32 replies to this topic

[Gadge]

Heya chaps.

I'm currently inspired to do a Northern Ireland weekender but 'm conscious it might be a bit politically raw for some people.

As a former serviceman I've no interest in a game revolving around car bombs, kneecapping drug rivals or blowing up kids i shopping centres however...

I was thinking more of doing an NI '72 scenario.

This was the period before Op Motorman dove PIRA underground and forced them into guerilla warfare and the 'invisible war' era.

Around 71-72 there is pretty much open warfare between security forces, PIRA and Unionist forces and while 'brutal' as all warfare it was relatively 'honest' in it's intentions and *potentially* makes for a great three way airsoft scenario.

How do folk feel about it, doable or a hot potato?

G

[Blood_Hound]

I can see some ppl be to this sensitive about it but at the end of the day some of us do ww2 airsoft and I see it as a similar thing honestly mate I would get involved in something like this as its a big part of british military history , go for it

[ChromeNewt]

Same here, although should I now gear my AEG choice to the 70's to fit in with CW and Wastelander?

[Yankee Mike]

I grew up in that conflict (I was 6 in 1972), I understand you reservations especially on the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and Bloody Friday. I would have no problem getting involved in this. After all many airsofters quite happily play themed games as Taliban and the like.

ChromeNewt you still good with an SLR or G3 for this.

[MATTeL]

The G3 would be perfect for this... SAS were using them.

As for the event, I wouldn't have an issue with it. As others have said, people dress up as Taliban and other "bag guys". In previous games I have played as CIRA and a part of the game as partly responsible a road side massacre, it was meant to be an ambush but it went "well" and the detonation of a dirty-bomb.

[BigKie]

Can only back up what above have said. I think most airsofters are sensible enough to understand this is not a historical re enactment and those people who will decide to be on either of the N.I. factions are not doing so to make their political standpoint.
Its like Yankee says its on a level with playing german in ww2, or taliban in a modern game, probably just a little bit more spicy because of the timeline.
Gadge I have no problem giving this support matey.

[Gadge]

Excellent. Thats a pretty positive response.

It's definitely going to be themed around more overt battles than 'soft targets'

I'll save the nitty gritty until I've sorted more out but essentially I'm looking at running a game with a UDA type faction opposing a PIRA type faction (both might well be renamed as small splinter groups to avoid offence, you know something like 'Ulster Volunteer Brigade' etc) with a Brit element trying to keep the peace between both factions.

The beauty of it is that *everyone* can do a 1970s civvy loadout with the odd combat jacket thrown in and gunwise pretty much everything from WWII to the gulf war is usable (INLA and PIRA were using WWII thompsons, rumanian AKs, M60s, hunting rifles and all sorts of stuff in the 70s)

Equally the brit loadout is pretty much the same as that used for our current Cold War games.

[Target]

Sons of A season 3 did a good job of telling thief story in NI.
A similar style could see 2 drug gangs with cops court in the middle, 2 Irish paramilitary with police and boyish soldier court in the middle. Could be a cool story as long as we keep the politics out but the theme in;)

[Yankee Mike]

Splinter group names are a good idea, what ever you come up with needs to be abbreviated to a three letter acronoym though for that truely Ulster/Irish feel such as UDA,UVF,RHC, UDF,UPA,YCV, RHD,IRB, IRA even the forces of the crown get in on bandwagon with UDR and before you point out the obvious INLA they don't count as they were Marxists and therefore unconventional.

As a starter for 10 with the Life of Brian as inspiration (the scene where they discuss the various anti Roman groups is very reminiscent of Ulster politics)

Loyalists - Ulster Peoples Force UPF
Republicans- Irish Liberation Front ILF

[BigKie]

UPF- splitters!
Sorry couldn't resist.

[Fluffy Bunny]

Looks like I'll be scouring ebay for a flack jacket in earnest now!
Though I think the SUIT may have to come off the SLR for this one...

[Coley]

Crikey, May actually end up a Brit for once! Decisions to be made.

[Yankee Mike]

Looks like I'll be scouring ebay for a flack jacket in earnest now!
Though I think the SUIT may have to come off the SLR for this one...

I have a US 68 Flak vest in the garage that would be spot on for that early 70s Brit look

[Yankee Mike]

I

UPF- splitters!
Sorry couldn't resist.

Like it, another choice for republicans could be

Irish Citizens Army which was a group involved in the 1916 rising but has no more modern paramilitary association as far as I am aware.

[Lardassmonkey]

Like the others have said as long as it is done in a and sensitive manner, which I'm sure it would be, it could be the basis for a great event. I've wanted to run a Bosnia/ Kosovo event for a long time which is a similarly risky area but think the potential is too good to be ignored.

For NI there is plenty of scope for events to play out, you could in theory have both in the in game story and true historical events shape the actions of the various protagonists as the story progresses. It would also be very inclusive not only is the kit is so easy to do but there is plenty of potential roles to suit all styles of play from the more trigger happy to the more role play inclined.

[dieselmonkey]

As i've mentioned to you on MSN, i'm absolutely fine with it, and be happy to support/organise/play it.

[Target]

I have moved this to the coldwar section as i think it would come under this cat more than any other.
Gadge, I'll sort out a date for later in the year if that's ok. All we need is a wooking title.

[Heide]

Post removed and moved to pm.

[Doc.]

My only concern would be...what's Josh's Irish accent like?

[Target]

To be sure, pretty good as an ulster man;)