S3 Series

S3#98 – Spitfires Over Malta; Malta - Summer 1942

http://www.squadselectseries.com

The Luftwaffe was determined to batter Malta so its striking force could not continue to sink the much needed supplies that Rommel needed to carry on his advance into Egypt. But with the addition of Spitfires the defense of Malta would reach its most famous chapter. In clear blue Mediterranean skies, high above the most bombed portion of the British Empire a life and death struggle would ensue.

This event will highlight the bombing of Malta and attacks on the shipping lanes of both sides. The RAF has the advantage of radar but has limits on how and when they can scramble their limited fighter strength. The Axis will be able to batter the island fortress with carry over damage. This will feature the classic Spitfire VC vs Messerschmidt 109F4 fighter matchup.

Our next event starts Mar 10th in the S3 Arena at 8:30PM Eastern/5:30 PM Pacific.

With few bomber strike pilots remaining in the S3s all squads must now decide how best to use their available aircraft types and conduct missions. We have lots of experienced and dedicated pilots left and new roles may be just the thing to get us working as a team again.

Good Luck,
Jabo

<S> Jabo, sir.
It might be a somewhat unfair side balance as I'd rank the corrected Bf 109F-4 to be a slightly more competitive fighter than the corrected Spitfire Vc. It only turns somewhat slower than the Spit Vc (15.5 sec/lap vs 13.0 sec/lap at S.L.) but can deploy combat flaps. The Bf 109F-4 is also faster than the Spit Vc at 0-10k ft and 20-30k ft, while equal at 10-20k ft.

More importantly we have both more actual fighterpilots and the superior 352nd FG on the axis side. (45 dedicated Axis fighter pilots vs 28 Allied, as I count the KoN as newbie fighters). Giving the Allied side some better numbers might avoid a total massacre for five straight frames, unless the score system compensates for the imbalance.


<S>
/Robert

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352nd will go to whichever side is seen as the most challenged with the worst air craft.

It is imperative that a decision is made post haste in this area.

With respect.

Juice

I think the Bf109E4 was supposed to be superior to the Hawk75 last series but stats dont show that to be the case.

Could be worse we could do a desert event with the P40E versus the Bf109F4.

The flak at Malta is so thick you could walk on it. So sit on something very hard.

Great, I guess I won't be flying near Sakai

LOL! No Ack Stink here. Detailed the Messerschmitt and have my ReiSen's in the wash now.

Rgr jabo.
The FM match-up seems closer than I thought. I forgot that the Spitfire Vc has twice the instantaneous firepower of the Bf 109F-4, which counts for a lot. Also The spitfire was found out to weight to much so will be more agile with the fl2035 update, while the 109F-4 will have it's climb rate slightly lowered to better match historical data. As such it's hard to tell which plane got the advantage, and it's probably all up to pilot skill.

I'm still concerned about the side-numbers imbalance, as pilot skill and numbers count for more than the pure fighter match-up when the fighters are fairly even. I guess we'll have to see after frame 1 though. If the allied are compensated with ack and a scoring advantage it might not become a loopsided series.


<S>
/Robert