Where are all the Commonwealth troops? In fact, where..

Dear Cw, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.. Maybe we are at crossed purposses.. And the original thread has gone off on a tangent to say the least... The point I was making was that to make this (what seems to many) odd hobby appealing to more like minded people.. To you, and many older other forum members ( Age not implied) who have been attending events for years.. your response is "just do it".. For many it's not that simple... Thats it in a nutshell... if you want to increase the numbers attending, make it more accessable and easier to attend..
I am only trying to put my perspective forward and from a soul individual (and as of tomorrow maybe an out cast)... I get enough grief from my wife about filling the loft with ww2 gear, and only want to take this great past time forward.. Please forgive any spelling errors.. we had guests for dinner and alot of wine....
Kind Regards Chris...

Chris, not at cross purposes at all. And there is no need to be an outcast!

WW2 airsofting requires two things - some spare cash and some spare time. And some commitment. OK, three things then - cash, time, commitment.

For a niche hobby WW2 airsoft is ridiculously accessible. Events are held all around the country. Car shares are there for the asking. Guns and uniform freely lent. Game costs ranging from cheap to substantial. Single day and two day events. Overnight stop-overs almost always available for those travelling a distance and for those wishing for a social evening. WW2 uniform requirements ranging from 'anything goes' to 'accurate to the scenario'. Game sizes ranging from small and intense to big and a slog (or big and intense to small and a slog ). Game scenarios ranging from vaguely historical to battle action reenactment.

If potential players have no time free at weekends then clearly the gear will accumulate in the loft and you are a collector not a WW2 airsofter and for ever will be.

This is why I and others say it IS just that simple - no excuses - go to an event. As I've said, most WW2 airsoft friends and acquaintances are derived from attending WW2 airsoft events and there are many local groups (actually I'd use the Google +1 term 'circles' as it is a bit more accurate) because of this. Not the other way around.

if you want to increase the numbers attending, make it more accessable and easier to attend...

There is surely nothing more that event organisers can do to make events "more accessable and easier to attend".

All comments accepted, and apologies to anyone I may have offended in anyway.. I suppose it does boil down to just simply do it.. If you can..

As I've said, most WW2 airsoft friends and acquaintances are derived from attending WW2 airsoft events and there are many local groups (actually I'd use the Google +1 term 'circles' as it is a bit more accurate) because of this. Not the other way around.

I think that's precisely the point. I (luckily) got into ww2 airsoft through Gadge, who i happened to know for years, but there are now a whole group of people I'd class as genuine friends that I've met through the hobby, and a much larger group of acquaintances that i also know and get along with, all through actually going to events.

Once you've got to your first event, you'll meet a whole group of friendly people, some of which may even be local to you, and that you can then plan travelling to the next event with.

As with all niche 'group' hobbies, be it ww2 airsoft, martial arts, wargaming or anything, the first step of actually going to a meeting is the largest and hardest step. You just need to go there, get through the door, and meet like-minded people, not the other way round.

I *genuinely* don't think organisers can make it any more accessible as a hobby. Between us and other players, we sort kit lending, car sharing, camping areas and sometimes, depending on the event, even food.

All comments accepted, and apologies to anyone I may have offended in anyway.. I suppose it does boil down to just simply do it.. If you can..

No one is the least bit offended just, I suppose, a bit disappointed that anyone should feel they are excluded when actually organisers and fellow players fall over themselves to make potential players feel included.

Having pestered and pestered people to get into airsofting over the years (modern and wwii) the one thing I will say is that if someone really wants to do it they will find a way. All the pestering or help in the world will not persuade someone who doesn't really want to take part.

As such I've pretty much given up pestering. All my friends know what I do, if they want a part of it they just need to ask and put some commitment in.

For example my first trip airsofting was a stag party. Although we all loved the event and all said "yes I want to do more of this" after a couple of months of pestering it became clear to me that I was the only one who was really interested. So I got off my backside and went to an event on my own, not knowing anyone...

I was lucky........... I already had a set of friends involved and their pestering over almost 2 years eventually worked! Even so I would say it was quite daunting at first but a few events in and I'm much more relaxed about it and get on with the fun!

Worth going at least once to a WW2 event, even just to see how it is. I think there's been a few people started up recently (including me) who have straight into WW2 without coming from other forms of airsoft too?

Just stumbled on this old thread and it still holds/carries some very valid points as to why events don't work... Not just the curse..!!!

Humble player of two games here, I wish I had the funds and other necessary courage and experience to maybe start events in my area of Yorkshire to provide a closer location for myself and maybe others, but that's irrelevant.

To those that say British uniforms are awful... I declare your statements as heresy and blasphemy!

However, I do concede that at times the webbing can be most disagreeable, but only when it's incredibly old or you're not used to how it works.

British webbing is way better than the German or Soviet stuff and in many ways better than the American.
You dont need to change belts if you change weapons for a start.
The small pack works, tried using a doughboy? German kit drops apart when you take it off.

This is a very valid thread still and although gone round the houses and out the garden gate a bit, still sends the same message as a few other like minded threads. This is a WW2 Airsoft events forum and website. If you don't have any intention of doing this....bugger off!!! If you do and your worried about getting started, I run Airsoft all over the country, so you could pop down and meet me in the flesh or you can ring me for a chat and advice, even if it's not my game your interested in and I'll put you straight. He'll, I'll even have a beer with you! And I'm not the only one!

07854 277264

Key one this, if this conversation was down a pub, be leave me we would all be singing late into the night and getting very excited, sadly the written media does none of us much credit and you can't serve up a personality or real enthusiasm, but be assured, the guys that started this game all still have the same goal, which is to keep a living, breathing hobby above the rest in value for money, the experience and above all..FUN! The day I don't enjoy it, I won't be running any more, that's for sure but to me, this is still the best experience Airsoft offers.

Now, where are those bloody troopers

As someone who is new to this, I would point out that the kit requirements for events are pretty intimidating. I am an airsofter who bought a sten gun a month or so ago and I have spent a lot of time and money getting some kit together. I am pretty close to the point now where I can achieve a reasonable British airbourne look. It is my intention to use this mainly for regular airsoft but I would love to do some WW2 events. The problem is that I have had to cut corners to do this within budget.
For example, I am allergic to wool and asked about alternatives, one of the 1st replies was that Denim battledress might be acceptable at SOME events. Denim battledress is not easy to find cheaply and to be honest I am not prepared to spend £80 on a pair of trousers that might be acceptable at SOME events. What I plan to do its get a pair of non woollen trousers in roughly the right colour, for now I'm using an £8 pair of modern British green lightweights.
Now, I'm sure that most events aren't that picky about the small details but it might be easier to get new ww2 airsofters if there was some sort of tiered system for levels of authenticity that could be used in the kit guides and events. That way us new players would be able to see where to save some money and which events we would then be able to take part in. We can't all afford to go out and buy everything authentic in one go.

I think you get answers like the one that Denim's are acceptable at some events exactly because there is a range of kit requirements. The event organiser will post what they expect and would answer specific questions.
You may need to ask some more questions about where to get items. Denims are available for more like £65 a set and £40 for the trousers. See the What Price Glory website. (other suppliers are available)
If you don't mind me asking how much have you spent on other Airsoft loadouts?

atually they said Denims are acceptable at MOST events - in fact I can not think of one of my head where they were not accepted.

We can't all afford to go out and buy everything authentic in one go.

Absolutely. That's why there isn't (and hasn't ever) been a game where kit requirements have been absolute authenticity. Many players are happy to help out with kit, at Gunman games you can even be completely kitted out for FREE by the organiser.

Take another look at the upcoming (and past) games where each list kit requirements and the level of acceptable dress. WW2 airsoft is nothing but inclusive...

We can't all afford to go out and buy everything authentic in one go.

When was this ever suggested?
If anything I'd suggest buying the right kit but doing it over the course of anything from 6 months to a year. As I said to you in the thread that you're referring to, if you want an authenticish kit for minimum cost, you're going to have to spend some time trawling eBay and the forums for sale section. I'd also like to say that people on this forum are more than willing to lend you any kit that you might need for an event. If you dont want to borrow kit (which I can fully understand) you're going to have to spend a lot longer than a month on loadout building if you want a cheap, authentic kit.

I think you get answers like the one that Denim's are acceptable at some events exactly because there is a range of kit requirements. The event organiser will post what they expect and would answer specific questions.
You may need to ask some more questions about where to get items. Denims are available for more like £65 a set and £40 for the trousers. See the What Price Glory website. (other suppliers are available)
If you don't mind me asking how much have you spent on other Airsoft loadouts?

I use http://www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk/ for a set of DPM or DDPM at £25, a vest from amazon for £29, additional pouches etc from taiwangun.com or amazon. I basically do things on a budget. Probably still comes to £100ish per loadout.

I am getting there slowly, you may have seen my DIY helmet post, I have all the webbing and gaiters and a belgian smock sorted, I even blanoed a couple of bits yesterday. These forums are a bit intimidating at 1st though. Some ideas for cheaper gear would go a long way to getting new recruits. For example it occurs to me that once I have webbing, surplus green lightweight trousers and shirt plus appropriate headwear would make a very cheap Burma campaign setup.

If you want more British and commonwealth players, the current deal on Stens at Landwarrior should help a lot.

Thanks for the info. You do need to be realistic, but a basic WWII loadout should be possible within a £100 ish budget. I will try to suggest getting repro or original pattern where possible just so it means that you only spend money once. For example for your helmet I would suggest making the straps from leather offcuts rather buying a later strap.
On a Burma loadout you could make something that looks OK for airsoft. The bush hat is quite expensive to source, a MK II helmet is probably a cheaper and correct option.
It is very unlikely that there will be a Burma Airsoft game in the near future. I would like one as I have complete repro equipment for it. There is a distinct lack of Japanese Army players though.

No idea what the cost of kit has to do with why guys arnt booking on games. All hobbies cost something and Airsoft is bloody expensive due to its nature. Minimum £200 for reasonable kit and then £20-£40 a day to play. A sad truth our awesome hobby will always suffer