S3 Series

This has already been sent out to the CO's of the squads who expressed interest. Numbers are down from past years, so this season will be the "S3 Lite" with no scenario scoring in play, just a sandbox to play in.
Schedule:
Frame 1: 19 Sep
Frame 2: 26 Sep
Frame 3: 3 Oct
Frame 4: 17 Oct (10th is Cdn Thanksgiving)
Frame 5: 24 Oct

The Regia Aeronautica (RA) vs Malta 1940 (RAM1940) - Sicily Terrain
This series will focus on the period between the first carrier delivery of Hurricanes to Malta (2 Aug 1940 – Operation Hurry)) and the arrival of the first re-supply convoy from Egypt (2 Sep 1940 – Operation Hats). During this period the British had extremely limited aircraft resources in Malta. Only two Gloster Sea Gladiators were serviceable, and were it not for Op Hurry, there would be no fighters to defend against RA attacks.
For those interested in some of the history:
Operation Hurry
Operation Hats
Daily Journal of the Siege of Malta - this web site is awkward to explore, but contains a wealth of information.

Side assignments (based on responses I had received from interested squads. "Lone wolves" or other squads are welcome, but may only fly for the RA.)
RAF/FAA: 352nd (7-10 pilots)
RA: Everyone else (18-24 pilots)
AE/Knights...7 – 10
4th..............4 – 6
RCAF............2 – 3
23rd............3
13 VRAF.......2

Plane Sets:
Each pilot has three lives, but may not switch a/c types within a frame.
RAF/FAA:
Hurri Mk1 - frames 1-4
Fulmar - Sea Hurricane 1b sub – frame 5 only.

RA:
CR.42 –> MC.200 sub. For the series, the MC.200 may not carry bombs, pilot's honour.
SM.79 –> He111H-16 sub. The 111 is larger and a lot tougher (metal construction) than the SM.79 (wood and metal) and carries a heavier bomb load, but is slower. Both a/c have a torpedo loadout option.
NB. The SM.79 did not have a supplemental oxygen system, so its sub should not be flown above 15K feet. Pilot's honour. No AI wingmen
Ju-87B “Picchiatello”– Ju-87D sub. Available Frame 4 and 5 only. No AI wingmen . May NOT carry a torpedo.

Aircraft Basing:
RAF – frames 1-4 any airfield on Malta or Gozo, frame 5 CV only
RA - MAF 172 – buffs and fighters, LS 205 - MC.200 or Ju87 only

Radar Range
RAF/FAA: 60 miles (yes, Malta had RDF this early in the war)
RA: 10 miles (RA did not have radar fielded in Sicily at this time)

Frames as follows:
Frame 1 – 15 Aug 1940 – Attack on Hal Far – first significant daylight bombing of Malta since mid-July 1940. Historically, 10 SM.79s escorted by 25 CR.42 fighters.
RA Objective – Destroy Hal Far airfield (MAF-225) and FAA aircraft based there (static a/c). ~30% (round up) of Axis pilots must fly the He-111H-16 exclusively.

Frame 2 – 20 Aug 1940 – Destroy the Blenheims. During 18-20 Aug 1940 twelve Blenheim bombers landed in Malta enroute Egypt. The RA was aware of these movements and attempted to destroy them on the ground. Historically, ten SM.79s escorted by 20 CR.42s bombed Luqa and Hal Far.
RA Objective – locate and destroy the Blenheims. AI routines will be used to represent the Blenheims on the ground. These could be located at any or all of the Malta airfields. RAF will be made aware of locations prior to frame start. ~30% of RA must fly He-111H-16 exclusively

Frame 3- 23 Aug – Destroy the Blenheims, Take2. 23 Aug 1940 Seven Blenheims landed Takali. Historically, a raid of six SM.79s and 16 CR.42s. Essentially a repeat of frame 2. Yes, Muzz is being lazy.

Frames 4 and 5 - Operation Hats
2 Sep 1940 was the operational debut of the Ju-87B in RA service.

Frame 4 - Operation Hats – 2 Sep 1940 - Bomb the docks!. The RN has pulled of a major coup, using three warships from Gibraltar (HMS Valiant (BB), HMS Coventry and HMS Calcutta (both AA CL)) to provide vital munitions and military personnel to the Malta garrison. In addition, the Mediterranean fleet from Alexandria successfully escorted two merchant ships and a RN tanker to Malta.
RA Objective – Find and sink these ships before they can unload (end of frame). Target shipping will be represented by AI routines in or near the Grand Harbour of Malta
minimum ~30% of RA must fly Ju-87D exclusively

Frame 5 – Operation Hats – 2 Sep 1940 - Attack the British fleet! The British Mediterranean Fleet is waiting 30 miles SE of Malta for HMS Valiant to unload its cargo and rejoin the fleet before it sails east. The force is massive for the time: 2 CVs (Eagle and Illustrious), 2 BBs (Warspite and Malaya), 2 CA, and 9 DDs. Fairey Fulmars (Sea Hurri 1bs) provide fleet air defence. FAA aircraft may not operate from Malta.
RA objective – sink as many ships as possible. No RA fighters supported this attack. All axis must fly either the Ju87D (bombs only) or He-111H-16 (torpedo only). Overflight of Malta is not permitted.

As per normal S3 standards, all of the above is subject to change at the whim of the Janitors. Additional details to be provided prior to subsequent frames.

The S3 Arena is now public and loaded with the Frame 1 settings.

Rule addendum.
Min fuel for fighters is 100%. Minfuel buffs 50%.

Tgts for field closure at Hal Far:
Ack, Hgr, HQ, House, Hut, Barracks, RadarEm, RdrStn, Parked A/C, Fuel, Warehouse.
BoatEntry object (BE), i.e. the revetments, are not required for closure.

Rule addendum:
Mid radar alt is 250 ft. This hasn't changed, I just forgot to post it.

For Frame 2, the only targets that matter for the Axis are the 12 AI Blenheims. These will be spread out across Malta, and will be located on or immediately adjacent to the airfields.
They may be parked in the open, in revetments, or inside open hangars.
Good luck!