Practical Airsoft Recommends:
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 1
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 2
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 3
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 4
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 5
Stargate S.G. 1 - Series 6
A suggestion for assembling your webbing...
Once you've gone to the trouble of laying your hands on some webbing gear, you may be at a loss as to how to arrange and fill it. I tend towards the British Army standard assembly and loading for PLCE webbing, with modification to the Airsoft Skirmish game, as it's a tried, trusted, and altogether logical format.
As you can see from the diagram to the right, there are ten components to the complete set of PLCE webbing for the Airsoft Skirmisher. These are:
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You will see that there is an inset diagram on the illustration as well. This gives more detail regarding the rear of both ammunition pouches as well as utility pouches.
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Currently, there are three versions of PLCE doing the rounds, so to speak. These are, as best I can determine:
- Version 1
- Comes in Olive Drab. Two types of ammo pouch - left and right. Ammo pouches are internally divided, providing enough space for two magazines per pouch (eight magazines total off two double ammo pouches).
- Version 2
- Comes in both DPM and Olive Drab. Ammo pouches now DO NOT possess internal pouch dividers) Two types of ammo pouch - left and right. Universal slotted 'A' ring fasteners introduced on new PLCE pistol holster (complete with issued shoulder rigging).
- Version 3
- Available only in DPM. Ammo pouches available in two models - double and single, but left and right versions have been abolished, pouches can be used either side of the webbing, now, as the semi-directional yoke fastening 'D' rings on pouches have been replaced by universal slotted 'A' rings, which also now appear (in pairs) on Utility Pouches as well.
Version three PLCE appears to have been manufactured somewhere from 1994, onwards, so there should be a fair amount of it floating about. However, my experience shows this not neccessarily to be the case, as some retailers seem to be mistakenly selling water bottle pouches as Utility Pouches. Since Utility Pouches are a little bigger in capacity from the water bottle pouch, this would short-change you, if you didn't check.
The easiest way to check, by the way, is to refer to the label inside the lid of the pouch. It'll say "pouch utility" amongst the text of the label, thus confirming or denying what you are looking for. As in all things, therefore, always look at the label!
OK, now for the pouch contents...
- 3. Left Double Ammunition Pouch
- Magazines for your Airsoft model(s)
- 4. Left Utility Pouch
- Small Mess tin, personal hygine kit, boot cleaning kit, available space taken by 24-hour ration pack sundries.
- 5. Centre Utility Pouch
- Large Mess tin, Knife, Fork, Spoon, meal bags from 24-hour ration pack, hexamine stove (with fuel tablets),
- 6. Right Water Bottle Pouch
- Water Bottle (filled with WATER), mug, purification tablets from 24 hour ration pack
- 7. Right Double Ammunition Pouch
- Spare ammunition in sealed bags or dispensers, safety goggles (when not in use, otherwise worn on the head), weapon cleaning and basic maintenance kit
- 8. Respirator Haversack
- Respirator and Filter(s). The haversack (and contents) should only be carried when playing games in 'urban' settings.
- 9. Left FFD Pouch
- Radio (to protect it from opposing team fire)
- 10. Right FFD Pouch
- A First Field Dressing packet (sealed)
The two First Field Dressing Pouches (FFDs) are NOT standard PLCE webbing; these are third party add-ons, and you should be able to get them from most good Army Surplus stores. Look for the one made by Arktis, as it's well made, good quality, available in British DPM pattern, and sturdy. I DO know that Stringtown Supplies and USMC (not on the WWW at the time of writing) stock these; Special Air Sea Services, stock their own version, which, while I didn't buy one (having already bought the Artktis offering at the time), have seen, and is of equal quality and strength.
I normally put my PMR446 radio into my left shoulder-mounted FFD pouch, with the radio's transparent display towards my shoulder. This serves two purposes. (1) It shields and protects the relatively fragile LCD display from opposing teams' incoming fire, and (2) slightly muffes the sound from the radio, when I'm not using an ear-piece, thus reducing the range at which it can be heard clearly. It also keeps my radio in a readily accessible place, as well! ON the subject of replacement batteries for my radio, by the way, I always keep these in a closed zip-locked bag, in my combat jacket pocket. That way, I can get to them quickly, in the field, without removing my webbing, if I have to.
First Field Dressings are useful; you NEVER know when you'll need them. I always carry one, as every so often, some poor shmuck will stick his foot down a rabbit hole, and do something damned painful, like break it (A good mate of mine did this a couple of years back). Now, while this is, I'll admit, rather rare, it CAN happen. First Aid is therefore important, and the where-with-all to provide such aid is vital. If you can't carry your own FFD, who else will, after all?
You'll notice that a small amount of overnight equipment is listed above as well; my thinking on this is simple: If I'm carrying it, I can easily get hold of it. There will be times, especially in long games well away from the base, that you are out of a game for a heck of a long time: It's those times, when it's near to lunch time, or when your really could use a mug of Tea or Coffee, that this kit is carried (yeah, I know it's added weight, but I'm a creature comforts kinda guy, OK?!)...
In case you're interested, on this page, there's a photo of my full gaming gear, with a full listing as well. A warning: This lot weighs in at roughly 25 or so pounds (ten odd kilos), so don't even THINK about carrying it all day, unless you want te get seriously fit!