Props 2: The return of ingenuity

[Spook]

Let's see if we can keep this one on topic guys. Props are static items that enhance the game/mission.

Here are some simple props:

1. Empty gallon water jugs can be used to simulate bottles of chemical agents. Fill them with nasty lookin colored water if you like to add some extra weight and 'yuck' factor.

2. Since it's halloween, a trip to your local costume shop should yield some interesting goodies like...arms, legs, heads, fake syringes, fake IV bags.

3. Phony documents to be captured. Maps, orders, etc. If you make them super-realistic, make sure that they have a disclaimer (i.e.: This is a prop for a military simulation. It is NOT a government document.) on the bottom.

4. Some furniture stores use fake office equipment such as computers and keyboards to enhance their floor displays. If you can find out where they get them, a really cool fake headquarters/missile control room etc can be set up as an objective.

5. Balloons can be used to simulate explosives such as mines. Blow up a balloon, put it in a cardboard can with a few holes in the top (a powdered drink can) and take a small nail and place it in the plastic lid. Bury the thing and when someone steps on it, you get a nice satisfying BANG!

6. A sniper mission can be set up using a balloon too. Simply blow a balloon up nice and tight so that a .43 will pop it like a zit. Consider filling it with something disgusting like silly slime to simulate brains. the sniper's mission is to of course kill the "colonel", VIP etc.

7. Don't throw away that crappy old satellite dish! It makes a great radar installation.

8. PVC pipe and masonite/plywood/cardboard can make small field artillery pieces.

[gmaximus]

The field I used to play at had an old satellite dish as a prop, as a matter of fact.

--

An idea I was thinking of previously that kinda fits here and would tie into a mission -

Bomb Diffusal

Build a small box that can be opened, and has an LCD countdown on the outside, and several colored wires inside that can be cut. Only one of them will disarm the bomb; cutting any other one will make it go off (a buzzer goes off or some appropriate special effect is triggered). This would take a little electronics knowlege but it isn't really that complicated.

Having several wires with only one capable of disarming the bomb could easily tie into the mission - the good guys can try to capture the terrorists' bomb making documents or their commander (who is then 'compelled' to tell them which wire will safely disarm the bomb), OR they can just try for a lucky guess if time is running out!

It could be a cool looking prop with modeling clay 'C4' attached to it, though in this day and age it should probably be marked that it is only a prop and not a functioning bomb!

Depending on how realistic / sadistic you want to get, you could go as far as to have an electronic motion sensing device* in the prop bomb that will set it off if is moved too sharply, or make getting it open even more difficult by having a combination lock (whose number can be captured from the enemy) on the box that contains its workings. You could also limit the number of good guys who have wire cutters, since obviously not all soldiers are capable of disarming bombs.

*This isn't as complicated as it sounds - cut a small section of a drinking straw and run two wire leads so they poke into it but do not touch. Put a metal BB in the straw and seal both ends so the BB doesn't fall out. Position the prop bomb so that tilting it too much will cause the BB to roll down the straw and complete the circuit, setting off the buzzer.

[output01x]

actually, i really dig the fake computers and keyboards idea. even if fake ones can't be had, you can always find old (often broken computers and computer parts at garage sales for like a dollar or two. unfortunately, garage sale season is pretty much over :( maybe next year ;)

[almega]

when we were looking to get more props for the CQB place, we were looking into those cardboard displays, there are places that actually sell cardboard anything, speakers, computers, laptops, even big screen tv's. Downside, even the smallest thing like a speaker or a small tv, is $30. It only gets more expensive, very fast. Your best bet is to get some stuff from the thrift store or donated, like we did.

Btw, i thought about getting those props from say... meijers, if they throw them out, but after talking to managers etc, they never throw them out.

Links:
http://www.propsbyidm.com/Televisions.htm
big screens, washer and dryers, security cameras, all for a pretty penny

[seraphina]

I really like the idea of trying to recover secret documents. Secret agent, double agent status. Ooooo....me likey. The fun part is finding the person that has said documents, killing them, getting the docs, maybe they have plans for a mission that is to go down in a few hours. You have to get the docs back to your team and work out a plan to ruin the mission...if you choose to accept this mission. This reply will self destruct in 6 seconds...

[snif]

We put together a simple programable box, Steel and gasketed (waterproof and tough -industrial left overs) with an LCD, couple of heavy duty industrial buttons, a keyed multipostion switch, a real loud car horn and a $5 programable processor. Used a big battery that lasts forever

Could use a Basic Stamp too. Real easy to do if you know how to connect a couple of wires.

This can do any of the functions mentioned above, mostly with only a program change.

[gunfighters]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/gunfighters/deinstruct.jpg
better picts of the steps
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/gunfighters/deinstruct2.jpg

hang it on your intended target with the little end (baking soda) up, flip the stitch and clear out!!!

[almega]

i had always thought of using the 12g co2 adapter that i have for my sniper rifle. Rig a spring loaded switch to it (so it can be a deadmans bomb ala speed). When its released, the co2 (900 psi) would dump into a really thick balloon and instantly inflate / pop it, nice loud boom. Thicker the balloon, louder the bang. Just an idea.

The co2 could be used as a more stable / cleaner version of the baking soda / vinegar deal. Only downside is that you'd have to figure out some sort of delay device, maybe a remote valve release or something *shrugs*

[gunfighters]

"The co2 could be used as a more stable / cleaner version of the baking soda / vinegar deal. Only downside is that you'd have to figure out some sort of delay device, maybe a remote valve release or something "
very true the M80 TR mine does something that with a 12 gram co2.
we also have a unit ( LE/MIL only @ the moment) that uses co2/air to blow up a tube on a 50' remote line, but it dose cost a few $$ and that makes it hard for the event staff to just hand one out to every squad @ a large scale event.
The plans I posted are for a (out of production) unit made by TOC for MIL/LE training. It costs about $2(TOC sold the paint filled ones for around $12) a pop(pun intented) to make, so it *could* be widly distrubited @ events. When it was inproduction it was mainly sold to the DOD and used to train SF units( used as a grenade ), the "Inbeded shock factor" of it going off was the major selling point.
I would not recomend using one( the thiner "harware store tubing may be ok) as a grenade, just too loud!!!! I have had a few go off in close prximty to me and do not wish that on anyone...... Well maby a few people ;)

[ElPhantasamo]

Originally posted by gmaximus
Bomb Diffusal

Build a small box that can be opened, and has an LCD countdown on the outside, and several colored wires inside that can be cut. Only one of them will disarm the bomb; cutting any other one will make it go off (a buzzer goes off or some appropriate special effect is triggered). This would take a little electronics knowlege but it isn't really that complicated.



A teammate has one like this already. The fun part comes from old automotive wiring harnesses I have collected over the years.

"Cut the black wire"
"wait, theres a black wire, a black with white, and a black with green!"

"Was that pink with black or black with pink?"

"Is this wire green with red, or green with orange?"

Ahhh Adventures in auto repair applied to airsoft:cool:

[CheGregory]

Originally posted by Spook

3. Phony documents to be captured. Maps, orders, etc. If you make them super-realistic, make sure that they have a disclaimer (i.e.: This is a prop for a military simulation. It is NOT a government document.) on the bottom.


better idea, dont leave offical looking documents where your neigbors will find them, or write random unoffical stuff on the documents.....a disclaimer would ruin that

[Spook]

Get a 12 ft length of 4" diameter PVC pipe. Use 1/2" Plywood to make four fins for your missile. The HEIGHT of each fin is 6'. The base 2'. Connect the base to the top of the fin with a line and then cut it out with a sabre saw. Try to be neat. The nose cone will be the most difficult. I suggest a cheap Nerf type football of the appropriate diameter, cut in half. The missile should be white, the fins black. If you can afford it, just get a 4 x 8 x 1/2" sheet of plywood. An alternate material IF you can find it.....styrene or PVC sheet which can be attached to the fuselage of the missile with PVC cement. I have just described a basic HAWK AAA missile. Normally they come in batteries 3 to a launcher. If you have the time and talent, go for it, but for our purposes, a single missile will do.

[snif]

Hey Spook, I just tried that, could only throw it about 100 yds, ok, maybe 150 yds. Need to get, mmm, 10? miles on the range.... how did you do that?

May need to upgrade our face protection too.

yuk. Bet it looks good. I just threw away 12 ft of 4"tube. Cheap stuff tho.

[Nate The Great]

A while ago we had a team practice, where we used heavy wood blocks, 8'x5' ish to represent C4. Team A had a set amount of C4 (6 blocks), and you had to have at least 2 blow up the Satellite. Team B tries to protect there Satellite. We nailed some wood together, put it on a box and had a decent sized prop Satellite to blow up. It was a 24hr, night game and Team A had to locate and destroy the Satellite dish. We had a total of 6 bricks of C4. Which we could either hide, or hump with us as we located the dish. Team B could find them, capture them and use them to there advantage. I was designated to take the majority of them to the Satellite. I can tell you it was great *fun*, and a sense of milism humping around 4 block of C4 which weighed 5lbs each in my Rucksack. Trying to maneuver around with added weight in the dead of night was an experience.

[Spook]

I suggest instead of 2 x 4 pieces, get modeling clay in large blocks at your local craft store.

[Lu]

Agreed on the modeling clay, you can get it cheap and bulk from a crafts store. Remember multi colored wires and other electronics, I've seen people break apart a old clock radio and made one impressive looking, working alarm kit.

Some other props, a lil bit of warning. Scenarios have been using alot of fake narcotics it seems. I'd say try and stay away from popular stuff. All you need is a Officer pulling you over going alil to fast because your late to the game, asking to search your trunk or what not (I know this is highly unlikely, but people don't always have the best of luck) to find a bunch of guns and fake amphetamines in your trunk.

I suggest if you do anything like that, make up fake drugs that don't exsist, I knew people from an event once used some of the very fake looking plants you can get dirt cheap at crafs stores annd bundled it to look the part, just a fair idea.

Sadly enough garage sale season is over, when it returns, I'm sure there will be alot of good prop action available if you look well enough.

I think also clothes can be considered good props. A trip to your local thrift store can make some convincing costumes for a scenario event.

[Chapman]

get some large planks of plywood about 6 ft. tall. You'll need several of them. Then get some large stakes for the ground. Then if you are going to perform this, make sure the area you are doing it in is a 100% only used for airsoft and you have permission. Using simple planks, and screw you can build a building (though still stuck on how to form a foundation to make the structer strong enough to withstand some of the stronger storms we see in Ohio) that you can walk into. Simply build the frame, and nothing else. The walls are formed out of paper and for a roof you can throw like a tin roof on, or aluminum sheeting or something more sturdy. The paper needs to be dark construction paper so in the heat of the afternoon one can't see the enemy occupants inside through their shadow. The papers have a slit cut out for the door and squares for windows. This way when in a fire-fight like in real life, the bb's go through the walls. However like I said I still don't know how to build the foundation so I'm rather stuck, nor do I have a perminant practice ground I can do this at where other dudes exploring the woods might tear it down. Thought perhaps event organizers can make these for a cheap urban scenario.

Also you may find Cardboard simpler, so there are no shadows and, like in real walls, the bullets can sometimes penetrate and sometimes not. Though more expensive.

[snif]

Someone ought to look at PICs, like a 16F628. They are cheap ($6), the extra stuff to run it costs about $10 and the software for programming it is free. You can build just about any computer things, electronic things that people have been talking about faking for the past several years with it. You dont have to fake the wires or alarms or countdowns or anything like that.

If you are into computers or programs at all... a simple cheap thing to give a try. If you hate it throw it away. Is really simple if you hang in there.

Just a thought. Some people like to experiment.