A Manchester based airsofter & fellow blogger as well getting around on a few familiar airsoft forums, meet:

Player Name:

Chris Carmont AKA Carmont

Age:

19

Occupation:

Hotel Goods Control, & PTGairsoft Creator

Regular Skirmish Sites:

I don’t really have a regular site, I like to keep it fresh, But I would say SWAT Airsoft Area51 is one of my fav's.

Airsoft Experience:

Not long, around 14 months or so, but I’ve done alot in that time.

Team:

PTG

What got you started in airsofting?

I’ve always had an interest in all things military and I come across a video on YouTube of a bunch of lads in some woodland shooting at each other, from then I’ve been hooked. That was about 3-4 years ago now.

Armoury:

Magpul PTS Masada,
KWA Glock 17,
G&P M4 Sentry,
TM M14 with DMR Body kit,
Socom Gear 1911
& Growing!

Load Out:

I really like the PMC look, so I usually play in some tan cargo pants, black t-shirt, Baseball cap. But PTG (My team) have just changed our look to OD, so I got myself a full set of Helikon OD SFU’s.

Fav Item of Kit:

This is a toughie, I would have to say my Magpul PTS Masada. It’s a solid gun and shoots beautifully

Top Tip:

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Fav War Movie:

Black Hawk Down, I’m an aspiring pilot, so I’m naturally drawn to this.

Interests:

Airsoft obviously, I do like he occasional fishing trip, and I’m a big helicopter junkie.

Follow PTG Airsoft on all these Social networking sites:
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/PTGairsoftTV
Blogger http://www.PTGairsoft.blogspot.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/#!/PTGairsoft

PTG Airsoft Blog Check it out! (click banner):

All Pictures courtesy of their respective owners via Carmont

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

A well known North West Airsofter & collector, known to many on a few airsoft forums including the MANC-AS web forums:

Player Name:

Rob “Riotharmus” Campbell

Age:

32

Occupation:

Quality Assurance Engineer

Regular Skirmish Sites:

I don’t play at one site regularly, I prefer to travel round and try as many new sites as possible.

Airsoft Experience:

2.5 years or so at organised games, collected airsoft “models” for 15+ years.

Team:

None

What got you started in airsofting?

The fact it was a more tactical version of paintball and the chance to shoot my mates…

Armoury:

TM Sig P226 + tan body and wood grips
A&K M60 E4
Galaxy MP5K (completely rebuilt and tuned)
TM FAMAS SV

Load Out:

Clothing: Lowa Desert Boots, Tan Claw Gear Stalker Trousers, Helikon Ranger Green Softshell, Mechanix lightweight gloves.

LBE: WAS 901 Chest Rig with various pouches, IMI Pistol Holster

For the longest time I insisted on wearing a full CIRAS style plate carrier with belt order, then had a bit of a rethink and slimmed my kit down to just belt order and low profile harness after a while I fancied a change and ended up with the chest rig set up.. leaves me with plenty of options and more than enough room to carry everything.

I’m not really inspired by any real deal units, don’t get me wrong I’ve built loadouts before (USMC themed) but now I like to try and find something that works primarily and it’s a bonus if it looks nice. I’m happy with what I’ve go right now (if anything it’s close to a ranger load out, but that’s purely coincidental) I think with the addition of a MICH and some bits I’m about done…. Till next time!

Fav Item of Kit:

I’m not sure I have a favourite, I love all my kit.. but by far my most useful has been my gerber multitool, everyone should have one!

Top Tip:

There’s an airsoft game for everyone, be it running around full pelt blasting away through 1000’s of rounds or if you prefer to cam up in a bush somewhere and wait hours for that one shot… just find what works for you and enjoy it!

Fav War Movie:

My favourite movie of all time, any genre, is Apocalypse now. It’s an absolute twisted hellish nightmare of a vision from start to finish with the most memorable soundtrack of all time.

Interests:

Drawing, design and creating things. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m always taking something apart I shouldn’t be!

For more info, help and advice please visit the North Wests Premier Airsofting Forums (click banner):

All Pictures courtesy of their respected owners via Rio

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

See girls DO play airsoft & this girl keeps us ALL in check at SWAT Urban AREA51, the place simply couldn't operate without her:

Swat-Charli

Player Name:

Swat-Charli, Charlotte to all who know her at SWAT.

Age:

16

About me:

I'm a loud, proud ginger, strong minded and strong willed, I love meeting new people and having a laugh with all the lads at S.W.A.T..

Occupation:

Student

Local Skirmish Site:

SWAT Urban Area51

Airsoft Experience:

5+ years

Team:

TEAM S.W.A.T.

What got you started in airsofting?

My Dad, as he is the owner of S.W.A.T., I originally started off playing paintball and then I turned to the 'darkside' and I am now an airsofter

Armoury:

My main weapon of choice is the MP5K, but I also pack a mean punch witht he MEU pistol as well.

Load Out:

Multicam trousers & a Snug-pack jacket, teamed with custom bright Nike trainers - 'Just Do It!'

Fav Item of Kit:

Probably a BFG as they make loud noises and scare people when they least expect them.

Top Tip:

Stop moaning, and go for it.

Fav War Movie:

Schindlers List

Interests:

Paintballing, Airsofting, Concerts, Computers

Pictures courtesy SWAT Airsoft
Checkout SWAT Retail for some great gear (click the banner below).

A renowned Airsofter, known to many around the North West scene and Owner/creator of the MANC-AS web forums:

Player Name:

Chris “Duffy” Belfield

Age:

28

Occupation:

Technical Project Manager

Regular Skirmish Sites:

SWAT Urban
Stirling Airsoft
First & Only

Through the years I’ve played at the bigger events of the year at various locations e.g. Catterick, Copehill down, Sennybridge and Swynnerton. I’d like to think that I have put a lot back into the UK airsoft community with my forum and games that I’ve organised or participated in.

Airsoft Experience:

6 years
Owner of Manchester Airsoft Community

I have played at a higher level of airsoft for numerous years now competing against and played with some of the best players in the country. I would like to play internationally (if given the chance) and would love their to be an international event that as a country (UK) we could participate in.

Team:

MANC-AS & ECC

What got you started in airsofting?

Friends from N.Ireland told me how back home they went to an event and were shot at by MP5s, got hooked from there. Looked on the internet and found ASCUK where Tom Chant gave me a lift to my first game at Light Fighter Urban. LFU was a pure door kick / CQB environment which is my favourite environment to play in.

Armoury:

Currently TM P226, TM MEU, TM VSR upgraded to death, Tanaka AICS upgraded to death, GP JP RWL Magpul

Load Out:

PMC / Casual – Door kicking / CQB / FIBUA
Woodland – Mixture of MARPAT and DPM.

Fav Item of Kit:

Dud BFGs (chuck ‘em in, watch them run away, shooting them in back).

Top Tip:

Aggression
A team following a shit plan is better than individuals thinking they have a better plan

Fav War Movie:

Full Metal Jacket

Interests:

Airsoft (obviously), Beatboxing, Music, Riding my motorbike, Beer & Women

For more info, help and advice please visit the North Wests Premier Airsofting Forums (click banner):

All Pictures courtesy of their respected owners via Duffy

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

This Paintballer soon converted to the 'Dark Side' and started playing airsoft, he's not looked back since!

Player Name:

Joe “Curly” Furey

Age:

20

Occupation:

‘Retail Operative’ @ Primark, Liverpool

Local Skirmish Site:

SWAT Urban

Airsoft Experience:

Coming up to around 9 months-ish, I think

Team:

Alpha Wolf

What got you started in airsofting?

First heard of it from one of my old scout leaders who played, then went paintballing at SWAT for my 18th and saw one of the rental AK’s and then just thought ‘Wow…I have to get into this’, bought myself a two-tone MP5 and haven’t looked back since

Armoury:

Classic Army MP5 A2 sportline, Cybergun FA-MAS F1, ASG Franchi SAS 12 shotgun, ACM P90 TR, KJ Works Sig P226, KJ Works MK23 ‘silent assassin’, Tanio Koba USP, Madbull XM203 short (with various shells), Dynatec Blank Firing Grenade, and I’m taking on a Tokyo Marui 1911 MEU as a repair project.

Load Out:

I have a Wasatch plate carrier (In tan with bits sprayed OD), and usually wear desert DPM (UBACS and trousers) or American desert Tri-colour, but also wear DPM and ACU on occasion ;). I’ve also started wearing a MOLLE thigh panel and a VIPER dropleg holster instead of my plate carrier.

Fav Item of Kit:

Would probably have to be my FAMAS. Hasn’t let me down yet, and its nice and compact, also get a nice range and rate of fire brilliant gun that I’d recommend.

Top Tip:

Make friends. And don’t listen to the haters, dress how you want and use the gear you want.

Fav War Movie:

Do the Star Wars movies count? If not then Blackhawk Down/Full Metal Jacket.

Interests:

AIRSOFT! And playing Bass guitar, I’m also starting to get into photography a little bit.

Pictures courtesy of Nutz, SWAT Urban

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

So Just in case you were wondering exactly what kit he's wearing (so you can grab your own) check out his kit list:

Head: Ops Core Multicam bump helmet,
ESS Crossbow glasses,
with ESS NVG goggles in black.

Body: Blackhawk Multicam Slick uniform top and bottom (this product is being launched May 2011)
Danner TFX GTX desert boots,
Blackhawk SOLAG hard knuckle in tan,
Paralete Spec Ops hard plate carrier,
with Blackhawk Multicam pouches.

Holster:Blackhwak Serpa concealment holster
with jacket slot duty belt.
SiG226

Gun: Magpul Masada
Red Dot Sight
Aimpoint Comp M4 with x3 magnifer
Weapon light Surefire m900v

On a lighter note Airsoft Bob likes nothing more than at weekends to frequent the trendiest night spots and 'get down' with all the potential WAG's available!

Be sure to keep your eye on the blog for any further Edgar Brothers NEWS!

My thanks to EB Airsoft Division for their help in pulling this article together and for the use of pictures and trade marks/names etc.

Your North West UK supplier is: Dingodog's Airsoft and Tactical Supplies.


Click to banner to visit Edgar Brothers website:

WATCH OUT for SWAT regular, great player and all round good guy:

Player Name:

Paul “Hotdog”

Occupation:

Security Contractor

Local Skirmish Site:

SWAT Urban

Airsoft Experience:

12 months

Team:

Alpha Wolf - Formed by getting a group of mates together and before you knew it we were a team! We're still in the early stages of team development, and we are just enjoying playing together, sharing rides and stuff. Now there are 10 of us. We don’t have a team captain and are not taking things too seriously; I tend to do most of the organising of tactics and road trips. The team ethos is that we are always willing to help other airsofters out and don’t mind other people playing with our team, we don’t give the impression of being a "click", we always welcome people with open arms.

What got you started in airsofting?

Something was missing after I left the Military, Airsoft gives me the Fix I need.

Armoury:

King Arms “Troy” M4 CQB & KJW “Sig” P226.

Load Out:

Templar / Warrior RICAS Vest (Tan) and mix and match between Multicam / ACU and Softshell Jackets.

Fav Item of Kit:

RICAS Vest - its top quality and can be changed around to suit different missions. I left the Army in 2003 and the whole modular type systems were just coming out at the time. Being used to PLCE Webbing, Chest rigs and COP Vests during my service, all with fixed pouches, I think that modular vests that you can insert armour into and change pouches is a very useful bit of kit.

Top Tip:

Look after your kit and it will look after you.

Fav War Movie:

Predator

Interests:

Airsoft, Mountain Treking and Survival Training .

Checkout Hotdog's appearance in AI magazine Blogged here!

Pictures courtesy of SWAT Urban, including NUTZ, TomO and Hotdog's own

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

Introducing a GIRL who plays Airsoft, whatever next! SWAT regular and Red Dragon Merc Team member:

TopCat


Player Name:

TopCat or TC, Tracy Carroll - It’s what my grandad called me when I was younger and it stuck.

Local Skirmish Site:

SWAT Urban & Ex-Site Cymru

....Because you've got to mix it up!

Airsoft Experience:

2 years

Team:

Red Dragon Mercs. We are a group of players from the North Wales area. We are all good friends which helps to keep us tight as a team. As well as playing at SWAT and ExSite we love to travel around to other sites for the challenge and to meet new people. Keep up to date with our game reviews here: Red Dragon Mercs Website

I am also a member of National Airsoft Girls. They are a fantastic organisation that is trying to encourage more girls into this male dominated sport. NAG aim’s to provide a national network for females in airsoft, to help provide training for all types and all abilities. For any girls wanting to start airsoft but are a little unsure they can provide a buddy for your first games to help you along and show you the basics.

What got you started in airsofting?

The lads went paintballing as part of a stag weekend and decided they wanted to play together more. After some research we all decided airsoft was more our thing, booked into SwatUrbans Saighton camp’s first game and the mercs were born!

Armoury:

I mainly use my ICS M4A1, And as back up JG MP5 navy and MP5K, AA MEU pistol and my trusty pink BFG.

Load Out:

The good thing about being a Red Dragon Merc is that we don’t conform to a ‘’look’’ and don’t take things too seriously. I play in DPM, sometimes flecktarn gear. I also have black kit for urban sites. When the mood takes me sometimes I play in civvies!

Fav Item of Kit:

This has got to be either my pink BFG, it has got me out of many tight spots. And it’s even better with a 12 gauge. Or my throat mic, makes such a difference to teamwork if you can speak to your team mates.

Top Tip:

hard, have fun and remember it is just a game.

Fav War Movie:

technically not a movie but Band of Brothers was awesome

Interests:

Apart from airsoft I play a lot of squash, enjoy rock climbing, walking and swimming, I also love riding motorbikes.

See TC's write up of the last SWAT skirmish event at SWAT Urban Saighton here .

TC has also reviewed Dingodogs Airsoft & Tactical Supplies here as well.

Pictures courtesy of BlackSheep Productions (Chris) & SWAT Airsoft

If you would like your profile or team featured here why not get in touch via my Contacts page.

Exclusive 'Bitter End' Interview!

Mark, creator of the now famous 'Bitter End' series of stamped steel eye protection talks exclusively to Yosser's Airsoft Odyssey about how and why he came up with the innovative concept that is now being copied around the world.


So Mark, where do you live and play airsoft?
I live on the West Coast of the United States in Washington State. Most of the skirmishes and events are in Western and Central Washington , although I have played many times in Idaho and have attended several of the LionClaws series playing in OP Lionclaws , OP Bull Dog and OP Red Storm.

What got you started in airsoft and how long have you been involved for?
My Brother DEADLY (US Army) started the largest Airsoft team in Idaho; MilSim Airsoft Group M.A.G. and my 2 sons RICOCHET (SGT USMC) and C-4 wanted to start playing as well. We went to a couple of events in Northern Washington and soon discovered that there was a much better way to organize and structure the game than what was available. In early 2007 we met and worked with ROGER of 1st SWORD to organize and host regularly scheduled games with a real emphasis on playing with honor, good sportsmanship and trying to implement a standardized rule set .

Do you have a particular loadout and a favourite AEG?
We decided early on to don Multicam. I was able to secure quite a bit of kit from Crye when they were selling to civilians. We also have many different load outs if needed. My primary weapon is my Inokatsu M60… It is a signature all my own on the field. With super torque up gears, she rocks at a very distinctive 9 RPS. Thump, thump, thump. I have emptied 2000 rounds of suppressive fire with one trigger pull… very unfair - LOL!

Whats your favourite piece of airsoft kit?
The easy answer is my Bitter End Goggles, but I really like bringing my grill and downing a burger or 2 after playing hard all afternoon. A grill should be at the top of every Airsoft players list!

So what model ‘Bitter End’ goggles do you use?
Why BITTER END’s of course! These ones:


How long have you been making and customising glasses and goggles for now? And any idea how many you have produced?
I made the first stamped steel lens and installed it in my goggle in the winter of 2006. I don’t have an exact number. In the beginning I was giving them away or selling them at cost. Over the past couple of years I have had to keep an exact count; the tax collector wouldn’t have it any other way… thousands in 38+ Countries and counting.

What made you decide to go down the road of producing your great 'Bitter End' goggles?
After the very first time playing I was about to throw it in. I don’t need to tell some of you the frustration of only being able to see out of a small little corner of your goggle… being essentially blind on the field sucked all the fun right out of it. I tried every product and witches brew known to man, all to no avail. I knew I wasn’t alone; emails were coming in from every corner of the World requesting a goggle.

How did you come up with the 'Bitter End' brand name?
After SIX was outfitted with stamped steel goggles and we were on the field; player after player would ask, “Can I try them on? Where did you get them? Will you make me a pair?” It didn’t take long before the local buzz was I want/have a goggle from Bitter End. It morphed right into Bitter End Goggles and took on a life of its own. It spread very quickly around the World hop-scotching from one Airsoft forum to another. Bitter End is my call sign and is derived from a nautical term meaning the last foot or so of line. "The end of the line"… being 3rd generation NAVY, what else could I be.

You can also do various ‘customised’ paint jobs have you had any unusual requests?
Nothing too crazy, most players are traditional, requesting colours or patterns that match their load-out. Of course the scull and many variations of the scull are trending right now. But this one, designed by Jordan Ferre of Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom (give credit where credit is due) is always popular, so popular in fact this photo has been stolen and put on other Airsoft websites around the World. So if you happen to run across this snap, give em hell for stealing it!



How do you respond to peoples questions about ‘shattering’ BB’s penetrating the stamped steel?
I started to require full seal goggles at all of my events when players wearing shooting glasses were getting plinked in the eye from side shots. I have also seen players get plinked in the eye from ill fitting goggles. I have also seen a player get plinked in the eye from a bb hitting between his goggle seal and his cheek. So I try not to be a smart ass by mentioning other riskier eyepro that doesn’t spark any debate.

Really I should have more stories about the subject than anyone. When I had time to play more (increasingly less) it would not be a stretch to have 60 to 70% of the players on the field donning Bitter End Goggles, all getting blasted without incident. While I don’t have any first hand experience with bb’s getting through the stamped steel; anything is possible.

I occasionally get emails from players inquiring about BIO bb’s. I have been a pioneer in requiring BIO bb’s as mandatory in all of the events that I organized since 2008. As you know; the tendency of BIO’s is to break in 2 or 3 large pieces if the impact is great enough. It has been my experience that when a BIO bb impacts a hard surface and breaks, the kinetic energy of the bb going in direction A doesn’t continue but is defected to direction B.

But know this: I tell any player that dons my gear; Airsoft is a dangerous extreme sport with inherent risks at every turn. If you are not 100% confident that you will be protected by Bitter End Gear then please don’t buy or use it. I am just one of many choices available for you; you need to have complete confidence to perform at your highest potential. There are thousands of players in 38+ Countries right now donning BE Gear, so you are in very good company. For me and many players like me, I couldn’t play without stamped steel lenses. My goggles fog up instantly and stay fogged up. My choice is Bitter End Goggles or not to play.

What prompted you making the lower face masks?
I was dragged kicking and screaming into building the lower face mask. Starting in 2007, players would email me (often) and ask me to build them a mask. I really wanted to have a firm foot hold on the goggle market before I focused on something else. At the end of 2009 I capitulated and came up with 7 or 8 different designs. I enlisted the help of the local airsoft players to wear them during actual skirmishes and fill out a lengthy questionnaire about what worked and what didn’t work with each design. I took the best of the comments and settled on the design that I am using now.




Any future plans?
I don’t know how long this will run; I am very satisfied with where we are at as a Corporation right now and I am very grateful to all of the players in the Airsoft Community that have and continue to support me and my endeavours. Right now there are many Bitter End knockoffs flooding the market from China, Taiwan and even the UK, funny stuff; they don’t even have enough imagination to change the names or styles of the goggles. Good luck to all of them… Really! God speed to all of our troops around the World as they sacrifice and stand in for us keeping us out of harms way.

Bitter End out…

Yosser Says:
Thanks for taking the timeout to answer the questions Mark and for some great advice. Don't forget to see the original Review if you've not already checked it out





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This article is copyright 2010 by Yosser Airsoft Odyssey © and may not be be copied or reproduced without permission. Most Pictures are copyright of Bitter End © and are used here with permission. You may link to this page.