It was a great day during the Airsoft Arms Fair 2010, which was held last 22 May 2010 at Balsall Common, West Midlands. The sun was out and it was hot, which means summer has arrived in the United Kingdom. The timeliness of the event, which according to Jim Septhon, the lead of the organisers, is the first airsoft exhibit event in the British Isles matching airsoft retailers and players alike, is good before we all hunker down at pubs, homes, and bars to watch the World Cup during the rest of the summer season.

It was a modest event. "We want to start small, as you know, these things have to start somewhere, and starting this way, we'll be able to know what things to improve as we organise more exhibits in the future," Jim says. Indeed, as the venue is not like Excel, O2 Arena, or the NEC, but for airsoft players who went there, everything was alright.

Migh2r was my wingman in covering the event. We arrived just right before the opening time, which was 10am, with premium ticket holders starting to line up and can't wait to start going over airsoft products being sold at the venue. They had a headstart, being premium ticket holders, as they have choice pickings of items they want before the rest of the ticket holders arrive.

Mainly sponsored by Airsoft Soldier Magazine (AS Mag), with Lawrence of Strike Hold! blog being the main representative of AS Mag, known retailers and airsoft event organisers were there. Some are new airsoft retailers such as Badger Tac, which will be making its grand opening in a few weeks in Aylesbury and of course Dingodogs Airsoft Shop which featured their upcoming version of the Magpul PTS ACR/Masada which is fully licenced from Magpul PTS and comes with its own gearbox sourced from ARES Airsoft.

Airsoft Skirmish of Dave Manning was there too, not always missing out on events like this, and had field day selling his products to airsoft players. Sabre Force, First and Only Airsoft, Stirling Airsoft, Gunman Airsoft were also there.

Stirling Airsoft put on display a Microdrone which is small unmanned aerial vehicle that can trasmit live video feeds to units on the field. While the drone may look like a home-brewed AUV, it's a 20,000 quid product which comes with its own battlefield computer and you can attach a video camera that can either send feeds in IR and thermal modes.

The layout of the venue is divided into three areas, the main exhibit area which is a modest-sized warehouse at the parking area, housed most of the main airsoft retailers and EBCon publishing which publishes Airsoft International and Raider Magazines. I had a chit chat with Paul Monash, who explained to me that even with their problems with their previous distributor, they're actually doing well given a healthy dose of steady subscribers and advertisers for their magazine. Also in this area were Richard Underwood, Tactical Airsoft Shop, and Airsoft Skirmish.

At the Main House, Bagder Tac, Dingodogs, and The Grange Airsoft Store displayed their products and at the open area, up to the open field were UKAPU (United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union), United Nationas Stargate Command, First and Only, GASS, and the Car Boot Sale.

We bumped into Gareth of Airbana who did live tweeting of the fair, and he's a nice chap. We promised each other to play at The Mall in Reading soon, as he is located there, working as an IT Boss in one of those of big IT companies which have chosen Reading as their home in the UK.

In the field, there was an shooting range for first time airsoft users and those who want to try out the airsoft guns they bought on site, which was an effective way to recruit more players to the sport.

For those who were not able to go, you missed a lot. There have been big discounts on airsoft products, with some going to 50% off the price tag. Migh2r was happy to get a holster for his G17, and got it at half the price. The rarely found Mechanix Impact gloves was there, and my size was available, so I got one for myself.

It was scorching hot, with the sun overhead giving us 25 degree celcius temperature. Though it didn't deter the attendees from enjoying the show.

Overall, the event, even with its modest aims, is a great success. Jim Septhon can't wait for the feedback from those who came over, and from the rest on what they want to see at booths. All is not lost for those who were not able to come, another Airsoft Arms Fair is in the works late this year, with October being the target month.