Following my letter Malta Needs A Spitfire (September 29), Ray Polidano, director of the Aviation Museum at Ta’ Qali, phoned me and said that the RAF had given one Spitfire F Mk.IXe EN199 to the Scouts of Malta many decades ago.

This aircraft finished at Tarġa Gap Civil Defence Mosta, from where many parts were taken as souvenirs. It was later placed at Fort St Elmo and more parts vanished. The aircraft then had to be removed for the making of the Midnight Express film.

In 1992, it was moved to its present location and, after many years of hard work, it is now on display at the Malta Aviation Museum.

The aircraft was first flown at Eastleigh on November 28, 1942. The Spitfire was restored by Polidano and it is named Mary Rose in honour of his wife. It carries the code R-B in memory of the highest-ranking officer who flew it –Wing Commander Ronald Berry DFC. Only about 25 per cent of the original makes up this Spitfire and it has no engine.

My original concept for Malta to have at least one Spitfire is to use it, possibly carrying a passenger who would be asked to make a contribution to the Malta Community Chest fund each time it is flown around the island. In the UK, such aircraft are flown on weekends. The aircraft can also be used in films like the one used in the James Bond film Thunderbolt.

Let’s hope we may one day see one flying here.