Close Action AIRSOFT

Grafton Park · Northamptonshire

Airsoft on a wartime bomber airfield

One skirmish day a month on the old RAF Grafton Underwood airfield. Short, sharp games in the morning, longer objective-led scenarios after lunch, and player-marshals who keep it fair.

Plan your first game See game dates

A day you will not forget, whatever your experience

Groups, teams and individuals are all welcome at Close Action, experienced and novice players alike are made to feel at home by our trained staff.

Our skirmish days range from short, action-packed games to longer themed scenarios where tactics and fieldcraft win objectives. A large team of player-marshals upholds our reputation for fair play and fun gaming.

  • Not for profitEvery pound goes back into the site.
  • Player-marshalsA large team on the field in every game, playing alongside you.
  • New players welcomeHire a full kit for the day and we will show you the ropes.

How a game day runs

Play finishes at 16:00, or a little earlier when the days are short.

  1. ArriveSign in, get kitted up and ready.
  2. BriefingSafety briefing for every player.
  3. Play startsMorning games.
  4. LunchBack to the safe zone.
  5. AfternoonPlay resumes.
  6. EndexEarlier in winter.

Prices

Three ways to play. Bring cash on the day.

Walk-on

£20

per game day

  • Turn up with your own gear
  • No booking needed

Let us know on Facebook, or just arrive at 09:00.

Hire package

£45

per game day, all in

  • Walk-on fee included
  • Gun and 3,000 rounds
  • Face mask and camo jacket

Five hire guns per game at most. Email to check availability.

Membership

£120

per year, nothing more to pay

  • A full year of airsoft
  • Help develop the site
  • Help plan games and scenarios

Email for membership details.

Hire bookings are assumed to be for the next game date unless you say otherwise. If you reserve a hire package, please turn up: a no-show takes a gun from someone who wanted one, and you will not be able to play at our site again.

Game dates

All game days are Sundays.

    RAF Grafton Underwood

    This historic airfield opened in 1941 and was first used by RAF Bomber Command. In 1942, after the runways were lengthened to 2,000 yards, it was assigned to the USAAF 8th Air Force and became one of the largest USAAF bases outside the mainland United States.

    It was home to several heavy bombardment groups, including the 384th, with four squadrons of B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers. The airfield finally closed in 1959 and is now private land.

    1941
    Opened
    384th
    Bomb Group, B-17s
    1959
    Closed
    Historic map of RAF Grafton Underwood showing the airfield buildings, roads and surrounding woodland
    Historic map of RAF Grafton Underwood.

    Find us

    NN14 3AA

    That is the nearest postcode. We are on the old airfield, on the road between Grafton Underwood and Brigstock.

    From Grafton Underwood: the entrance is on the right, 1 km after you leave the village.
    From Brigstock: it is on the left, 1 km before you reach Grafton Underwood.

    Look for our banner at the entrance.

    Open in Google Maps

    What3Words: rumble.prepared.afternoon

    First time with us?

    1. Fill in a disclaimerEvery player signs one before their first game. Download the disclaimer (Word document) and bring it with you.
    2. Sort your kitBring your own, or email us to reserve a hire package.
    3. Read the site rulesEye protection is worn at all times in the playing area, and under 18s must wear a full face mask. Read all the rules.
    4. Arrive for 09:00Players must be 16 or older, unless accompanied by a playing adult.

    What is airsoft? A rather good video made by a couple of our regular players.

    Site rules

    These apply to every player on every game day. If you are unsure about anything, ask a marshal before play.

    AEGs
    370FPS
    Semi-only electric rifles (PSG1 etc.)
    400FPS
    Bolt-action rifles
    500FPS
    Minimum engagement, any rifle over 350 fps
    30M
    1. FPS limits. Limits at Close Action are 370 fps for AEGs, 500 fps for bolt-action rifles, and 400 fps for semi-only electric rifles (PSG1 etc.). There is a minimum engagement distance of 30 m when using any rifle over 350 fps. If you are not sure what 30 m looks like, ask a marshal.
    2. Eye protection. Eye protection should be worn at all times in the playing area and should only be removed when outside the playing area, in the safe zone, or when advised by a marshal.
    3. Face protection. It is advised that face protection be worn, but this is at your own discretion.
    4. Under 18s. All under 18s MUST wear a full face mask.
    5. Trees. Do not climb up or on trees.
    6. Members of the public. If you encounter a member of the public, cease all activities until they have moved out of the area and advise a marshal of their location.
    7. Safe zone. Magazines should be removed and gun chambers cleared before entering the safe zone or leaving the playing area.
    8. Boundaries. Stay within the boundaries of Close Action at all times. No play is permitted outside the boundary.
    9. Ground hazards. Be aware that there are fallen trees and branches on the ground, and care should be taken around them.
    10. Head height. Be aware of branches at head height, particularly thorn bushes. This is another reason that eye protection should be worn.
    11. Bunkers. Take care when entering bunkers or structures, and only use the available entrance. When attacking bunkers, switch to single shot or use a backup pistol when inside a 20 m range.
    12. Pyros. We do not permit the use of thunderflashes of any kind at CA. That includes MK V, MK9 and thermobaric variants. Only approved TLSFX BB grenades and smokes can be used. Enola Gaye products are not allowed. Blank firing and gas grenades are not allowed. If in doubt, check with us before play, as the use of non-approved pyros could jeopardise our insurance and will certainly result in your expulsion from the site and a lifetime ban.
    13. Blind firing. Blind firing is not permitted.
    14. Grenades. Grenades have an effective kill radius of 3 m, regardless of whether any of the fragments hit the player. When a grenade goes off in a bunker, everyone in the bunker is dead.
    15. Hits. When hit, shout "hit", raise your arm or gun and go to the designated dead zone. Note that these are not safe zones, and face masks should not be removed in these areas. If in doubt, take the hit.
    16. Cheating. If anyone is caught or reported for cheating, they will receive a warning. If they are caught or reported again, they will miss the remainder of the game. Cheat calling will not be tolerated. Anyone found to be shouting "take your hits" or similar will be given one warning. After this they will be asked to leave the site.
    17. Overkill. Avoid overkill at all times.
    18. Behaviour. We do not tolerate violent or overly aggressive behaviour. We reserve the right to ask the offending player or players to leave the site.
    19. Marshals. Marshals are present to ensure that games are played fairly, so please abide by their decisions. Anyone behaving aggressively or abusively towards marshals may be asked to leave the site. Any disagreement with a marshal's decision should be referred to Chris or Tony, the site organisers.
    20. Disclaimer. All players must sign a disclaimer before they play for the first time. Download the disclaimer.
    21. Age. All players must be 16 or older unless accompanied by a playing adult.
    22. Smoking. Smoking is permitted in the safe zone and dead zones, but please do not drop your cigarette ends. Take them away with you.
    23. Accidents. All accidents, however minor, must be reported to a member of staff so that they can be recorded in the accident book.

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