I’ve been chatting to Andrew over in Florida about simulation equipment that’s kicking around at the moment from fields similar to Airsoft (such as Paintball and Lasertag) that could well be applicable across all sports. One area that seems to be a very viable cross-over are the applications for large ordnance simulation devices, more commonly called called Battlefield Simulation Devices. It’s dead easy to create a large pyrotechnic display, but here in the UK you need the appropriate licenses to operate pyrotechnics plus there is always some worry over safety.
One of the links of interest that I’ve been directed to include products from the guys at Weapons Cache who are based here in the UK. The guys there produce gear that’s designed to compliment things like
the MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Simulation) system. Looking across their site they can build pretty much anything that’s electronic although the site itself is sadly lacking a recent update.
Over in the USA Major Paintball (owned by Nathan Brock) make some interesting mine simulation devices. The devices vary in style but most can be set up either to dispense paint, or just to signal activation with smoke. I do remember seeing these devices a while back (the master mine is very familiar), but it’s always worth mentioning products again as, like me, everyone forgets things over time. There are two devices that are of interest, these being the M-80TR and the M-12TR; how they operate is actually quite simple:
The M-80TR Landmine and all new M-12TR use a new Patent Pending technology which generates a non pyrotechnic explosion by rupturing a replaceable Explosion Tube with the pressure from a 12g CO2 cartridge. Liquid Marking Paint or Smoke Simulation Powder is expelled from the mine along with a VERY LOUD report! (Major Paintball)
The M-80TR is a pressure release mine designed to by installed under foot that’s powered by a simple 12g cartridge producing a simulated explosion with smoke. If the device isn’t loud enough there’s also an optional burst tube attachment that reportedly produces a very loud bag.
There’s a video in both Quicktime and Windows Media formats on their M-80TR page showing the highly visible effect of activating the M-80TR.
The M-12TR is a tripwire mine that can be mounted anywhere where it can be physically fitted or mounted. Due to the design it’s very simple to operate and to setup.
There’s also a video (again available in both Quicktime and Windows Media formats) that showcases various applications where the M-12TR has been employed to booby-trap a pickup truck.
It’s worth noting that for both the M-80TR and the M-12TR you will need to buy replacement burst tubes if you want the additional blast effect as they can only be fired once. With a retail price of around 40USD for either the M-80TR or the M-12TR and given the cheap cost of CO2 capsules both solutions provide affordable simulation devices with a heap of different applications. Checkout their website for more details.
