On ParadeThe ContractorsMeet The Contractors, this month’s featured team. In theirown words they are a bunch of like-minded guys who:“Have enjoyed war games for years. Some of us are fond oftactical gear and some of us are interested in real tactics.Put that all together and that makes us - The Contractors.”

The team formed in the summer of 2004and see themselves as a US-themedBlackwater trained team of Contractors,

hence the team name.Blackwater USA, put simply, is a private

military company that has set up a globalpresence offering training and tacticalsolutions. Its client base includes the USDepartments of Defence and State, plusfriendly governments throughout the world.

The 30-strong HK-based Contractors arestrictly Mil Sim operators, preferring limitedammo games over the normal type ofskirmishing the majority of us are used toplaying here in the UK.

“We do promote realism and real tacticsin our game; i.e. we have tried the incidentcommand system in some pre-set scenarios.We use homemade smoke grenades that weuse in sniper counter-sniper tactics.Sometimes we limit the ammunition to 60rounds per person when playing missiongames. We also have a ‘Medic’ system; i.e.when someone is hit, he can resume and goback to the field after the designateddoctor/medic has reached him and put apatch on him.”

As far as the hardware is concerned, eachteam member has, on average, five AEGs(M4 variants), while one team member hasover 20 M16 series AEGs in his collection.

The team are self confessed gear fanaticswho have forgotten how much they havecollectively spent over the years but, by thelooks of their tactical wardrobe, it’s got to bethousands. All we can say here at AI is: “Howmuch?!”

We think you would have to agree theylook great and it’s money well spent. We cansafely say these guys are something a bitspecial, leaving their followers far behind inthe realism race. Never before have we comeacross such a unified team who are aspassionate about airsoft as their appearance.

The skirmish site these guys call home issituated in Yuen Long, some 40km north westof Hong Kong. It is operated by a formerBritish soldier who has trained these hard-core players ever since the team was formed.

The team believe the tactical training hasgiven them the edge in skirmishes. Whenpressed they would not tell us how many gamesthey have won but we were informed that theteam play and train at least twice a month.

that’s what it’s all about. To be honest, this bunch of slick operators

would comfortably be at home on the “Soyou Wannabe...” pages. Their impressions arequite simply stunning and by far the best theAI crew have come across to date.

We had to do it - their PJ impression isquite simply amazing, the best we have everseen - so we’ll find out how the Contractorspulled off the look in a future “So youWannabe...” feature, but for now just kickback and admire this amazing... I’ve said itagain... Okay, let’s rewind....

We had to do it - their PJ impression isquite simply amazing, the best we have everseen - so we’ll find out how the Contractorspulled off the look in a future “So youWannabe...” feature, but for now just kickback and admire this stunning (that’s better)impression.

It’s so good we had to say it twice The boys seem to have a hectic social life

18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005

Words: Paul MonafPhotography: Courtesy of the Contractors

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005 19

THE CONTRACTORS THE C ONTRACTORS THE CONTRACTteam profile

off the skirmish field. We were informed thatthe team members enjoyed going with eachother, but we’re sure that meant going outtogether, for meals, theatre and the movies.Who cares what they do off the field as longas they keep setting new standards inimpressions. It will most certainly keep therest of us gear fanatics on our toes.

The Contractors have their own website,which is full of stunning photography. Dropby, say “hi” and tell them you were sent byAI. The guys would love to hear from you.

URL: http://www.contractorswgt.com/E-mail: kwongtkd@yahoo.com.hk

The Contractors agree that their hardcoreattitude to Mil Sim is rare, even by HKstandards, but recently the boys have noticeda move away from the so-called ‘grab a flag’type scenario games and are headingtowards Mil Sim, which can only be a goodthing for this bunch of lads.

The team consider themselves asprofessional players on the skirmish fieldwith standards of ‘fair play’, behaviour andappearance.

“We believe that if we conduct ourselveswell on the field this will portray a professionalimage, which will enhance our appearance.When we feel good we look good.”

We at AI can’t argue with that. There’s nopoint looking the part and not being able toplay. It comes as a package, ladies and gents.Looking the part and playing the game well:

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