Any suggestions for reducing the kit needed for games?

if you play allied then you can wear it to the event and back, not so easy if you play German ,there's load's of ways of reducing the weight in camping gear ,you could use a taxi too and from the station ,not so cheap but it's not too often.

Yup, am definitely not planning an SS impression
I found Aussie gear gets less stares on the train than British.
Hmm, maybe Swag style camping may be the answer. If I put a foam mattress and a sleeping bag inside an army surplus canvas bivvi bag, I should have the essence of an Aussie swag. The time spent on tent pitching will be awesome and the whole roll should be relatively easy to attach to a large pack with blanket straps. I guess my Aussie impression might be getting a whole lot more authentic soon.

As Dadio says, the easiest thing is to wear as much of your kit as you are comfortable in and keep any spare clothes/boots to a minimum. Some events you can travel lighter (e.g. if there buildings, no tent needed, if there is water you don't have to lug litres of the stuff with you), eat on the journey although food isn't very heavy.

A decent Bergen to carry it all in is helpful, rather than seperate bags as they will knacker your arms.

I would also recommend getting taxis from the station.

Cheers
Martin

I think I shall attempt my next game, travelling in full marching order rather than use a 65 liter rucksack. If I can get my camping gear as one roll that can strap to the pack by creating a Swag then everything should fit. As a bonus the time spent pitching and striking camp will be minimal
So it will be full webbing with large pack, camping roll attached to large pack with blanket straps, possibly small pack on a shoulder strap and SMLE in valise bag over my shoulder. It may not be much lighter with the addition of the SMLE but the weight distribution may be better.

another option would be to ask if anybody had spare tent space or could bring a spare tent , i know i have a spare pop up tent , not too period but a dry place to sleep that i'd be happy to lend and bring to an event.

It's actually the sleeping bag that takes up space, so having it incorporated into a roll with the foam mat and a canvas bivvi bag for waterproofing may be just the solution I need. Then I don't need a large backpack and can restrict what I take to the size of the P37 large pack.
Once you take a 65 Liter backpack, you do tend to fill it. The P37 large pack is incidentally just big enough for a Sten gun with just about an inch of barrel poking out. For Copenhagen, I may even get away with the small pack, If I can work out how to attach the camping roll (presumably blanket straps looped around the bottom of the L straps to hold it below the pack).

and with the bivi bag if it get's lonesome at night you can go "waltzing Matilda"

Been thinking, that may become the name of my SMLE when it arrives

My evil plotting to achieve lifts to games has started to pay off. The local re-enactment group I chat with on facebook are very interested in Matilda (now officially the name of my SMLE) so I am arranging for them to try her out in a bit of back garden plinking. Maybe they might get interested in a bit of airsoft?
Also a guy on Airsoft-forums.co.uk has realised he lives nearby and is fairly interested in trying WW2 games.

My evil plotting to achieve lifts to games has started to pay off. The local re-enactment group I chat with on facebook are very interested in Matilda (now officially the name of my SMLE) so I am arranging for them to try her out in a bit of back garden plinking. Maybe they might get interested in a bit of airsoft?
Also a guy on Airsoft-forums.co.uk has realised he lives nearby and is fairly interested in trying WW2 games.

Awesome Keep spreading the faith.

Sorry to necro-post here, but the suggestion about getting a bergan or equivalent is a good idea. I have a pre-D-Day bergan, so I have essentially my life with me. However, for those unable to obtain a proper bergan for cheap, I suggested using an American ALICE pack in olive drab at one point.

I'm sure with a little tinkering it might be able to look even closer to a proper bergan if some buckles and the ends were changed for those who have some sewing/crafting skills.

Thats not a bad idea. I have however now worked out an alternative strategy and created a group in Bristol over the last 48 hours. Hopefully the next game I plan to go to (Aachen) will have a sizable contingent from Bristol.

Glad to hear it, sir. I assume you're adding to Blighty's numbers?

Well the allied side certainly. We thought it might be cool to do all the commonwealth countries as I do Aussie already, but one guy already has all the American gear . We have given the group the name Pattern 37 as a subtle hint to him though.

Indeed, sir. Very subtle.

Just gained another yank to the group, 82nd airborne this time. To even it up and help keep the airsofters in check, I have also recruited a re-enactor from the Somerset L. I. group. All I wanted was a couple of people to share a car with
On the plus side, maybe once we're organised and know what we're doing, organising a game in the South West may be a possibility

These things have a way of growing sometimes, at its peak our 'car sharing' airsoft group 'Wheezy Company' had 14 people in it, but I'm the only one left now.... Or maybe I left them? not sure really!

Cheers
Martin