Wednesday, 20th May 2009 - 15:31CET
NATO ships search for 'Charity'
One of the wartime Gloster Gladiators in Malta.
NATO minesweepers have launched a seabed search off Malta for the remains of a Gloster Gladiator biplane aircraft popularly named Charity, which formed part of the wartime trio of Faith, Hope and Charity.
Charity, which had serial number N5519, was shot down in flames off Malta in July 1940. Its pilot parachuted but was badly burned.
The minesweepers, which are due to enter Grand Harbour tomorrow, are carrying out the search under the supervision of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the Malta Aviation Museum.
The vessels, using advanced underwater search equipment, are also looking for the remains of other crashed aircraft including a Sky Raider, a Sea Fury and wartime aircraft including a Barracuda naval bomber, an Italian Macchi 200/2002 fighter and a Swordfish naval bomber.
The origin of the Faith, Hope and Charity names is obscure, especially as more than three Gladiator biplanes were eventually pressed into service over Malta, although there were never more than three at any one time.
The fuselage remains of one of them, N5520, known as Faith, are displayed at the War Museum. Hope (N5531) was destroyed on the ground by enemy bombing in May 1941.
The Nato warships are also providing the AFM with a platform for helicopter deck landing training.
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Comments
Considering what the boys at the Aviation Museum did with the Hurricane that was salvaged from the sea, resortation of N5519, should it be salvaged, would put 'Faith' in the shade!
Thes four biplanes were left here by mistake as they were supposed to have been shipped to Alexandria. The Air Force person who was responsible on seeing the four large boxes left out form the shipment ordered that these planes would be assembled. After that he recieved another order about the biplanes that they had to be re packed and to be shipped to Alexandria.
However it was during this time that Il Duce entered the war theatre by declaring war and then these bi planes were pressed into service as the only aerial defence that Malta could offer against the massive Regia Aeronautica.
It must be said that Malta was going to be left undefended by the British War Cabinet until Churchill took over.
The same book says that 3 biplanes were used with the fourth grounded to serve for spares and when these spares were not available, the Dockyard helped by producing the much wanted spares.
What did you exactly mean Signor Morana? Inform yourself.
First of all when the Gladiators were the only fighters available, it wasn't the 'peak' of the battle, they had to face only the Regia Aeronautica with (only!) about 250 planes in Sicily. Later in June they were joined by the first trickle of Hurricanes, and then in early 1942 we started receiving the first Spitfires. One must keep in mind that the first valuable Spitfires released to fight outside of the UK were those sent to Malta. The real peak (and worst part) of the battle is considered to be just about the time of the first Spitfires were delivered!
It is true that the odds were very much against us when we had only three Gladiators......but who prevailed?
By that time the air defence of Malta consisted of a handful Hurricanes.
And, while we're at it, why is "Faith" still at the War Musuem at St. Elmo? Faith's place is in the Malta Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali, in the hands of people who have the parts, the experience, the setting and the space to restore and display this incredibly rare and evocative airframe........at the very same place it flew from in those desperate days against all odds.
Good luck to all those involved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoe92hEm7Uo&feature=channel_page