Breaking News: PolarStar has first military customer…in ASIA!

This could be the break that MilSim and Airsoft players have been waiting for. The first official adoption of 6MM ammunition as a dedicated training device by an official military organization, in Mongolia. And a major order for PolarStar’s revolutionary system in ASIA…the birthplace of Airsoft!

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Thumpy’s 3-D House of Airsoft monitors all news sources for airsoft-related headlines and details, and many of those sources also include real-steel and military media via Thumpy’s new SCOOP.IT channel.  It was via a SCOOP that we started to put the pieces together, and were able to confirm with public information sources the who, what and why of P*’s big coup!

It begins with a joint US-Mongolian training exercise, “Khan Quest 2011,” held last July in Mongolia, which involved military members from the US Marine Corps and more than a dozen other international militaries around the globe.

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http://mongolia.usembassy.gov/pr_072911.html

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One of the reasons this came to Thumpy’s attention was that a friend from Thumpy’s “prior life” as a real-mil/ miltary beat reporter, US Marine Corps Lt. General Kenneth Glueck, attended the exercises as the senior US Military representative, and that US Marine connection–along with South Korean and Japanese troops at the event, AND A FORTUNATE ENCOUNTER WITH A MONGOLIAN MILITARY MEDAL, is how Airsoft…and particularly the PolarStar system…will soon be making its way to Mongolia.

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USMC LtGen Kenneth Glueck speaks at "Khan Quest 2011" in Mongolia.

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As reported by DoD Public Affairs sources, several civil-disturbance exercises were part of the overall “Khan Quest” scenario.  During one of these ops, a Marine gunnery sergeant in charge of prepping the site suggested that the Mongolian military should try to integrate its non-lethal training systems into the plans for the scenario.  But, one problem….Mongolia, being a former Communist regime trapped between the former Soviet republics and China has NO non-lethal training equipment.  Its sole experiences with civil control are, how would you say, “real-world experiencial” only!  I.E., training in crowd control was simply done by controlling out-of-control riots as-they-happened.  Kind of a “on-the-job/riot” education!

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Maj. Myagmaraj Dorj, operations officer with Unit 311, Peace Support Operations Training Center, Mongolian Armed Forces, describes the AK-47 automatic rifle to a multinational audience during the live fire portion of the field training exercise at Exercise Khaan Quest 2011 at Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Aug. 1. (Cpl. Tyler Main/USMC)

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One of the III MEF Marines said, “Gee, I which we had our airsoft guns we left back in Okinawa.  They’d be perfect for this scenario.”  And, both Japanese and South Korean advisors also chimed in at that point, with their rich tradition of bringing Airsoft to life, and as major exporters of airsoft guns. All agreed that the Mongolian military should invest in airsoft as an affordable training system for future events, and utilize the same transport system involved in just-in-time delivery of the real-world supplies for the exercise, to ensure that they received a cross-section of airsoft rifles and pistols for test purposes.

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AK-based weapons systems are used by Mongolia, making PolarStar's just released Version 3 Fusion Engine a perfect fit in the real-world scenarios practiced at "Khan Quest"

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LINK : http://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/moveone-news/move-one-delivers-training-material-to-ongoing-us-mongolia-joint-operation/.

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In the subsequent time since “Khan Quest,” all three nations have coordinated via their embassies to provide test Airsoft equipment to the Mongolian army, and one of those systems that most-impressed the test engineers was the PolarStar “fusion” engine.  Since it uses compressed air as a power source, and can be dialed up and down in power, it can go from high-rate of fire training system to a real-use riot control device with a few tweaks of the FCU module.

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And, more impressive, the PolarStar system’s use of HPA will also allow the AK’s to be used in cold weather conditions for training or even prison riot control, as the airsoft “MK 4 Strafer” is, from our buddies Sam  at XCaliber Tactical and Tim “No Airsoft for Old Men” Ellwood, at events like West Virginia’s Annual Mock Prison Riot.

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But the Mongolian’s real purchase of PolarStar is because of one of a strange coincidence : the highest civilian honor bestowed by Mongolia to a foreign citizen is called the Order of the Polar Star.

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Order of the Polar Star medal

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And, the chance encounter between military professionals, and the naming of a country’s highest honor for the POLAR STAR will soon mean a boost in international trade, stronger military cooperation, and a chance to further Airsoft as a serious training tool around the globe. Expect to hear big things from PolarStar (and the MARINES/Airsofters) who will soon be back in Mongolia for this year’s “Khan Quest 2012″ exercises, armed with P* Airsoft products!

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Oh, BTW

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APRIL FOOLS!

Last Man In for SHOT Show 2012…is THUMPY!

IT IS OFFICIAL!

Thumpy will be going to SHOT Show 2012 in LAS VEGAS, Baby, and our 2nd trip covering Airsoft, Tactical Gear and Guns, and the MilSim business world with the 3D HOUSE OF AIRSOFT will be Bad to the Bone!

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Final confirmations were not received until Tuesday from the NSSA for our Media Pass, and as Thumpy is one to let his WORK speak for him, we intentionally held off on the news until we were certain we had a bang-up, world-class INNOVATIVE program to bring to you from this year’s SHOT Show.

AND, We do!

Thursday:  A list of the amazing lineup of Airsoft, Real-Gun and Gear we’ve been invited to see, from all the INNOVATORS on the SHOT Show floor…PLUS, a ton of Airsoft and MilSim Celebrities will be on hand, at special events and taking in all VEGAS has to offer!

Friday: A look back at LAST year’s SHOT Show..for you guys who don’t know what its all about…lots of videos from 2011 in VEGAS!

Weekend Coverage:  The Trip Out West and setting up shop for the week

And then MONDAY-FRIDAY and BEYOND….the Inside SCOOP on everything you guys want to see, touch, smell and LOVE from the SHOT Show, as only THUMPY can tell the story!

Is THIS the video that “drives home” Airsoft to Real-Steel shooters?

Nothing screams INNOVATION like the coolest trigger-man in the real-steel game today…Travis Haley.  Love him, follow him, watch all the innovative training, techniques, products through his associations with Magpul and his own Haley Strategic Partners….the guys just DRIPS Hoppe’s #7 and “Tacti-cool-ness.”

So, that said…when Travis talks…THOUSANDS of shooters listen.  And THIS VIDEO could be the beginning of the INNOVATION boom for Airsoft/Real-Steel cross-over training in the USA and around the world:

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Airsofters have big hearts, too!

Our Buddy and Game-Meister Extraordinaire, John Lu has ONE BIG CHECK for the families of some Very Special Warriors…a donation from this weekend’s OPERATION IRENE Event!  Thanks to our buddies at KWA USA for the photo, via Facebook:

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Stand by for some amazing videos from the AIRSOFTOLOGY boys,too… and lots of post-game comments and AAR’s, too!

UPDATE ON SB798 and the SECOND FRONT battle in L.A.

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Thanks to our Buddy Brian “Echo 1″ Holt for the great video rip…see the article below for the video of the WHOLE L.A. Code Change fight from Police Chief Charlie Beck

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…the SECOND FRONT in the Battle to Kill Airsoft…a fight we can NOT AFFORD TO LOSE!

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More SOON from Thumpy on the East Coast,  and Cali’s-Best Out West, as California’s Airsofters put together a “Beat the Senate Bill 798″ bus trip to the State Capitol next week!

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Thumpy…OVER!

A SECOND FRONT in the Battle over Airsoft in California and the USA

There is now a “second front” in California’s battle to kill Airsoft:
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On Tuesday, L.A. Time, (June 7, 2011) the City Police Commission took up a proposal from Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, who was THE advocate for California Senate Bill 798…to start the process for OUTLAWING anyone with “toy guns” in the City of Los Angeles.

L.A.P.D. Chief Charlie Beck

Basically, the Police Commisison is being asked by Beck to send a request to the City Attorney to change the Municipal Code, a move that would virtually ban ANY possession or sale of anything resembling a gun inside the city.  And also, the Commissioners opened up a possible push against coloring/painting of real guns with bright colors or paint.  This is all supposed to help police on the street determine if someone they are dealing with has a real gun, a “toy gun” or something else.

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But, this latest move is in exactly 180-degrees out-of-phase from what Chief Beck wanted SB 798 to do…make “toy guns” colored so Cops can allegedly tell the difference, in the dark-of-night, when they might be facing down a deadly felon…or just some kids who don’t know any better.

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Video of the entire meeting is at the following link, with the part about the Airsoft/”Toy Gun” Code changes starts at about 1:35:20 or so….and listen for bad logic, no questioning about the 2nd Amendment Rights of private citizens, about the lack of public “education” about the dangers of guns, and especially listen for the paintball guys who showed up to start to throwing airsofters under-the-bus to save their sport, when they should realize these folks want ALL GUNS to go away.

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http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=136&clip_id=9220

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Obviously this is all crazy. What color a suspect’s “weapon” or lack thereof is makes no difference. Having “them” in public is the problem. IF “they” just enforced laws already on the books, and IF prosecutors pushed for the toughest possible sentencing/fines….this would all be a moot point.

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Instead, California is demonizing law-abiding business and citizens, threatening thousands of jobs and millions in revenue (including tax revenue, too–Hello, California..your are going broke?), and not just in their own state, but across the country and around the world, because of the actions of 3 people (one kid who failed to follow orders to put down his Airsoft pistol in the dark with officers drawing down on him, one “suicide-by-cop” guy with a BB gun, and one guy with a garden hose nozzle that police “thought” looked like a gun.)

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Those 3 people did the wrong thing and found out what we all know….that Airsoft Guns ARE DEADLY WEAPONS…just not to the guys on the down-range end of the gun, but to the person holding it in the wrong place, at the wrong time. These proposals, both SB 798 AND the L.A. code changes, are the antithesis of what all of our collective efforts have been, to bring our game/sport into safe places to play, with the proper equipment, proper instruction on FIREARMS/AIRGUN SAFETY, and to keep “craptastic plastic” guns off the big-box store shelves and out of the hands of kids who do not know the dangers they face from neighborhood games.

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Until Police Chief Beck, “Politicians” in L.A. and California–and across the country–and everyone who comes in contact with Airsoft understands those points, it is all just a moot point, and blowing in the wind.

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Speak up NOW.  Tell your local leaders what you know about the positive, good things airsoft has done for you and your friends.  Tell military players and law enforcement officers who are airsofters and use airsoft for LIFE SAVING TRAINING to speak out, too.   Call/E-Mail/Write and visit your local, state and national politicians and make your case. Or, we’ll all be packing our guns into cases, to turn-in for destruction.

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Thumpy…OVER

Airsoft Safety Foundation is A GO!

        

Check the NEW WEBSITE: http://www.airsoftsafetyfoundation.org/

We are the Airsoft Safety Foundation (ASF).

From the ASF Website:  ”The Airsoft Safety Foundation (ASF) is currently composed of 11 California companies which collectively book over $150 million in revenues through 250 employees. Our collective mission has been to enhance and promote the safe sport of airsoft through training, education and outreach here in California as well as through industry wide initiatives, such as through the development of safe ASTM standards for airsoft products. (ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials, a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards).”

Member of the ASF are a veritable “who’s who” of USA and International airsoft companies, including:

101 TECH USA INC., AEX LLC (AKA, Airsoft Extreme), AIRSOFT WHOLESALE, AIRSPLAT.COM, DIVERGENCE CORP dba SPECIAL DISTRIBUT, EVIKE.COM INC., GAMEPOD COMBAT AIRSOFT, JAG PRECISION, INC., KENWAY EXPRESS dba PRIMA USA, KWA PERFORMANCE INDUSTRIES, SPARTAN IMPORTS, GI TOYS, INC. (AKA, Airsoft G.I.), AIRSOFT EXTREME, CYBERGUN S.A., PALCO SPORTS, SOFT AIR USA, and TAC CITY AIRSOFT

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YEA, Check that list again…kinda hard to call anyone a bad-guy with that kind of company, and all focused on getting ONE THING DONE…Defeating Cali’s S.B. 798!   But they can NOT do it without the due-dilligence and hard work of EVERY AIRSOFTER in California, supported by everyone else across the USA and around the world.

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FOR INFORMATION ON THE ASF’S ‘ Talking Points” agains Senate Bill 798, check THIS LINK, which lays out in detail the major objections to this misguided proposal: Namely

–Undermines “all of our efforts at airsoft safety.”

–It is going to criminalize and limit the property rights of current California merchants and owners

–and it will inevitably lead to an unsafe and unregulated black market in both airsoft and BB guns.

–For safety sake, neither a BB device nor an airsoft device should be colored as toys. The predominant black colors are purposeful expressions of the fact that these devices are only for individuals over 18 years of age. This law would color them in candy pink and green. Young children may believe to believe these are harmless toys for their plan and enjoyment. Airsoft and BB guns are colored black for good reason, they are devices that must be handed with care and respect.

–The military-style marketing which surrounds airsoft may alienate and frighten members of the public who do not understand that airsoft is a legitimate sport that requires strategy, training, fitness and endurance, perseverance, and etc. Please take the time to educate those whom you know what airsoft is, and that its practitioners include those whom are responsible for upholding our laws (police, FBI, military, and etc. who train using airsoft).

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THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY-WIDE APPROACH AT “SHAPING THE FIGHT”…BUT WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF EVERYONE DOES THEIR PART…CONTACT CALIFORNIA’S SENATE AND HOUSE DELEGATIONS TODAY!   DO IT AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ALREADY…UNTIL EVERYONE GETS THE MESSAGE!

Cyber-G Watch: Yea, there’s an APP for that

You knew it was on the way…and now, iPhone and iPad lovers, you have a chance to remote-control the “Death Star.”   Released MAY 21st, 2011…the date is important, follow along….

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LINK HERE: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cybergun/id437810672?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2

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In out first-blush look at the Apps Store sales page, we gotta say that this is one nicely put-together app.

Graphics follow the CYBER-G/WWLILS branding, with product info for a FAMAS (how apropos!)…and, on the far right screenshot, looks to be some kind of FPS Calculator that swaps the gun’s bb loading into a Meters-per-second energy equivalent.  Although frequent readers will spy that this will likely be incorrect, as Cyber-G’s energy ratings are often vastly overstated for the actual performance of the gun OOTB.

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The description of the App also opens some new windows into Cyber-G marketing “strategery”…

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OH GOODY…. “the news updated every DAYS”…Now Old Thumpy will HAVE to get an iPad or iPhone to keep you posted on their DAILY happenings and announcements.

But, what seems most troubling about their marketing approach is that the App Store age rating for the Cyber-G App is  ”9+.”   According to Apple’s own APPLICATION RATINGS, seen below…

Yea, click DONE, as in...stick a fork in it...CLICK ON "DONE" FOR HOT LINK HERE

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But, wait.  Isn’t this is a SALES TOOL for a product that, by Cybergun’s own package labeling and website information, is only for sale to persons 18 years of age or older?  So, why is this not rated as an app for the “17+” category?

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AND THE TIMING OF THIS APPS RELEASE IS MOST TROUBLING OF ALL!!!   (We told you the date was important!)  With the improper use of an airsoft gun creating a firestorm in California with the Senate Bill 798 debacle…WHY WOULD CYBERGUN DECIDE NOW, of all times, to release an app to someone aged 9-18 ?  This is at best, in our opinion, a FAIL’ed attempt at pushing airsoft to a younger-and-younger market for which it is not intended…and could be ruinous as fodder for anti-gun activists who will latch on to this as an attempt to do just that.   More reason to be wary.  Very.  Wary.

THUMPY…OVER

Keep those Cards and Letters Coming!

THE N-R-A is in the fight!  Are YOU?

The NRA has now taken a stand towards defeat of California Senate Bill 798!

Read it here!  LINK HERE!

BUT, this dangerous measure won’t go down in flames without ALL OF US sending Cards, Letters, E-Mails, Calls and…if you are close to Sacramento…VISITS IN PERSON TO THE CAPITAL…to register your disapproval of SB 798.

Get the Latest info on FACEBOOK at these OPEN PAGES…click on the image to go to FACEBOOK:

AND ALSO ON FACEBOOK!…Click the Image to go to this FACEBOOK GROUP

This is the first time in USA AIRSOFT HISTORY that the NRA has taken a public stand in support of Airsoft, in opposition to pending legislation in the California Senate or elsewhere in the USA.  It is not clear-cut that they are simply taking their position due to the anti real-steel implications of the ”colorful RAINBOW” gun bill….or if this is a true breakthrough for getting airsoft recognized as a shooting sport by the biggest shooting lobbyist group in the game.

Stay Tuned for more….and keep those e-mails. calls and letters moving to California!!!

Thumpy….OVER

Airsoft Under Attack in California and the USA…the latest on CA Senate Bill 798

THERE IS NO MORE IMPORTANT THING TO DO THIS WEEKEND OR EARLY NEXT WEEK IN THE WORLD OF AIRSOFT!!!

FILL OUT THE ONLINE PETITION IN THE LINK BELOW

THIS ISSUE AFFECTS THE FUTURE OF AIRSOFT ACROSS THE USA, NOT JUST IN CALIFORNIA…AND IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STAKE, THEN YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE FACT, SPREAD THE WORD TO EVERY AIRSOFTER YOU KNOW, AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION TODAY !!

LINK HERE: http://www.change.org/petitions/say-no-to-california-state-sb-798-the-anti-airsoft-bill

There is a comments box, and here’s what THUMPY had to say…

“There is NO REASON to enact new laws to deal with this non-issue.  Simply enforce the laws already on the books, participate in the well-designed information campaign already underway by reputable airsoft dealers in California…one of THE LEADING states in this multi-million dollar industry…and stop trying to nanny-state behaviors of law-abiding citizens by preëmptively punishing them for the irresponsible behaviors of law-breakers.  Vote NO on California SB 798.”

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EXCELLENT WEBSITE LINK HERE from Airsoft Extreme, with updated information, form letters and other SB798 schwaggage

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Here is a link to a Direct Copy of the Bill:  LINK HERE

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OUR BUDS FROM Airsoft Pacific HAVE A Forum Thread:  LINK HERE

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CAP Insider, a California political weblog has a strong information/discussion link open on this issue: LINK HERE

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Our buddy Brian Holt from ECHO 1 USA Shows you just how easy it is to register your opinion with a few calls:

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Our Tarheel Compadre…the one-and-only CrazyNCMan also weighs in…with over 10-thousand views already…FRANK IS ON THE BALL!!!

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The Guys at EVIKE.COM are ALSO urging you to do your part….

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Airsoft Megastore goes MEGA-COMEDY in the beginning….to get the point across.   This is NOT a good thing for Cops, Players, the Game or the PUBLIC!

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Airsoft GI’s Tim Sergeant is ON TARGET with one of the best explanations of what is at risk, what the sides are, and why YOU need to get involved!

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Thumpy’s WEBSITE UPDATE…and some NEWS..ABOUT TIME!

How bout we get back into the AIRSOFT NEWS and INNOVATION Business, with another quick update on what’s happening?  GOOD!

Thumpy’s next Web Adventure is ON THE WAY…You can stay tuned here for some teasers coming this week…and we hope to have the grand unveil at the North Atlantic Airsoft Expo in High Point, NC….which leads us into…

UPDATE on the EXPO!

Here’s  the link to all things AIRSOFT in MARCH!   YEE and HAH……http://www.naaexpo.com/

BEAT DOWN BOOGIE Cast and Crew Members coming to the EXPO!

If you haven’t caught the Modern War Gear Solid parody series on YouTube…get your “view” on OVER HERE, get up to speed,  and then get ready to meet some of the cast and crew from North Carolina at THE Airsoft Expo of 2011…

ALSO…MORE PARTNER/VENDORS ARE ANNOUNCED…

DIAMOND SPONSORS!

GOLD SPONSORS!

AND, STAY TUNED AS THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES….MAKE YOUR PLANS TO JOIN US IN HIGH POINT!

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SHOUTOUTS TO THE SHOT SHOW MEDIA MAKERS!

LOTS OF SHOT Show 2011 coverage is still making its way to the Web’s of Airsoft Love….

Jonathan and Steve at AIRSOFTOLOGY give Thumpy a “Link” and a “Shoutout”…not a “pinch and a giggle”….Catch their latest FULL-ON Podcast over HERE!

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Dr. Airsoft, Mark Vaughn and “Rangemaster Larry” are discussing everything from Thumpy, to the Vegas Card Thumpers, to Gynecological Advertising….over at the BRAND NEW Airsoft Medicine Podcast…RIGHT HERE via FEEDBURNER!

 

OK, That’s it for now….more updates later…more VIDEOS on the way at the THUMPY YouTube Joint…..and STAY TUNED FOR TEASES AND UPDATES ON THE NEXT INNOVATION IN AIRSOFT NEWS….COMING SOON FROM THUMPY’S 3-D HOUSE OF AIRSOFT!

THUMPY’S SHOT SHOW ROUNDUP #18–No Airsoft for Old Men’s TIM ELLWOOD

He’s a friend, a Tarheel, and one of the most-solid representatives for Airsoft at the SHOT Show and throughout the shooting sports industry….allow us to present our very best-est buddy, Mr. “I’m turning 50 in Vegas, so Y’all come to my party at Gilley’s and buy me a beer, OK?”… TIM “TC” Ellwood..the legend behind the “No Airsoft for Old Men” blog….

We’ll have MORE of Tim this weekend, with a scary story you WON’T want to miss…and a bunch more videos still to come from SHOT Show 2011….BTW, this was the 25th SHOT Show that Tim has attended…lucky Bas%@$!….Hahaah!

We’ll be running “shotgun” for Tim again at the North Atlantic Airsoft Expo 2011 in MARCH, so stay tuned for MORE ACTION!

THUMPY….OVER