Gunboat Diplomat

Back from our second ever game at Spec Ops MK. Only did a half-day today as expected it to be hot and it's a good thing as my new boots have cut my heels to shreds, so was very much done by lunch. Turns out wearing them at your desk for a couple of hours doesn't count as a proper test. That aside, another good day of fun. Played a new game mode which involved rescuing a downed pilot (dummy) from the enemy camp. Hugely entertaining, especially when on the defending side as I managed to get a decent rate of kills. I think the game might need rebalancing though as I don't think anyone stood a chance of evac'ing the dummy, but who doesn't love a suicide mission. The boy had a good game with no injuries or mishaps, so at least one of us made it unscathed. He was, unusually for him, tired out by lunch so I'm assuming the heat has got to him. One more game to go before I'm UKARA registered which will simultaneously make the day rate cheaper but also meaning I empty my wallet on gun purchases. Have also realised I need something other than a bright red backpack to carry my gear and my £10 Asda jeans now have holes in the knees, so I'm open to suggestions on budget chest-rigs and trousers with knee-protection built in. Hello new hobby, good-bye fiscal responsibility.

The question is, how long until our nodding-dog political peers follow suit and update VCRA to mandate that all RIFs must now be transparent, pink or shaped like a banana irrespective of your UKARA status. Would be a very easy and lazy win in this climate of being tough-on-crime-whilst not-actually-being-tough-on-crime.

I'm another newb (also the wrong side of 40), my son and I had our first Airsoft game at Special Ops this bank holiday Monday just gone. Was a great day, Carlos and the team there are all very helpful. Food as mentioned above was great and you will have worked up an appetite for it. We're planning to go back soon, once UKARA registered I'll be waterboarding my credit card to fund kit for me and the boy. Spoke to a few of the regulars (possibly some of you guys who have replied - if so hello!) during the day and everyone was happy to chat and give advice, certainly no sense of gatekeeping or elitism that I experienced. Really enjoyed it, had some great battles, one memorable moment saw me exchanging fire with a couple of guys maybe 60 meters away from cover. Took out the first guy, then tried to walk my shots to the second as he was returning fire. We both took each other out more or less simultaneously so both took the hit. Quick thumbs up to acknowledge good-game and then back to the respawn. Some tips from my recent experience: The car park is small (though I think they have some extra parking further down), so arriving a little earlier probably means you'll get a better chance at a space. If you are renting gear, the above is also true as you'll want time to collect your kit. Take advantage of the range in the safe area (netted section towards the back) to test fire your gear. Their rental stuff is tough but well used, my first mag wouldn't wind and the hop-up needed adjustment on my gun. All easily rectified but better to find out before you are in the field. Ask questions in the game briefings if you're not sure. It took me most of the day to get a vague mental picture of the site in my head, during briefings there is a lot of arm waving and naming of map features you won't yet know. Better to ask someone to confirm a spawn point or objective then rather than mid battle. Your legs are gonna burn afterwards.