No.443 Squadron

[Wiggy]

 

Chaps,

 

No.443 Squadron is now searching for like-minded pilots interested in flying realistic operations during the period around the Battle of Normandy (April-September 1944). We fly the Spitfire mk.IXc LF in all operations (although note plans are underway for a similarly designed P-47 campaign and eventually, the Mosquito). We are currently near to filling the ranks but potential to expand into a Wing (144 Wing, later 127 Wing) is there.

 

In summary - at present we run a campaign in the PvE environment (incorporating human flown LW Staffel is not outside of the scope however, please also enquire if you're keen on this..), based on the real historical events of No.443 Squadron. Information and details have been sourced directly from the real Operations Records Books as written during the war. Extensive research has been carried out to ensure we are running operations as closely as possible to real events in every detail. The emphasis is on professional, quality flying, working as a cohesive unit, discipline during missions, correct R/T protocol, correct formations and tactics. We want to put ourselves into the shoes of those real pilots and really get a feel for what air operations were like during 1944.

 

Over the last 12 months or so we have completed a pre-Invasion campaign, and recently Operation Neptune.

 

A comprehensive overview and SOPs (standard operating procedures) have been written for all members and must be learned and adhered to during training and operations. These SOPs are constantly being assessed and improved as we all learn better methods, tactics, details etc. much as it would have been as the war progressed and things evolved. Full verbal briefings are held before each sortie with maps, interactive boards, enemy disposition, MET reports, callsigns, R/T information and more.

 

As you may have seen in various online videos from some of our current members, we also run sorties on PvP servers, albeit on a much more basic and adhoc basis in terms of organised briefing and ORBAT (Order of Battle). However we still maintain No.443 Squadron SOPs, standards, cohesion and R/T.

 

 

New recruits will initially be placed into No.61 OTU (Operational Training Unit) and undergo a training phase designed to suit both newer and more experienced pilots. If you are a newer, less experienced pilot, you will be expected as a minimum to know how to manage the Spitfire competently in all aspects including drop-tanks and bombs. More experienced pilots will essentially be fine-tuned into the specific operational requirements of No.443 Squadron. Each pilot will only be signed off from training and posted into the squadron once they reach the standards required. Newer pilots should expect to be in the OTU for longer periods. How long is up to you as the more you practice the more quickly you might be transferred to the squadron.

 

Once you have been transferred, you will be given a pilot persona - a real pilot from No.443 Squadron, assigned an aircraft, again accurate to real records, a section and section/element leader. You will be expected to look after yourself, your squadron mates and the aircraft during operations.

 

 

All we ask of members is that they maintain the correct mindset/discipline, (particularly R/T discipline) during all Operations and maintain a reasonable level of attendance, which will be monitored, be it training or missions of any kind.

 

An extensive new mission template is being developed to create a dynamic and unpredictable environment. All aspects have been thoroughly researched to provide the most realistic possible theatre, for example - Allied and German disposition and movements throughout the campaign, ambient sounds, radio broadcasts, Luftwaffe response and historically accurate Staffel with skins, ground unit positions and relative concentrations, accurate heavy and light flak battery positions, customised ground control radar, all laid with the confines of current software and hardware limits in mind.

 

Please take a look at our website here: https://no443sqn.wixsite.com/443squadron , an 'Official Trailer' is available to view to non-members from the home page.

 

 

At present, Thursday evenings are the official campaign night, either weekly or bi-weekly, gathering for briefing at 2000GMT. We comprise of members from all over the world but the server and mission timings, given the majority of members, run by GMT.

 

We use Discord for all internal networking and briefings. An invite will be sent in due course on application.

 

If you think you have the right mindset and are interested in joining please send me a PM via these forums so we can get the ball rolling and organise an initial check-ride flight.

 

SITUATION:

We are currently on a campaign break while the new Battle of Normandy template is developed, so are running private training sorties and missions on public servers.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

-DCS OpenBeta

-Spitfire mkIXc LF module

-Normandy map

-WW2 Assets pack

-SRS (Simple-Radio Standalone) - latest version

-We have our own light Modpack/skinpack which will be required to enter the server , we recommend the use of OVGME for all mod loading/unloading, we provide easy instructions on setting this up.

Edited April 27, 2020 by Wiggy

[Wiggy]

[RESERVED]

[grafspee]

I would like to join but any mods are no go for me.

[Wiggy]

The mods are being thinned as they seem to cause persistent problems as DCS is being developed. The pack is mainly skins now and it’s my intention to remove all mods as the assets pack is fleshed out. However as it is we still use them.

[Davee]

This seems to be a well thought out squadron and a very intriguing proposition for historically-motivated virtual pilots.

 

Will check out the web page.

 

Well done guys, hope it continues to grow.

 

Cheers,

Cats . . . .

[Wiggy]

Missed this, cheers Catseye :thumbup:

 

UPDATE - due to increasing numbers we are to be expanding to encompass 144 Wing and their operations through the Battle of Normandy, we are adding 441 squadron initially, so now 443 and 441, using the same SOPs and standards, will run operations simultaneously, based on real Ops records.

 

Here’s a link to the 443 squadron video I made a year or so back. Gotta make a new one with all these new updates!

 

 

We’re also looking at Combined Arms and integrating it into Operations - so perhaps live monitoring of Radar and vectoring flights or squadrons, human controlled reconnaissance on the ground marking targets and calling in artillery, human controlled armoured units being guided to target by air etc. Testing so far has been VERY promising. However before anything is implemented, heavy research will be carried out to ensure we’re staying true to real Operations in as much detail as possible.

 

This will particularly be suited to the upcoming P-47 campaign I’ll be running, in hopefully the not too distant future (ED?:) along the same lines, which is already in the works.

 

Send a PM if anyone’s interested in any aspect.

 

Cheers, Wiggy

[Ercoupe]

Enjoyed that little film. But, those looked like Mossies flying over the airfield near the end. I kept replaying it because I thought, "Well, that can't be." But yes, those are Mosquitos.

[Krupi]

I believe they are from a mod pack.

[Wiggy]

Yep exactly. It’s a mod we use in our modpack. Credit to the folk who built it, tis very nice to have flying around :thumbup:

[Davee]

I filled out registration a couple of months back and it is still awaiting confirmation.

[Wiggy]

PM sent, Catseye:)

[Davee]

:thumbup:

PM sent, Catseye:)