2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 17, 2013 18:20:22 GMT -5
I have a feeling at a cold weather event these cheap, springer carbines that I am such a fan of are going to be quite popular. I heartily endorse always having a back up airsoft gun at any event and you could certainly do worse then these little guys. Truthfully if it is cold cold cold I really think gas guns (especially gas blow back) are heartbreaks looking to happen. As for AEGs, battery life goes way down in the cold as well. finally the pock metal so prevalent in airsoft guns does not fair well in severe cold no matter what type of airsoft gun.
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 17, 2013 21:32:35 GMT -5
I have one of the springer Carbines and just ordered another one. I agree that these guns may come into play more than we think. The one I just ordered was $28.57 plus shipping. Great deal.
Here's the link:http://www.airsoftmegastore.com/8362-400-fps-cyma-wwii-m1-carbine-spring-airsoft-rifle-ga-cyma-m1-car.aspx
As for all other guns, I'd like to mention a past experience I had back in 2007. The very first event I went to was in Amsterdam, NY (very close to this event's location) and it too was Battle of the Bulge. The weather was a balmy 8 degrees out. We gathered at 0700 and started game play around 0830. With a hour break for lunch around 1200hrs, we resumed around 1330hrs. By 1500hrs, both of my guns, Thompson and MP-40 were dead. Back up batteries were also kaput and other players also had the same problem. My son was only 10 at the time and I decided he had enough and packed it in.
My point is we all need to be prepared to bring plenty of back-up weapons and batteries for this event. If the weather is too cold, we may want to cut the training time down a bit as to not waste our precious battery life just on training. I may also suggest to keep your back ups in a warm place in your vehicle or the warming tent Brownien is setting up. I plan on packing them with hand warmers. Evey little bit helps.
|
|
|
Post by brownien on Dec 17, 2013 21:39:42 GMT -5
UPDATE!!!! As Migs said, batteries indeed do not last very long in the cold! I will already have a generator there to run all the sound and support equipment. I can run a lead and create a charging station if anyone would like to bring their smart chargers to plug in. I will bring mine and let anyone who needs it plug in too. I will run all battery chargers through a surge protector, so no worries on batteries or chargers accidentally getting fried!
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 17, 2013 21:41:56 GMT -5
UPDATE!!!! As Migs said, batteries indeed do not last very long in the cold! I will already have a generator there to run all the sound and support equipment. I can run a lead and create a charging station if anyone would like to bring their smart chargers to plug in. I will bring mine and let anyone who needs it plug in too. I will run all battery chargers through a surge protector, so no worries on batteries or chargers accidentally getting fried! Great idea. I'll bring my smart chg as well.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 17, 2013 23:08:13 GMT -5
I don't see the need to fire during the squad training at all. Formations, hand and arm signals, movement techniques, breaking contact, movement by bounds, bounding over watch, fire and manuever. Assault techniques. All covered and practiced pretty quickly It will definitely impact the authenticity of the actual gameplay.
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 18, 2013 8:27:56 GMT -5
Just checked the weather predictions for Fort Johnson, NY: Saturday should be 22' and sunny. Sunday should be 31' and snowing.
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 18, 2013 10:52:45 GMT -5
I don't see the need to fire during the squad training at all. Formations, hand and arm signals, movement techniques, breaking contact, movement by bounds, bounding over watch, fire and manuever. Assault techniques. All covered and practiced pretty quickly It will definitely impact the authenticity of the actual gameplay. Sounds good. I'll keep my Thompson warm and use the Springer M1 for the training.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 18, 2013 11:42:21 GMT -5
That sounds like a plan. Or keep your batteries next to your body in an inside pocket until the tactical phases.
|
|
ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
|
Post by ScottCollins on Dec 18, 2013 15:59:38 GMT -5
Are we supposed to rent a motel room or will there be a place on site where we can all camp out?
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 18, 2013 16:57:59 GMT -5
I was wondering this as well, especially as Scott and I will be arriving circa 3 am.
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 18, 2013 20:11:10 GMT -5
I will be staying in a Hotel room and good luck to those brave enough to brave the cold.
I'm sure Brownien will allow camping, but he'll have to chime in on that one.
Migs
|
|
|
Post by merrick on Dec 18, 2013 20:24:14 GMT -5
Finally made myself an account here, sorry if I sound like an idiot but why did we stop going to GZA? I thought our Battle of Bastogne game had great turnout.
|
|
|
Post by insterburger on Dec 18, 2013 21:49:21 GMT -5
Merrick,
Look in some of the other recent(ish) threads on the NE board, Migs explains very eloquently why GZA has been less than ideal. Not sure that will always be the case, but I understand why it has been, and you will too if you look at his posts.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 18, 2013 22:15:31 GMT -5
I too will find a nearby hotel/motel
|
|
|
Post by LÏŸÏŸAH1944 on Dec 19, 2013 6:05:14 GMT -5
I'm actually considering sleepijng outside, just to be a crazy guy. I think with my Kharkov I might be able to pull it off, of course also with wool trousers, parka pants, wool tunic, french mdle1938 etc, etc.
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 19, 2013 10:31:28 GMT -5
Merrick, Look in some of the other recent(ish) threads on the NE board, Migs explains very eloquently why GZA has been less than ideal. Not sure that will always be the case, but I understand why it has been, and you will too if you look at his posts. Hello Merrick, Nice to hear from you. As insterburger stated, if you look at some of the posts over the past year, you'll see how we are at this stage of our hobby here in the NE. In a nut shell, GZA wants to much money up front to book the field and the overall cost is out of reach for the amount of players currently participating. GZA is a great field and I've always had a nice experience with the field owner, but a lot of our regulars have fallen off the grid and left us with a smaller base group. I would have to charge everyone $100 plus to possibly break even. Just not doable. Hope you and your group and make this event as it's always great to see you guys. Migs
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 19, 2013 13:50:16 GMT -5
I held my RECONDO school at GZA several years ago when we brought it out to the East Coast and indeed it is a great field and I too very much liked the owners support and cooperation but in spite of lots of local staff help, and great turnout, we lost almost $2,000.00 on the event. (some of that our fault but still). Putting on events is expensive in ways most players don't appreciate and field fees are actually just one part.
I am doing what I can to support Brownien because without guys like him, SFC Migs, Ertzackjack, Charlie November, Hellmutt, Jerry etc, there is no WW2 airsoft as I'd like to see it and no chance that it is going to grow.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 19, 2013 13:56:55 GMT -5
Incidently, another great item for big events are the cigarette lighter / to plug in converters. They aren't terribly expensive but allow you to run anything that needs a conventional plug in and thus to charge your batteries using your car. Very effective when you use them with a smart charger during your drive to the event. I have discovered (the hard way) that if you have one, everyone and all his cousins will want to use it and if your car isn't running when everyone does it your car battery will be drained!
|
|
ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
|
Post by ScottCollins on Dec 19, 2013 15:44:12 GMT -5
Is it possible to sleep in the warming tent?
|
|
Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418
|
Post by Jerry-ADK on Dec 19, 2013 17:08:33 GMT -5
I posted a new thread on the Airsoft Canada WW2 section about our event, and it already has 107 views today! Hopefully some of those guys will come down here. There is a slight chance that I won't be able to come to the event. My wife may not be able to get that weekend off, and I have 2 youngsters too young yet to play airsoft to take care of. I'm working on a plan B for child care in case the worst happens, wish me luck boys!
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 19, 2013 18:33:56 GMT -5
So will we be sleeping in the warming tent?
|
|
|
Post by brownien on Dec 19, 2013 20:36:24 GMT -5
I can have the warming tent set up Friday evening for anyone arriving that day, and anyone who is staying overnight Sat at the field is more than welcome to use it. I cannot gaurentee that the tent will be a constant temp though, as I will be using a salimander to heat it, and those things pump out ALOT of btu's! So it could be a sauna one min and a Popsicle the next. I'll try to figure out another method of heating, but I don't really want a generator running all night either
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 19, 2013 22:38:20 GMT -5
I can have the warming tent set up Friday evening for anyone arriving that day, and anyone who is staying overnight Sat at the field is more than welcome to use it. I cannot gaurentee that the tent will be a constant temp though, as I will be using a salimander to heat it, and those things pump out ALOT of btu's! So it could be a sauna one min and a Popsicle the next. I'll try to figure out another method of heating, but I don't really want a generator running all night either Personally I haven't tried this, but at my "Bastogne" event in March 2012, There was a group known as Yankee Division there that camped out in their GP tent. Tent was at least 20x12 and was adequately heated by one of these propane heaters. When I entered the tent it was very toasty inside. Just a suggestion. Here's a link for one I found on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Century-000-BTU-Infrared-Heater/dp/B000LVN1F4/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1387510279&sr=8-13&keywords=camping+heater+propaneMigs
|
|
Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418
|
Post by Jerry-ADK on Dec 20, 2013 8:30:13 GMT -5
Yeah! Found a babysitter for the weekend. So hell or come high water I'll be there. Just got to get my Mp40 working again now. Ordered a new gearbox for it and its on its way. I'll fool around with the old one and put some upgrades in it. I am so psyched!
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2013 9:44:19 GMT -5
What are the safety issues with those heaters inside the confines of a tent? I would worry perhaps about carbon monoxide? In Alaska wHile in the Army we had yukon stoves and slept in tents in the field. On numerous exersizes the temperature dropped to well below zero. Naturally the yukon stove is designed for use in a tent with the stove pipe extending well above the tent. incidently on a field exercize on Mt Mckinley temperaturs got down to -40 and the gas for the Yukons stove turned gelatinous. With wind chill it was minus 75 degrees. Bad bad memories from those outings. i'm sure Volks on this forum took part in many such outings as well. Operation Falcon Thrust was an annual freeze session he no doubt particiated in as did I. One of the Falcon Thrust exersizes in the 70s set a record for coldest day that I think still stands. Tires on deuce and a halfs didn't go flat but cracked! I will stay in a hotel thank you very much.
Before going with that heater (which probably is just fine) check out what you need to do to ventilate properly and insure it is safe to use in a tent! carbon monoxide is a very effective killer.
|
|
|
Post by SfcMigs on Dec 20, 2013 10:40:04 GMT -5
What are the safety issues with those heaters inside the confines of a tent? I would worry perhaps about carbon monoxide? In Alaska wHile in the Army we had yukon stoves and slept in tents in the field. On numerous exersizes the temperature dropped to well below zero. Naturally the yukon stove is designed for use in a tent with the stove pipe extending well above the tent. incidently on a field exercize on Mt Mckinley temperaturs got down to -40 and the gas for the Yukons stove turned gelatinous. With wind chill it was minus 75 degrees. Bad bad memories from those outings. i'm sure Volks on this forum took part in many such outings as well. Operation Falcon Thrust was an annual freeze session he no doubt particiated in as did I. One of the Falcon Thrust exersizes in the 70s set a record for coldest day that I think still stands. Tires on deuce and a halfs didn't go flat but cracked! I will stay in a hotel thank you very much. Before going with that heater (which probably is just fine) check out what you need to do to ventilate properly and insure it is safe to use in a tent! carbon monoxide is a very effective killer. Absolutely needs to be looked into. I realized after I posted that I neglected to mention the whole CO2 factor. I'm pretty sure the a fore mentioned heater I observed was properly ventilated. If someone already has this type of heater, they probably already know the dos and dont's, but it's always a good idea to ask the manufacturer.
|
|
ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
|
Post by ScottCollins on Dec 20, 2013 11:14:17 GMT -5
Why couldn't we just have few space heaters, say 3 around the tent and have one of the flaps open?
|
|
Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418
|
Post by Jerry-ADK on Dec 20, 2013 13:43:22 GMT -5
Here is a suggestion, how about running the genny outside all night and plugging in a few electric heaters? Better to burn things outside the tent than have a open combustion source inside of a closed tented space. As stated above, Co2 and carbon monoxide is a leathal and silent killer. you just wont wake up. no joke. I am a NYS EMT and a Fire Fighter, I know. You cant do that, and if something happened, and I were there, they would hold me to blame because I am a trained professional. Please dont run those salamanders in the tent at night and try to sleep in there. Get yourself a hotel room, or try to sleep outside in period or modern camping gear or in a foxhole or something. I may be able to put a bunch of you guys up in Schenectady. My in-laws are going to NYC for that weekend and have left me there house. Its about 35 min or so to the event. That would be a much better option. And it would save anyone money who is driving from far to the event. Maybe we could all go out for Lebensmittle in Albany after the event? Oops! I ment Chow Amerikanishcen. Gern geschehen, Jer
|
|
ScottCollins
Private 1st Class
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
Posts: 548
|
Post by ScottCollins on Dec 20, 2013 14:00:09 GMT -5
Jerry, that would be wonderful if you would let us do that! It's already going to be really expensive just for gas for the guys coming from Michigan and fora hotel room too would just be a major pain so if your in-laws are fine with it, the Michigan group might just want to do that. I'll talk it over with shifty but thanks a lot for the offer!
|
|
Jerry-ADK
Private 1st Class
Unteroffizier, Heeresgruppe Nord-Ost
Posts: 418
|
Post by Jerry-ADK on Dec 20, 2013 14:34:24 GMT -5
Jerry, that would be wonderful if you would let us do that! It's already going to be really expensive just for gas for the guys coming from Michigan and fora hotel room too would just be a major pain so if your in-laws are fine with it, the Michigan group might just want to do that. I'll talk it over with shifty but thanks a lot for the offer! Like I said, you guys are welcome to stay with me at my in-laws. I still will have to run it by them first to make sure. I'll call them tonight. Im sure they will say yes, my father-in-law loves history. And he is very willing to support my odd hobbies. He is very cool, its just the mother-in-law we have to worry about, hehe. I am putting this out there to all of you even if for some reason I cant make it to the event I will try to drive down and unlock it and give you a key so you can use it. I know you are all really responsible people and serious about your hobby. I want to help support WW2airsoft any way I can, I have allot invested so far. And this is a very cool community and i'm glad to play a part. And putting you guys up for the weekend is preferable to a criminal negligence suit and prison. So any one needing a place to crash on Friday or Saturday night please PM me and I will give you my number to call and driving directions. Its very easy to find, right off Rout 7 just off the North Way or 87. And very easy in the dark, its all major roads. Very close to Albany international airport. and the Amtrack is walking distance almost. I have skated to it before in my younger days, lol! So cab fairs would light getting there. And I think the Greyhound station is very close too. I could Probably pick people up at the airport or where ever on friday, because I will come down in the morning, and it will take me about 2 and a half hours to get there. So I can try to get there early if anyone needs picking up. I really want to help you guys save money too, so you can put it back into your kits. Maybe soon enough this wont be an issue if you have a extra $100 bucks to put towards a pup tent or Zelt bahn. Then we could sleep in our positions and hold the line for the night. Cheers, Jer
|
|