Having reviewed the PBY Catalina released by Aerosoft in my last review, it was logical to me to review the Midway Missions for the PBY, as designed by Combat Planes Incorporated. The package addes six adventures for the Catalina pilot, five in the WWII Pacific and one in modern day Canada.

Product Purchase Analysis via FlightSim Pilot Shop
Download from Pilot Shop	Yes
Cost (USD)	$27
File Size	62 MB
Auto-Installer Application	Yes
Protected by Licence Key	Yes
Operating Manual	Yes
Checklist/Reference Material	No
Uninstall Application	Yes

Installation

Basic installation is easily accomplished by the automatic installer application. However, with the mission pack is included two scenery folders that need to be added to your FSX scenery library. And this is where the "fun" begins. Everytime I tried to add each scenery file to the library, I was unable to select the required folder. After plenty of frustration and the occasional curse word, I contacted the crew at Combat Planes for support. Their reply email was received within a day, and was very helpful and courteous. As it turns out, running FSX in Windows 7 generates a bug that won't display the scenery files within a folder when you try to add them to your library. Instead, you are faced with an apparently empty folder. Despite this, clicking on this "empty" white area that should display the file names will result in the required file location being added to the file route text box, thus allowing you to add the scenery to your library.

This was considerably annoying but, in fairness to the product designers, appears to be an FSX/Windows 7 bug and not the fault of Combat Planes Incorporated.

The Missions

All missions can be found easily by selecting the "PBY Catalina Adventures" within the Category drop-down menu of the Missions window. The download installs five unique missions (one basic and four intermediate level scenarios) and also includes two additional advanced level scenarios. These two advanced missions are simply the same mission as included in the Aerosoft PBY package, the only difference being that the livery of the aircraft is changed from the historic "Black Cat" paintwork to a Canadian Air Force fire/rescue livery. The second of the advanced missions is exactly the same as the first with the addition of a ferry flight in a helicopter before starting the mission in the Catalina.

Mission 1: A beginner level mission that starts in the air. Set in December 1941, you are conveying a military VIP to Honolulu when you pick up a mayday call from another PBY. Do you attempt to assist the stricken Catalina and delay your passenger, or stay on course and get your VIP to his destination on time? One of the great aspects of this mission is the inclusion of a radio broadcast featuring period music. I found this to be a great touch.

Mission 2: This intermediate level mission is set during January 1942. This mission requires you to take off to assist in a search for a downed Corsair pilot. A warship is already searching. Once you find the pilot, you have to land and retrieve him from the water.

Mission 3: In June 1942, you are flying a routine patrol from Midway Island. Nearing the end of your patrol, you discover the Japanese Fleet steaming towards Midway. You have to shadow the fleet and report their position whilst staying undetected by them.

Mission 4: Having discovered the Japanese Fleet approaching Midway Island, you have volunteered for a night mission to drop torpedos on the warships.

Mission 5: This is a submarine hunting mission set in July 1942. This mission starts in the air.

The Verdict

Putting aside the frustration of the scenery installation bug, I was disappointed by this package. Sure, there were some nice touches such as the musical interludes from the 1940's. And it was great to be able to fly the Aerosoft Catalina with a purpose instead of aimlessly cruising the skies. Unfortunately, this mission pack didn't hold my attention. There were long periods of inactivity where there was little or no direction. The briefings for each mission were adequate, but I felt that the package had a "rushed" and "unfinished" feel to it. Ultimately, I think that the cost of this package is a little high for the quality and quantity of the missions included.

Test System

FSX Acceleration & DX9
AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 4600+ 2.4 GHz
2 GB RAM
Saitek X52 stick & throttle