Admin: Created page with " 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, develop..."

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Created page with " 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, develop..."

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The '''WDP Angel''', commonly known as the '''Angel''', was a family of electropneumatic [[paintball marker]]s 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 ==

{| class="wikitable"
! 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.

== See also ==

* [[WDP]]
* [[John Rice]]
* [[Shocker]]
* [[Smart Parts]]
* [[Autococker]]
* [[Automag]]
* [[Paintball marker]]
* [[Hyperball]]
* [[Planet Eclipse]]
* [[History of paintball]]

== References ==

# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/smartparts/shocker03/index.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, Shocker 03, May 2004. Historical account of the Angel and Shocker introductions at the 1996 International Amateur Open.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/angel.shtml WARPIG, Paul Mavor, A Look at the WDP Angel. Contemporary technical review of the original Angel.]
# [https://www.angelfaq.com/ AngelFAQ, WDP and Angel Paintball Sports Historical Marker Archive. Model identification and release chronology.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/questions_20/ged_wdp.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, Interview with Ged Green of WDP. Firsthand account of the company's origins, Angel development and tournament involvement.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/angel/ Paintball History, Angel. Historical marker archive and early tournament use.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/masters99/index.shtml WARPIG, Zap International Masters 1999. Contemporary reporting on the Angel LCD and WDP technical presentations.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/angel_ir3_review/ WARPIG, Bill Mills, Angel IR3 Review, 2002. Technical examination of the IR3 and its electronic systems.]
# [https://forumtest.pbhub.de/viewtopic.php?t=58765 PBHub, Angel Paintball Closed Down, 1 November 2011. Contemporary reproduction of a dealer announcement concerning the cessation of Angel Paintball Sports operations.]

== External links ==

* [https://www.angelfaq.com/ AngelFAQ historical model archive]
* [https://paintballhistory.com/angel/ Paintball History, Angel equipment archive]
* [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/angel.shtml WARPIG, Original Angel Technical Review]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment]]
[[Category:Paintball history]]
[[Category:British paintball equipment]]

WDP Angel - Revision history