Themed events in airsoft are a big part of the skirmishing scene. A great many airsofters are inspired in their choice of gear by a film or TV series or even a book that they have enjoyed, and set out to recreate their favourite character.

I suppose if I had to say what were my greatest influences from film or other media that I would like to bring into my airsoft hobby, they would have to be either a impression based on one of the great Vietnam movies or a uniform inspired by my favourite TV science fiction show - 'Stargate: SG1'.

Team AKA meets Team SG4!

Luckily, creating a Stargate uniform for airsoft does fit nicely with my involvement in the Russian themed 'Team AKA', as one of the Stargate expeditionary units is a Russian one - 'SG4'. This Russian unit is featured in a couple of the Stargate episodes, notably 'The Tomb' and 'Metamorphosis'. 

Above: The Russian 'SG4' from the Stargate episode 'Metamorphosis'. They are wearing 'Schofield' type camoflague and a variety of Russian weaponary. Photo: 'Stargate: SG1' - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

I won't go into the actual creating and gear list of what a 'SG4' might look like for the airsoft field, I will save that for the appropriate section in the blog, but it's interesting to note this phenomenon of TV to airsoft crossovers.

Usually, airsoft is played as sort of military simulation, or 'Milsim', and uses military scenarios based on historical or contemporary events on which to base the game play. However, another very popular activity in airsoft is 'themed' events, based on players favourite films, TV shows or books.

Combining the interests of 'Team AKA' with a TV show which involves a Russian military aspect adds to the fun of an event, allowing us to beak away from the usual semi-serious nature of Milsim and to let our imaginations run riot.

How does this sort of thing work? 

Obviously, with a science fiction show like 'Stargate: SG1' - which uses a lot of CGI special effects - creating an airsoft scenario which is still faithful to the series is a bit of a challenge in itself.

Just take the issue of costumes alone. Where would you get hold of the gear to create an army of Jaffa?

Quite simply, you would have to come up with a game back story that took into consideration players ability to source appropriate costumes and props. You cannot expect everyone to spend a lot of money and time gathering together 'authentic' Stargate paraphernalia that they may only use once!

Above: This shot clearly shows the 'SG4' badge, as well as a nice view of the AK74 Para with GP-30 grenade launcher. Luckily, getting hold of the badges is the least of my worries if I want to create the Stargate look. A vast range of Stargate memorabilia is available on the Internet and eBay - including this 'SG4' badge. Photo: 'Stargate: SG1' - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

In the context of my interest in the Russian 'SG4', then, you might have a scenario which would pit the Russians against the American based 'SG1' forces in some sort of political competition to get hold of an alien technology. In the TV series, the Russians are - sadly - often portrayed as protagonists, and rivals to Stargate Command, so this would work as Russian and American uniforms are fairly commonplace on the airsoft field.

Therefore, you might only need to add a smattering of appropriately garbed NPCs (None Player Characters) and some modest props for this to work. As with the show, off-world 'civilians' are dressed in simple fashion - perhaps in robes and basic head-dress to represent a primitive society caught up in the power politics of the two Earth factions.

Ace in the hole

Finally, one common feature of science fiction based airsoft games is the addition of a wild-card player. A  character of special abilities who might be a common adversary to both teams, and who would appear randomly throughout the game to cause a little chaos.

An ideal wild card plucked for the TV series might be an 'Oonas', a predatory alien creature of great strength and power. This character might be impervious to ordinary 'BB' fire, and would appear and disappear in 'hit and run' attacks on the other players.

Credit

I would like to thank the members of the 'Stargater' forum, particularly 'Hawkeye', for their help with my research into 'SG4'. Community forums like 'Stargater' are great places for any airsofter hoping to get the information and ideas in order create a successful crossover event or uniform impression.

Useful links

> Stargater Astrogate - UK based Stargate universe community - www.stargater.co.uk
> Wikipedia: Stargate
> Stargate badges - Blue Tiger Trading eBay store
> Stargate Official Home - MGM