Hi, as a newbie I'm prob going to rattle off the same ol questions u get all the time! But... Where's the best place to get the kit, how much will a kit to get me started cost? Is there an expectation to follow certain etiquette whilst playing? I'm in the newcastle upon tyne area and wondered if there were local clubs specific to this genre of airsoft too? What's the age range of players? Any answers would be greatly appreciated!
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welcome to the forum. Have a look at the kit guides to give you a starter in what sort of kit, rough costs etc are/could be
Hi, as a newbie
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Where's the best place to get the kit
As Del said, have a look at the kit guides and decide what kit you want. Up until now, there has always been a requirement for Germans (although someone is planning a far east event), but some events will be specific about Allied units - e.g. only Brit, only US or only Soviet.
how much will a kit to get me started cost?
Again, I refer you to the kit guides. But you're best building kit up bit by bit. For full kit and weapon, probably in the region of £350, if everything is brand new. However, people are always selling stuff cheap, so it needn't cost that much. But, always ask for advice before you buy - it can save you a lot of money. (I'm happy to give you any advice you need if you're buying German kit.)
Is there an expectation to follow certain etiquette whilst playing?
Depends who the game organisers are. This forum advertises many games put on by many different organisers. Most of the games are trying to emulate a realism of the period, i.e. following specific orders, not going off on your own.
I'm in the newcastle upon tyne area and wondered if there were local clubs specific to this genre of airsoft too?
Probably not - I've not heard of any in that area. Most WWII airsoft is not location-specific to a particular site (an exception being The Hill, in Scotland). Events take place all over the country, and many have got used to travelling to them, because we feel that the experience is well worth the effort.
What's the age range of players?
Some games are over-18s only, for insurance purposes. Some are not. There are a few under 18s on here, but I would say the majority fall in the 20-50 bracket. Out of interest, how old are you?
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
i'm 36! and to be honest feeling a little to old and self concious for all this but it sounds excellent! I've been playing ww2 games on computers for years, I've read countless first person accounts of the era and am obsessed by the whole experience. This seems like a way to better understand and experience an event never to be seen or experienced again (thank god and the generation who made it so!!).
I was looking thru the kit guide and that does seem reasonable, however the weapons look a bit expensive. How much would a good second hand piece go for and where would i find one. I was kinda hoping to be british (airbourne was the dream) if that helps.
Sounds really exciting, i'm buzzing just thinking of it!!
Thanks for all your help
Heh... 36... a mere youngster! 
British Airborne... easy enough. Take a look at the guides here: http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/zoom/brit-airborne.html and here: http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/zoom/staffs.html
One is the cheap and cheerful one a somewhat better attempt.
For a denison be prepared to spend about £100 for a decent one... Soldier of Fortune is the place to go for that. If your happy with a belgian one (you won't be forever as they're not great!) then stick a wanted ad on the forum and there's bound to be someone with a spare.
For trousers you can go cheap as the guides show or ideally get some proper wool ones. Avoid the para trousers as it restricts you for future impressions...
Have fun!
Also, if you have problems with getting a weapon sorted out - some very kind folks here may loan you one of theirs on a "You bend it, you mend it basis" at an event.
Whatever you do, don't think you need to buy everything before your first event - get stuck in and take part
thanks for that. just been browsing for weapons and it's not as straight forward as i would have thought! also, do you need a license to buy one? i've heard all sorts of guff about what you can and can't buy?
Seen a Thompson replica for £250!
as for events, the next british / german / italian encouter is the anzio landings in wales! is that event supported by you CIA? And if i were to go how late can i leave booking up??
You don't need a license, you need a defence or an exemption to the VCRA. See here for more info: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=8301
If you mean Operation Shingle, then that's a Gunman game and not a CiA one. viewforum.php?f=148
hi there, if its british airborne you want, try here
http://www.poorbloodyinfantry.net/
So, I really have to join my local airsoft club in order to buy a gun! Hmmm! It's no easy task to pick up and play is it!? Guess that'll keep it for real enthusiasts to some degree, tho frustrating when you're eager! Any one recommend a up coming event I could cut my teeth in?
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So, I really have to join my local airsoft club in order to buy a gun! Hmmm! It's no easy task to pick up and play is it!? Guess that'll keep it for real enthusiasts to some degree, tho frustrating when you're eager! Any one recommend a up coming event I could cut my teeth in?
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yeah, it tends to filter out the chavs ............. 
So, and excuse my ignorance why can't an organisation such as this fine one just recruit and take memberships? That would provide income for future events and get newbies off to a start with a defence!? Any way who am I to question the way things are!? Any onee got any suggestions for that first skirmish?
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UKARA exemption has to be issued by airsoft sites, as far as I understand it. The other exemption would be AFRA (All Forces Reenactment Association). It's perhaps a little bit chicken-and-egg scenario, in that you have to be a proven reenactor - however, if you were to attend a CiA game (where people could lend you kit / gun), you could become a CiA member, and then an AFRA member. The next CiA event is this coming weekend! The one after that is Devil's Hill, in October.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Thanks Steiner, all your help has been tops
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Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest a more generic (and cheaper!) look for a Brit loadout, rather than diving straight into airborne. That way, you'll fit in at any game involving British or commonwealth troops. I understand that people are more drawn to the more "glamorous" units but, it's far more cost effective to start off generic and then add the other stuff later to enable you to do a wider range of loadouts. Also, don't get too wrapped up in the obsession with perfect kit that some get drawn into. Getting out and playing is far more important than being anal over whether you're wearing the right shirt or not, or spending all of your money on gear and then moaning that you can't afford to play! 
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Thanks sarj! Another good tip. Think I'll follow it too! I'll set myself the target of a basic brit outfit. Then the cries of what will I get him for xmas/birthday will be answered for years to come! Haha. Again, thanks to all for your prompt, friendly and most useful help! I look forward to gunning you down! If your in field grey that is! Oh, just a passing shot, is devils hill for american airbourne only? Thanks again!
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It's US airborne/airlanding vs German Falshy.
Like Heide says, don't take the plunge and jump into parting with your hard earned cash straight away. Have a look at borrowing someone's kit, I myself would have kit for borrowing out at Devil's Hill if required, as I'm sure a lot of othe people will. Come to one of the games, see whether you like it or not, and that should be a good indicator to how much attention to detail you put in.
PBI's main impression is South Staffordshire Airlanding, a lot of members including myself have put in a lot of money and effort into the impression over a number of years. A massive investment, but not neccessary for regualr Airsoft use! Get the basics and see how you feel from there.
So is it worth booking onto devils in the hope of borrowing kit?! I would hate to pay for the operation, travelling too and not seeing action?!
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To be fair, its a bit of an ask to be kitted out top to toe and a gun too with kit borrowed from fellow players. Not impossible, but a bit of an ask.
Gunman's game in November being a commercial venture has as much hire kit as you want and is a really good way to start out and get a feel for what you like and make decisions on kit you might want to buy.
viewforum.php?f=148
Excellent! Will do that. Have left a post on his thread re shingle! I will look to get myself there and hope to get the ball rolling! Again, thanks to everyone for their patience and support. U have all been very friendly and helpful. Tops site guys, keep it up!
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