Editing Dan Colby (section)

== Air America ==

=== Founding ===

Colby founded [[Air America (paintball)|Air America]] in 1990.[1]

The company specialised in compressed-air technology for paintball.

Air America developed regulators, air systems and related equipment designed to support the transition from CO2 to compressed air and nitrogen.

=== Early compressed-air systems ===

During the early 1990s, compressed-air systems were still relatively uncommon in paintball.

Early systems were generally larger and more expensive than conventional CO2 arrangements.

They nevertheless offered potential advantages in pressure consistency and performance.

Air America became one of the early companies to commercialise HPA systems for competitive paintball.

Contemporary WARPIG reporting identified Dan and Howard Colby as important figures in the adoption of compressed air within the sport.[3]

=== Uni-Reg ===

One of Air America's influential early products was the '''Uni-Reg'''.

The Uni-Reg was an adjustable compressed-air regulator associated with early 3000 psi systems.

According to Paint Magazine's technical history, it was among the first widely available constant-air systems for paintball.[2]

The regulator could be adjusted to provide different output pressures.

The system was commonly used with relatively large compressed-air cylinders.

Early configurations included 114 cubic-inch cylinders, reflecting the air consumption of contemporary paintball markers.

=== Relationship with the Automag ===

Paint Magazine identifies Colby's engineering team as having contributed to the regulator design associated with the [[Automag]].[2]

The Automag, manufactured by [[Airgun Designs]], became one of the influential paintball markers of the early 1990s.

The relationship between the Uni-Reg and Automag regulator designs demonstrates the connections between early marker development and compressed-air technology.

The precise division of engineering responsibilities between the companies requires further documentation.

=== Raptor ===

Air America developed the '''Raptor''' compressed-air regulator.

The Raptor became associated with early tournament HPA systems.

It was followed by the '''Raptor Rex''', a regulator designed for 4500 psi systems.

The company's products contributed to the increasing use of compressed air during the 1990s.

=== Armageddon ===

The '''Armageddon''' was an Air America compressed-air system featuring a removable bottle arrangement.

It became one of the company's recognised product families.

The system formed part of Air America's development of modular and adjustable air delivery equipment.

=== Apocalypse ===

The '''Apocalypse''' incorporated an on/off mechanism.

This allowed users to control the air supply between the cylinder and paintball marker.

The product was among several designs intended to improve the usability of high-pressure air equipment.

=== Expansion chambers ===

Air America also developed the '''Whispering Death''' expansion chamber.

The product was associated with the company's early work on paintball gas systems.

Expansion chambers were commonly used with CO2 equipment to help manage the behaviour of the propellant before it entered a marker.