Croqueteer,
Could you please expand on your experience in flying HM's flying machines?
Trust me, pal, they really had no choice, and in any case, a VFR transit was fully feasible provided that they were able to remain clear of cloud and in sight of the surface.
I have seen no evidence which would have prevented me setting out that afternoon.
Had the wx got too bad, then I'd have aborted.
What befell our crew will never be known. And because the cause can never be determined beyond 'any doubt whatsoever', the fight will go on.