The British convoy was 400 mi (350 nmi; 640 km) west of Malta when the first wave of fighters took off from Argus at 06:15.
Given the correct speed and the best cruise-range, the Hurricanes would have been left with just 45 minutes of fuel after reaching the coast of the island.
But they lost a third of this reserve while scrambling and forming up.
The fighters flew at 150 mph (240 km/h) at a height of 2,000 ft (610 m), far from the ideal height and speed intended for their best range.

The second wave was launched an hour later, as the convoy turned back at full speed.
The wind backed from southwest to southeast, hampering the eastward path of the aircraft.
Near the Galite Islands, a Short Sunderland flying boat met them to lead the formation to Malta.
Two Hurricanes were lost after running out of fuel at 09:08 and 09:12.
One of the pilots was rescued by the Sunderland, the other was never found.
Eventually, the four remaining Hurricanes and the Skua landed at Luqa at 09:20.

The second wave missed the Sunderland's assistance when the flying boat failed to take off from Gibraltar to escort them.
They also missed the Galite Islands and a bomber sent from Malta to replace the Sunderland.
One by one, the Hurricanes ran out of fuel and ditched in the sea, with the loss in all cases of both pilots and aircraft.
One Skua managed to crash-land near Syracuse, Sicily, just before its fuel tanks became empty, and after being fired upon by an anti-aircraft artillery unit of the Italian army.
The two-man crew was taken prisoner.
The British convoy was 400 mi (350 nmi; 640 km) west of Malta when the first wave of fighters took off from Argus at 06:15. Given the correct speed and the best cruise-range, the Hurricanes would have been left with just 45 minutes of fuel after reaching the coast of the island. But they lost a third of this reserve while scrambling and forming up. The fighters flew at 150 mph (240 km/h) at a height of 2,000 ft (610 m), far from the ideal height and speed intended for their best range.
The second wave was launched an hour later, as the convoy turned back at full speed. The wind backed from southwest to southeast, hampering the eastward path of the aircraft. Near the Galite Islands, a Short Sunderland flying boat met them to lead the formation to Malta. Two Hurricanes were lost after running out of fuel at 09:08 and 09:12. One of the pilots was rescued by the Sunderland, the other was never found. Eventually, the four remaining Hurricanes and the Skua landed at Luqa at 09:20.
The second wave missed the Sunderland's assistance when the flying boat failed to take off from Gibraltar to escort them. They also missed the Galite Islands and a bomber sent from Malta to replace the Sunderland. One by one, the Hurricanes ran out of fuel and ditched in the sea, with the loss in all cases of both pilots and aircraft. One Skua managed to crash-land near Syracuse, Sicily, just before its fuel tanks became empty, and after being fired upon by an anti-aircraft artillery unit of the Italian army. The two-man crew was taken prisoner.
Operation White