Type Electropneumatic | Rate of fire 30+ balls per second | |
Action Semi-Automatic with multiple preset ramping, league and custom modes. Barrel Bore Multi-bore kit - .691, .693, .695 Retail price $1,195 USD on release; currently $895 USD | ||
The Angel is one of the first electropneumatic paintball markers. It was manufactured by Angel Paintball Sports (originally WDP) starting in 1997 and was introduced alongside Smart Parts' original Shocker.
Contents
The Angel was initially distributed in the United States by Brass Eagle as the 1455 Angel Semi-auto, advertised with a rate of 15 balls per second. This deal was short-lived, so WDP then distributed the Angel independently; refining the marker and releasing new models. The last models released were the Angel A1 Fly SE, AR:K & SB, all markers based on the Angel A1 platform, featuring performance enhancements including a magnetic valve system, grip inserts, better tolerances, laser eyes, a redesigned bolt & with the SB and AR:K, the closed bridge (No Rotobreech like previous models) body.
History
The Angel paintball marker was designed by engineer John Rice, as an HPA-only marker. Rice considered CO2 a dirty gas, so the Angel used miniaturized components that could not withstand impurities in the air or the cooling effects of CO2. Consequently, WDP released the Gov'nair high pressure air system at the time of the original Angel's release. In 2001, WDP released the Angel A.I.R. high pressure air system alongside the Angel line of markers, giving markers an adjustable-pressure regulator featuring an LCD display system to monitor tank and output pressures. The marker featured an electronic firing sequence and light trigger for effective shooting, and low learning curve - however some early models of the Angel could be triggered by even a light breeze. The first use of the Angel in a NPPL event was at the 1996 World Cup by Ted Kunewa with Washington Reign and Jacko with Banzai Bandits.
Operation
The Angel incorporates a linked bolt and hammer, tri tubed design, and a four-way solenoid valve; referred to as a fourteen-way by Angel engineer Rice, the valve drives the ram and is essentially an electronically controlled version of the four-way valves mounted to the front block of Autococker markers.
The firing sequence is electronically controlled, and starts from the open bolt. At the pull of the trigger, an electronic impulse trips the four-way valve, pushing compressed gas through the ram from behind, forcing the ram and bolt assembly to move towards the valve, impacting the poppet and releasing gas to the chamber. The paintball is fired with this gas, then the four-way solenoid reverses, and delivers gas to the front of the ram, returning the ram and bolt assembly to their starting position.