Air Concepts Industries
Air Concepts Industries (ACI) was an American paintball equipment manufacturer and distributor known for producing paintball markers, barrels and air systems during the 1990s and 2000s. Its products included the F4 Illustrator, Griffin, Maverick and Hornet markers, as well as equipment manufactured for other paintball brands.
The company was operating in the paintball industry by 1989 and was based in California, United States.[1]
History
[edit]Air Concepts Industries was involved in the manufacture and distribution of paintball equipment during the early 1990s. The company was operated by Jerry and Brian Sullivan and manufactured the PMI Trracer pump-action marker for Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI).[2]
The Trracer was also marketed directly by ACI as the Maverick, while the PMI Tagmaster was sold under the ACI Hornet name.[2]
During the 1990s, ACI expanded its range of products marketed under its own name. In 1998, the company was producing the F4 Illustrator marker and Zero Gravity barrels. Contemporary reporting from the 1998 ZAP Amateur Open also documented ACI's Graffiti barrel range, which featured patterned anodised finishes.[3]
The F4 Illustrator was introduced in 1998 following ACI's acquisition of the Illustrator name from Feral Action Sports Technology (FAST), which had previously produced the F1 and F2 Illustrator markers.[4]
ACI subsequently introduced the Griffin, a semi-automatic marker marketed towards entry-level players, with an advertised retail price of US$119.99.[5]
The company continued marketing paintball equipment into the 2000s. Its 2005 marker range included the electronically operated Korrupt and semi-automatic Sinister.[6]
A company announcement dated 19 April 2005 identified ACI as being based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and described its distribution activities as dating back to 1989. The announcement also referred to the Assassin and Blind Rage marker lines.[1]
Paintball markers
[edit]The following models are documented in the VintageRex historical paintball marker database.[6]
| Marker | Type | Documented year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| F4 Illustrator | Mechanical semi-automatic | 1998 | An Illustrator-series marker using a blowback operating system. |
| Griffin | Mechanical semi-automatic | Not confirmed | Entry-level marker using an Illustrator-style valve. |
| Hornet | Pump-action | Not confirmed | Nelson-style pump marker related to the PMI Tagmaster. |
| Korrupt | Electronic | 2005 | Electronically operated marker using an Illustrator-style valve. |
| Maverick | Pump-action | Not confirmed | Nelson-style pump marker also marketed as the PMI Trracer. |
| Sinister | Mechanical semi-automatic | 2005 | Semi-automatic marker using an Illustrator-style valve. |
All six models were listed by VintageRex as .68-calibre markers.[6]
Other equipment
[edit]In addition to paintball markers, ACI produced barrels and air-system equipment.
Its barrel products included the Zero Gravity range and the Graffiti series, which was documented at the 1998 ZAP Amateur Open.[3]
ACI also supplied compressed-air systems and associated paintball equipment.[7]
See also
[edit]- List of vintage paintball markers and equipment
- History of paintball equipment
- Feral Action Sports Technology
- Pursuit Marketing Inc.
- F4 Illustrator
- PMI Trracer
References
[edit]- Armada Mercantile Ltd., "Venture Lending Loan", 19 April 2005.
- Paint Magazine, "PMI Trracer & Tagmaster".
- WARPIG, "New Products from the 1998 ZAP Amateur Open", 1998.
- VintageRex, "F4 Illustrator".
- WARPIG, "ACI Introduces the Griffin", contemporary manufacturer press release.
- VintageRex, "ACI - Air Concept Industries", historical marker catalogue.
- Peculiar Paintball, "ACI Sports", manufacturer history and product overview.