Hi Pip,

 

 Here are some more images from my trip to the old sites where fighter boys wrote a story of courage in the azure blue skies of Malta, defending its people below.

 

Just use whatever you feel is of interest.

 

These show:

 

Beurling`s uniform from the War Museum, Valetta.

 

Faith one of the few Sea Gladiators of the Fighter Flight, Hal Far, Malta,  (immortalised in the book Faith, Hope and Charity- 3 Aeroplanes against an Air Force, by Kenneth Poolman), when this was all the fighters they had. Now in the War Museum, Valletta. There were more than three Gladiators, but never more than 4 up at one time and also only one survivor but another has been found also in the sea (Possibly Charity?) and the Takali Aircraft Museum is seeking funds to recover and restore her and they have wings already for her restoration.

 

George Beurling`s Medals shown at the War Museum, Valetta, Malta.eking funds from donations to recover and restore this and will have wings, guns and everything, unlike Faith, her sister who is minus these.

 

Spitfire 1X  R-B (EN199) flown by fighter  aces Colin Gray and Razz Berry, whose codes it is painted back in as well as the Malta colour scheme. Standing proud in the Takali Aviation Museum, well worth a visit and to see the remains of the former airfield buildings, rock shelters and walls and the site of the old runway is now a road, the Nissen huts and other buildings are largely there also. This represents the saviour of Malt when the outmoded Hurricanes and Gladiators were replaced in 1942 and into 1943 when Spitfire Vs and 1Xs attacked Sicilian bases and led to its invasion later and that of Italy. My friend Ron Meadows flew with 249 Sqn in Malta in 1942 to 1943 and saw this phase in. Tom Neil and others saw the hard fighting against odds in slower Hurricanes against the Me109fs that were over 100 MPH faster. Cyril Burge, Timber Woods and others fought against far superior numbers the skies earlier in 1940 and early 1941 as representedby Fath, the Gladiator.

 

Hurricane Mk 11a HA-E (Z3055)  last flown by Sgt. Tom Hackston of 126 Sqn on 4th July 1941, who got engine problems and ditched  and who was tragically killed and the Hurricane lost in the sea of Malta in wartime It was  recovered in recent years and painted back as it was in wartime. Tom, its last pilot was never found and there is a memorial to him there.

 

The engine shows signs of overheating. Now lovingly cared for by the Takali Aviation Museum voiunteers who rely on subscriptions and donations. Fantastic bunch of guys and the site is a testimony to them and their hard work. They produced a magazine called Lest We Forget. This came in handy when visiting the graves of the pilots and crews from the Siege of Malta buried at Cappuccinni Naval Cemetary on the hill at Rinella, above Valettas wartorn docklands near Valetta`s Grand Harbour.There was also an excellent magazine called War in Malta with great picture and fighter pilot stories.

 

Lastly, the Siege Bell high on the ramparts overlooking Grand Harbour, Valletta, the scene of so many bombing raids and air battles to protect the ships unloading needed supplies to prevent starvation and capitulation. This commemorates all those lost uring the Sige of Malta 1940-43, civilians, RN, Army, Air Forces and all Commonwealth fighting men lost in that epic battle against odds.

 

 

I have many pictures of every pilot or crew man from the cemetary of Kalkara, called Cappaccinni Naval Cemetary, including those shown earlier and other famed pilots, lost aged 20-24 mainly. To walk around this sacred place and to bless these men and say a prayer was a special, personal moment and one that I will remember, the breeze was gently stirring the beautiful trees, bushes and flowers that make this a pretty spot under the bright blue, cloudless skies that shine down on these heroes. 

 

Thank you for posting these Pip,

 

Best wishes

--

Paul Davies