S3 Series

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.

RA objective – sink at least six ships or both CVs for "victory".

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.
Ju87Ds will have 2 AI wingmen and SM.79s will have one. The bomber login should be available.

FAA aircraft may not operate from Malta.

I will set up the arena for practice later in the week with AI ship routines running SE of the 8,5 cross and 2 CVs north of Valetta for FAA carrier practice.

S3 Arena open for practice.

The Mediterranean Fleet has not yet been advised of the disaster in the Grand Harbour as is still "loitering" SE of Malta. A heightened submarine threat has the fleet zig-zagging in a very large (~30 mile) racetrack pattern. FAA deck operations, especially landing will be challenging, however it will also make RA attack more difficult.
HMS Illustrious is represented by CV6, and HMS Eagle by Kaga. BB and CLs are represented by DEST1.

Reminder, Ju-87s may only carry bombs and the SM.79 (He111) may only carry torpedoes.

Bomber log-in will be available. All drone aircraft must be the same type as the player's aircraft and carry the same loadout. A caution, each life lost when using the bomber log in counts against the limit of 3. So, it will be possible to go through more than one life in a single flight. Ju87 will have 2 wingmen. SM.79 will have 1.

FAA aircraft may land at Malta, but no aircraft are enabled there. A "life" will be considered lost. Pilot's honour.

posted 1135hrs EDT.
Radar information will only be available from the two CVs and not from any of the land bases.
Radar detection distance is reduced to 50 miles to reflect the capabilities of the Type 79Z radar fitted to Illustrious.