I was thinking of recreating a scenario during operation Pedestal where Spitfires were flown to Malta from Carriers in the med.
I have read an episode about that and would like to recreate it in real time with dead reckoning etc. I need a Spitfire, be able to take off from carrier or at least be able to create a takeoff point where the carriers were. An accurate game map. I think FS2004 would be best suited, correct?
If I remember correct, it was a close call and almost all pilots were landing on fumes except one who had more gas left. The reason was that he had set his proppitch down while the others were on full pitch. Strange that it wasn’t common knowledge…
So, do anyone know what I need to obtain?
Donno m8…, but looks very interesting mission.
S!
There were a number of reinforcement flights sent. On one flight the only loss was a pilot who had heard about the intensity of fighting on Malta and deserted, ditching his Spitfire in North Africa. On another flight they calculated the route in nautical miles, and lost most of the aircraft when they ran out of fuel.
The aircraft flew unarmed to save weight, but every ship or plane into Malta had to take some vital supplies. In the case of the Spitfires, the ammunition bays were filled with thousands of cigarettes.
Not only was the journey nerve wracking but also the take off. The Spit couldn’t get off most carriers, and the landing flaps caused too much drag. The solution was to lower flaps and insert a wooden wedge which, when the flaps were retracted, held them open at (IIRC) 15 degrees. Once airborne the pilot lowered flaps again, the wedge fell out, and the flaps could be retracted normally.
but every ship or plane into Malta had to take some vital supplies. In the case of the Spitfires, the ammunition bays were filled with thousands of cigarettes.
Yes, they prioritized wisely! 
Yes, they prioritized wisely!
Absolutely. When the British were forced out of France in 1940, often only the most essential items could be brought back. One fighter that made it back to England had the arming panels quickly removed by the ground crew, resulting in several broken bottles of fine French wine on the runway.