Are you using a new map or an old map exe?
This is with a new map exe
You can see the RAF home base from which I took off.
Following the green line from that base shows my current position (I have a blue icon)
I am about to contact a number of enemy planes (with red icons)
This is the same mission but with an old map exe:
The new map screen is built from the 640x320 tile-set used in the game.
If you compare the old map screen with the new map screen you will see that it has a whole lot of areas that are not in the game - Wales, North and S-W England, Central France
It is a waste of space because everything has to be compacted more, and the aircraft icons are much closer.
Because of this it is more difficult to judge directions, especially as the map is tilted.
With the new map a vertical line tuns N-S, and it is much easier to estimate bearings.