Youkoso Baacharu Hikouka;

Background:
Upon the release of Pacific Fighters (roughly 11-2004), the 78th*Sentai was reformed (and I understand existed in CFS mode beforehand) by the Gentleman who flies as Kyo*78th*Sentai.......Formed as a Pacific Axis option for the squadron he already belonged to, I was asked to join and due to my desire to help an online friend and with an interest in IL2/AEP/PF Japanese planes agreed.

03-31-05 to 09-19-07:
Unfortunately, our beginnings as with most new squadrons seemed stagnant at best. Those within the associated squadron had little interest focussed upon their already successful group, and most other players at the time had no interest in flying the slower/fragile/lightly armed Japanese aircraft.

This left only three active members, and with no website past a forum, and even little info about the actual 78th Hikousentai to present we had little to offer then handles to be used as fodder by most........Yet things change.

Much like the 78th of CFS fame, the new 78th*Sentai quickly developed a strong code of ethics or conduct if you will, and was asked simply due to being one of the few Japanese squadrons to participate as opponents in some "mini-wars/battles" where scores and the like would be kept. Unfortunately of the 3, only one could commit, so finding mercenaries to help fill the slots off we went to have our backsides handed to us.....Though not for long.

Conduct I believe being the lure, good sportsmanship demanded of all flying the 78th uniform, soon found us beginning to grow as those we preferred to fly with in coops our preferred mode of play agreed to join in. Our new members made up of the very people we respected most in not only their own conduct, yet sportsmanship and efforts for the community. So not only did we begin to grow in numbers, yet of the exact caliber of people we sought and enjoyed flying with. The 78th had without realizing set a standard for itself.

That standard being;
* A 78th member must have a strong interest in team play. They are the folks you actually see winging another, communicating with others, and taking the job that needs to be done vs. that which might bring them kills or believed glory. You see them flying both sides to balance odds even when their favorite ride is on the other. In taking the grunt job in a coop to insure it is done well. Yet more so often helping & teaching on the forums, HyperLobby, or in servers those that are struggling.
* 78th members also seem to develop aspects of the sim. Be it generating coops, collecting information on a topic of interest, or pressing for higher standards in play or even the sim itself. Yet not for personal fame or glory, yet simply to understand themselves, then to share with others excited to give others the pleasure they feel in that which they have discovered, nothing more.
* 78th members thrive on good sportsmanship, the opposite shunned and rarely verbalized to insult or get payback...They are the consummate "good form" or "good sports"......a maturity few will obtain in a lifetime.
* Though perhaps not the best pilots, tacticians, or leaders.....Of those that fly on line I can think of none better, others equal perhaps, yet not exceeded. Couple that with the above honor and play, and you have what I consider the perfect types of individuals to be associated with.
* In summation, the members of the 78th*Sentai are firm believers in a set of values often called "The Seven Virtues of the Bushido Warrior" of which follows an excellent link to them.... http://www.gdma.com.au/New%20Web/7_Virtues.htm

That standard also set a policy for recruiting. Often, we see players looking desperately to join a squadron, any squadron. In kind, squadrons looking to fill their ranks no doubt with the intention of molding new players to their mode of play. We in the 78th believe that AFTER enlistment is a poor time for either the recruit or the squadron to decide if the other is a good fit for their style, demeanor, and methods of play. So policy was set down for the 78th as follows.

Recruitment:
Though it would be awesome to suddenly grow to 45 players making a full Hikousentai, have the website done, and begin taking a leadership role in the IL2 community, we're actually quite thrilled with where the 78th is regarding members. Our numbers are low (though in truth higher then the real life's 78th's average based on planes)....Yet a standard has been set that we refuse to lower just for numbers.

The standard for the current 78th*Sentai active roster as set will not be compromised in future recruiting. Applications will not be solicited or accepted.....The latter unfortunately possibly costing us fine people, yet their requests are met with requests they look at all other squadrons as well, find that best suited for them, and in the mean time feel free to fly with our members in daily coops as they do. The point? So they may learn of us and us them. Our loss perhaps as far as numbers, possibly even quality people. Yet our intention being a perfect fit for both parties.

So the 78th will only "Invite" prospective members to join, if and when we feel we are a good match for them, and them us. We're actually forming a family of those you can trust when flying with them....and trust takes time.

There are some that we would like to be in the squadron who will never join pursuing their own interests that solely our loss. So though we hope our membership grows, we expect it to slowly, gradually......As if the real life, life and death struggle of the real 78th could hold out with 2's, 3's & teens when meant to be in the 40's as to numbers of planes and personnel, I think we can as we try and form a Hikousentai, or Flying Regiment.

Website & Misc.:

Finally our website is up and beginning to grow. Once the links page of it is finished, the community as a whole should have an excellent resource for IJAFC information. In kind our own information as to the actual 78th Hikousentai has been collected, and soon an often forgotten group will have a formal history presented. Additionally, squadron skins are being developed both historical and for play so our members may be recognized when in a mission.

Best of all, though proud and satisfied at where we are at as players and a squadron, we're not done yet, so look forward to a nice long run and continued growth.

*Salute* Virtual Pilots! We look forward to flying with you online.

K2 / Billfish / Ktu*78th*Sentai

Evolution of our Flag:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ktu-78th-Sentai,

Sounds cool...

More members so a new flag is flying!

New member so a new flag is flying

Does the 78th*Sentai fly on any of the online wars?

We've flown in some of the WW events yet have not as yet signed up for other formal events....

A new and fresh flag for our growth by new members and in celebration of our 3 year anniversary!

Would the 78th be interested in flying in an SEOW campaign against Air Group 51 somewhere in the Pacific? We are a full switch squad and member of FISC. We value online integrity and good sportsmanship as you do. I think we could have a good time if y'all are interested.

Go here to see our website and post in our public forum if interested. www.airgroup51.com

quote:

Originally posted by AG51_Razor:
Would the 78th be interested in flying in an SEOW campaign against Air Group 51 somewhere in the Pacific? We are a full switch squad and member of FISC. We value online integrity and good sportsmanship as you do. I think we could have a good time if y'all are interested.

Go here to see our website and post in our public forum if interested. www.airgroup51.com

It's possible, I'll pass it along, though we're rather scattered with the change in seasons atm.

K2

Any word from the rest of your members?

Not really, they've seen your members post on our forum yet as I said, change of seasons has folks busy elsewhere right now...I'll generate a more formal post, yet would not expect much for a few weeks.

K2

OK, thanks. No hurry.

Sorry Razor yet as said ATM things are slow and scattered for our members. How many were you looking for?