II/JG53 virtual squadron

[Valantine]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
JG53 is progressing very nicely and we are continuing to grow. Due to the large volume of sign ups Stab has taken the decision to create an AWOL section on the roster, when moved to AWOL a pilots page will be kept for a period up to 3 months, if after this 3 month period is up the pilot in question has made no contact with us via the forums, email or private message that pilot page will be deleted meaning that if that pilot wishes to return to JG53 in the future they must start from scratch.
This can easily be avoided by informing us that you will be away for a certain period, and if possible give us a rough guess when you will be back. If you no longer wish to be a member of JG53 let us know so that we can place your pilot page in the Retired section giving you a place of honour in the history of our group as well as leaving your pilot stats safe for any possible return.
At the moment I have only moved Flieger Kadettes to the AWOL section. These are people who have signed up with us but have not made any progress towards completing their training or joining in missions. Please get in contact and let us know if you will be back or not so that we do not keep spending time trying to get in contact with you. (List at end of this email)
I do have to say that our turn outs during missions over the past 3 months have been fantastic, in general we get at least 12 pilots airborne each mission. Rote will be starting up missions very shortly and both Weisse and Gelbe are continuing to go strong.
We are welcoming new recruits all the time and the majority of which are maintaining activity and are progressing with extreme promise.
We are also in the final stages of testing the version 1.2 of the JG53 mod pack and I have to say - it is looking fantastic! We are looking at a release some time over the next 2 weeks and unlike the previous version this will be a very easy one to install since it is a complete version and not a "patch".
We are also finishing up Sicily some time over the next few weeks and commandis currently looking at our next area of operations.
That is all for now,
I hope you are all well and to hear from any of you inactive chaps soon.
I also look forward to meeting any new recruits who see this and sign up.
V
Flieger Kadette Erich Thomas (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Navon Balsman (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Mitika Ehrlichmann (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Hollander Kraaijer (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Ronald Von Braunnschweiger (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Nicholaus von Schwede (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Franz Weber (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Darcy von Nowotny (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Kurt Welter (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Werner Eichmann (Weisse)
Flieger Kadette Ernest Amsel (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Pancho Kaiser (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Michael Schmidt (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Maxer Stotzer (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Erik Kruger (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Sebas¨Harthman¨Fiset (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Jaime Schmidt (Rote)
Flieger Kadette Erik "Doc W" Landwehr (Gelbe)
Flieger Kadette Erich Von Stalhein (Gelbe)
(If your name appears on this list YOUR position in JG53 will be lost unles you get in contact with us soon)

[Valantine]

Just wondering - have any of you chaps heard from Fincuan recently?

[Kratos]

Originally Posted by Valantine

Just wondering - have any of you chaps heard from Fincuan recently?

Not a lot lately Val , he's been very quiet

[Valantine]

Cheers Kratos, just a few of us were starting to wonder if he had fallen down the back of the sofa or not!
V

[Schroeder]

He hasn't been flying with us for more than a month by now.

[Valantine]

About the same here - maybe he's gone and got himself a girlfriend? One of those is a death sentence to any Virtual Pilot or Submariner!

If you do hear from him can you make sure you point him over to the JG53 forums so we know he's alright.

On a different note - we are currently voting on our next area of operations!
V

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by Valantine

About the same here - maybe he's gone and got himself a girlfriend? One of those is a death sentence to any Virtual Pilot or Submariner!

No need to jump to such hasty conclusions, I'm sure he's just a deserter and a traitor

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

No need to jump to such hasty conclusions, I'm sure he's just a deserter and a traitor

Maybe she's a Communist girlfriend?

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Maybe she's a Communist girlfriend?

No, that would make him a...

Damn it, I knew we shouldn't have trusted him with our secret plans!

[Valantine]

Bugger - the commies will know the locations of latrines dug all around the Reich!
Best send a memo out to all field units to watch where they poop - there could be commies in the holes! :rotfl:
V

[Valantine]

Good day everyone,
I hope that this finds you well and enjoying the onset of summer!
This is probably going to be a longish one, so bear with me on it.
First things first, our new theatre of operations has been voted for, and the results see us transferring to join in with the defence of Smolensk on the Eastern Front. We expect the Soviets to be much more of a worthy opponent than the previous times we have engaged them (Stalingrad/Crimea). We expect to see a lot of improved fighters and ground attack aircraft as well as a fair portion of interesting and varied missions.
We aim to resume Official missions on either Sunday 26th or Tuesday 28th April 2009. More info on this will be announced later this week on the forums.
Equally, command has a very pleasant surprise for us! We are to swing past the Bavarian/Austrian area just north of the Alps in order to receive a few days rest whilst also refitting to the new and improved BF109 G4 variant. This variant is very much like the trusty G2 in both terms of handling and armament – it does however have an improved radio set, non retractable tail wheel and something I know many o will be happy about – larger tires to help with those rough landings!
Right now we are also looking for a dedicated ROTE (USA/CAN) host so that we can get that section back to fully operational status with missions hosted in a much more suitable time frame. We aim to have this done within the first few weeks of the new campaign providing all goes to plan. However we need all the input we can get from our American and Canadian members to help us ensure we get the right times and days so as many chaps as possible can make it to the missions as possible.
We are also running a bit of a competition to get a brand new and most glorious recruitment video made to help give possible recruits a better idea of how we operate and the teamwork ethic we all enjoy.
We are also very pleased to announce the latest version of the JG53 Mod pack – Version 1.2
This is a COMPLETE and EASY to install package since the feedback from the 1.1 patch process indicated that a complete install would be much better for the vast majority of our members. This pack contains a whole new range of things from aircraft and maps to more realistic effects and sounds.
Here’s the details:
*** JG53 Mod Pack ***
V1.2 April 2009
Compiled and tested by II./JG53 Stab with assistance from AAA community
************************************************** ********************
RULES:
1. Use only the "JG53" mod pack.
2. Altering the mod pack may stop your game from working. Therefore further alterations are not allowed.
3. If caught cheating it is an immediate expuslion from the group.
4. If caught using non "JG53" pack mods you get a warning, on the third warning you will be expelled from the group.
5. The mod package will be re-evaluated every few months by Gruppe Stab to ensure improving realism and compatibility.
6. All feedback is welcome.
7. Enjoy
************************************************** *******************
INSTALLATION INSRUCTIONS
You may install this modpack in two ways:
- Using a Second install of IL-2 (recommended)
- Using a Mod Enabler
1. Using a Second Install of IL-2:
- Extract Mod Pack directly into the directory of your second install
- Run game, mod pack will already be enabled
2. Using the Mod Enabler:
- Ensure you have installed the JSGME Mod enabler from the JG53 Forums
- Remove ALL previous versions of the JG53 Mod
- Extract all files to the JG53 Mod in the Mods file of your Il-2 Sturmovik 1946 directory
i.e. C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946\MODS\JG53 Mod
- In JSGME, take a 'snapshot' of game
- JG53 Mod will appear in the left panel, click the arrow to activate
- Once mod is loaded, it will appear in right panel. You may now start the game
- Once you finish playing, please deactivate the mod unless the installation used ONLY the JG53 mod pack as the JSGME mod enabler can on occasions jamm with mods on.
************************************************** *******************
v1.2 Changelog
FIXES:
- Modpack combined into one simple and easy to use install
- Replaced file preventing Stuka dive siren from enabling
- Fixed incomplete engine sounds i.e. Storch and Hs-129
- Removed redundant preset files and samples
- Adjusted force feedback level at takeoff
- Fixed minor errors in air.ini, planes_ru.properties and weapons_ru.properties
- Fixed bug in which wind sounds were heard in cockpit after switching from an open gunning position
- Fixed file structure, so now compliant with AAA
- Fixed reticle and skin bugs in 109s
- Replaced B-17 cockpit with Rawner's B-17 pack as well as updated B-17 plane model
- Spitfire Mk 1 crash fix
- Zuti Slovenia map updated to final version
- Corrected Fw-190D-9 Late model
- Updated static plane list
- Correct Me-410A cockpit
ADDITIONS:
New Aircraft
- Bf-109E-1 and Jabo
- Bf-109E-3 and Jabo
- Bf-109E-4 Trop
- Bf-109E-7N and Trop
- Bf-109F-1
- Bf-109F-2 Jabo and Trop variants
- Bf-109F-4 Jabo and Trop variants
- Bf-109F-4/R1 Kanonboot
- Bf-109G-2/Trop
- Bf-109G-4 (new flight model)
- Bf-109G-6 Erla (+ new loadout and flight model)
- Bf-109G-6 Erla Late (+ new loadout and flight model)
- Bf-109G-10 early (with MG151/20)
- Bf-109G-10C3
- Bf-109G-14 early (with MG151/20)
- Bf-109G-14/AS (+ new loadout and flight model)
- Bf-109K-14
- Fw-190A-3
- Fw-190A-5/U14 Torpedojager
- Fw-190D-11
- Fw-190D-13
- Ju-88A-4/ Torpedobomber
- I-153 2x BS
- I-153 2X SHVAK, 1x BS
- I-153 Finnish
- Me-410 Hornise (A,B and D variants)
- Mosquito Mk B XVI
- Seafire Mk. II Merlin 45
- Seafire Mk. II Merlin 50
- Spitfire Mk XIVc
- Spitfire LF Mk XIVe
- Tempest Mk V 11lbs
- Tempest Mk V 13lbs
- Typhoon MkIb early
Effects
- NewMatMod added plus McWolf's Decal shine - realistic default aircraft markings
- SkinMod added, new default skins for some aircraft
- Updated and fix flak and weapon effects
- New reticles and textures in Bf-109 cockpits
Sounds
- Upgraded to SFX0.91
- Complete redux by Anto, including numerous new sounds
- Improved flak, explosion and weapon sounds from Battle Sounds Pack
- Added Italian and French pilot comms
Maps
- GW Default Winter Pack
- N-E Libya
- zip_alpen - Map containing entire European Alps (Bavaria, Switzerland, North Italy, SE France)
- dlc_SpainSW
- dlv_Sinai
Others
- MoonMod added to allow control of moon cycles
- User Configurable Wind allowed for more weather variation in missions
- Cert AI Mod v.30 added to greatly improve default AI
- Bomb-Bay Door Mod added, allowing physical control over doors on select bombers (Mosquito, American B bombers, A-20 etc)
- QMBPlus, to allow more variation in quick missions
v1.1
Contains following mods
Aircraft:
HurricaneMkIID_v1_5_IL2_MOD
SPITMK1_v2_9_IL2_MOD
AAA Spitfire Mk V/VIII Pack
AAA Beaufighter Mk X
Rawner's Antenna Mod fo Bf-110G4
Scharge Musik Gunsight Mod
Effects:
HitEffectMod_v1.2_Mvn
BuffyFlaks_and_sound_v5
Avala_Oil_Blotch_1
Planeshine1_1 (and Zero fix)
Th!rdeye_Weapon_Effects (Thick smoke) v1.3
vp_newshock v2
Crater mod
AAA Armament Reskins
Zorin's Luftwaffe Ordinance
Maps:
NTL_Darwin_Small Map
Mbug_Slovakia_Winter
GW-Ardennes Winter
vpmedia Default Map Pack
Cannon's English Channel 1940 Beta
Zuti-Slovenia Map
Sounds:
Dive_Sounds_V2_2
Anto's Tempest Sounds v1.1
IL2War-Sound-Mod-Pack_1.2 (edit)
SFX 0.8
Stuka Siren Sounds
Urich Rudel's B-17 Sounds
Other:
Patch 4.09b1m MOD
AAA English Career Fix
FMB+
6 Degrees of Freedom mod (for TrackIR and Freetrack users)
************************************************** *******************
More info and DOWNLOAD LINK can be found on the forums.
All in all chaps I think that about covers it for now!
I hope to see you all over Smolensk, especially the few of you who have been away for some time and our new recruits who have yet to report to the Luftkriegsschule after sign up.
Regards,
V

[Valantine]

Please note.
Stab has been discussing the merits of introducing an age limit for entrance to the group. This is in response to a few issue we have had in the past, mainly the one caused by Hartmann/Ben/Galland and all the other names he used.
It is also due to the fact that 95% of JG53 members are aged over 21 and some, tripple that amount. Many members felt that by having pilots of younger ages it restricted the friendly chatter and although swearing etc. is no encouraged within JG53, many members feel uneasy having a laugh with such young pilots.
We have been discussing this issue for almost 2 months now, and we have come to the agreement that we should introduce an age limit for entrance the the group.
This age limit will mean that 15 years old is the absolute minimum for new recruits into JG53, this is reflected on both the group sign up form and on our rules page.
The rules read:

Please note that we do now operate a minimum age policy. All applicants MUST be aged 15 or over, applications from those below this age cannot be considered. However immaturity will not be tolerated from members of any age.

Although 15 is still much younger than most of us here, Stab felt that 15 was a fair compromise between being an almost fully "open" group and being a one where everyone felt comfortable to enjoy their time here without fear of problems, from possibly insulting younger people to, forbid, having innapporpriate accusations thrown around.
So, what does this mean for our current members who are below 15?
Well, for those established in the group - you are evidently mature enough to fit in, or else you would have already been spoken to regarding your attitude.
For those new recruits to the group, in the interests of fairness to you, I will not dismiss you without a chance, however you will need to do your induction flight as normal, but will also need to fly with at least two members of stab who will judge if you will be a good fit for the group and if you have a mature enough attitude to be able to join in with the group flights.
Stab is unanimous in its decision that this is indeed the best way forward for the group in roder to maintain the great caliber of comraderie we currently have.
V

[Valantine]

Just bumping to inform eveyrone that the Russians have begun their counter attack in the Smolensk region.
All pilots are needed to stop the red horde!
V

[Valantine]

Great news Gents,
After a fair while of inactivity over the pond our Rote section is once again preparing to stand as an active section operating missions in their own time zone.

It has been a while in the planning what with setup problems, personal issues and many more with all the others who have tried we have now got someone to the stage where he is able to host missions, has MLR installed and knows how it works and has had a basic run through on FMB and is currently training with Joint Ops to be a better CO-OP mission builder.

So everyone, please say a huge thanks to Randall H Klaue for stepping up and taking on this responsibility!

The last thing to get organised is to arrange when the best suitable time/day for the Rote (USA/CAN) section to be airborne is!
Please visit the thread found on the JG53 forums, if you are a Rote Staffel member of JG53 and give Klaue the best times that you are available to fly!
I hope to see a lot of you chaps who have been inactive for a while putting in your input to help you get flights that are in your time zone!

Also this is a great chance for pilots of other sections to have even more oppertunities to fly, so why not pop in and see how things are developing!

We are currently operating over Smolensk and the Russians are putting up some extremely fierce resistance, so much so we are being pushed back by the Russian advances, Smolensk probably has another month before it falls so we will be looking at our next theatre of operations very soon.

If you recieve this and no longer wish ot be a member, please contact me so that I can move you to the inactives and remove you from the mailing list, if you have been inactive for a while and still wish to be a member of the group please get in contact and let us know that you are OK and if possible a rough guess at when you will return. Participating in misions has been great the last few months, so you'll be mroe than welcome to join in on our exciting missions.

So, again, a bit of fantastic news that all of us can celebrate!
V

[Valantine]

Good to see the Lolwaffles expanding and doing their normal wrecking of old fat-boy's aircraft!

A little update from us lot at JG53:
Smolensk has been all but lost, as such Command has ordered us out of the area and to reinforce our fellow Geschwaders over the Gulf of Finland near the Leningrad Pocket!
All three time Zone Staffels are up and running and missions occur at least 4 times per week as well as additional official training nights. Plus ontop of that most nights you'll find us flying about in co-ops either direct IP or on hyperlobby - so a pretty active bunch who are always on the look out for new recruits from all time zones!
V