It was a good night’s sleep for us on the second night at the National Airsoft Festival 2017. I didn’t drink much at the bar after the raffle though I was sure many had more than their usual fill. There was a beer festival in the Somerley Estate that night and players who still had some energy went to partake in the festivities. Perhaps we’ll try the beer fest next year if we’re up to it after a long day of airsoft battles.
Breakfast was the first thing we had in mind when Master Chief woke up at 0730H though I was up first and had my initial cup of coffee from the burger van. After breakfast, I went around the stalls of those who were already up such as Paul of ASG. Most of the conversation was about the Mayweather – MacGregor which took place early in the morning UK time. I was not surprised with the result even if I wanted Mayweather to lose. Nevertheless, everybody agreed it was a big payday for MacGregor.
By 0830H we started packing up so we can be ready to go back home by 1330H as we still had commitments to attend to for the long weekend. But for the rest of the camp, it’s back to gearing up again as hostilities will resume at 1100H. For me, it was still day of covering the action, and take whatever photos and videos I can before we conclude our time at the National Airsoft Festival.
For Sunday, Delta started at The Landing Zone whilst The Others were at The Burrow and Bravo at Firebase Charlie. Going to The Trenches, The Others were already in the thick of the fight against Delta, who were trying to expand the areas they occupied as they already had The Nest and Heartbreak Ridge. The firefight was intense as Delta try to outflank The Others, but so far the latter were holding up. Though by now, players will just shoot at anything that moves in front of them, including me in my orange hi-viz. Even in that hi-viz, I still got more hits than when I was in actually playing.
Anyway, moving on, the Delta were also approaching areas taken over by The Bravo who have already taken over The Prison Camp. The Bravos at The Prison Camp were busy fending off attacks from Delta and the occasional groups of The Others brave enough to try and take the camp. The Bravos were in big numbers there and they easily repelled various waves from the two groups. Deltas were actually surrounding them as they already occupied The Village and The Fort, two easily defendable locations. Some players from Bravo were going for The Village by flanking from the North which put them in the middle of two Delta positions: The Village and The Fort and they got slammed from the rear by Deltas from The Fort.
Near The Fort, I saw Brent Cooper of 1066 Airsoft getting into the action holding a hamburger. Breakfast might not have been enough for him. I made my way back to the Safe Zone by 1230H to see a big group of Deltas making their way towards Firebase Charlie from The Fort with a blocking force of Bravo players waiting for them at the bottom of the hill.
At the Safe Zone, I looked for Master Chief and found him inside the G&G MET CQB Shooting facility. For players who want to be a part of the G&G World Cup CQB Shooting Competition in Taiwan, this where they need to start. The duo with the fastest time posted for the UK selection gets selected and an all expenses paid trip to compete in the World Cup. Master Chief found a partner and they had a go at the shooting course. We cannot provide you any photo or video of the facility as it was not allowed. Whoever won this UK selection, goodluck in Taiwan next year.
We finally packed up the tent which was the last taken down and managed to put everything in the small car of Master Chief. But the day was not over as we usually make long goodbyes and saying thanks; going around and had some small chit-chat to the people who have become regulars at The National Airsoft Festival through the years. That also included the companies which have been very supportive of events such as this but most of all to the team that organised the National Airsoft Festival which I can definitely say with conviction that is the largest airsoft party in the world.
The venue remains the same over the years, with incremental changes in game scenarios, but the formula that H and the crew use works --- airsoft players keep on coming back for all these years, as this event has been held yearly for 11 years running. Perhaps that is the secret, not to make any drastic changes and ensure that players had fun on and off the dead zone. As the regulars of the event say, it is 60% party and 40% airsoft and for this year, that tradition continues and with even better organisation and facilities.
Congratulations to Bravo for winning this year’s Festival with Delta second and our group, The Others last. We don’t mind losing at all as having a party with 2,500 airsoft players is worth more than winning in the actual battles. Yes, that’s us, The Others, the party people.
Photos of the third day at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.