"I've personally flown over a hundred-ninety-four missions and I was shot down every one. Come to think of it, I've never landed a plane in my life." - Thomas "Tug" Benson, HotShots!

May 2001 page #2 | April 2001 page #2

It's the Broomstick! Oops.. nearly forgot. RedWolf are now selling the Marushin Mauser M712 Maxi, aka 'The Broomhandle', for obvious reasons. SciFi fans may recognise this pistol. If not, go and check that copy of the infamous 1977 production by GeorgeLucas, that you'll never admit that you actually own.... Yup, it's Han Solo's blaster. (Yes, I am talking about StarWars) You can find the official Marushin product page here. If you are looking for the complete Han-Solo blaster holster, and the parts to convert your Marushin replica, then have a look over at Relics.

Even though the M712 looked awful, it was a very reliable, impressive WW2 handgun.

I'm back: I'm back, so lets get back to some updates and see what's going on in the world.

New article: Tepe has sent me an article that he wrote about Airsoft power limits in the UK. I've put this article online, and you can find the article here.

New reviews: I've added two new reviews, the first one that I've been sent is a review of the now classic Shoei MP44, by Lyn (the same fellow who produces the U.P.Grade cartoons). I've added this small piece of Airsoft history to the site reviews section.

The second review I have been sent is of the TokyoMarui M16A2 by TheGeneral. This review is as yet unfinished, as I currently have no digital images of this product. If you have an M16A2, and would like to help by sending in some photos, then please get in contact.

M29 at RedWolf: It seems RedWolf have finally cottoned onto the Tanaka S&W M29 Magnum as a 'good thing', and are now selling the 8" version for 153USD, again this revolver has been mentioned here several times.. I won't bother describing it again, but let's just say it's the most powerful Airsoft revolver you can buy, and it's a magnum! The new Tanaka PEGASUS system, fitted to the M29 and their new revolvers breaks the following advice, listed on the RedWolf tanaka page: "...Revolvers are relatively weak in power and emphasize style over function..."

Sci-Firearms M41a PulseRifle page: There's been several updates at my favourite PR (PulseRifle) resource, including new articles, images, and replica news. If you are at all interested in making an Airsoft PR replica, I'd recommend having a read there first.

"U.P.Grade -Skirmish king" Now Here: The comic adventures of U.P.Grade by Lyn Haywood are now online here at Arnie's Airsoft. A big thanks go out to Lyn for this one. If you like the cartoons, then please email him about them.. not me. =) There are 5 'episodes' online at the moment, you can find them at the bottom of the articles page, I'll add more as and when Lyn produces new ones.

Updates this weekend: I'm off to go and build a new shed for my folks this weekend (don't ask), so there won't be any site updates till Sunday night. This does mean, though, that you (yup you) our wonderous readers, can do us a huge favour - If you like this site, then please pass the word onto others about it. The more readers we get, the more articles and information we get submitted to put up... It's obvious really.

New custom shotty: DenTrinity have got a new shotty in their specials lineup - a lovely M203 wood grip pistol. It's a real shame it's just that TokyoMarui shotgun system (i.e. 3 BB's at once using a shot-shell system), and not a 40mm SunProject (40mm 18BB gas grenade) assembly. If you read this site a bit you may recognise Den's idea from here.

New project: New to the project page is Matt's most impressive custom gold SV Infinity. Matt is a contributor to the site, and a bit of a pistol guru (you'll notice his name mentioned several times throughout this news page). The project is entitled 'A Tribute to Face/Off', for reasons that will become obvious as you read it. The final product is a lovely example of what can be done with a little research, time and patience.

DenTrinity product updates: There's been a few new products added to the DenTrinity line-up. These include an M72-A2 launcher kit, and a DTP Knights Flashider, check their site for more updates..

AirsoftRetreat contest: AirsoftRetreat are running a contest, the first prize of which is a KSC Glock 18c, to be eligable, you need to be living in the USA, and over 18:

"The Airsoft Retreat is sponsoring its first contest with free airsoft giveaways. To be eligible for the contest, you simply need to be a member of our forums. After two weeks, two random members will be selected from those registered to receive one of the prizes!"

SunProject 40mm grenade pistol article: Matt has sent me some more info about the beautiful new 40mm grenade launcher from SunProject, that I mentioned here a few days ago. I've typed this information up, and put it online in the form of an article. You can find it in my articles section or here. The release date is, as yet, unknown - but as soon as I know I'll post it here.

M93r Technical page updated: I've updated the M93r technical page with some more images and information. The updated page now contains a complete parts list for the KSC Auto9, 1st Gen and 2nd Gen models.

AirsoftScotland to re-launch: Neil was kind enough to post me some exclusive news =) - remember you read it here first:

More from our pistol 'guru': Matt has sent me a couple of nice scans from ARMS magazine, you can find them linked to the left. The two articles cover the following replicas: WesternArms' 1911 5" Tanaka's 629 Performance Centre To have a closer look at these articles, click the images to the left, you'll notice grouping target shots, and their specs. I am assured that the PC629 in the picture is actually green - digital scanners seem to have a problem scanning that particular colour and it looks gold in the image. Oh.. the M629 is a .44 magnum based replica! At last - a decent 44 magnum replica for the airsoft masses.

AK74 images: I've now uploaded the images of Mike's baby. Originally a standard TM AK47, it had it's guts upgraded, and then in a brief spurt of.. erm.. enthusiasm, Mike bought an AK74 conversion kit from Wolf's Lair, and proceeded to produce this masterpiece. Here we are, nearly 2 years on from the original purchase, and the only original bits left are the gearbox chassis, and a few other miscellaneous parts such as the backsite.

Did you think that full metal G3's were heavy ? - Well this beauty is as heavy as the real steel, and it's made from solid moulded metal parts. I'll post a full review and assembly guide when I get my head together, and take a few more photos,

Ilendil's MP5SD5 project: Ilendil has updated his website to include details of how he created his personal project - the MP5SD Nightstalker. Go and have a read. Oh go on.. go on.. go on..

The official specs are given as: Length: 292mm Weight: 665g Capacity: 14 shot Energy: 0.81J Cost: 17800Yen (104 UKP). Erm.. yes that's 0.81J (295fps) with HFC134a.. what on earth will this baby be pulling with HFC22 ?

M1 Carbine images online: I've got a decent few images of the Marushin M1 Carbine online for you. Say hello to the big brother of the pistol world!

This is an image of one of our springers, a rather nice TM G17... at 250fps you can't complain.

Updates at Springer Retreat: Those nice guys over at SpringerRetreat have put up some new info, including a Glock17 review, a G3A3 Review, and a 'Springer Survival Guide'. SR is almost indespensible if you intend to play around with springers, and also if you are a mad bugger like me who has a habit of taking people with AEG's on (and winning) with cheap springers. This weekend I personally tested my TM P228, and I can now accurately hit an empty beer-can at 40 yards with 0.2g BB's. Sykobika's TM G17 shown to the left has similar performance.

Argh! ...another P90 review: Well actually it's a rather nice review of the P90, and as it's been written 'in-house' by RedWolf. RW have taken some lovely photos of it. This has to be one of the most detailed reviews of the P90 I've seen, although it really doesn't cover any new ground, it's the type of review that you'd expect from a well known retailer with a large turnover - it's glossy, colourful, detailed, and there to sell their product. Don't get me wrong though.. it's a very good review.

Custom M134a? Relatively old news.. but DolphiN#1 pestered me to get it online. AirsoftZone have posted some news about a fellow who makes custom mini-guns. If you are after more information have a look at his site here.

More updates are coming later tonight: Sorry folks, but I've had the weekend off, so there's been no site updates since Saturday. This will be changing shortly. I've taken new images of the custom AK74, and the M1 carbine, these will be put up later tonight under the appropriate sections.

SunProject 40mm pistol mount: Matt was kind enough to send me some info about this product. The mount will be a standard fitment for 20mm weaver rail (RIS). Price is listed as 10,800Yen - so in the UK we should be looking at under £100.

New shotgun: There's a new shotgun coming from TokyoMarui.. I use the word 'new' - a better description would be, a redesign. Using their tried and tested spring-air mechanism, as found in the current SPAS, the TM M203, and the current M3, they are bringing out the new "M3 Shorty", it's 640mm long, and features a drastically shortened barrel, and a new pistol grip. It does look remarkably like the ones which DenTrinity have been selling through their website. Possibly Tokyo Marui took inspiration from this ? Who knows, but it's very likely to be a good seller.

M16A2 Techmanuals: The M16 techmanuals are now online, again -this is thanks to AirsoftPlayers, who are kind enough to let me host my own versions of the copies they get scanned in. Handily I'm just adding the finishing touches to a new M16A2 review, that's been submitted to me. Currently in the pipeline coming soon to the site we'll have:

M870 review (to finish)
AK74 SGW images and review
New M24 images and review
M1Carbine images and further review
... and a few more that are as yet undisclosed.

WGC Shop updates: WarGame Shop have added a whole bunch of bits of kit to their stock list. If you're an armalite fan, you may be in interested in the various custom M16/M4 parts that have been added. There's too many to list here, so go and have a look on their main page. I won't even try to explain what this horrible heap of plastic is (Apparently it's a Manga thing, I just think it looks laughable).

It's not airsoft but I like it...: yeah it's not strictly airsoft, but it comes under the PulseRifle project heading (almost). The guys over at Deck36 make replica props, these include the M40 Grenade & M38 Grenade, the M40 grenade box, replica Alien's dog-tags, and much more. Recently added you'll find a new MotionTracker prop (shown to the left). Personally I'm after the M40 grenade box, as it's the perfect item to store my M870 shot shells in. Being a fan of the Alien films it'd make a nice collectors piece.

Hmm, strange.. I recognise that carpet in the review from somewhere - why is it everyone has those carpet cheap floortiles?

Airsoft Elite MP5 SD3 review over at Airsoft Players: A new review of the Airsoft Elite MP5 SD3 has been posted over at Airsoft Players, comedy fuzzy photos aside, it makes good reading. You can find the review here. I would put some more information here about the AE MP5SD3, but the AirsoftElite website is down, presumed M.I.A.. The best way to describe the AE SD3 is that they took the basic TM MP5 design and made some improvements. The AE model sports more metal parts, and a better outwards finish. Thank goodness replicas aren't forever scared with that horrible orange barrel paint over here in the UK.. eugh..

New layout over @ Airsoft Retreat: AirsoftRetreat have now got their new interface/layout online, and it's rather 'spanky' - go and have a look.

Airsoft Dynamics update: Skirmish Chobham will be closing down in the foreseeable future. The final game has been rumored to be on the 13th May 2001. It's a good idea to contact them for more information about this day.

The 'management' have acquired land in Bramshill, near Reading. The new site will be named Ambush Wargames and will open for a preview game on the 20th May (invite only) and will be officially open on the May 27th. You can find a review of the new site here. This all means that t2s/AD2000 are moving with the site.

New articles online: With kind permission of the author, I have now put online two articles from Skyfire, the Systema Mechbox Parts List, and the Tokyo Marui Mechbox Disassembly Guide . I have edited them slightly so they were more in keeping with the rest of the site and slightly easier to read. The Systema Parts List details all the Systema parts by number with a description. Images are also added where appropriate. The TM Mechbox Guide describes with images how to safely disassemble a version 2 and a version 3 TM gearbox.

Many thanks to Skyfire for giving me permission to put them up. Hopefully there may be more to come... I'll keep you posted.