Merlins over Malta - The Defenders Return

At 18.00 on the 22nd of September 2005, the peace of Malta's Grand Harbour was shattered by the roar of two 60 year old Rolls Royce Merlins. Hawker Hurricane Z5140/G-HURI and Supermarine Spitfire BM587/G-MKVB had left their home base at Duxford in the UK eight days earlier to take part in the Malta international Airshow.

This was the first time that either type of aircraft had been seen over Malta since the early 1950s. As they swept over the honey coloured buildings of Valletta and the Three Cities, 300 war veterans and some of the older Maltese spectators watched and remembered the days when these fragile machines were a daily sight in the skies over the Island Fortress of Malta.

For more pictures and videos from the beautiful and historic Maltese Islands, visit www.colorgrinder.com/malta

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Merlins
• over
• Malta
• Airshow
• Luqa
• Merlin
• Rolls
• Royce
• Spitfire
• Supermarine
• Hawker
• Hurricane

[1stREMESquaddie]

So many killed , so much destruction, we were in the war by default. And the Brits. were discussing handing Malta over to the Germans for a while. Read your history folks.

[colorgrinder]

@1stREMESquaddie. I certainly agree that the Maltese people were never asked if they wanted to take part in WWII. I also know that that there was serious doubt at the time about whether Malta be adequately defended against an AXIS attack. Could you elaborate on your statement that Britain considered handing over Malta to the Germans. I have never heard this assertion made before and would be very interested to learn more.

[windsorwindow]

Pardon my grammar but it is sure nice to see those two spitfires flying over Malta. Thanks for the video and well done! I'm willing to wager that if George Beurling would have been there he would have buzzed the crowd for sure.

[colorgrinder]

I read about George Beurling's exploits in 'Malta Spitfire' when I was a teenager. It's about time I dug it out again. Thanks for the comment.

[acehunter505]

God bless Malta and Britain

[berlinmitte10117]

Hail the bravery of the Maltese people, the British, Commonwealth and other Allied pilots who fought in the battles in the seas and skies around Malta. All for the liberty that we take for granted today.

[harryfaber]

It would be nice to see a Gladiator as well.

[mosquito1958]

@colorgrinder It was a very close call, the govener of Malta was at his wits end, try reading these two books, Malta Spitfire by George Berlang & Leslie Roberts also Fortress Malta By Jmaes Holland, The Luftwaffe were taken from the Malta siege to deal with the Russians so a breather in the air war saved the day.

[mosquito1958]

'the most ' Bombed place in the World ' I have heard, this is great film tribute with the perfect sound track / music, thankyou ...

[mmdcia007]

tears in my eye viva malta viva inglaterra

[SimonWelburn]

@windsorwindow In fact it was a Spitfire and Hurricane, both powered by Merlin engines.

[CJLinton]

@terry123416 Nearly right... Malta was awarded the George Cross, the highest award a civilian can be awarded in Britain.

[terry123416]

malta is the only country to get the victory cross

[redifreddy14]

Aircraft with the flat/straighter leading edge wing is a Hurricane... not a Spit