Gloster Sea Gladiator N5520 FAITH at National War Museum (Malta)

[RicRodrigues]

Two years ago, I spent a couple of days in Malta, and of course I had to visit one of the bravest and most famous maltese bird!!! This Gloster Sea Gladiator, nicknamed "Faith", was one of the 3 Gladiators that were brought to Malta in order to help in the defence against the Axis air attacks during World War II. "Faith", along with "Hope" and "Charity", were the Fighters that flew and fought the Axis planes relentlessly on the early stage of Malta Air raids become a symbol of the Maltese stoic resistance!

The Wikipedia article on the Gladiators: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Gladiator#Malta
"A stock of 18 Sea Gladiators from 802 Naval Air Squadron had been delivered by HMS Glorious, in early 1940. Three were later shipped out to take part in the Norwegian Campaign and another three were sent to Egypt. By April, Malta was in need of fighter protection and it was decided to form a flight of Gladiators at RAF Hal Far, to be composed of RAF and FAA personnel. Several Sea Gladiators were assembled and test-flown.[48] In the siege of Malta in 1940, for ten days the fighter force defending Malta was the Hal Far Fighter Flight, giving rise to a myth that three aircraft, named Faith, Hope and Charity, formed the entire fighter cover of the island. The aircraft names came into use after the battle.[49][50][51][52] More than three aircraft were operational, though not always at the same time; others were used for spare parts.[53] No 1435 Flight, which later assumed control of Malta's air defence, took on the names Faith, Hope and Charity for its aircraft upon its reformation as the air defence unit in the Falkland Islands in 1988.

The Italian air force units deployed against Malta should have easily defeated the Gladiators but its manoeuvrability and good tactics won several engagements, often starting with a dive on Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero bombers before the Fiat CR.42 and Macchi MC.200 escort fighters could react. On 11 June 1940, a Gladiator damaged a Macchi and on 23 June, a Gladiator flown by George Burges, managed to shoot down an MC.200.[54] Another successful pilot over Malta was "Timber" Woods who managed to shoot down two S.79s and two CR.42s, also claiming a Macchi hit on 11 June and another S.79 damaged.[55] The Gladiators forced Italian fighters to escort bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Although the Regia Aeronautica had started with a numerical advantage and air superiority, during the summer of 1940, the situation was reversed with Hurricanes being delivered as fast as possible and gradually taking over the island's air defence.[56]

By June, two of the Gladiators had crashed and two more were assembled.[57] Charity was shot down on 31 July 1940.[58][59] Its pilot, Flying Officer Peter Hartley, scrambled at 09.45 with fellow pilots F. F. Taylor and Flight Lieutenant "Timber" Woods, to intercept an SM.79, escorted by nine CR.42s from 23° Gruppo. During a dogfight a CR.42 flown by Serg. Manlio Tarantino shot down Hartley’s Gladiator (N5519), badly burning him.[60] Woods shot down Antonio Chiodi, commander of the 75a Squadriglia five miles east of Grand Harbour (he was subsequently awarded a posthumous Medaglia d’Oro al Valor Militare, Italy’s highest military award). In May 2009, the remains of Charity and others were the subject of an underwater search by NATO minesweepers.[61] Hope (N5531) was destroyed on the ground by enemy bombing in May 1941.[61] The fuselage of Faith is on display at the National War Museum, Fort St Elmo, Valletta today. The fate of at least five more Gladiators that saw action over Malta is not as well documented."

And the entry for the Hal Far Fighter Flight: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Far_Fighter_Flight

And the photos!!!



























It was almost impossible to have a good photo of the full plane, but I had a poor camera and the plane is in a small room full with other stuff, everything in your way in order to get the perfect photo!!!

Just a note. There was the idea of fully restore "Faith", including the wings that are missing. This would mean to take "Faith" out from the National War Museum in La Valletta where is displayed and relocate it in at the Malta Aviation Museum (which belongs to the Maltese Air Force). This idea gathered many supporters, but the National War Museum firmly refused this stating that "Faith" doesn't need any restoration and should be displayed in a museum in the capital and not in an hangar far from the touristic routes. The general opinion from the Maltese people was that the National War Museum was just greedy and didn't want to loose one of the museum major attractions to another museum and, in this way, "Faith" will be in danger as no restoration/preservation would take place.

Finally, I hope this photos will help anyone who will decide to honor this brave bird!!! And I'll leave you with the model that lives side by side with the real "Faith"!!!