Arriving a bit later than usual at the Nuremberg Messe, we had a quick breakfast at the Press room before I had Master Chief go to the Russian gear maker, Giena Tactics. I got left behind at the Press room to file the Day 2 AAR and upload over three hundred photos of Day 2 which of course you are already used to by now, us uploading too many photos. No time for me to select which ones, it’s always one big upload of photos per day whenever we are at an airsoft event.

Luckily, my upload was faster this time that I was able to join Master Chief at the Giena Tactics booth in Hall 8. He was already wrapping up but I am curious of what the company has for airsoft players. I do like their ghillie stuff as well as their nicely made helmet covers. Their tactical trousers are heavily padded which for those who want to protect their knees, they can be rest assured that those knees will be comfortable with the Giena Tactics trousers.

By around 1030H, we decided to drop by the Tippmann booth which was located in Hall 8 as well and relieved to find Andy Yoshida free to talk about the new offerings from his company. Whilst he was doing the video presentation to Master Chief, I checked out the Empire EVS “Smart Paintball Mask” which uses the Snow2 Heads Up Display from Recon Instruments. This allows you see the location of yourself and your friends whilst using the Recon Engagement App and you can control with a wrist-mounted remote.

It was our first time to really see in person the products made by Acetech. Many are interested in their light and compact “Light” tracer and the iTracer product as well as their Chrono lineup. Ivan and Eric were there on hand to tell more about the products and these are elaborated upon in a video which will be uploaded later in the week.

Star Rainbow Company (SRC) got their third generation SR8 Series on display. This generation uses 8mm bearings and is available in SR8-2, SR8-R, and SR8-CC variants with different colours to choose from. The SR8 Series is based on the XM8 rifle design from Heckler & Koch. If you plan on visiting Taiwan this year, SRC would surely love to welcome you to their new building located in New Taipei City.

By 12noon, I met with Michael Grzybowski of Military1st. As he won’t be able to be at the Airsoft Meetup, we had a quick awarding ceremony in Hall 8 as Military1st is the winner of the Best Gear Retailer for Europe at the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards and they won in the category for the second time in a row.

A quick lunch at the restaurant beside the Press room, we grab all the stuff we had in the Press locker and brought them to the Hong Kong room to setup for the Airsoft Meetup, which is already on its seventh year. We co-host this event with NLAirsoft.com and for this year, we expect this to be the largest gathering of the airsoft media and airsoft industry in one roof.

Indeed, the Airsoft Meetup IWA Outdoor Classics 2018 opened as Standing Room Only (SRO) affair with more attendees than even before. Apart from the bigger number of attendees, it was also the liveliest. Slickaxe of NLAirsoft and Master Chief quickly opened the meetup a few minutes after 1400H to get the affair started.

Marck and Tim from RedWolf Airsoft are the first up to present what RedWolf Airsoft has for airsoft players this year. They reiterated the brands that they are carrying and the licenses that they have bagged from real steel companies in the past year. The RWA line is of course, the most interesting as the products are proudly carried by RedWolf Airsoft being a venture of the Hong Kong company. The Agency Arms pistols, Nighthawk Custom, Avatar, Grenades, and airsoft versions of period guns were shown. Another interesting line-up are the new custom work from the Airsoft Surgeon which are always a treat to look at.

Carlton Chong of Airsoft Innovations came up to give us the first look at his new baby, the 40 Mike. It was the first time to be demonstrated live and the reaction from the audience was one of amazement and surprise. It is a game changer in terms of having a really effective Moscart for use in airsoft games. It is more precise as well really, really fast. If you love the sound of the A-10 Warthog firing its guns, the Airsoft Innovations 40 Mike’s sound when being firing will endear itself to you.

Gunfire always has a lot to tell and share to the audience at the Airsoft Meetup. Leszek and crew announced the new additions to the GF Point Series, the gruelling airsoft and orienteering challenge done in the dead of winter. They have a new line from Specna Arms as well new gear from Primal Gear. Also presented again at the Airsoft Meetup is the Gunfire Shooting Team which is a group of airsofters who are also top real steel shooters in Poland and very competitive in international matches.

A new feature of the Airsoft Meetup is the Panel Discussion. For the first panel discussion we had Jonathan of Airsoftology, Bill of Airsoft Action, Kelly of Femme Fatale Airsoft, Mike of Border Wars, and Matt of Fury Airsoft/Airsoft Nation. The topics such as social media, like the YouTube debacle for airsoft channels as well as the HPA airsoft’s future were touched upon and went beyond the alloted 30 minutes, taking almost 1 hour.

Returning to speak at the Airsoft Meetup is Ely of DM Diffusion, the family-owned airsoft business that just right outside of Paris. They carry Classic Army in Europe and he brought with him what was revealed by Classic Army in January, the DT4 double-barreled M4 AEG.

Charlie Suarez of G&G Armament came up the stage as well as presented with G&G CQB World Cup Shooting Competition. Now a regular international event hosted by G&G Armament, the finals always take place in Taiwan. Teams from all over the world view for the top prize such as US$10,000 cash prize as well goodies that can be brought home by the competitors. The next finals will be held in June 2019.

The final speaker for the Airsoft Meetup is Rob “Kaiju” Manore. An already established personality in the airsoft industry, he has joined the Valken Tactical Team last year. He talked about the various products the company has in store for the airsoft market this year but emphasised on the commitment ofValken to customer support, putting their reputation on the line such as fixing their airsoft guns by themselves rather than by other airsoft techs.

By 1650, the final part of the show, the 8th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards was led by Master Chief, handing off the shiny awards to the various category winners for the biggest online event in airsoft. Many are returning awardees and others having one for the first time such as PolarStar Airsoft and Femme Fatale Airsoft. The awarding was quick as we have to go to closing event of the third day of the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018.

Whilst the Airsoft Meetup was ongoing, RedWolf Airsoft celebrated 10 years of being at the IWA Outdoor Classics with a RedWolf Airsoft Happy Hour At IWA 2018. Drinks and food were served and most of the awardees, speakers, and presenters at the Airsoft Meetup were there too to celebrate with RedWolf Airsoft in Hall 8. We partied hard there until the Nuremberg Messe personnel came to tell us that they are shutting the place down as it was already 1830H.

After a quick rest at the hotel, we met up with the NLAirsoft guys at the Australian restaurant in the city centre. Food was great but were just too tired to plan the evening. We decided to rest early tonight as we have to do some packing up before we officially end our coverage of the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018.

Photos of Day 3 of the IWA Outdoor Classics 2018 on the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.