The 9th of May started with some very non Maltese weather. The skies were grey and overcast, but this didn't dampen anyone's spirits. The Merlins Over Malta Day at Duxford was underway! The eastern end of Hangar 4 were transformed into a little corner of Malta, with stands and displays from The Spitfire Society, The Hurricane Society, The Blenheim Society, CCB Aviation, The Malta Aviation Museum, FlyPast, The Hornchurch Wing of the Purfleet Heritage Centre The Battle for Malta Veteran's Reunion, the Maltese Cultural Society and of course Merlins Over Malta in the north side of Hangar 4, while the south side was transformed into the theatre area for the various presentations, the Cambridge Youth Band and book signings by James Holland. Outside, a Maltese airfield appeared courtesy of the Historic aircraft Collection's Spitfire and newly refurbished Hurricane and the RAF at War team.

The event was officially opened by His Excellency Dr George Bonello Du Puis, the Maltese High Commissioner. He took to the stage and told the audience of his experiences as a boy in Malta during the siege.
 

"I do not remember fear, but I do remember hunger" - Dr George Bonello Du Puis

Next to take to the stage was the Merlins Over Malta team to introduce the project and the days events. The emotion and the drive behind the project became evident as the presentation progressed. Following the Merlins Over Malta talk, renowned Artist, Gerald Coulson officially unveiled his latest piece of work - "Merlins Over Malta". This oil painting depicts the Malta Aviation Museum's Hurricane Z3055 HA-E and HAC's Hurricane 'Z5410' HA-C over the island of Malta. More details of this fabulous painting will be available soon.

The lovely Muriel Pavlow, not a Malta veteran, but a veteran of "The Malta Story" took to the stage for an interview with Ken Ellis. Muriel Played Maria Gonzar in "The Malta Story" that was filmed on the Island in 1953 along side Sir Alec Guinness. She talked about this role and one of her other famous roles playing Thelma Bader along side Kenneth More in "Reach for the Sky".

After Muriel Pavlow, a Modern day Spitfire pilot took to the stage. Charlie Brown took the audience for a virtual ride around the circuit in both the Spitfire and the Hurricane. Charlie passed the stage over to the first of the Malta Veterans. Wg Cdr Tom Neil DFC AFC who flew in both the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Malta was interviewed by James Holland, Author of "Fortress Malta" and the Merlins Over Malta historian.

Next on stage was someone who appears in James' book - Meme Cortis. This lady probably saw Malta at its very worst. Meme was a nurse at the Imtarfa hospital. She described her times on the wards of the hospital and praised everyone who she cared for.

Gp Capt Billy Drake DSO DFC* DFC (USA) finished off the talks with his recollections of Malta just before the Spitfire and Hurricane were transferred to the flight line. At 3:00 it became clear why. Enemy aircraft were heard approaching the airfield. The air raid sirens were sounded, the RAF pilots scrambled to the waiting aircraft and the aerial combat began! The weather was not good enough for an aerobatic display, but Clive Denney in the Spitfire and Charlie Brown in the Hurricane defended the airfield against the enemy attack in a pair of flat displays followed by some pairs passes over the field. Once the two aircraft were back on the ground, the rain started, but this did not deter people from crowding round the aircraft as they returned back to the exhibition area.

The day was closed by a final performance of the Cambridge Youth Band.

We feel the day was a great success and we hope that everyone went away having learnt something about the great battle that took place on this tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean.

Thank you once again for your support!
 

We would like to thank the following:

• The Staff and Volunteers at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford
• The Veterans who supported us on the day
• Ken Ellis and all at FlyPast
• UsedJag.com
• RAF at War
• Dr George Bonello Du Puis and the Maltese High Commission, London
• Muriel Pavlow
• John Romain and all the aircraft Restoration Company
• The Historic aircraft Collection
• Jeanne Frazer
• James Holland
• Gerald Coulson
• The Spitfire Society
• The Hurricane Society
• The Blenheim Society
• CCB Aviation
• The Malta Aviation Museum
• The Battle for Malta Veteran's Reunion
• The Cambridge Youth Band
• The Hornchurch Wing of the Purfleet Heritage Centre
• The Malta Cultural Society
• The Malta Tourism Authority
• The Military Gallery
• Musical Associates
• Relevent Ltd
• All the trade stands that came to support us on the day
• Nortel Networks - Harlow
• And of course everyone who visited us on the day