Given that Alexander Arms corporate headquarters is located in the tropical idyll of Honolulu, Hawaii, shoudn't us "mere" Airsoft enthusiasts deserve the good life?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A Great Site For Jungle Warfare Simulation?
Given that Alexander Arms corporate headquarters is located in the tropical idyll of Honolulu, Hawaii, shoudn't us "mere" Airsoft enthusiasts deserve the good life?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Should Helium Be Used In Airsoft Gas Blowback Guns?
Given that the laws of thermodynamics dictates that gases of low molecular weight have excellent work function, should Airsoft gas blowback guns use helium instead of Green Gas?
By: Vanessa Uy
It is well known in the Airsoft gaming community that gas blowback guns – especially handgun replica weapons systems – uses refrigerant like gases, like Green Gas and Red Gas as the working substance for these type of guns. But shouldn’t gases with low molecular weight like helium or hydrogen make better gases for use in gas blowback Airsoft weapons systems? After all, our current understanding of the laws of thermodynamics states that gases with very low molecular weights have a very excellent work function when used as the working substance in a typical mechanical system.
Though it never got used as a battlefield weapons system due to it’s relative complexity, the light-gas gun system is a good example of how a working substance of low molecular weight can produce very excellent performance – in projectile velocity terms – when used as a gun propellant. Oddly enough, the mechanical principle of the light-gas gun system is akin to that of a typical Airsoft AEG weapons systems’ piston, cylinder, catcher section, and launch tube set-up.
Operation of the light-gas gun system consists of igniting a conventional powder propellant in the propellant chamber, which forces the pump piston down the pump tube, compressing the helium or hydrogen gas – usually pressurized at 450 to 1200 pounds per square inch before firing the propellant. This gas eventually builds up sufficient pressure to cause the diaphragm to burst. It is the release of this pressure that propels the projectile from the launch tube. The catcher section of the gun serves to limit the forward motion of the pump piston.
Projectile velocities of the light-gas gun system are of the order of 7,000 to 15,000 feet per second, while conventional battlefield guns – like howitzers – are limited to 7,000 feet per second. Although the 7,000 feet per second figure is the sole domain of artillery pieces that fire tungsten carbide or depleted uranium cored disintegrating sabot projectiles, those that fire your typical high-explosive fragmentation projectiles are probably limited to under 5,000 feet per second in their muzzle velocities.
The higher level of performance attained with the light-gas gun system is attributable to the low molecular weight and the correspondingly high sound velocity of the working substance acting on the base of the projectile. These guns are typically used in research labs that investigate the hypervelocity impact damage of meteorites or space debris on satellites and manned spacecraft.
Given that hydrogen has the inherent hazard of flammability and the long term ozone layer and global warming hazards of Green Gas and Red Gas – i.e. HFC-134a and HCFC-22 – are yet to be determined. Even though one cannot directly substitute helium for Green Gas or Red Gas because your typical Airsoft gas blowback mechanical systems are pre-designed to work only with either Green Gas or Red Gas. It looks as if the use of helium as a working substance for Airsoft gas blowback guns has been unfairly overlooked.
Although Green Gas and Red Gas are now readily available in Airsoft shops throughout Southeast Asia, helium tanks typically sold to fill party balloons are more widely available. Also, helium has a greater commercial and industrial incumbency than either Green Gas - a mixture of propane, polysiloxane lubricant and HFC-134a refrigerant – or Red Gas – a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and the refrigerant HCFC-22. Because it has been sold for a while longer than either pre-packaged Airsoft working substances, plus the laws of thermodynamics proves that helium is a more efficient gas than either Green Gas or Red Gas - mystery of mysteries indeed.
By: Vanessa Uy
It is well known in the Airsoft gaming community that gas blowback guns – especially handgun replica weapons systems – uses refrigerant like gases, like Green Gas and Red Gas as the working substance for these type of guns. But shouldn’t gases with low molecular weight like helium or hydrogen make better gases for use in gas blowback Airsoft weapons systems? After all, our current understanding of the laws of thermodynamics states that gases with very low molecular weights have a very excellent work function when used as the working substance in a typical mechanical system.
Though it never got used as a battlefield weapons system due to it’s relative complexity, the light-gas gun system is a good example of how a working substance of low molecular weight can produce very excellent performance – in projectile velocity terms – when used as a gun propellant. Oddly enough, the mechanical principle of the light-gas gun system is akin to that of a typical Airsoft AEG weapons systems’ piston, cylinder, catcher section, and launch tube set-up.
Operation of the light-gas gun system consists of igniting a conventional powder propellant in the propellant chamber, which forces the pump piston down the pump tube, compressing the helium or hydrogen gas – usually pressurized at 450 to 1200 pounds per square inch before firing the propellant. This gas eventually builds up sufficient pressure to cause the diaphragm to burst. It is the release of this pressure that propels the projectile from the launch tube. The catcher section of the gun serves to limit the forward motion of the pump piston.
Projectile velocities of the light-gas gun system are of the order of 7,000 to 15,000 feet per second, while conventional battlefield guns – like howitzers – are limited to 7,000 feet per second. Although the 7,000 feet per second figure is the sole domain of artillery pieces that fire tungsten carbide or depleted uranium cored disintegrating sabot projectiles, those that fire your typical high-explosive fragmentation projectiles are probably limited to under 5,000 feet per second in their muzzle velocities.
The higher level of performance attained with the light-gas gun system is attributable to the low molecular weight and the correspondingly high sound velocity of the working substance acting on the base of the projectile. These guns are typically used in research labs that investigate the hypervelocity impact damage of meteorites or space debris on satellites and manned spacecraft.
Given that hydrogen has the inherent hazard of flammability and the long term ozone layer and global warming hazards of Green Gas and Red Gas – i.e. HFC-134a and HCFC-22 – are yet to be determined. Even though one cannot directly substitute helium for Green Gas or Red Gas because your typical Airsoft gas blowback mechanical systems are pre-designed to work only with either Green Gas or Red Gas. It looks as if the use of helium as a working substance for Airsoft gas blowback guns has been unfairly overlooked.
Although Green Gas and Red Gas are now readily available in Airsoft shops throughout Southeast Asia, helium tanks typically sold to fill party balloons are more widely available. Also, helium has a greater commercial and industrial incumbency than either Green Gas - a mixture of propane, polysiloxane lubricant and HFC-134a refrigerant – or Red Gas – a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and the refrigerant HCFC-22. Because it has been sold for a while longer than either pre-packaged Airsoft working substances, plus the laws of thermodynamics proves that helium is a more efficient gas than either Green Gas or Red Gas - mystery of mysteries indeed.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Should Political Extremists Be Banned From Airsoft Clubs?
Given that most law-enforcement and local government entities regard Airsoft clubs as de facto gun clubs, should anyone harboring extremist political views be barred from joining?
By: Vanessa Uy
Many consider me as a political extremist in more ways than one. Though I can manage to play on both sides of the proverbial political net, but like what Robert Frost said about the Japanese, I too have a disdain of playing “political tennis” without a net demarcating between the left and right of the political spectrum. If one loses sight of this “net” they could become one of those “hated people” who never understands responsible gun ownership. Thus turning themselves into the proverbial whipping boys often featured in pro-gun ownership magazines like Guns and Ammo or Soldier of Fortune.
While the Second Amendment of the US Constitution is more often than not mistaken as a “universal value”, although in reality tyranny is deemed more universal in our contemporary globalized world in comparison to an individual’s right to defend him or herself. The issue had never emerged during discussions by member nations of the UN Security Council as they conveniently overlook the very unflattering aspects of the victor-victimized relationship. But why should we in the Airsoft gaming community care about global macro-politics? Aren’t we too preoccupied with our own “micro-politics – i.e. that who should be allowed or denied entry?
Even though every aspect of our lives is very much politicized since as far back as the 20th Century. From art to spirituality (organized religion – to me – is nothing more than politicized spirituality) all it seems had been deemed political. Our post-9 / 11 world just makes the political contrasts starkly stand out. Simulated war games like Airsoft have always been a 250-paged doctoral thesis on cognitive dissonance that T.S. Eliot could only dream of. I mean do Airsoft players around the world find it just a bit strange that after spending the whole Sunday trying to pretend kill the opposing team, they could at the end of the day come together and enjoy a barbecue and a round of drinks. Given the overall pathos, one’s preoccupation with an over-glorified version of a pellet gun is only half of the story. I for one could only wish how the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche could have viewed such spectacle.
Like all violins and their respective f-holes, everyone has their own political viewpoints. If we start mandating that only such-and-such persons with such-and-such viewpoints can join Airsoft clubs is tantamount to discrimination. After all, facing an opposing team harboring political views wholly different from yours can be very exciting, right? Just remember not to confuse one’s ego with their political viewpoints.
By: Vanessa Uy
Many consider me as a political extremist in more ways than one. Though I can manage to play on both sides of the proverbial political net, but like what Robert Frost said about the Japanese, I too have a disdain of playing “political tennis” without a net demarcating between the left and right of the political spectrum. If one loses sight of this “net” they could become one of those “hated people” who never understands responsible gun ownership. Thus turning themselves into the proverbial whipping boys often featured in pro-gun ownership magazines like Guns and Ammo or Soldier of Fortune.
While the Second Amendment of the US Constitution is more often than not mistaken as a “universal value”, although in reality tyranny is deemed more universal in our contemporary globalized world in comparison to an individual’s right to defend him or herself. The issue had never emerged during discussions by member nations of the UN Security Council as they conveniently overlook the very unflattering aspects of the victor-victimized relationship. But why should we in the Airsoft gaming community care about global macro-politics? Aren’t we too preoccupied with our own “micro-politics – i.e. that who should be allowed or denied entry?
Even though every aspect of our lives is very much politicized since as far back as the 20th Century. From art to spirituality (organized religion – to me – is nothing more than politicized spirituality) all it seems had been deemed political. Our post-9 / 11 world just makes the political contrasts starkly stand out. Simulated war games like Airsoft have always been a 250-paged doctoral thesis on cognitive dissonance that T.S. Eliot could only dream of. I mean do Airsoft players around the world find it just a bit strange that after spending the whole Sunday trying to pretend kill the opposing team, they could at the end of the day come together and enjoy a barbecue and a round of drinks. Given the overall pathos, one’s preoccupation with an over-glorified version of a pellet gun is only half of the story. I for one could only wish how the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche could have viewed such spectacle.
Like all violins and their respective f-holes, everyone has their own political viewpoints. If we start mandating that only such-and-such persons with such-and-such viewpoints can join Airsoft clubs is tantamount to discrimination. After all, facing an opposing team harboring political views wholly different from yours can be very exciting, right? Just remember not to confuse one’s ego with their political viewpoints.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Cornershot Weapons System: Viable for Airsoft Use?
Given that it is now widely adopted by the world’s leading defense and law enforcement groups, can the cornershot weapons system prove useful in the Airsoft gaming world?
By: Vanessa Uy
Ever since Amos Golan invented the cornershot for use in the Israeli Defense Force’s urban warfare operations, many in the Airsoft gaming community are wondering whether it will be viable for Airsoft use given that Airsoft weapons systems are almost identical to the “real” guns that are used in cornershot. But before we proceed, here is a short primer on what is cornershot.
Given that the Israeli Defense Force operations are usually done in urban environments. Designing a “contraption” that allows soldiers to use their standard infantry weapons to be fired behind corners while allowing them “cover” against gunfire from the enemy would serve as a very useful lifesaver to soldiers prosecuting their operations in such hostile environments.
Amos Golan’s cornershot used a system composed of a camera, a view screen / video monitor, and a firing mechanism that allows a soldier to fire not only their standard infantry weapons like assault rifles, but also handguns and even 40mm grenade launchers in relative safety behind sufficient cover without the need for the assault rifle, handgun, and grenade launcher to be modified in any way. Even though his system now enjoys widespread adoption and use, a similar - although different in concept - device was built during World War II by the Germans that also allows their soldiers to fire their guns behind corners.
Known as the MP44 bent barrel weapon, the gun was primarily designed for German commandos for use when they gained entry to bunkers and other enclosed spaces. The gun’s barrel was “gently” bent 30° to allow the gun to hit targets behind corners wile giving the soldier sufficient cover against enemy fire. The German built device uses prisms for optical sighting that allowed its operator to see targets around corners. Even though the gun was manufactured in significant numbers, it’s “thirty-degree-bent-barrel” became it’s “Achilles Heel” because bullets – the projectile – could more often than not get stuck in them. Plus, the MP44 Bent Barrel Weapon was only accurate in CQB conditions, at distances greater that 12 meters, its accuracy is found wanting. Unlike the modern version invented by Golan were standard infantry weapons can be easily fitted into for “cornershot” use without modification. With sufficient training – especially given the original cornershot’s excellent camera and sighting optics – a soldier can still get guaranteed head shots even at distances slightly greater than 300 meters via a standard issue M-4 carbine.
Even though in military and law-enforcement use had became widespread, in the Airsoft gaming world, use of such weapons systems had been outlawed by most Airsoft clubs. Citing that cornershot weapons systems based on the one designed by Amos Golan is a violation against established blind-fire rules. Given that if an Airsoft enthusiast – with MacGyver-like sense of engineering improvisation - is fortunate enough to examine one closely, he or she could easily clone it using of-the-shelf Internet-ready personal computer peripherals. Like Net-cams and small plasma screens to be used as a video monitor. One can be cobbled up using these items and other parts for probably under 500 US dollars. Given the lack of “truly binding laws and agreements” in the Airsoft gaming world preventing the use of such weapons systems. It will be only a matter of time when a cornershot weapons system similar to that invented by Amos Golan will be widely used in Airsoft as a squad-level weapons system.
By: Vanessa Uy
Ever since Amos Golan invented the cornershot for use in the Israeli Defense Force’s urban warfare operations, many in the Airsoft gaming community are wondering whether it will be viable for Airsoft use given that Airsoft weapons systems are almost identical to the “real” guns that are used in cornershot. But before we proceed, here is a short primer on what is cornershot.
Given that the Israeli Defense Force operations are usually done in urban environments. Designing a “contraption” that allows soldiers to use their standard infantry weapons to be fired behind corners while allowing them “cover” against gunfire from the enemy would serve as a very useful lifesaver to soldiers prosecuting their operations in such hostile environments.
Amos Golan’s cornershot used a system composed of a camera, a view screen / video monitor, and a firing mechanism that allows a soldier to fire not only their standard infantry weapons like assault rifles, but also handguns and even 40mm grenade launchers in relative safety behind sufficient cover without the need for the assault rifle, handgun, and grenade launcher to be modified in any way. Even though his system now enjoys widespread adoption and use, a similar - although different in concept - device was built during World War II by the Germans that also allows their soldiers to fire their guns behind corners.
Known as the MP44 bent barrel weapon, the gun was primarily designed for German commandos for use when they gained entry to bunkers and other enclosed spaces. The gun’s barrel was “gently” bent 30° to allow the gun to hit targets behind corners wile giving the soldier sufficient cover against enemy fire. The German built device uses prisms for optical sighting that allowed its operator to see targets around corners. Even though the gun was manufactured in significant numbers, it’s “thirty-degree-bent-barrel” became it’s “Achilles Heel” because bullets – the projectile – could more often than not get stuck in them. Plus, the MP44 Bent Barrel Weapon was only accurate in CQB conditions, at distances greater that 12 meters, its accuracy is found wanting. Unlike the modern version invented by Golan were standard infantry weapons can be easily fitted into for “cornershot” use without modification. With sufficient training – especially given the original cornershot’s excellent camera and sighting optics – a soldier can still get guaranteed head shots even at distances slightly greater than 300 meters via a standard issue M-4 carbine.
Even though in military and law-enforcement use had became widespread, in the Airsoft gaming world, use of such weapons systems had been outlawed by most Airsoft clubs. Citing that cornershot weapons systems based on the one designed by Amos Golan is a violation against established blind-fire rules. Given that if an Airsoft enthusiast – with MacGyver-like sense of engineering improvisation - is fortunate enough to examine one closely, he or she could easily clone it using of-the-shelf Internet-ready personal computer peripherals. Like Net-cams and small plasma screens to be used as a video monitor. One can be cobbled up using these items and other parts for probably under 500 US dollars. Given the lack of “truly binding laws and agreements” in the Airsoft gaming world preventing the use of such weapons systems. It will be only a matter of time when a cornershot weapons system similar to that invented by Amos Golan will be widely used in Airsoft as a squad-level weapons system.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Airsoft Weapons Systems: WMDs?
After seeing the movie No Country for Old Men, I wonder if an unseemly improvised weapon like the pneumatic air gun used in that movie could be the next WMD threat?
By: Vanessa Uy
Touted by movie buffs as one of the scariest “improvised” or “MacGyver-ized” weapons of mass destruction or WMD of 2007, the “mother-of-all-airsoft-weapons-systems” used in the movie No Country for Old Men. Will that particular weapon be destined to become the most popular improvised unseemly weapons system of choice for budding terrorists?
Folks who lived in the “cattle-belt” region of the United States say that the pneumatic air gun used in that particular movie say that it was “allegedly” built as a “humane” way to kill cattle for the meatpacking industry. If this is true, either industrial efficiency has already divorced itself from widely accepted societal moral norms when it comes to animal cruelty. Or the US meatpacking industry is already starting to acquire a really sick sense of humor as the humane law regulatory body fell asleep at the wheel again. Given that Christmas – together with the American celebration of Thanksgiving – is the major meat consumption season of the Christian West shouldn’t cattle or other meat-producing livestock deserve to be raised ethically and slaughtered humanely?
Even though at “first glance” the movie No Country for Old Men looks like it’s primarily inspired by the long lost art of “MacGyver-ism” due to the pneumatic gun’s prominence in the movie as a murder weapon. In my opinion, the movie – true to the book it is based on – is really about the true meaning of what was the “Old West” – warts and all. Some who are currently doing their doctoral thesis might say that the move – as is the book it is based on – is a critique of the over-glamorized rose tinted – sometimes disrespectfully caricatured - 1950’s Hollywood portrayal of the “Old West”. Given that a Nietzschean leaning perception of the true meaning of “morality” has been largely made anathema by the eight years of the Bush Administration, this aspect of the movie – and the book – is often “overlooked” by a large majority of moviegoers and the book’s readers.
To the airsoft gaming community, the movie is often perceived as an anachronistic perversion of the dueling codes of conduct of the “Old West”. Though I often question the wisdom of viewing the past through the prism of the here-and-now, it is certainly is an inescapable intellectual absurdity. That is why I’m a staunch proponent of historical accuracy and / or historical authenticity when it comes to conducting an airsoft military – or other conflict scenario – simulation games.
By: Vanessa Uy
Touted by movie buffs as one of the scariest “improvised” or “MacGyver-ized” weapons of mass destruction or WMD of 2007, the “mother-of-all-airsoft-weapons-systems” used in the movie No Country for Old Men. Will that particular weapon be destined to become the most popular improvised unseemly weapons system of choice for budding terrorists?
Folks who lived in the “cattle-belt” region of the United States say that the pneumatic air gun used in that particular movie say that it was “allegedly” built as a “humane” way to kill cattle for the meatpacking industry. If this is true, either industrial efficiency has already divorced itself from widely accepted societal moral norms when it comes to animal cruelty. Or the US meatpacking industry is already starting to acquire a really sick sense of humor as the humane law regulatory body fell asleep at the wheel again. Given that Christmas – together with the American celebration of Thanksgiving – is the major meat consumption season of the Christian West shouldn’t cattle or other meat-producing livestock deserve to be raised ethically and slaughtered humanely?
Even though at “first glance” the movie No Country for Old Men looks like it’s primarily inspired by the long lost art of “MacGyver-ism” due to the pneumatic gun’s prominence in the movie as a murder weapon. In my opinion, the movie – true to the book it is based on – is really about the true meaning of what was the “Old West” – warts and all. Some who are currently doing their doctoral thesis might say that the move – as is the book it is based on – is a critique of the over-glamorized rose tinted – sometimes disrespectfully caricatured - 1950’s Hollywood portrayal of the “Old West”. Given that a Nietzschean leaning perception of the true meaning of “morality” has been largely made anathema by the eight years of the Bush Administration, this aspect of the movie – and the book – is often “overlooked” by a large majority of moviegoers and the book’s readers.
To the airsoft gaming community, the movie is often perceived as an anachronistic perversion of the dueling codes of conduct of the “Old West”. Though I often question the wisdom of viewing the past through the prism of the here-and-now, it is certainly is an inescapable intellectual absurdity. That is why I’m a staunch proponent of historical accuracy and / or historical authenticity when it comes to conducting an airsoft military – or other conflict scenario – simulation games.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Metal Storm Airsoft Weapons System
An airsoft weapons system based on J. Mike O’Dwyer’s million rounds per minute capable Metal Storm would not only be a technical tour de force, but would forever change the face of airsoft. Ready for a revolution?
By: Vanessa Uy
When a loan tinkerer named J. Mike O’Dwyer from Queensland, Australia – after 15 years of trial and error - managed to construct a working prototype of his multibarrel electronic gun that’s capable of firing over a million bullets per minute back in 1999. It set-off a revolution that every government’s military organizations around the world find hard to ignore. Rightly so because the other fastest gun at that time, the Gatling-type machine guns with an electrical motor-driven firing mechanism, can “only” fire at 6,000 rounds per minute.
O’Dwyer’s Metal Storm concept is so revolutionary that according to military top brass who witness the first few field tests say that Metal Storm might be the only weapons system that could save more people than it kills. It’s high rate of fire is very useful in neutralizing incoming mortar fire and other heavy artillery, especially in humanitarian aid camps in various war zones around the world. Plus, Metal Storm’s adjustable spread of fire is also very useful in clearing minefields of UXO s without endangering minesweeping personnel. Another bonus of this unique weapons system is the fact that it is an electronically operated system, it is easier to add electronic safeguards like proprietary passwords that would render the weapons system inoperable if it ever falls into enemy hands.
Currently being manufactured by Metal Storm Limited, a company with both an Australian Stock Exchange and NASDAQ public stock listings (ASX: MST, NASDAQ: MTSX) reminiscent of piano builder's Steinway’s LVB (for Ludwig van Beethoven) public stock listings. Metal Storm Limited is primarily a research and development company that specializes in electronically initiated stacked projectile weapons systems. Metal Storm is both the name of the company and the weapons system technology that the company specializes in. The company is based in Brisbane, Australia with a subsidiary in Washington, D.C., USA. Metal Storm owns the proprietary rights to the electronic ballistics technology originally invented by J. Mike O’Dwyer.
Since electronics today is now very cheap compared to 9 or so years ago, an airsoft weapons system / AEG replica gun similar to Metal Storm might obviate the need of a motor. The motor could be replaced by a number of solenoids controlling the array of barrel’s firing mechanism. Even though an airsoft Metal Storm gun will never be single-man portable, it’s high rate of fire – depending on the number of barrels in the array – would make it’s target find out that being hit by one can be a surreal experience. This might revolutionize airsoft gaming scene if the Metal Storm airsoft weapons system becomes widely available.
By: Vanessa Uy
When a loan tinkerer named J. Mike O’Dwyer from Queensland, Australia – after 15 years of trial and error - managed to construct a working prototype of his multibarrel electronic gun that’s capable of firing over a million bullets per minute back in 1999. It set-off a revolution that every government’s military organizations around the world find hard to ignore. Rightly so because the other fastest gun at that time, the Gatling-type machine guns with an electrical motor-driven firing mechanism, can “only” fire at 6,000 rounds per minute.
O’Dwyer’s Metal Storm concept is so revolutionary that according to military top brass who witness the first few field tests say that Metal Storm might be the only weapons system that could save more people than it kills. It’s high rate of fire is very useful in neutralizing incoming mortar fire and other heavy artillery, especially in humanitarian aid camps in various war zones around the world. Plus, Metal Storm’s adjustable spread of fire is also very useful in clearing minefields of UXO s without endangering minesweeping personnel. Another bonus of this unique weapons system is the fact that it is an electronically operated system, it is easier to add electronic safeguards like proprietary passwords that would render the weapons system inoperable if it ever falls into enemy hands.
Currently being manufactured by Metal Storm Limited, a company with both an Australian Stock Exchange and NASDAQ public stock listings (ASX: MST, NASDAQ: MTSX) reminiscent of piano builder's Steinway’s LVB (for Ludwig van Beethoven) public stock listings. Metal Storm Limited is primarily a research and development company that specializes in electronically initiated stacked projectile weapons systems. Metal Storm is both the name of the company and the weapons system technology that the company specializes in. The company is based in Brisbane, Australia with a subsidiary in Washington, D.C., USA. Metal Storm owns the proprietary rights to the electronic ballistics technology originally invented by J. Mike O’Dwyer.
Since electronics today is now very cheap compared to 9 or so years ago, an airsoft weapons system / AEG replica gun similar to Metal Storm might obviate the need of a motor. The motor could be replaced by a number of solenoids controlling the array of barrel’s firing mechanism. Even though an airsoft Metal Storm gun will never be single-man portable, it’s high rate of fire – depending on the number of barrels in the array – would make it’s target find out that being hit by one can be a surreal experience. This might revolutionize airsoft gaming scene if the Metal Storm airsoft weapons system becomes widely available.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Science Fiction Based Airsoft Simulation Games
Ever since a segment of the airsoft gaming world embraced Stargate: SG1’s P90 weapons system and the science fiction TV series noted epic battle scenes. Will the wider world of the airsoft gaming community embrace the world of sci-fi battle scenes?
By: Vanessa Uy
Maybe it was the release of the soot-em-up video game called Star Trek Elite Force and it’s subsequent variants and incarnations. Or the inclusion of Navy Seal / Delta Force-type personnel in the recent Enterprise series that allowed Trekkies – majority of which that I know of are also airsoft enthusiast – to create simulations reenacting their favorite battle scenes in various Star Trek episodes. From the original series to the last Enterprise TV series, there’s no shortage of scenarios to choose from.
When it comes to the world of science fiction combat scenario – especially ones involving fully automatic infantry weapons. Simulating epic battle scenes using airsoft weapons systems usually depends on the scenario you intend to reenact.
In the science fiction side of the airsoft gaming world, the only widely available science fiction oriented airsoft weapon system - bar Stargate: SG-1’s P90 - is the M41 Pulse Rifle used by the US Marine expeditionary fighting force accompanying Lt. Ellen Ripley in the movie Aliens. Noting that “widely” is a relative term here since an overwhelming majority of airsoft gamers tend to gravitate toward historically real events like the Vietnam War or Operation: Desert Storm, etc.
On the Star Trek end of things, given that Masterpiece Models – the official Starfleet Armory and manufacturer of Star Trek-oriented weaponry – sells these products to avid Trekkies. Since they’ve already made very good Type III Phaser Rifles and compression rifles used in Star Trek: Voyager series, should licence their designs to airsoft manufacturers so that the airsoft gaming world will finally have a somewhat true Star Trek experience.
The problem with celluloid / movie or TV battle scenes – especially ones involving shooting a target over 200 meters away – is that long distances don’t lend themselves particularly well in the make believe world of the proverbial silver screen. Even the latest high definition contrivances don’t even come close of the real experience of shooting a helmet placed 300 meters away with a Kalashnikov using it’s iron sights. Especially when you did this first hand and you’re lucky enough to posses a pair of eyes with a slightly better than 20/20 visual acuity.
Luckily – or is it due to the brilliant directors clever cinematography – that science fiction-based combat scenes usually takes place in close quarters. Like the shipboard phaser-type weapons combat in Star Trek, or in Aliens where the marine’s arch-nemesis tend to pounce on them at very close distances. As an avid Star Trek fan, I never saw their phasers or compression rifles being used at targets more than 300 meters away.
Cinematic foibles such as these tend to benefit airsoft gamers since airsoft weapon systems’ projectiles – i.e. the plastic BB pellets – have a very poor ballistic coefficient. Even ones with muzzle velocities that measure 450 or so feet per second slow down very rapidly the farther the target you intend to shoot. Shooting someone half a basketball court away using an airsoft weapons system – even with a 450 feet per second muzzle velocity – your game mate will just do a “Matrix”-style swerve to evade your pellet fire. So close quarter scenarios are a prerequisite in airsoft battle simulations, especially good ones.
By: Vanessa Uy
Maybe it was the release of the soot-em-up video game called Star Trek Elite Force and it’s subsequent variants and incarnations. Or the inclusion of Navy Seal / Delta Force-type personnel in the recent Enterprise series that allowed Trekkies – majority of which that I know of are also airsoft enthusiast – to create simulations reenacting their favorite battle scenes in various Star Trek episodes. From the original series to the last Enterprise TV series, there’s no shortage of scenarios to choose from.
When it comes to the world of science fiction combat scenario – especially ones involving fully automatic infantry weapons. Simulating epic battle scenes using airsoft weapons systems usually depends on the scenario you intend to reenact.
In the science fiction side of the airsoft gaming world, the only widely available science fiction oriented airsoft weapon system - bar Stargate: SG-1’s P90 - is the M41 Pulse Rifle used by the US Marine expeditionary fighting force accompanying Lt. Ellen Ripley in the movie Aliens. Noting that “widely” is a relative term here since an overwhelming majority of airsoft gamers tend to gravitate toward historically real events like the Vietnam War or Operation: Desert Storm, etc.
On the Star Trek end of things, given that Masterpiece Models – the official Starfleet Armory and manufacturer of Star Trek-oriented weaponry – sells these products to avid Trekkies. Since they’ve already made very good Type III Phaser Rifles and compression rifles used in Star Trek: Voyager series, should licence their designs to airsoft manufacturers so that the airsoft gaming world will finally have a somewhat true Star Trek experience.
The problem with celluloid / movie or TV battle scenes – especially ones involving shooting a target over 200 meters away – is that long distances don’t lend themselves particularly well in the make believe world of the proverbial silver screen. Even the latest high definition contrivances don’t even come close of the real experience of shooting a helmet placed 300 meters away with a Kalashnikov using it’s iron sights. Especially when you did this first hand and you’re lucky enough to posses a pair of eyes with a slightly better than 20/20 visual acuity.
Luckily – or is it due to the brilliant directors clever cinematography – that science fiction-based combat scenes usually takes place in close quarters. Like the shipboard phaser-type weapons combat in Star Trek, or in Aliens where the marine’s arch-nemesis tend to pounce on them at very close distances. As an avid Star Trek fan, I never saw their phasers or compression rifles being used at targets more than 300 meters away.
Cinematic foibles such as these tend to benefit airsoft gamers since airsoft weapon systems’ projectiles – i.e. the plastic BB pellets – have a very poor ballistic coefficient. Even ones with muzzle velocities that measure 450 or so feet per second slow down very rapidly the farther the target you intend to shoot. Shooting someone half a basketball court away using an airsoft weapons system – even with a 450 feet per second muzzle velocity – your game mate will just do a “Matrix”-style swerve to evade your pellet fire. So close quarter scenarios are a prerequisite in airsoft battle simulations, especially good ones.
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