:rofl: Whoever can you mean?
I think in alot of respects i think you're right CW. The community in ww2 is far better than in any other area in airsoft. The numbers may not be massive but we're not struggling either. It would be good to encourage those who are sitting on the fence to join in but I don't want a load of newbies stealing my place at games if you're keeping the limits low.
I may be way off the mark here but I'm guessing you're referring to Gunman games?
CiA members for what ever reason do like to got out and out for kit/weapons etc - damn I just got delivered some 1939 dated scho-ka-kola labels today - BUT this isn't the baseline of CiA kit/weapons requirements - those requirements are available on the CiA site.
This is above and prolly way too far beyond - but It's my choice. I know for one if a player turned up in a black or OD boilersuit with a AK-47 or other approved list weapon - I would not feel any differently. I did mention this in a previous thread, saying I would/could play at any CiA game with similar loadout.
They would be part of the game - a member of a team, whatever side they signed up for. 
3 year churn stat? I made it up. Well, from my observations really. I remember my first ever game and I was so blown away by it's utter coolness I never wanted to stop. Then as time goes by it gets a bit repetitive so you change your loadout or try new sites in an attempt to make it more interesting. Then other things come along in life and you drift away and can't be arsed.
It's a bit like sex really. 
However, as long as sufficient new players replace those that drop out, all is well.
As for kit, well, what can you do? I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what you say - airsofters are kit collectors at heart. No one likes second best and there is always more kit to get. And no matter how much you tell yourself the kit you have is fine you feel slightly ermm.. inadequate when someone is wearing kit a little more pukka than yours. It's stupid, but there you go.
As for the forum - well, the posters come from such a broad church that without dumbing down it is always going to look a bit daunting for new or potential players. However, I will be making a change to the forum in the next few days. The portal I added will be switched to the default 'home' page and will contain a message that can only be seen by 'guests' and make it clear that despite the forum being full of people aiming for the best possible kit level, this isn't required and we would much rather see people playing than kit collecting.
The portal I added will contain a message that can only be seen by 'guests' and make it clear that despite the forum being full of people aiming for the best possible kit level, this isn't required and we would much rather see people playing than kit collecting.
Good Show Herr Chommers. I would hate for someone interested in joining being 'frightened' off by Blanco or kit gathering threads.
As far as I'm concerned its not about the standard of the kit you have but the effort you put in. If people make some effort to look correct them I'm happy to have them along. Its only if they make zero effort and turn up in DPM or the like that I'm going to want to give them a slap. 
You can have an A1 class reenactor quality kit or the absolute minium, I'll treat you exactly the same (well other than being jealous of the gucci kit). No doubt once they have the bug most new players will get similarly caught up in the spiral of new kit anyway. 
Good Show Herr Chommers. I would hate for someone interested in joining being 'frightened' off by Blanco or kit gathering threads.
I'm not a newbie but the blanco thread still frightens me... Good plan though, should help draw in some of the fence sitters at least.
Yes, good move - hopefully more people will get the message. It's difficult, because we have all tried just to get people involved and interested - but then again, despite my interest in WWII and airsoft, even I did not immediately join in because I thought it would be too expensive, until Gadge and Oldsweat (remember him?! 
) persuaded me on the ASCUK forum. Also, for many of us, WWII airsoft has replaced modern kit open days, so the kit represents better value for money because it's being worn more often.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Also, for many of us, WWII airsoft has replaced modern kit open days, so the kit represents better value for money because it's being worn more often.
Indeed.I haven't been to an open day sice I started WW2 and the only reason I play to again is because there is a new site 1 mile from my door so I'll have no travel costs. Even then I'm not going modern, I'm going cold war instead. Most of my modern kit I either want to sell or will just keep as spares & loaners for friends or because its not worth selling.
David might say that he made up the "3 year" stat, but I think he's pretty much spot on. I've been doing this, for somewhere around 13 to 15 years. I've been through the US Modern phase (twice), Brit modern (once), Cold war ruskie (once) and i'm now into my WW2 Phase, so three years sounds about right to me.
Anyway......
If I had to choose a couple of my fav moments, the first would be CR, where at the assault on the Brit/Yank base Del and I ended up walking through the bog at the bottom of the depression, through streams and up the other side, whereupon Del got Yith (hint Rich, a nice round helmet tends to stand out amongst the bracken ) We were all piss wet through, so it didn't matter that we got any wetter.
The second is Bryansk. After the reconnaissance patrol in the 'rover got well and truly slaughtered. 10 mins after that five of us went on a fighting patrol behind the Ruskie lines and caused a good deal of mischief!
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
Yes, good move - hopefully more people will get the message about good haircuts and stepping up to the minimum kit/weapons levels - approved by CiA
Exactly - haircut, and what you can afford kit/weapon wise a real winner 
You're preaching to the converted now, Del - as Kermit says, pin 'em down and shave 'em!
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
🙄 You're preaching to the converted now, Del - as Kermit says, pin 'em down and shave 'em!
Testify brother!!
Wait 'till they bite and then give 'em the word of the Lord...
And the Lord did teach them to blanco their webbing.
And the followers did see that it was a mighty pain in the hoop.
And the Archangel Yith did verily confuse them with stuff about Holland cloth backing.
And the followers did wail and moan and wish they'd done 'Nam or something with MarPat in it.
And along came the false prophet Kermit and testified thus:
Come and do German!
And verily, their hearts were turned and they went to the dark side
Where there is weeping and wailing and complaining about 19th century belt order
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
"false prophet"?
Dude, you may have had a haircut, but it aint a proper German haircut. Carry on like that, and that little situation might be rectified in December.......
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
I enjoyed Churchills greatly (perhaps I was one of the few) as i felt some sort of achievement having got through such a brutal game. The first game to bring in a CiA social element. Highlight - Helga - no exaggeration to say it was her chiperness that kept the Germans in the game.
Aw I may be one of the few but I really really enjoyed CR something seriously opressing and pushing in the gameplay throughily enjoyed it and said at the time it wouldn't have been the same game in the dry, the rain and climate made it for me. Of course along with annoying the hell out of everyone quite odd in the fact I enjoy things that try me a bit more. Infact had I not enjoyed it so much I'd not have come to more games. I know it put off quite a lot of people but obviously I'm one of a warped few that it spurred on and I haven't had as much fun (had lots but not in the same way) as that, maybes partly as it was my first game I dunno but it rocked
Second was fav was Husky, the site was fab, the staff were well in amongst us, it was great the only downside I had was the mist rolled in as we were leaving and I'd have loved to play on those hills in that, christ would that have added to the atmosphere.
Wotan was good, but I think the social side and great site staff helped that (the joining in on their part was 2nd to non and they totally embraced Kermits remit perfectly), wasn't my favourite game, but it is No3 in my book, I loved the tunnels, but some of that was their heritage and I felt quite honoured to be playing in them.
Varsity I don't include above, I really enjoyed it, but it was a PBI event but as a seperate entity it was very well planned and executed.
"false prophet"?
Dude, you may have had a haircut, but it aint a proper German haircut. Carry on like that, and that little situation might be rectified in December.......
When you get a proper German haircut....
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
That will be happening for the December bash...........
So you'll be getting one too?
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
Dang!!
What do I do now? 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Dang!!
What do I do now?
Go for the German look
My favourite game was Churchills, because it was such a great test of endurance for all who slogged it out, it was also my first CiA game. I also really enjoyed the Bryansk game, because I was so up for it, having not played for almost 6 months, I walked (and ran!) a lot of miles that weekend and it was baking hot. All of the games I've been to were very, very good and it's hard to pick favourites but those two are the ones I use as a yardstick for judging other games.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Dang!!
What do I do now?
Go for the German look
*thinks*..... nah! 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier