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The
Merlins Over Malta Spitfire and Hurricane
The Spitfire and
Hurricane that the Merlins Over Malta
project used belong to the
Historic aircraft Collection and are based at the Imperial War Museum
at Duxford. The support aircraft, a Cessna T303 Crusader (G-ROCH)
belonged to Roche Bentley.
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The Merlins Over Malta
Spitfire and Hurricane |
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© Bryan Simpson |
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The Fighters
The Spitfire
Spitfire Vb BM597 (G-MKVB) was built at Castle
Bromwich and delivered on 26th April 1942. It served with 315 and 317
(Polish) Squadrons RAF at Woodvale before sustaining damage whilst landing
on 13th February 1943. It was repaired, but is thought to have seen no
further action. After the war BM597 was assigned to several 'gate
guardian' postings finishing up at RAF Church Fenton. Acquired by Historic
aircraft Collection in 1993, it was restored to original specification at
Audley End and first flew in 1997.It usually flies in the colours of 317
Squadron, but for the duration of the Merlins Over Malta project it will
wear a unique Malta scheme that has not been seen on a Spitfire since the
original aircraft were transported out to Malta during the war.
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Spitfire BM597 is now U2 |
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© Nick Blacow |
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For the duration of the project BM597 will depict a Spitfire V wearing the
codes U-2 that was to join 603 Squadron. When the aircraft were put aboard
the USS Wasp they were wearing standard camouflage schemes but on the deck
of an aircraft carrier sailing through the Mediterranean these camouflage
patterns offered no protection. The solution was to paint the top surfaces
of the aircraft blue. Paint was taken from the stores and applied to the
aircraft. There is no definitive colour match because paint was mixed and
watered down to ensure there was enough to go around.
The Hurricane
Hurricane XII "Z5140" (G-HURI) was built in
1942 by the Canadian Car Foundry as part of their sixth production batch
and it joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943. It is believed to have
served with 123 Squadron at Debert before going to 127 and 129 Squadrons
at Dartmouth and onto 1 Operational Training Unit at Bagotville.
Struck of charge from the RCAF in 1947 it was
purchased by a syndicate in Saskatchewan. It was restored for Stephen
Grey's Fighter Collection by Paul Mercer in 1985 and made its first
post-restoration flight in 1989. Historic aircraft Collection acquired the
Hurricane in 2002.
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© Nick Blacow |
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After undergoing an 18 month extensive programme of repairs and
maintenance the Hurricane has reappeared in an entirely new paint scheme
for 2004. G-HURI now flies as 'Z5140' with the code letters HA-C and is in
a paint scheme that was worn by a Gloster-built Hurricane IIB, flown with
126 Squadron during the siege of Malta. Z5140 arrived at Malta on June
6th, 1941 during Operation Rocket, having flown off HMS Ark Royal. Whilst
it would be expected that the aircraft would be in a tropical paint
finish, the Malta squadrons were desperate to receive any aircraft
regardless of colour and the first ones were kept in the familiar "Battle
of Britain" green and brown scheme.
For further information on these two
aircraft or to book them for an Air Show or other event, please visit the
Historic Aircraft Collection website
The "Bomber"
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The Bomber and Fighters
at Cannes on the return journey |
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Roche Bentley's Cessna T303 Crusader
affectionately became known as the "Bomber" for the duration of the Malta
trip. G-ROCH lives at Cambridge Airport. Roche flew the
support aircraft with Frank Marson as co-pilot. The aircraft was
used to carry spares for the Spitfire and Hurricane and to carry either
Howard or Clive when they were not flying the Hurricane. We would
like to thank
Dedicated Micros for sponsoring G-ROCH's fuel for the trip.
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G-ROCH at
Luqa |
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Pilot &
Owner - Roche
Bentley |
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Co-pilot -
Frank Marson |
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G-ROCH
looking after the Hurricane |
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