WDP Angel

The WDP Angel, commonly known as the Angel, was a family of electropneumatic paintball markers designed by John Rice and manufactured by British company WDP (Who Dares Plays), later associated with the trading name Angel Paintball Sports.

Introduced publicly in 1996 and commercially released in early 1997, the Angel was among the first commercially available electronically controlled paintball markers. Alongside the original Shocker, developed by PneuVentures and distributed by Smart Parts, it helped establish electronic markers in professional tournament paintball.[1][2]

The Angel became one of the most recognisable high-end tournament markers of the late 1990s and 2000s, with successive models including the LED, LCD, IR3, Speed, A4, G7 and A1.[3]

History

Development

The Angel was developed by WDP, a British paintball equipment company associated with brothers Ged Green and Jon Green.

WDP had previously established commercial playing fields in the Birmingham area and developed products including the Mamba remote air system and Hyperball tournament field format.

The Angel project developed following the involvement of engineer John Rice, who joined WDP during the mid-1990s.

Rice designed an electronically controlled pneumatic firing system intended to combine high firing rates with consistent performance.[2][4]

Introduction in 1996

The original Angel was presented publicly at the 1996 International Amateur Open in Pennsylvania, United States.

At the same event, PneuVentures introduced the original Shocker, distributed by Smart Parts.

Both markers represented an important development in electronically controlled tournament equipment.[1]

The Angel was initially associated with Brass Eagle distribution in the American market, including a version marketed as the Model 1455 Angel Semi-Auto.

WDP subsequently developed its own distribution network.[3]

The original Angel design, sometimes identified as the V6, preceded the first widely available production version.

Commercial sales of the Angel began in early 1997.[2]

Angel LED

The first widely distributed Angel became known retrospectively as the Angel LED.

The marker incorporated a rechargeable battery, an electronically controlled solenoid valve and a removable bolt assembly.

It also featured the Rotabreech system, allowing the bolt to be accessed through a rotating rear breech mechanism.

Contemporary technical reviews documented the marker's lightweight electronic trigger, vertical feeding system and high firing capability.[2]

The Angel was designed for compressed-air operation rather than CO2, reflecting its sensitivity to pressure fluctuations and liquid gas entering the pneumatic system.

Custom versions were subsequently developed by specialist manufacturers, including Planet Eclipse, Cobra Paintball and Adrenaline Paintball.[2][5]

Angel LCD

In 1999, WDP introduced the Angel LCD.

The revised marker incorporated a liquid crystal display and expanded electronic programming functions.

The LCD system allowed players to access information and settings through the marker's grip frame.

The Angel LCD was displayed at the 1999 Zap International Masters tournament, alongside WDP's developing Angel Air compressed-air system.[6]

Angel IR3

In spring 2002, WDP introduced the Angel IR3.

The marker incorporated a redesigned receiver, a vertical grip frame and a smaller pneumatic solenoid assembly.

Its electronic features included an infrared communications port and the COPS (Crystal Operated Paintball Sensor) system, which monitored paintball feeding.

The infrared system was developed to allow programming and configuration using compatible personal digital assistants.[7]

The IR3 also retained the integrated rechargeable battery and LCD interface associated with earlier models.

Later models

WDP continued developing the Angel platform throughout the 2000s.

The Speed series introduced alternative electronic controls and revised pneumatic components.

The A4 and A4 Fly incorporated further changes to operating pressure, electronic systems and paintball detection.

The G7 series introduced another major redesign during 2005.

In 2006, the company introduced the Angel One, also known as the A1, incorporating a new electronic interface and redesigned internal components.

Subsequent developments included the A1 Fly and the later AR:K and SB models, introduced in 2011.[3]

End of production

During the latter part of the 2000s, WDP's marker operations became associated with the Angel Paintball Sports name.

The company continued developing the Angel platform while competing with newer electronic markers from manufacturers including Planet Eclipse, DYE Precision and Smart Parts.

In November 2011, representatives of Angel Paintball Sports informed dealers and customers that the business was ceasing operations.

Contemporary announcements indicated that replacement parts would remain available through existing distributors and specialist technicians.[8]

The end of Angel Paintball Sports' manufacturing operations should not be confused with the legal status of every company historically associated with WDP.

Original Angel markers continued to be supported by independent technicians and aftermarket component suppliers.

Operating system

The Angel used an electropneumatic operating system incorporating an electronic trigger, circuit board, solenoid valve and pneumatically operated ram.

When the trigger was activated, the circuit board sent an electrical signal to the solenoid.

The solenoid controlled compressed air delivered to the ram, moving the linked bolt and hammer assembly forward.

This movement loaded a paintball and opened the firing valve, releasing compressed air to propel the projectile.

The solenoid then reversed the pneumatic action, returning the assembly to its starting position.[2]

The system differed from the mechanically operated Autococker and the blow-forward Automag.

The Angel's electronic trigger and pneumatic operation allowed rapid successive firing without a conventional mechanical trigger linkage.

The marker also used a distinctive three-tube receiver design, with components arranged in separate longitudinal chambers.[2]

Major models

Model	Introduction	Principal features
Angel V6	1996–1997	Initial prototype and early production design
Angel LED	1997	Original widely available electronic Angel
Angel LCD	1999	Liquid crystal display and expanded programming
Angel IR3	2002	Infrared programming, vertical grip and COPS
Angel Speed	2003	Revised electronics and pneumatic components
Angel A4	2004	Redesigned low-pressure system
Angel G7	2005	Updated receiver, electronics and valve system
Angel A1	2006	New electronic interface and redesigned internals
Angel A1 Fly	2006	Development of the A1 platform
Angel AR:K / SB	2011	Later-generation models with revised breech systems

The Angel also appeared in numerous factory-customised and aftermarket configurations.[3]

Tournament paintball

The Angel became closely associated with professional speedball during the late 1990s.

Early tournament users included members of the Banzai Bandits, who used the marker at the 1996 Paintball World Cup.[5]

WDP subsequently established sponsorship arrangements with professional teams, including Avalanche.

The company's association with leading tournament players helped establish the Angel as a prominent high-performance marker.

WDP also provided technical services at major tournaments, including dedicated repair and maintenance facilities.

At the 1999 Zap International Masters, Angel designer John Rice conducted technical presentations explaining the marker's operating principles and electronic systems.[6]

WDP's involvement in tournament paintball extended beyond equipment manufacturing.

The company was associated with the development of Hyperball and later supported the National Professional Paintball League Super 7 competition through tournament sponsorship and promotion.[4]

Legacy

The Angel was an important development in the transition from mechanical to electronically controlled tournament markers.

Its use of electronic triggering, pneumatic actuation and integrated programming contributed to the wider adoption of electronic equipment in competitive paintball.

The platform also supported an aftermarket industry producing custom receivers, electronic boards, barrels, triggers and other components.

Although commercial production ended in 2011, original Angel markers remain subjects of restoration, collecting and specialist technical support.

References

External links