Corgi AA36203.(C) Gloster Sea Gladiator - N5519, 'Faith', Hal Far Fighter Flight, Flt. Lt. George Burges, Al Far, Malta June 1940

To say Malta's air defences were small at the beginning of WWII would be an under statement. the total air power on Malta consisted of 3 Gloster Gladiator biplanes. "Faith", Sea Gladiator N5520 of 802 squadron from June to November 1939, she joined the Hal Far Fighter Flight in April 1940. She was quick to defend Malta, and whilst piloted by Flt Lt JL Walters RAF shot down and destroyed an Italian S.79 on 11 June 1940, and the next day on 12 June 1940 destroyed another S.79. She was renamed "Faith" between October 1941 and January 1942. The Fuselage is preserved in malta. "Hope", Sea Gladiator N5531 of 802 squadron from June 1939 to January 1940, joined the Hal Far Flight, and was renamed "Hope" on 19 April 1940. She was destroyed in an air raid on 4 February 1941. "Charity", Sea Gladiator N5519 'G6A' of 802 squadron from June-September 1939, she was joined the Hal Far Fighter Flight and renamed 'Charity' on 19 April 1940. She was involved in defending Malta over the critical 1940 period but was shot down on 29 July 1940 and her pilot F/O PW Hartley RAF was badly burned.