It was 9am on a chilly morning of Saturday, 16 October 2010. I and Maj. Problem were heading to Balsall Common to attend the 2nd, yes, you heard it right, the 2nd Airsoft Arms Fair! Optimus Prime called me up late in the week if we would be attending the Fair, and I said we were, to his great relief. He was not feeling well and he had called ahead to inform the organisers that we will be coming.He was looking forward to attending again, as he believes that this is going to be soon an institution in the promotion of airsoft in the UK. He wants Popular Airsoft to be a witness to its growth over the years.

I was glad that Maj. Problem rode shotgun with me, as he's the better photographer, so you'll notice all his watermarks in the photos in this story. Some mates from Team Wolfpack were also with us, with some arriving after the premium ticket holders were allowed in.

The first Airsoft Arms Fair was held in May, which you can read our report here. The first one was really a modest affair, but this one is bigger, and with more visitors seeking out airsoft guns and gear, and more exhibitors. The event had tiered ticketing, with the premium ticket holders getting to enter at the opening hour, giving them first choices on the items up for sale there. Those who came in later had to content themselves with whatever was passed over by the premium ticket holders.

I was informed that Jim Septhon, the head organizer, was waiting for us so as soon as we arrived and we went off to meet him immediately. A few turns around the place, we managed to find him. Jim was excited and delighted to see us. We had a few snaps with him and he showed us around. We arrived before the first guests arrived so we managed to walk around freely. Because of our excitement, Maj. Problem and I forgot to register! After reporting to the registration area, we received bags full with Airsoft Soldier mags, wow!

At the trader’s area, I saw familiar faces. Matt, Rich, and Richard from East Midlands Airsoft Ltd. were there. They had a long stall that catered to of your airsoft needs. From BBs, batteries, scopes, mags, pyros and of course, AEGs and GBB guns. We also compared our iPhone covers: Magpuls and the one I painted. Obviously, you know which one has the leading edge.

At the centre of the Trader's hall were the Ai (Airsoft International Magazine) team. with Paul Monaf himself leading the pack and giving away Revision Glasses for free for every purchase of their magazines. This is what Optimus Prime missed, freebies! At one of the tents outside, the First and Only team were getting excited for halloween. They will host a themed event that will be scary and exciting. Time to kill those pesky zombies!

There was also a car boot sale for those who want to haggle. I saw real PASGT and MICH helmets and were for sale for just £60!  Maj. Problem bagged a second hand M14 with battery and a mag for 60 quid. We really got real bargains! I wish I had enough dough to buy that lovely mich... I just watched it slipped away. Boohoo!

From a distance, three 101 Airborne troops from Fireball Squadron were recruiting. A few requirements were needed though: Vietnam era-guns and BDUs only. I guess they can count me in as I have my full gear of being a US Military Military Adviser with matching tiger stripes and that venerable 1911 airsoft pistol. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask if they have VC and NVA groups as I have some mates at ACE Brigade who have these types of loadouts. But please, no Multicams, ok?

Inside the main house, Edgar Brothers, the main sponsor, were giving away free t-shirts, yey! They are now ramping on more tactical brands such as Magpul, Mechanix, Vertyx, Blackhawk!, ESS, Timberland, and many more. Their website is now undergoing a much needed sprucing up and the designs is nicely made. Also they displayed a lovely mannequin in full multicam! Love that multicam IBH! Thank you for those lovely Magpul T-shirts and for the sexy calendar! Truly mouth watering. 

Together with Gunmunki, they sponsored a full Magpul makeover to a lucky guests' AEGs as winners were picked from the 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm ticket holders. So that's three lucky guys who'll have some pimped out airsoft guns.

Next room was Dingodogs Airsoft. They sell wide range of tactical gears, patches, bbs and AEGs at very affordable prices. They have a good stock of the Magpul PTS Masada ACR which is UK-spec'd which means that out of the box, it is smack on 328fps. Love that dog!

We also bumped into Chris Kong and Francourt Lui, Director for UK and  Area Director for Europe, respectively, of RedWolf Airsoft. We chatted about the airsoft community here. Chris said that airsoft here in the UK is growing steadily which is very good news indeed.

Airsoft skirmish sites were also present in the event. C3 Tactical from Gloucestershire will be soon open their urban site and will cater group milsim training from ex-Royal Marines. They have a 50 acre-site in Forest Dean, Dick Wittington Farm Park, Longhope. They have an upcoming game called Operation Black Mamba which will be held on the 23rd to the 24th of October 2010. Optimus Prime will post details of the event tomorrow.

If you want to fire and shoot the real steel, Smell the Cordite is for you. This British-owned, Swiss-based company will train you and let you shoot real M4, MP5 and Ak74. Training will start Friday afternoon and a plane ride to Switzerland where shooting live firearms are legal. Training finishes Sunday afternoon and back to the UK. With this schedule, you won’t miss any work days.

Other exhibitors were Airsoft Skirmish, Combat Action Games, Airbana, E&E Military, UKAPU, and our apologies to those we have failed to mention here. We also saw first hand the latest ASG Specter Modular Weapons System licenced from the Yankee Hill Machine Co. Inc. As reported here at Popular Airsoft before, the Specter System is an interchangeable upper receiver and barrel assembly, and reconfigured to the tactical environment you're in.

After all of the walking around and the excitement of having many airsoft products and tactical gear in one place, you can relax at the coffee shop...  but beware of the roaming zombie!

The 2nd Airsoft Arms Fair is truly a success. Congratulation to Jim and the rest of the team, you hit the bull’s eye again! We’ll definitely see you on the next Airsoft Arms Fair in May 2011.

You can see the rest of the photos at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page. All photos used here are owned and copyrighted by Jose Marie Custodio