Thumpy dropped me a line with details of his latest video on his YouTube stream and his website. He was even nice enough to give us a plug over there.

We take YOU “behind the scenes” with NEW VIDEO on Thumpy’s YouTube Channel for an TV News Live Report on AIRSOFT SAFETY, and talk with Kevin Shimwell of Adventure Beach Paintball & AIRSOFT about this weekend’s “Battle of Fulda Gap!”  And, ‘word that an old name in Airsoft is opening a new storefront!  That, and MORE, in TODAY’S NEWS at Thumpy’s 3-D House of Airsoft! (Thumpy’s 3D House of Airsoft)

Check out his website for more details, Thumpy’s 3D House of Airsoft.

AGGMA has had an update:

Finally.

The new AGGMA site is up.

A while ago when the problems started with the old AGGMA site I decided to start up a new AGGMA project.

AGGMA 1.0 was made by using the Simple Machines Forum PHP forum Software.

The thing is that it was more or less a strict forum with a very limited possibility to grow the site outside of the main core forum.

The original intention with AGGMA was to create a site for all fans of High End Airsoft guns, gear and games. In fact there are so many Airsoft sites on the Internet it is totally amazing. So AGGMA had to be different. And the difference is that it will never be a site that handles the standard or low end AEG’s or mediocre Chinese made Tactical Gear. OK We all know that many people go for that line in both guns and gear but that still is not what this site is about.

Probably we will occasionally review some Chinese made things since it is so popular and also due to the fact that the Chinese manufacturers are bound to learn as they go and eventually they will catch up. Let’s face it; many Western brands actually make their stuff in China.

But AGGMA is all about taking the AirSoft game to the next level. Making the game more realistic, make training more realistic, make the guns and gear more realistic, and why is that.

Well, most players I have met eventually come to the point where they want to take the step up to a more realistic level, leaving the "Play" feeling behind and step up to a more exciting game style. Many people refer this type of game as MilSim. It is actually very close to what it is.

It is actually also amazingly fun to play a game that is very close to real military training and tactics.

Today we also have all the tools to make the games this fun.

So AGGAM is intended to be the portal of High End Airsoft/MilSim Guns Gear and Games.

Hope you all will enjoy the site and that you can help both the site to evolve and also yourself as High End Players.

Please enjoy the NEW A.G.G.M.A. (AGGMA)

Here’s an update from Thumpmaster6:

I wanted to let you guys know about an "off the hook" new LIVE WEB show from crazyNCman, the guy who does YouTube gun reviews.

Frank’s his real name, and he has been putting out a brand new LIVE STREAMING WEBSHOW on AirsoftPlayerTV.com that is getting bigger and better each week!  It streams via UStream, and last week he added Skype phone and VIDEO PHONE calls, so folks could Skype-in, show off their guns and gear, and even their sisters!  This week, a land-line phone for calls, too!

Here’s his promo for Friday night’s Show….which is usually on Saturday nights, but is moving ONE NIGHT EARLIER for Halloween here in the ‘States:

http://www.youtube.com/crazyncman  is his YouTube Channel, and his video promo is here:

Also, check out my new news site for the USA.

We posted up video of the Fulda Gap 2009 game this week…and have more videos and interviews on-the-way from the East Coast airsoft scene.  We are moving it to a full .com domain next week!

ThumpMaster6 or Thumpy, (aka Alan) …OVER!
(http://Thumpmaster6.wordpress.com)

The AOBA have sent out their second newsletter, here’s a copy of the material sent out:

When Will Membership Go Live?
It is a common question we receive in the AOBA mailbox. However to insure that we do not trip over our own feet while setting up we have not set a deadline, of course we aim to go live as soon as possible.

Behind the scenes there are a number of final items we are looking into, for example our legal advice benefit, those all important forms you will need to register and lets not forget a final design for the membership card.

This is your potential membership scheme and we want to make sure time and effort has been put in to make it how you want it to be, which is one main reason we have asked for Player feedback and we appreciate all who have mailed in.

Benefits Update.
The proposed benefits we original aimed to offer are almost fully finalised. We are in final talks with our a legal team with regards to offer a legal advice service. Currently this is aimed to be a service, which is provided to AOBA members at preferential rates by fully qualified advisor’s.

Below are confirmed benefits to our membership.

    * Authentic ID Membership Card.
    * An optional insurance policy designed for Airsofters, provided by Sports Cover Direct Insurance.
    * Free Airsoft Soldier Magazine Subscription.
    * Discounts from selected Retailers.
    * Representation to government authority and lobbying groups.
    * Data Protection Guarantee
    * Tournaments and Competitions.

We shall update and inform you of updates when we have them, mean while if you have suggestions on how we could improve your proposed membership then please contact us by email: players@aoba.org.uk

Opportunities For Players.
The Association is here not only for Players, but also for the sport has a whole. However there are many ideas we would like to develop on but wanted to include everyone in them. Because of this a number of ‘groups’ have been created, each with different tasks and goals all of which you can help with. Groups will not just aid AOBA and help us go live faster but also aid in promotion of the sport as a whole. We are looking for committed individuals who want to make a difference to their sport.

‘Design’ Group
We are looking for Players to act as ‘poll’ group and offer their own skill sets as and when required in the near future. This maybe developing a feature for the website or preparing promotional artwork for AOBA or Airsoft.

‘Promotion’ Group
This group will have the task of not only promoting the Association but a major task will include promoting Airsoft. This maybe in creating a video for Airsoft or even spreading the word about the Association, there are many avenues available here. If your a graphics artist, writer, or are skilled in creating videos then this group could be for you.

‘Guide’ Group
We have already began work on developing an ‘Ultimate Airsoft Guide’ and we want your help to compile all the required works to make this guide possible. There is too much for one or even 3 people to do alone so together this will become reality. Along side this, you will aid in spreading the AOBA word and also guide new Airsofters to accurate information about Airsoft be it VCRA related information or simply helping with the ‘What gun is best?’ question.

These are just a few to start with, and the above is simply a brief idea of how we see these groups working. If more are required then we will add them in the future. All roles are completely voluntary. Players will be asked to forward their CV for review of the group they wish to join and maybe asked to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement, which if needed will require the applicant to be over the age 18. If you are interested in joining one of the above groups then please email us on players@aoba.org.uk

New Portal

Our News Portal will host all information relating to Players, Game Sites and Retailers. This may include information from the Home Office or other important information you may not find elsewhere. If you have not checked it recently we advise you to do so. Visit the News Portal Now. (http://www.aoba.org.uk/news)

Discounts From Socom Tactical

Laurence over at Socom Tactical has continued to offer a great discount for Players on all non sale items on the Socom Tactical website.  Head on over and find something you like and simply enter aoba into the coupon field to receive a 10% discount on your purchases. Thanks Socom Tactical! (www.socomtactical.net)

Share Your Thoughts.

We have received, read and heard many questions and concerns from Players, Sites and Retailers. Each constructive on their own degree and we thank everyone for speaking with us about them. However there are too many message boards for us to visit and we are unable to respond directly to all comments made, as much as we would like to. This does not mean to say we have nothing to say or are avoiding the comments, there is simply too much work going on behind the scenes to allow us to visit these methods of communication to discuss the Association.
What we ask is if you have any concerns then please contact us directly via email and we shall respond as soon as possible. Likewise if you see comments about the Association, but no official response then point the person/game site or retailer making the comments towards us and we shall do our best to give them an answer.
We wish to dispel any rumours and assumptions as much as we can by providing the correct information and we require your assistance to do this.

That’s it for this update, please feel free to contact us on the below emails if needed.

Players - players@aoba.org.uk
Retailers - retailers@aoba.org.uk
Site Operators - sites@aoba.org.uk

(AOBA)

Recon-Rag have an update:

Our newest Edition of Recon-Rag was launched recently and we have been slowly Adding content ever since it went live, but we would like to announce an exciting new feature which will be hitting the mag very shortly! A very generous contributor has sponsored our first "Pimp my gun competition” it’s simple, you send in the pictures of your old unhappy gun and for one lucky individual we make it in to an amazing work of art with top internals, scopes, lasers and paint job.

Interested? Then keep your eyes on WWW.Recon-Rag.com for details…. (Recon-Rag)

Issue 4 of Airsoft Soldier is now out and they’ve sent over a press release:

Having rapidly established itself as the "must read", international, English-language airsoft magazine, AIRSOFT SOLDIER wishes to invite more airsoft retailers share our success by selling the magazine in-store and on-line.

AIRSOFT SOLDIER has become the magazine of choice for the discerning enthusiast because:

* we provide a refreshing, easy-to-use and reliable source of information that internet forums can’t beat and other magazines can’t match
* each issue of AIRSOFT SOLDIER is packed with original content written with first-hand, real-use experience of the subject
* our articles are thoroughly researched, independently written, and must pass a strict editorial review before being published
* our style of presentation is clean, attractive and easy to read and understand - we go for substance over "flash"
* we keep the number of advertisements low to give our reader’s have a better experience, and our supporters better visibility
* all of our Editorial staff have real-deal military and real-steel firearms knowledge (we’re even backed by a real-steel firearms publisher)
* our outlook is truly international - our HQ in Finland is combined with a strong, dedicated UK team, and contributors from across Europe

Issue 4 of AIRSOFT SOLDIER is out now and packed with 68 pages of great content, including a number of "firsts".  We provide the first in-depth look at:

* the magnificent SVD AEG from Real Sword
* WA’s exciting GBB M4
* Classic Army’s superb DSA SA58 replica
* the amazing PenCott camouflage uniforms from Hyde Definition
* an in-depth comparison of Soviet and American infantry in Afghanistan
* a profile of Portuguese airsoft team, Spezial Airsoft Gruppe
* and much more…

So, why not give your customers something they can will actually read and enjoy? Drop me a line and I’ll take you through the options for stocking AIRSOFT SOLDIER in your shop / on your website.

Very best regards,

Lawrence Holsworth (Assistant Editor, Airsoft Soldier magazine)