In this Adventure we refly the military mission, Operation Catechism. Operation Catechism was the last of nine attempts to sink or sabotage
the
Kriegsmarine battleship Tirpitz during the Second World War. On 12 November 1944, RAF Bomber Command dispatched 30 Avro Lancaster heavy bombers
from No. 9 Squadron RAF and No. 617 Squadron RAF (including a film unit aircraft from No. 463 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force) from RAF
Lossiemouth to the Tirpitz's mooring in Tromsø, Norway. Each bomber carried a single 5-ton
Tallboy bomb. At least two bombs hit the Tirpitz, which suffered
a violent internal explosion. The battleship capsized and remained bottom upwards. Approximately 1,000 of the 1,900 men on board were killed or injured and
one No. 9 Squadron RAF Lancaster was severely damaged by flak; it landed safely in neutral Sweden with its crew unhurt.
Watch a short 4:46 minute video
about the Turpitz and Operation Catechism.
While the actual mission was about a 10-hour ordeal, we probably don't want to fly that long so we will break the 10-hour mission
into five flight segments with landing stops along the way (something not possible during the actual mission because much of the flight was over German-occupied
territory). Also, if you don't wish to fly using VOR and topographic navigation, you can use the included flight plan.
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[Flight# AP71]
RAF Base at Lossiemouth to Alesund Airport(EGQS - ENAL)
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Aircraft: Avro Landcaster (recommended)
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Weather: Your choice
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Time: Daytime.
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Scenario:
Take off from RAF Base at Lossiemouth (EGQS) on 46 degree heading for 403nm (about 2 hour flight at 200kts).
To follow current nav devices (other than GPS) tune in the VIG VOR 115.8 on the island of Vigra, Norway - and fly to it.
Land at the Alesund Airport (ENAL) on the east side of the island (2nm 82 degrees from the VIG VOR).
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[Flight# AP72]
Alesund Airport to Kiruna Airport (ENAL-ESNQ)
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Aircraft: Avro Landcaster (recommended)
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Weather: Your choice
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Scenario:
Take off from Alesund Airport (ENAL) and fly 48 degree heading for 475nm to Kiruna, Sweden (about 2:18 hr flight at 200kts).
To follow current nav devices (other than GPS) tune in the KRA VOR 115.2. Kiruna Airport (ESNQ) is right near the VOR.
Land at the Kiruna Airport (ESNQ).
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[Flight# AP73]
(ESNQ - Lake Tornetrask - Balsfjorden fjord - Tirpitz - ESNQ)
Youtube Video of AP73 - Bombing the Turpitz