody home but there certainly had been. Sleeping bags, food and clothing meant whoever was here was defi nitely coming back they could be acquired later on. Nothing was touched or moved, just photographed for evidence as the squad backed out of the building, re-tying the rope and replacing the wood as they le . With the informa on radioed back, the patrol con nued to their fi nal posi on without incident.

As the minutes cked by, nervous glances at the radio indicated that all was not well. They shouldve been extracted by now and the guys were ge ng edgy. Then the message came through: the DBR was a acking the FOB in large numbers. The squad needed to get back and there was only one way to go up and around. The valley side was steep, so steep that the contours on the map merged into one thick brown line. I cannot remember ever having so much water pour out of my body as on that climb, but remaining behind to face a rampaging DBR was not an op on!

of the FOB to their patrol area. Its strange, but no ma er how many mes you do it you always feel vulnerable leaving the FOB. To the guys it was just standard opera ng procedure but to me it felt like I was leaving safety and walking into danger somewhat prophe c as it turned out.

Zulu was to move along the valley to a par cular loca on, checking the status of previously iden fi ed buildings and looking for any sign of DBR ac vity. On reaching their objec ve they would be extracted back to the FOB by motorised transport.

It all seemed very peaceful as we moved through the fi elds, reminding me of walking in the Welsh Valleys although that seemed far away from where I was now. A hand signal brought me crashing back to reality as the patrol came to an abrupt halt and, with a li le encouragement from the man behind, I hit the ground.

The building ahead showed signs of occupa on: the door ed closed with a piece of rope Wood placed across the bo om to keep out wildlife... Zulu closed on the building,

STIRLING AIRSOFT

./$1 3(.-'4-32, -Embedded journalist James Phillips reports from Chad, where Stirling Airsofts All Out War continues. Although now largely free of rebel forces, many rural areas still hold pockets of resistance, sworn to ght to the last man


ALL OUT WAR

As we reached the top, chests heaving and hearts pounding, the sounds of a fi re-fi ght came from below and Zulu were o again, back down the slope. The DBR fi ghters were caught o -guard and those not killed were quickly taken cap ve and transported to the patrol base. No transport for the patrol though who, having linked up with two other Patrols, made their way back on foot.

The Base Commander later said he felt the DBR were just probing their defences and was sure there would be something more sustained a er dark. Interes ngly, the fi ghters they captured were not local DBR, they were from Eastern Europe. There were also reports of a group of Bri sh mercenaries, led by someone called Nick Dundee. Maybe there was more than just one story here.

One thing was obvious: the Task Force was outnumbered, probably by as much as three to one and I needed to fi nd out what was really going on. So having learnt the poten al loca on of their base, I walked out of the FOB alone, towards the DBR posi ons.

I have done some da things in my me, but walking up a forest track in the semi-dark, arms raised towards trigger-happy men armed with Kalashnikovs had to be one of the most stupid. Thankfully they didnt shoot and I was quickly placed face-down on the ground, searched thoroughly and ques oned by a man

calling himself The Priest. I explained that I had just arrived in Chad, wanted to write the other side of the story and needed to speak with his Commander. He disappeared for a while and when he returned I was hooded, taken to a building and sat cross-legged on the fl oor.

Eventually the hood was li ed and I found myself face to face with Ginger!

Although reluctant to give me any details, from their accents I guessed that Ginger and his men were also from Eastern Europe, possibly Poland or maybe Belarus. He spoke good English and told me that they were there because, having su ered under Soviet oppression, [they] could not stand by while the people of Chad were also being oppressed by an invading force, and they would help free the country from oppression and return Chad to the Chadian people. They were not mercenaries, or terrorists, they were freedom fi ghters, not fi gh ng for money, and were being supported by local people with food and shelter.

He was not going to tell me where they got their arms and ammuni on from though, but did agree to arrange a mee ng with another group of fi ghters also in the local area.

I found Ginger very persuasive but realised that he would not hesitate to shoot me if he felt I was a threat something I would bear in mind when I returned later that night, to see if the other mee ng was to go ahead.

Understandably, the FOB Commander was not best pleased when he learned of my solo excursion and only agreed to me going out again if I carried an IR locator, to be used if I found myself in the shit. And thats how I ended up si ng in the building Zulu

searched, talking to a group of four Lithuanian mercenaries.

These guys werent here because they sympathised with the local popula on: theirs was a more simple ideology money! They wouldnt tell me who they were working for or how long they had been in Country, only that they had been contacted by an agent who was paying them to fi ght. I didnt feel threatened and soon le for some food and a good kip.

I was woken by someone shou ng: Stand to! Stand to!

The sound of automa c fi re competed with explosions. Rounds ricocheted o the walls and I could hear Russian or Polish commands being shouted.

Ready for action: Zulu squad leader Jamez

030 November 2011

Operation Huntsman was part of Stirling Airsofts rolling storyline, All Out War: Tour of Duty. For more information visit the website: www.stirlingairsoft.com

Whats happening? I started to haul myself upright. There was a TF guy stood almost on top of me, sidearm drawn and pointed through whats le of the door. He only managed four words, Stay down, stay down, before he took a full clip to the chest and slumped to the fl oor.

I did as he said, pulled my sleeping bag over my head and stayed very, very s ll. Footsteps entered the room, stopped right beside me then le again. They must have seen the dead guy and assumed there was no-one else there. When I could hear English voices again I ventured out.

The Base Commander had been right. The FOB had been hit hard but, with a bit of luck and a huge e ort the a ackers had been repulsed. It was later discovered that two prongs of the rebel a ack mistook each other and started a huge blue on blue fi ght. As the two groups believed the defence was much stronger that it actually was, both bugged out again!

Needless to say there was no more sleep for me that night, although many of the guys seemed oblivious to what had happened and were soon snoring loudly.

Following a covert, pre-dawn stand to, prac cally every man was loaded into vehicles and headed o to re-inves gate the building in which I had met the Lithuanians. I dont know if it was the night-fi gh ng, or maybe too much vodka, but they were quite literally caught napping and all four were soon hauled out, bound and made to kneel outside. Closely guarded, they were placed into one of the vehicles and everyone headed back straight into an ambush.

As the lead vehicle approached the FOB it was hit by an IED and disabled. Everyone bailed out to take on the a ackers and I quickly followed.

I dont remember much, just a huge blinding fl ash followed by a percussion that blew me o my feet. It was like being hit in the chest by a wrecking ball while someone pounded on my head with a sledgehammer the a ackers had set a second IED and I was standing almost on top of it when it was triggered. Thankfully my fl ak-jacket and the quick ac ons of a medic meant my injuries were kept to a minimum and, apart from the mother of all headaches and a couple of scratches, I was OK. Both my Nikons survived

the blast too, a testament to how tough they are.

Back at the patrol base the prisoners were being interrogated, but another full-on assault was deemed imminent and they had no useful informa on so they were quickly processed and removed from the area.

The DBR build-up was slow and methodical and their forces didnt seem bothered about being seen; a er all they had strength in numbers and in the daylight would not be making the same mistake.

When they came, they came from opposing fl anks behind a wall of gunfi re but were met by a determined, well-entrenched defence. The a ack stu ered as one advance was halted and then turned back, allowing the defenders to reinforce the other fl ank.

With precision fi re and total commitment, soldiers picked o the opposi on in ever-increasing numbers un l the assault faltered and was over. Those DBR fi ghters s ll alive melted away into the trees. A small victory in a seemingly never-ending confl ict but a victory nonetheless.

A few hours and many handshakes later, I le the patrol base for the last me and headed back to the UK.

Theres defi nitely at least two sides to the story in Chad and its not over yet. Maybe one day Ill go back again. For now though, thanks to the guys from Zulu Patrol Jamez, Comedy, Dominic and Nick I owe you guys a few beers Cold ones!

To the guys it was just standard operating procedure but to me it felt like I was leaving safety and walking into danger somewhat

prophetic as it turned out!

Caught napping: Lithuanian mercenaries captured in Chad

032 November 2011

To say I was excited about the arrival of Deus Ex: Human Revolution would be an understatement. I still remember playing

the original Deus Ex many years ago and, after disappointing sequel Deus Ex: Invisible War, I was hoping that a prequel would be a return to the greatness that was the original game.

The story centres around Adam Jensen, a security manager for a human augmentation company, who is injured in an attack. To ensure he survives his injuries the company converts most of his body to machine. Now more than human Jensen sets out to nd out what happened in the attack, who was behind it and bring the attackers to justice, discovering a web of tangled lies and conspiracy along the way.

While playing the original game I spent most of my time in a state of confusion, not knowing who to trust or what choices to make. In Human Revolution I found the conspiracy story didnt really come across; I never found

Alex Wharton dives into the world of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, from Eidos

myself not knowing what to do or lost in a moral decision. It all seemed pretty straightforward to me, right until the end when all these different characters stepped out and revealed their great plan, at which point I could pick who I wanted to support. Despite billing itself as a game built around the idea


MEDIA REVIEW

The RPG elements of the game revolve around saving up XP and spending it on upgrades to your augmentations. This covers everything from better hacking and seeing through walls to complete invisibility. There are a few things you need to upgrade if you want to get through the game though, hacking in particular. It seems that locksmiths have gone out of fashion in the future,

as everything apartment doors, wall safes, random doors in the slums is now locked with a digital keypad. This means, if you dont know the code, you need to be able to hack. Jensen may be able to punch through brick walls, but a little keypad on a wooden door? Impenetrable barrier!

I generally play in an aggressive stealthy way (both in airsoft and computer games). In Deus Ex: Human Revolution this meant waiting for a gap between patrols, knocking guards out,

dragging bodies into vents to hide them and hacking my way through security systems. Occasionally lead needed to y and in such an eventuality theres a large assortment of weapons to choose from, all of which can be modi ed (pick up the explosive ammo mod for the revolver you wont regret it!).

Regardless of these little niggles I enjoyed playing through Human Revolution immensely its a damn sight better than Invisible War, at any rate. The levels were aesthetically well-designed and enjoyable to move through, even if linear. Enemies behaved slightly predictably but generally believably, and proved fun to ght against. Overall a worthy addition to your game collection, whether youre new to the Deus Ex franchise or a hardened veteran. n

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Developed by: Eidos Montreal Published by: Square EnixOut now on PC, PS3 and Xbox

of choice it didnt seem that any decisions I made mattered until right at the end and even that choice just dictates which ending video you watch. Remember to save at this point and you can watch them all.

The design and layout of the game world intensi es the lack of choice. The game plays out fairly linearly and there are only a few areas in which you get to run around completing side missions before progressing with the story.

Theres no denying that the game looks gorgeous though. Its set in a future only a few years from now, though it has undergone some major changes since. Technology has advanced at an incredible rate and changed the landscape considerably. Whether sewers or city streets or slums, locales look amazingly and believable thanks to the game engine.

You need to upgrade your hacking skills to nish the game. Jensen can punch through brick walls, but a keybad on a wooden

door? Impenetrable barrier!

34 October 2011

036 November 2011

Following last months Big Boyz Toyz, which was an intro into what sort of military hardware is available, I was really

spoilt for choice as to where to go next. But in terms of something thats affordable, usable every day if necessary, with low(ish) running costs and which doesnt require a specialist licence, it has to be ex-military Land Rovers.

The military Land Rover has been a familiar sight on UK, Western European and Middle Eastern roads for many a year, and in many different guises.

Fancy something rough, tough and synonymous with the British Army? Get yourself an ex-military Land Rover!

BIG BOYZ TOYZEX-MILITARY LAND ROVERS

Why Land Rover?During World War Two, Willys Jeeps and Chevrolet trucks were the mainstay of the British Army light and general service vehicles. They were used by both regular forces and, more famously, in Special Forces long-range operations. The British Government needed a vehicle of its own to do this work and commissioned Project FV1800. The rst prototype was shown in 1945 but, due to constant speci cation changes, did not enter production until the early 1950s. This vehicle was the Austin Champ.

In 1949 the British Army purchased a trial batch of Series 1 Land Rovers,

which they found complemented the Austin Champ. The Land Rover was cheaper, lighter and more economical than the Champ and was found to be an ideal multi-role vehicle.

Over a period of time the Land Rover was modi ed and became better suited to the British Armys needs. Production of the Austin Champ ceased after its initial contract of ve years, but the Army has continued to buy Land Rovers in all formats. Military Land Rovers have been in service with many nations around the world including Spain, Holland, Australia and Oman even the US Rangers adopted them recently.


LAND ROVERSVariantsThere have been so many variations used by the British Army that there must be one to suit everyone: short wheelbase (SWB), long wheelbase (LWB), lightweights, soft top, hard top, armoured, or even rarer, the Pink Panther/WMIK versions.

Up until the Defender series was adopted in the early 1990s, Land Rovers were powered mostly by the militarised version of their 2.25 litre petrol engine. Some variants, however, came with the famous 3.5 litre Rover V8. Early Defenders use a normally aspirated 2.5 litre diesel. If you have deeper pockets, the much newer Wolfs run a 300 turbo diesel power plant. Listed here are some of the most popular versions:

General Service (GS)These are, without doubt, the most widely available and affordable version on the market. You can choose SWB, LWB, soft top or hard top. Series IIAs and series IIIs are rather agricultural, while newer Defenders tend to be more car-like.

Fitted For Radio (FFR)These tend to be in LWB format and run a 24V system. Designed to carry Clansman/Larkspur radio systems these are instantly recognisable by the various antennae boxes.

LightweightsThese are only available in series IIA and series III versions so come with a 2.25 litre petrol engine. Designed in the 1960s/70s speci cally to be air portable to meet modern requirements, these were a stripped down SWBs. They have a cult following and are very popular with off-road enthusiasts.

AmbulanceBased on the LWB chassis and tted with an ambulance body built by Marshalls of Cambridge, these have proved popular for camper conversions. Great as a team vehicle for long weekend events!

Armoured/SnatchOriginally designed as an internal security vehicle for use in Northern Ireland, early versions were commonly known as Piglets and modern versions as Snatches. The armour added signi cant extra weight and early Piglets were still powered by the 2.25 litre petrol engine, so you can guess how they drive! The Snatch versions, which have only recently become available on the market, are powered by the Rover 3.5 litre V8.

Centaur Half-TrackBased on a V8 Land Rover but incorporating the track system from the CVRT light tank project, this version worked surprisingly well and served with a number of Armies including Oman.

Forward Control 101Completely different to normal Land Rovers, these were designed speci cally for military use and debuted in 1972. They rst entered service in 1975 and were available in GS and FFR variants, powered by the 3.5 litre V8. They are not very comfortable and were known for being top-heavy. Due to a small production run these have achieved collector status and thus command higher prices. Still, a fantastic bit of kit.

Pink Panthers/WMIKs (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit)Perhaps the most famous and the most sought-after are the Special Forces long-distance recce vehicles. Dripping with armaments and based on LWB chassis, these were designed to be a self-contained, heavy weapons platform. Approximately only 100 series IIAs were adapted by the SAS for desert use, though the project was continued through series III and up to modern day 110s. The WMIKs are used more widely by regular Army units and are currently used in Afghanistan.

38 October 2011


Ex-military vehicles can be bought from a number of sources, including: www.milweb.net a good variety of equipment and loads of Classi eds www.mod-sales.com Witham Specialist Vehicles MoD Sales Agent www.ljacksonandco.com Ex-MoD and NATO disposal company

A quick search on Google will nd many more companies but, as with all vehicles, make sure you do your research and have good look over (and test drive) any vehicle before you buy.

Many thanks to Bill Hay eld (www.paintman.co.uk) and Adrian, from Adrians Tomcat (www.adrianstomcat.co.uk) for the Land Rover pictures used in this article.

Buying an ex-military Land RoverThere are many resource sites, specialist magazines and clubs to help you in purchasing the Land Rover of your choice. The Ex-Military Land Rover Association is probably the biggest such organisation.

As with buying any vehicle, dont buy the rst one you see. Do your research and have a good look around to get a feel of what is out there for your budget. Big MoD disposal companies, such as Withams, always have fresh stock arriving, but sites like www.milweb.net have a wider variety of classi ed ads.

Parts are plentiful and cheap and Land Rovers are fairly easy to work on, so make a great project vehicle for learning about maintenance and mechanics.Insurance can be relatively cheap, and can be discounted further if you are a member of an organisation such as Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) or The Ex-Military Land Rover Association.

SummaryEx-military Land Rovers are probably the best project for new starters to undertake, and they have the added advantage of being the most useful of all military vehicles available.

For airsoft use it means you can pack all of your kit and the rest of your team to save cost, and it doesnt matter if the skirmish site is in the middle of nowhere as a Landie will get you there. The Defender series makes a sensible

choice as an everyday vehicle with the added bonus that, with recent winters being what they have been, you will have a vehicle that will still get you from A to B.

For a speci c vehicle type to be in service with the forces for over 50 years is a testament to its durability and effectiveness as a multi- role vehicle. As the adverts say: The best 4x4 by far!

LAND ROVERS

040 November 2011

YOUNG GUNSM

ost young players absolutely love airsoft when they start playing. They start to constantly think of all sorts of

things, but the main one we all think about is: what guns and kit should I buy? What should I buy next?

I know because I am a young player and from my own experience I can recommend what I think is the best Starter Kit. Its affordable and will

give you everything you need to start playing airsoft without needing rental equipment. So lets start with the boring stuff that some people (such as my father) enjoy far too much, the kit.

I advise you to start cheap. One of the very few let-downs of airsoft is that it can get expensive and you dont want to start spending big money until you get addicted. Dont let that put you off it though, as its easy to manage your money in

airsoft. Its a bit like a card game swapping, selling and buying things all the time. Anyway, as I said, start cheap, and the cheapest thing I can think of is the most common: British DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) Camouflage.

You can pick this up at any hunting or military surplus store, on forums or on eBay pretty much anywhere. Its cheap too: the trousers can be picked up for about 20 and the shirt roughly


YOUNG GUNSpeople will understand why youre using one and appreciate that you actually want to get into the sport and take an interest.

Ground Zero Weekender 2011: I was there, were you? Because if you werent Im disappointed in you! The Ground Zero Weekender is the biggest airsoft event in the United Kingdom, with more than 1,600 players this year (the numbers get bigger every year) and was one of the best weekenders Ive been to. Ive been to three in total now and already plan to book that date in August off every year for the rest of my life!

If you asked me to describe what the weekender was like in one sentence, Id say: the best boys weekend ever. Guns, camping, killing people, and a hell of a lot of decent airsoft with good friends and good strangers alike. What more could you ask for than an eventful and exhilarating weekend to top off your summer holidays?

Every year I go is a memory worth keeping and every year when I leave I want to go back. It is a shame that the weekender is only two days long I get depressed when I have to leave. Thank H (the great chap who runs Ground Zero) for that!

If you havent been before all I can say is, you better book your tickets for next year! You just have to go. Its a great opportunity to play a sport we all love, meet new people and have a seriously great time. I couldnt emphasise that point any more than I already am. Its just that good. n

10, and in most cases cheaper than that. I also suggest getting some boots, black preferably. You all know where you can pick up a pair of boots, and there are no specific kinds I recommend but I suggest you get military ones. This is for safety reasons, as many people I know have fallen while playing and, because they were wearing trainers or something without ankle support, have been injured.

In addition, a cheap (roughly 25) Viper combat vest is a great piece of kit for carrying magazines, drinks, radio and whatever else you need.

If any of you are like my father and get seriously hooked on airsoft, you will surely have more than one set of kit. Even I do except I have four

load-outs... Not nine. Your kit will change just like the rest of your game the more you play, so I wouldnt worry about much more than what has already been mentioned while youre starting out thats a topic for later.

Now to my favourite subject: the guns. Again theres not much point spending loads straight away you need something fairly cheap, but reliable. My personal recommendation here is a Classic Army MP5A2. Theyre not expensive (around 100) but reasonable weapons, and shouldnt give you any trouble.

If youre under 18, and your parents refuse to buy your weapons for you, then a two-tone gun is really your only option for getting into airsoft. Im not a big fan of two-tone guns, but most

42 October 2011


COMPETITIONWIN...WIN...WIN...Airsoft ActionsCAMOUFLAGE COMPETITION ISSUE 2

W elcome to the second part of our Camou age Competition. Heres a quick recap on how it works.

On the Contents page you will nd a box containing a camou age pattern. Each of the rst 12 issues will feature a different pattern it is these you have to identify. Each will be a real camou age pattern, veri ed by the International Camou age Uniform Society.

In Issue 13 we will print an entry form for you to ll in, listing the 12

different camou age patterns, and return it to us.

Some of the patterns will be simple to identify but some will be a little trickier we dont want to make it too easy!

And this is what you could win:In Issue One we started a Prize

Pot, which we will keep adding to. By the end of the competition there will be at least 12 prizes for the winner, as well as prizes for the second and third placed entries.

The rst item into the pot was a set of A-TACS, kindly donated

by Gunman Airsoft Midlands. This month we are adding not one but two more prizes: a group of Airsoft Innovations Tornado Impact and Timer grenades, and everything you need to make them go bang, plus your choice of weapon from the new M&C Weapons Systems range of AKs.

Not bad eh? Were only at Issue Two and already the prize pot is worth a sizeable sum!

Dont forget to order your copy of Airsoft Action Issue Three to be in with a chance of taking the pot! n

Last months pattern didnt seem to give you any trouble, but this months may not be so easy!

44 October 2011


GZ WEEKENDER

Is there any other word to describe 1,600+ airsofters from Europe and all over the UK, gathered for a weekend of non-stop airsoft? To say that The

National Airsoft Event (NAE) was big is like saying the Arctic is a bit chilly both are right but neither comes close to the truth!

Ground Zeros weekender promised to be the biggest to date, so what better place to launch the UKs newest and brightest airsoft magazine, Airsoft Action?

The NAE took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and, from the moment we arrived on the Friday, we noticed just how warm the atmosphere felt. Players were steadily arriving, tents were going up and even the threat of rain wasnt able to dampen the infectious enthusiasm pervading the site.

It didnt take long for people to notice the Airsoft Action banners. Soon a steady stream of players made their way over to our marquee, to have a chat and pick up a free copy of Issue One. With no play today, it was great to be able to spend time with the people that matter, talking about airsoft and getting their feedback on the magazine.

AWESOME!

046 November 2011

If the sound of 1,600 voices shouting hurrah, followed by 1,600 guns ring into the air doesnt make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, I suggest you check that you still have a pulse!

Play was scheduled to start at 10:30 on Saturday. By 10:00 players had started moving off to The Landing Zone for the main brie ng, where one of those moments that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up occurred

Before the Site Manager (known simply as H) got into his brie ng proper, he made an announcement about 18-year-old William Morris, a member of Liverpool-based team Bob Marleys Ninjas who passed away the previous week. H asked the crowd to join him in giving three hurrahs in Williams memory.

If the sound of 1,600 voices shouting hurrah, followed by 1,600 guns ring into the air doesnt make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, I suggest you check that you still have a pulse!

With everyone settled again, players received a thorough brie ng on the dos and donts for the weekend before moving off to their respective start points, to await Game On!

If you have never been to a big game it must be dif cult to grasp just how it feels. There was a bit of banter and clowning but it seemed subdued, sti ed by an air of tension that was almost palpable. If this is what it is like

By the time it started getting dark and we headed off for the evening, there was a large pile of empty magazine boxes in the van and a whole lot of players sitting around having a good read.


GZ WEEKENDERWEEKENDER FACTSTotal number of players: 1,602Number of emails received about the event: 2,158Number of information pages printed to go inside the Starter Packs: 17,500Time it took to print them: 17 hoursAmount of shock cord used to make player tags: More than a mile!

refuge behind a very large tree. What followed set the pattern for much of the weekend: groups of players would push forwards, smaller groups or even individuals made forays and harassed the opposition, while others set off to achieve the current objective.

I am not going to go into a blow-by-blow account of everything that happened over the weekend, as there was simply far too much going on. Instead, Ill let the photos do the talking

I accompanied Team Others, racing along with them until they ran into a fusillade of re and scattered into the trees. Players were calling Hit right, left and centre and I also took a number of hits (an orange hi-viz is no protection in a barrage!), before nding

in an airsoft game, what must it have been like for those poor blokes waiting to go over the top?

When it came, Game On involved smoke, rockets, pyros and enough noise to ensure there could be no doubt that play had started!

048 November 2011

On Sunday afternoon another salvo of rockets signalled Game Over and, as players returned from the battle eld for a cuppa, I took the opportunity to ask how the weekend had gone for them.

The National Airsoft Event is a mammoth undertaking and congratulations are in order to Neil and Dan Collins, H and all his marshals and everyone else who was involved, for giving us such an awesome weekend of airsoft!

THE FINAL SCORESDelta (White): 7,800Others (Blue): 6,700Bravo (Orange): 6,600

Cutting through the superlatives (of which there were plenty) the overall consensus seemed to be: What a bloody great weekend! Yes, I heard of instances of overkill, of players not taking their hits and of players not returning to regen but those players were, as usual, by far in the minority. The vast majority of players had had a brilliant weekend, and many that we spoke to said that they would de nitely be back next year and so will Airsoft Action!

Fearsome kit: there was some impressive weaponry on show throughout the weekend

Our youngest fan: Charliegives his opinion on Issue One

Sharpshooter: a Team Delta player picks his target

From the land that gave us Arnie, The Sound of Music and Red Bull comes a different kind of cool the Glock 17. Scott Allen compares three manufacturers options

GLOCK 17GLOBAL PISTOL

050 November 2011


PISTOL REVIEWThe Glock pistol has become an icon in the last couple of decades. I remember being so in awe of one while

watching Die Hard I was even able to forgive John McLean for calling it a German-made pistol. He was close enough.

They are popular in real life as well as in Hollywood, used by armed forces and government agencies all over the world, as well as the civilian market.

With a plethora of calibres, barrel lengths and magazine sizes as well as single-shot and full-auto options, there are around 25 different models on the market today. The Glock has been truly adapted and changed for every industry possible. Despite this Glock continues to revisit its design and improve upon each generation the latest changes include 20mm rail attachments and improved frame design.

In this article we are going to be comparing three of the most popular airsoft reproductions of the Glock 17: KJ Works, Tokyo Maruis and KWAs.

Bear in mind that each of these companies (and, of course, several others) produces many variants of the Glock 17, although most are similar in external appearance so we will gloss over these slight differences and talk about the really essential stuff which one is best and why.

We tested each with Abbey Predator Ultra and Blaster 0.20g BBs, at a room temperature of 18C. You could use more powerful gases in each of the pistols tested but I opted for one of the most common propellants found on skirmish sites.

Airsoft players love to tinker. Why leave something that works well alone

First up: KJ WorksThe KJ Works (Taiwan) Glock is fairly priced as a good entry-level skirmishing pistol.

This Glock features a metal top slide, though the lower frame is plastic to re ect the real versions polymer frame. Of the three we reviewed this is the least powerful, and also has the worst nish. On the ipside, if you are looking for an entry-level sidearm to be used occasionally, this isnt a bad choice at all.

Magazines are cheaper and there are a few upgrades available. Itll take the most powerful airsoft gases too.

This version gave around 270fps.Expect to pay around 90-100 (spare magazines around 22)

when it could, potentially, work even better after a few tweaks? KWA and Tokyo Marui are probably the easiest

companies to get upgrades for. These upgrades range from high- ow valves (to release more gas), routers (to improve the seal between the magazine and pistol), new hop rubbers and tighter barrels. There are even entire replacement body kits available, although I have only ever seen a few that worked really well. One very simple thing you can change, which might be worth consideration, is the weight of your ammunition.

I know of many players that now use heavyweight BBs in their pistols, for the bene ts of improved range and accuracy.

When you have made the decision to purchase a pistol it is well worth thinking about whether you intend to leave it all alone or if you are going to head down the never-ending route of expensive upgrades.

They are popular in real life as well as in Hollywood, used

by armed forces and government agencies all over the world

052 November 2011

In conclusion:KJ Works Glock 17 is nice and well-priced. Better performance in warmer environments than full-on winter games. Bearing in mind there are no trademarks this pistol gives you something that looks the part and will be great for the odd bit of use.

Tokyo Marui is the long standing favourite of airsoft players all over the world, and quite rightly so. If you want a good all-round and accurate replica of the Glock 17 then it doesnt get much better than Tokyo Maruis. Dont be put off by the plastic construction its still pretty tough.

KWA boasts the System 7 (aka NS2) system, so its pistols are ef cient and often work slightly better than TMs. You do not have the accurate trademarks but it does have a metal top slide and more power. Certainly the one I would buy! n

And Finally: KWAThe nal version we looked at is the KWA (Taiwan) Glock. Like the KJ Works model it has a metal top slide and a plastic lower frame, but the quality and overall nish is very high. These pistols use the System 7 gas ow, which basically means it is uber-ef cient. KWA (and the re-branded versions for KSC in Japan) is often thought

to be TMs main rival personally I favour KWA. They boast greater power than any other version tested,

re ected in the marginally higher price, although they dont have the trademarks. Again, there are a large number of upgrades

possible to give you a very high-end pistol.

This version provided 310fps.Expect to pay around 105-115

(spare magazines around 30)

Second up: Tokyo MaruiThe Tokyo Marui (Japan) version of the Glock 17 is fully plastic, though it does feature the proper trademarks.

Plastic isnt always a bad thing the lighter top slide means you have less weight to move so it will work better all year round and the nish is still superior to the KJ Works version. De-spite its construction it does still feel hefty and tough.

TM are often seen as one of the top producers of pistols, although I believe that KWA are slightly better. There are loads of upgrades for the TM Glocks, inside and outside.

This version produced 280fps in our tests.

Expect to pay around 110-115 (spare magazines around 25)

To purchase any of the pistols tested, or enquire about prices, check out the advertisers in this issue or ick to page 82 to contact a UKARA-registered retailer.

Many thanks to Land Warrior Airsoft for providing the consumables used to test these guns:www.landwarriorairsoft.co.uk

54 November 2011


SITE REVIEW

If you were to go back in time to August last year the name Nomad Airsoft would be unheard of. A year later and Nomad is one of the most

popular sites in Scotland, with a large player base and a great reputation as a fantastic place to play.

I have frequented Nomad for the last year and it has become my regular site, so I have a lot I could say but for this article I will review the last game day I played.

Nomad Airsoft is rapidly becoming a very popular site. Barry Collins reports from North of the Border

NOMAD AIRSOFTFENWICK, SCOTLAND

I arrived at the site, located just outside Fenwick in Scotland (a 20-minute drive from Glasgow so very handy for anyone from that neck of the woods). The first thing you notice is that this is no ordinary woodland site as there is a very large (and I mean huge) gravelled car park. This is a nice bonus as I have seen cars fall apart going up the so-called roads to some sites. Nomad is situated directly opposite the Rowallen Activiy Centre, an equestrian venue which houses a cafeteria, toilets, showers, the works. To top that off, airsofters have access to the building for food and such.

The Safe Zone is close by and comprises several large, roofed sheds able to hold at least 10 players each, plus kit and whatever else you have with you.

The marshaling at Nomad is top notch. They dont let players mess about and waste time, so as I was finishing getting ready the marshals were already calling players up for the safety brief. At the end of the brief the first game was announced: Attack the Church.

The Church is a large bulding with a bell tower and multiple rooms and windows, a great CQB/kill room which the defenders have to hold for as long as possible against the clock.

Defenders have one-life-and-out, attackers unlimited. I enjoy this game greatly as it is a good warm up and really gets the blood flowing. I was in the defenders team for this game and (as usual) was taken out rather quickly. This allowed me to watch

056 November 2011

next to move. You would think the attacking side were one large team who have played together a lot, but you would be wrong. This style of

game breeds tactics and you see everyone quickly getting a grasp of the play; even first-timers become great team players.

The long game before lunch was locate the downed pilot. This runs the scenario that a pilot has been downed and rebel forces are after him for obvious reasons, while government forces advance to retrieve their comrade. This is a brilliant game which utilises the entire site, making the game very

enthralling (although I decided to sit out for this one and take some photos while watching the fantastic gameplay).

some of the fantastic maneuvers of the attacking team who were leap-frogging well, with each unit laying down suppression fire to allow the

The attacking team were leap-frogging well, with each unit

laying down suppression re to allow the next to move. Youd think

they played together often


SITE REVIEW

Contact Nomad Airsoft:www.nomadairsoft.com

PricesWalk On: 15Hire Player: 40 (includes walk-on, AEG, Hi-Cap magazine, 3,000 BBs, full-face mask or safety glasses)

All in all, I think Nomad Airsoft is a great experience, a great site and one of the most well-run and organised airsoft sites in Scotland. n

After lunch it was time for a long game called find the drugs.

In short, the government has sent in the Army with the support of the US DEA Task Force, to clear out the FARC rebels drug operation. Drug blocks were strewn throughout the site, and each team had to locate them. The team with the most blocks wins. Simple? I think not!

This game is normally confined

to a section of the site dubbed The Village and the action can be unreal. This is where some amazing teamwork is born, snipers come into their own and a certain level of courage is required, as you could be rounding the corner of a building into a volley of fire! This game is fantastic, as despite their playing style it has something for every player.

The day came to a close with a small pistol/shottie game in the Church, which was a nice way to end the day.

Seeing the teams spread out and cover the entire site searching for the pilots was quite amusing as the pilots (who were marshals) are very good at hiding. After an hour or so of searching and battling each other the government forces located the pilots and managed to get them back to safety!

Lunch was called at this point and all the players assembled and had a chat about the games, kills they got and hits they took.

58 October 2011


FIRST-TIMER

The adventures of an airsoft virgin, with Ant Platt

LOSING MYAIRSOFT VIRGINITYT

he Safe Zone felt a hell of a lot safer when we had it to ourselves. Once the rest of the players started turning up and unloading

their arsenal I felt entirely unprepared. Suddenly the AK47 lying on the table looked no more effective than a wooden club when compared to the veritable armoury surrounding us. Id caught a sly glance down the register and knew there was only one other player whod booked hire kit. When he turned out to be an 11-year-old boy, Ill admit I felt out of my depth.

Im not a soldier. Im no macho action man. Im not even remotely t a light jog to the bus stop is enough to turn me into a quivering, wheezing wreck. And its been several long years since I had played with BB guns. What, I couldnt help wondering, was I thinking?

In short, I was thinking I ought to try it. Even just once, to see what its like. Id read the articles, Id seen the pictures, Id perused the weaponry and kit. But if I wanted to write on the subject with any authority I simply had to get out there and try it. So there I was: stood outside the Safe Zone at the Grange, Gunman Midlands, dressed in my borrowed fatigues and draining yet another cigarette while the rest of the players arrived.

Though nervous I had thankfully done a little research, and nothing

Im no soldier, but give a little boy a gun and hell feel like a

superhero. Thats all airsoft is the kind of thing that appeals to

boys who never grew up

060 November 2011060 November 2011

in the safety brie ng surprised me except how friendly and approachable the marshals were. The rules are straightforward, and while safety is top priority, fun is always nearby in the pecking order. As opposed to the more stiff-upper-lip approach to guns and shooting encountered in other arenas, the marshals know that airsoft guns are toys, and can be treated as such so long as the safety rules are followed. Theres something exquisitely satisfying about holding an AK47 one-handed at arms length, decimating bushes like a pissed-off gangster something 11-year-old Pierce was quick to pick up on.

For the rst few games of the day simple 20-minute attack and defend scenarios over relatively small areas I was de nitely displaying a little classic English reserve, tagging on to father-and-son groups for some con dence and direction. Come the afternoon, however, I was up front with the best of them. Im no soldier, thats for sure but give a little boy a gun and hell feel like a superhero, and from what Ive seen thats all airsoft is. Its cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers, US forces and Viet Cong the kind of thing that appeals to boys who never grew up.

Many of my friends, on hearing that

I would be enjoying a spot of airsofting (and after I had shown them what it actually is) sniggered that it was a geeky thing to do. They assumed all airsofters would be wanna-be soldiers, out-of-shape middle-aged men looking to recapture a shade of their youth, or

FIRST-TIMERS THOUGHTSMatt Phillipson, 16, WarwickBefore the under-18s day at The Grange I didnt know airsoft existed. I watched a few videos online and it looked to me like playing a videogame, except from the inside something that appealed to me instantly.

I liked the aspect of realism, which really immerses you in the game. Whether attacking or defending you take your role seriously, and work with your teammates to repel the enemy.

I found the hire weapons a little dif cult they werent very accurate and struggled to re out much further than 25ft. As a rst-timer it added another handicap, but also made me want to get my UKARA registration so I can buy my own weapon!

Mission success: laying explosives in the tower


FIRST-TIMER

WHERE AND WHENGunman Airsoft Midlands, Under-18s event, Saturday 6 AugustCost: 20 walk-on, 20 hire kit (camo jacket/trousers, facemask, vest, AEG with two mags), 10 for 5,000 BBs.

Gunman seems an ideal place for beginners. Its not a sprawling metropolis of a site and we covered most all of it during the day, but it has plenty of features to keep a player interested, including some nifty little CQB areas.

The marshals were faultless, amiable and helpful chaps who didnt once seem to mind the newbie asking silly questions (or misplacing the top receiver of his gun).

The onsite shop has a range of weapons to drool over, as well as protective gear, tactical kit, pyros, camo clothing to suit all pockets and, curiously, fencing swords.Contact Gunman Airsoft Midlands: 01676 532384, www.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk

spotty, virginal 20-somethings trying to project a macho image they cant attain in any other medium. Which is a bit like saying all butchers are sadistic cannibals who take pleasure in eviscerating helpless animals. Not only is it a vast sweeping prejudice, its ridiculous. Airsoft is a hobby like any other. Some people like to dress up in super-tight Lycra for a few hours cha ng on a bicycle, others like to dress up in camo for a few hours battle in a forest in Dorset. Whats the difference?

I will admit, though, that I had been a little worried about what the other players would be like. Part of me was expecting a group of super-serious guys who act like they really are at war, like this truly is a game of life-or-death. I neednt have bothered, though while there surely are airsofters like that, the group I played with were just regular dudes, many with their younger sons, out to enjoy a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was reassuring, and I felt more level-pegged than I probably should have.

As it was an under-18s event Id estimate that half of the players were younger than that. Gunman Midlands can take children as young as 11, and

to be perfectly honest I cant think of a better way to get kids outside, active and doing something. Most of them spend uncountable hours playing war on their Xbox anyway Id bet my last quid theyd jump at the chance to try airsoft if they but knew what it was. Its just a shame the cost is prohibitive its not something I could afford to do every week whether youre hiring kit or buying it.

Besides the cost there is nothing I can criticise, though (and thats not a criticism of Gunman Midlands, more the sport in general). Ive played a few games of paintball in my time, as most people have; I loved it, as it provided a rush you couldnt get anywhere else (or so I thought). But airsoft trumps it. Airsoft xes everything I

didnt like about paintball the silly guns and ninja-style out ts, one-hit-and-out death rules, and huge cost of ammunition which only serves to increase the realism and, ultimately, the rush it gives you. From the rst wobbly-legged moments on the eld to successfully leading a four-man team against entrenched defenders in the oil depot, airsoft was something else. It is an unforgettable adrenaline-fuelled experience.

And I am ecstatic to announce that my airsoft virginity has now been well and truly busted. Ive experienced the game rsthand, and enjoyed it a lot more than Id expected to. Not only did I learn a lot about airsoft itself I took pride in my accomplishments (meagre as they may be to experienced skirmishers) and felt like Id bloody well earned my pint afterwards. My legs were more knackered after a days airsofting than they have been in years.

So I did what I came to do I tried it. And I know for sure that Ill be going back for more.

062 November 2011

Four pairs of glasses and ve pairs of gloves are going to be put through their paces over the next few months as we separate the best from the rest

GLASSES AND GLOVES

Boll Contour ClearBoll has been making safety glasses for many years. It has a wide range, which are supplied to both the police and military.

Boll Contour are a pair of clear, lightweight 21g safety glasses, supplied with a drawstring bag to protect the lenses, and can also be used for cleaning them after use.SRP: 12.99

Viper Tactical GlassesViper is probably better-known for its pouches and tactical vests, but within its range are Viper Tactical Glasses.

These come in a hard carry case with four interchangeable lenses of different colours, all encased in soft foam padding. Theres a soft drawstring bag included too, as well as a cleaning cloth and an attachment for prescription lenses. SRP: 39.95

ESS Crossbow ESS is a very well-known brand within the military market and its products are issued both to the US and UK Armed Forces and many other nations.

They are supplied in a hard case, with three different coloured lenses, each with their own soft case to protect the lens and for cleaning.SRP: 98

Eyes and hands two very important parts of our anatomy that need to be properly protected.

Eyes because, well, that should be obvious, and hands because it hurts like hell when you take one on the knuckle and they are nice, big, juicy, visible targets!

We have gathered a selection of glasses and gloves which are going to be eld-tested to the limit (and probably beyond). This article will give a brief overview of each piece of kit on test from Issue Three we will see how well they have coped, or not as the case may be. Without further ado... n


5.11 Tactical Series Taclite 25.11 Tactical is another well-known brand, producing everything from uniforms to bags and gloves.

The Taclite 2 is designed as a lightweight second skin glove. Second skin gloves offer protection of the hands without sacri cing the sense of touch, as you might with a thicker glove. However they only offer limited protection and are designed for light use only.

Made with a sheep skin palm and four-way stretch material on the uppers, these are very light and fast drying, should they get wet.

They have a Velcro strap at the wrist for a secure t. SRP: 35

BlackHawk S.O.L.A.G. (Special Operations Light Assault Glove) H.D. with KevlarBlackHawk gloves have been around a few years now, and so has its SOLAG Range. The gloves we have to test are the SOLAG HD with Kevlar with HD standing for heavy duty.

The glove is of a leather and Kevlar construction and has leather-covered, moulded hardshell knuckle and nger protection along with reinforced ngertips. There are also adjustment straps to ensure a secure t.

As with all things that land on my door step, I look forward to testing these gloves to within an inch of their life!SRP: 62.99

Oakley SI M FrameOakley has in recent years moved into the military and police market, supplying, among other things, ballistic glasses within this range are the SI M frames.

M frames come in a hard case, containing two lenses, one clear and one dark. Also supplied is a soft drawstring bag and a cleaning kit, including cleaning uid.SRP: 80.85

HWI Gear Hard Knuckle Tactical GloveHWI Gear is a relatively new company but it has a wealth of experience behind them and have supplied both the police and military.

The glove is tight tting but exible. The back is made from re- and cut-resistant Kevlar material, and the palm from leather. On top of the leather palm is an aniline goatskin covering. The knuckles are protected by a hard knuckle piece with foam padding to make it a little more comfortable. Available in sage and black.SRP: 58

KIT REVIEW

64 November 2011


Line of Fire Pointman GlovesLine of Fire is a totally new brand to me but I was impressed when I was rst shown the capabilities of these gloves.

What makes these Line of Fire gloves unique is a system the company calls Technology Enhanced Grip System (TEGS). It utilises a revolutionary material on the palm and ngers, which increases grip up to 240 per cent when used in conjunction with the provided TEGS Tape.

The gloves are made from nomex and leather and of course the TEGS material on the palms and ngers, and feature hard knuckle and nger protectors made from polyurethane.

For securing the gloves to the hands there is a Velcro strap across the wrist. Available in black only.SRP: 82

Oakley SI Pilot GloveOakley-made protective gloves are used by military units the world over. The gloves that I have to test are the updated version of the original SI gloves. At the request of the US military, Oakley added a full-grain leather palm with microventing.

The gloves are made from a four-way stretch material, which allows for a really tight t but doesnt restrict movement. Like many gloves these days, they have hard knuckle protection, this time made from carbon bre. There are also four small vents, courtesy of the US military, on each of the ngers to help keep the hands cool.

A Velcro strap secures the gloves at the wrist. Available in black and khaki tan.SRP: 32.82

So thats the kit and the rst of it is going to get a beasting at Tier 1s Operation Rolling Thunder event.

Taken a fancy to anything on show? Flick to page 82 to contact a UKARA-approved retailer for prices and to buy.

A big thanks to all companies that supplied kit for this article:

Level Peaks:

Issue 02 - Nov 2011

Documents

Transcript of Issue 02 - Nov 2011