An interview with the guys at AirsoftDynamics #2
(Written Jan '05) By Mike of Team T.W.A.T.S.

Well it’s been a while since we last interviewed the guys over at AD (Airsoft Dynamics) and quite a lot has happened. Obviously time for another…

One of AD’s aims they mentioned in their last interview with us, was to have their own premises. Well shortly after our first interview with them they up sticks and moved (but that didn’t stop us from tracking them down). They are now located in a converted barn, in Upper Basildon.

T.W.A.T.S. - So first things first how did the move go?

• Paul – People say moving house is the most stressful thing you can do, people you are wrong. The most stressful thing you can do is defuse a tactical nuke that’s been hidden on a moving train or something, second to that that the most stressful thing you can do is move office.
• Yuki – I’m afraid I haven’t earned the right to comment on this as I was in Japan. But seeing what the guys have done, they have done extremely well!!
• Mark – I think it went reasonably smoothly considering we had just come back from the War and Peace show. But things fell into place ok.
• James – Not too bad, luckily we transported a lot of stock to the War and Peace show in July so all we had to do is transport the unsold goods back to the new office and re-stock it. The biggest hassle was trying to get all the new server technology up and running in time.

Have the new premises changed how AD operates? I bet now you don’t live where you work, you’re no longer doing those crazy 85 hour 7 day weeks.

• Paul – We still pretty much work 7 days a week but now were not working from home we are more regimented in how we do stuff, there are less distractions here, it makes it a lot easier.
• Yuki – I think it certainly has. We come in and out to work like most other regular jobs, although I’d rather live where I work. What’s the point of working for yourself if you have to “commute”!?, but that’s just my view. I don’t deny the office system make it more efficient, and I guess it is easier for our customers to “drop by” if it was a dedicated premise rather than a house, that’s also good.
• Mark – I think things are more efficient now as opposed to the clutter of the previous place.
• James – Things have got easier, as AD grows we gradually employ more partners to ease the workflow, however its still far from being a 9-till-5 job, but that’s the way we like it.

The newly released micro AEG pistols are pretty sweet. This new ‘micro’ technology opens up a whole new range of products and opportunities; they could now make an electric MAC 11 or MP7. You think this could become a reality and which weapons you would you like to see use the MAEG technology?

• Paul – Hmmm well I know James is going to say Tech 9 (KG9) and you’ve already mentioned the M11 and MP7 so I’m going to think outside the box…. OK done that, I’d like to see the Spectre M4 (ed- I want that so bad, put my name down for one) (although this would probably take a std box!), a Sten. Oh oh and what about a PP-90? for those that don’t know the PP-90 was a Russian prototype SMP that folded up and resembled a Video cassette, watch Red Dawn and Robocop 2 for some footage, it’s the SMG for the Transformer generation.
• Yuki – The MAEG technology does have so much potential and I don’t doubt Marui will be exploiting it. Apart from the ones mentioned, inside intel has hinted M93R, it certainly has more room than a G18C. I hope they can push the technology forward and make them blow back one day.
• Mark – I like the idea of the MP7 that you mentioned but we’ll see what the future holds for us.
• James – I would love to see a KG9 produced in using the Micro AEG technology, they rule!

Your main weapon jams/ strips gears/ breaks, you reach into your holster and pull out…a GBB or MAEG? And why?

• Paul – MAEG, coz its winter, coz its new, coz it will blam all its rounds out in 2 seconds. I love GBB’s there more fun to fire than the MAEG but as far as skirmishing goes I think the MAEG is going to be massive.
• Yuki – Hmmm, difficult one… I’ve stopped carrying a sidearm recently because I’ve stopped seeing the point. It was normally a GBB, thus subjected to the usual problems, the cold, the dirt, and parts falling off. And like Mark said, most of time I pull it out it was soaked in water first then covered in mud maybe good for one shot.
  
  So maybe a MAEG might be a better choice, BUT there’s only a G18C available right now. As I am a bit of a “wannabe”, like you don’t see an op carrying an SV, you wouldn’t see them carrying a G18C neither. Also the fact that I quite often crawl through the stream/swamp, a MAEG might not be the best idea…
  
  So forget the holster, I reach for my Strider.
• Mark – I reach for my pistol in my thigh holster and pull out what used to be fully functioning WA MEU and realise its completely covered in mud and river skank. There is so much crap stuck in the slide it will probably never work again. So yeah im going to try one of the MAEG’s as there is no real moving parts to get crap stuck in.
• James – I reach into my holster, pull out a sandwich, eat it and then go back to bed. Unfortunately I haven’t played for a good while now as Sundays seem to be the only day of the week we don’t work. Everyone needs a break sometimes.

Over Christmas you guys went crazy with special offers; the 10 days to Christmas specials, the Inazuma offers and the Christmas raffle. Is there something going on in Japan we don’t know about? Tokyo Marui surely must be giving away airsoft weapons on a cereal token promotion. Or are lower prices something we can look forward to this year?

• Paul – Inazuma offers are here to stay and we will keep adding to them, our Christmas promotion was a great success and the raffle well that’s still got 3 weeks left to run! We continue to try and get better deals and then pass the savings on to you, and not just you Mike (ed-I’m lovable, I deserve discount), that would be a bit mean, we’ll pass them on to everybody!
• Yuki – I hope our customers liked the 10 days to Christmas Special Offer last year, and we’ll do our best not to disappoint you this year. There is nothing special going on in Japan, but we continue to search for better deals both for us and you. Inazuma offers are there to stay (ed- Woot Woot), and I think you can say that there may be more from us that you can look forward to.
• Mark – We know what customers want and that’s what we offer, we like to look after our fellow airsofters.
• James – The Inazuma Offers are not just a Christmas thing, they will continue for as long as AD is around. We are always trying to make new friends in Japan to get preferential prices and as soon as we get a discount our customers will too. The 10 days of Christmas deal was a big promotion to give our customers a little something extra in their stockings.

James works for AD full time now, has the demand for airsoft in the UK increased over the past year? Lots of skirmish sites now seem to attract 100+ players most weekends.

• Paul – You’ve pretty much answered the question yourself there – yes Interest in Airsoft continues to grow, more and more sites opening up with more and more players.
• Yuki – I think the demand is on the increase, and I hope it will continue to do so. James is a very welcome addition to our crew, although he pretty much worked with full time since the beginning!!
• Mark – It’s good to have someone on hand who can get stuck into mods and repairs as the work is needed. Airsoft grows everyday and we need to keep up with demand.
• James – Airsoft in the UK continues to grow and we at AD must also grow to meet that demand. Besides I got sick to death of trying to work for 2 companies at the same time.

What’s the best selling product at the moment?

• Paul – Right now it’s the MAEG Spare mags, but as for guns the Tac Master and G36.
• Yuki – Not sure as I’m stationed away at the moment, but the usual stuff doesn’t seem to have changed.
• Mark – Rubber underpants. Oh you meant Airsoft products, then it would be G36, Tac Master and M4 still. You can see why though, they are tried and tested weapons that always deliver.
• James – The Tokyo Marui Tac-Master still hold the record

What would you guys do IF airsoft was banned tomorrow? Fight the law and carry on doing what you’re doing, go overseas, or pack it all in?

• Paul – Goddamn it Mike its early these questions are hard (ed-OK I’ll go easy on you, what you have for breakfast?). If Airsoft was banned tomorrow, well assuming it’s a total ban like real steel firearms then I really don’t know – work as a weapons consultant for TV and Films? Join the Police? Learn to fly a helicopter, nope I got it I’d buy a boat and become a modern day pirate. Yarrr.
• Yuki – It is a hard question, and a question that is always at the corner of my mind bothering me…. I could possibly continue the Airsoft business in Japan, or do something completely different like translating.
  I have no desire to join the forces or the police, like the others do.
• Mark – Im not really sure, probably join the Forces or become a pilot or join the old bill. (haha imagine James, Paul and me in the police. Hahahaha)
• James – Take the huge payout we receive from the government, spend it all on beer and hookers, then I think I would join the Police (no lie)

Talking of overseas, do you get many orders from abroad?

• Paul – Yup we do good business with mainland Europe.
• Yuki – Yes we do, even from South East Asia, surely it must be easier for them to order from Japan directly(or should I not say that??).
• Mark – yes we get orders from around the globe but mostly from Europe.
• James – loads, but we prefer to stick to the UK customers at this point in time.

Last year saw a lot of new retailers join the scene. Why should airsofters buy from AD and not the opposition? What do you guys offer that’s different from the rest?

• Paul – Our product knowledge is second to none, the effort that goes into relaying this over the phone, email, and the website is colossal, Our after sales repairs and upgrades are the best there are – other Airsoft retailers have us fix there guns. Our prices are as good as anyone’s when you look at the complete deal, and we are genuinely nice people – well I’m not, I’m mean but the other guys are great.
• Yuki – I believe because we simply have the best team in the Airsoft business outside of Japan. In terms of overall products, service, knowledge, skills, connection, and dedication, as long as we are around the rest are second best, or less. It sounds so big headed, but I’m confident in saying it. Oh btw Paul, I’m the meanest, you will learn your place my padawan.
• Mark – We are friendly and honest and know everything there is to know about Airsoft. We were there at the start of Airsoft in the UK and know what people want.
• James – Everything! We may not be the cheapest in the UK (unless its on Inazuma) however we have access to products and prices that other retailers don’t even know exist, we try and test all the products before we even consider selling them and we don’t waste our customers time with cheap crap from HK and Taiwanese manufacturers. Plus each of us have been playing Airsoft games for over a decade.

If airsoft never existed, what would you guys be doing with your lives? Would you all know each other still?

• Paul – another A+ question (ed- I aim to please), I have played Airsoft for over 17 years now with it pretty much dominating my life for the last 5, if Airsoft didn’t exist I wouldn’t know any of the Guys we all met through Airsoft, not only that I wouldn’t know my fiancé, we were introduced through an old Airsoft colleague – so I’d have no mates and be single. Its been so long I don’t remember a time before Airsoft so I’m going to say I’d have become a weirdo. Lucky me huh?
• Yuki – What would I be doing???? Still be running a business I think, it runs in the family, but I’m not sure what sort of business. Maybe a katana dealer!? (ed- I’ll buy one, you should do it on the side) I wouldn’t have met any of the guys, and my life would have been better… only kidding. If I didn’t meet them, I wouldn’t know them, simple as that.
• Mark – As the others said, we met through the sport and so would never had met otherwise. If Airsoft never happened I would have joined the Forces full time then from there would have gone to the Police.
• James – We wouldn’t even know each other, we have all been good friends for ages now and we all met through Airsofting, that was back in the days of LS Spring Kits where HopUp and AEGs hadn’t even been thought of.

What are the big products of 2005 that we should be keeping our eyes out for?

• Paul – Hi Mike, thanks for asking me here to present this prestigious award for the big products of 2005, the nominee’s are: Tokyo Marui’s M14, Tokyo Marui’s SIG P226, TOP MP40, Tokyo Marui’s next MAEG (M93R?)… and the winner is, Tokyo Marui’s M14
  
  Well there could only be one really! TOP’s MP40 is no closer to coming out there’s even a rumour that it will be canned totally, The SIG is going to be huge but not as big as the M14.
• Yuki – Hmm, TM SIG GBB, TM AEG M14, variations in MAEG, Shoei M240, etc etc…I don’t expect much from the TOP MP40 though…
• Mark – What they said.
• James – Keep your eyes out for more cool stuff from Tokyo Marui and Laylax, they are the best manufacturers out there at the moment

What events this year are Airsoft Dynamics planning to attend?

• Paul – Beltring 2005 be there or be square.
• Yuki – 2005 rounds of Beltlink 7.62mm
• Mark – Beltring 2005 for men. Real men with guns and tanks and bombs.
• James – Beltring 2005 is a must!

Best moment of 2004 for you guys?

• Paul – On a personal level? I bought a house that was pretty cool, the England v Croatia Game at Euro 2004 was an insane experience. On a business level the move to the Offices was a big step.
• Yuki – Managing to stay married for the second year!! (ed- Didn’t know you were married so congratulations to you and your wife, and congrats again for the second year)
• Mark – I too bought a house got engaged (ed- Congratulations are in order for you to) and joined the Royal Marines reserve. So 2004 was very eventful.
• James – Joining AD

So what’s next for Airsoft Dynamics?

• Paul – Well that would be telling.
• Yuki – deep sea exploration.
• Mark – A huge Airship with AD plastered all over it piloted by me. No seriously there are many plans.
• James – we have some great plans in the pipeline, you will just have to wait and see!

Radio transistors, animal loving and PSP aside AD are a great bunch of guys, which are going from strength to strength. We thank them for taking the time to answer our questions and wish them continued success for 2005.

Team T.W.A.T.S.