Entry in Progress...
Created | Updated Feb 23, 2005
Faith, Hope and Charity - Myth and Reality, Malta 1940
The Myth
One of the enduring myths of air combat during the Second World War has been the story of three aged bi-planes, named Hope, Faith and Charity, holding back the entire Italian airforce and shooting down dozens of Italian fighters and bombers - thus saving the Island of Malta from invasion and occupation.
Hollywood fantasy? Propaganda? Only partially! Whilst some of the story was undoubtably embellished by the press and propaganda machines of the day, the story is based upon truth and is more a tale of resourcefullness, ingenuity and bad planning mixed with miraculous flying.
The Reality
The Gloster Gladiator
Last of the bi-planes, the Gloster Gladiator was the final evolution of this pre-first world war aircraft design. First flown in January 1937 it was already obsolete due to the appearance of its more famous nephews - the Supermarine Spitfire (Which had actually taken to the air for the first time the previous summer), the Hawker Hurricane (First flown: November 1935 and the German Me-109 (Sept. 1935)
The following table gives some idea of just how out-classed the Gladiator was in 1940...
| Supermarine Spitfire MkI | Hawker Hurricane MkI | Messerschmitt Bf 109E | Gloster Gladiator MkII (Sea Gladiator) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Speed | 346 mph | 328 mph | 354 mph | 244 mph |
| Max. Altitude | 30,500 ft | 32,800 ft | 30,100 ft | 29,200 ft |
| Combat Range | 415 miles | 425 miles | 412 miles | 440 miles |
| Armament | 8 x .303" mg1 | 8 x .303" mg | 2 x 7.9 mm (.311") mg 2 x 20 mm (.787") cannon | 4 x .303" mg |
From this table one can clearly see that whilst the Gladiator had a similar range and maximum operational ceiling as its rivals and brothers, it was hopelessly outgunned and around 100 mph slower than the modern monoplanes of the era. However, despite this, the Gladiator did still see service, and acquit itself honourably against much superior opposition on many occasions - not least of which being Malta, 1940.
