This issue presents three new contributors who have been officially considered as part of the Popular Airsoft Operators Group. What’s even better is that we now have someone from South America who can help us bring more stories to you. As we have mentioned before it’s their turn to shine.

In this issue, we prominently feature Airsoft in Chile, its origins, development, and growth. It is fitting to start with Chile as it has one of the best developed airsoft communities in the region. Frank Malca, known as OldSchool, now tries his hand on writing for us. He is also the founder of Airsoft Panama, which is basically a growing airsoft community but surely is doing its tasks well. He is ably assisted here by Magololo of Airsoft Santiago, who we shall see to be giving us more stories in the future in cooperation with OldSchool.

Mamba presents another product from Kong Power, the KP 3-in-in Lipoly Balancer. If you think that you’re taking care of your Lipoly batteries well, but still experiencing short battery lives, then you are not be doing it properly with your balancer and charger. With this new product, give breath to new life those Lipoly batteries --- just make sure that the batteries you get are quality ones.

Migh2r, now officially an Operator, gives us the second book review of the Raid Series from Osprey Publishing. This is about the Cabanatuan Prison Raid in his beloved Philippines, as written by Gordon Rottman. One of the best rescue operations in World War II, this has been immortalised into “The Great Raid” movie in 2005.

As for the events that have been covered, this time we have two tournaments to report about. FilForce’s Enduro Challenge 2009 took place under the guidance of Moondog and supported by Evike. While PNAS with the assistance of Ogre, helped draft their AAR on the Kalis 9.0 Darah Singa which is the longest running airsoft tournament in the world.

Another new operator, Freon of Red Wing, takes time to interview Dr. Noob. Dr. Noob who? Well, if you know the Pimp My Gun website where you think of how you can customise your airsoft gun, then you know who Dr. Noob is. Optimus Prime gives his take on the latest helmet camera in the market today, the Drift Innovation X170 Action Camera, which he thinks there are lots of potential forms for this product.   

Master Chief and Migh2r, who seem to have owned the gun review section of the magazine, bring us their reviews on the Classic Army C90 Sportline, which was hard enough to find in stock in the UK. The AGM M4 Full Metal Stubby Killer Gas Blowback is the latest GBB rifle that we were able to lay our hands on, and for all its faults, it’s worth keeping for some future upgrades. Last but not the least is the King Arms LaRue 9.0” Tactical Rifle, the latest of the babies that the venerable Hong Kong Company has to offer to us. It looks great, feels great, and.... read further on this issue to know more.

We have postponed the Rapier 01 and Kami Wars international events due to the calamities that just happened in the Philippines and tentatively moved these to the middle of 2010 pending final consultations with the Philippine government agencies. This is to allow more time for fellow airsofters in the Philippines to recover. Ratratan 2009 will take the place of the events in November 2009 as a benefit game for the victims of typhoons in the Philippines. It’s time to set aside the rifles and don-off the vests for us to roll up our sleeves to help those who need us most.

We hope you would enjoy reading this issue and take time to also to help the Philippines in their times of need. Any help, whether big or small, would go a long a way. Please do contact us if you want to help out.

Hoping to exchange BBs with you,

The Writers
Popular Airsoft Magazine
Volume 2 Issue 5