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Operation SPOTTER
The Spitfires were crated and shipped to Gibraltar on board the S.S. Cape Hawke, were they would be re-assembled and winched on board the aircraft carrier. The original plan called for the delivery of 16 Spitfires, but as some had parts missing, the sixteenth aircraft was cannibalised for the other aircraft to be made airworthy and be able to fly off.
Aircraft had not been tested with the external tanks, and problems were encountered in feeding petrol from the external tanks into the aircraft’s engine. The problem was traced to an air leak between the spring loaded joint on the aircraft, and the rubber ring on the outlet supply pipe of the long range tanks not seating properly.
Spitfire were armed with two 20mm cannon, each with 60 rounds per gun, but no Browning .303 machine guns. Problems were also experienced with the cannons, as the majority failed to fire when tested after the carrier had left Gibraltar, until further adjustments were made.
Each aircraft carried external, jettisonable, fuel tanks, which, if released when empty, and flying at 155 mph, would give a range of 890 miles. With an air speed of 25 knots over the deck, and fully-loaded external tanks, take-off run would be 500 feet.
To avoid possible weather-related damage, all the aircraft were to be stowed below decks. Eagle’s own aircraft except for two Sea Hurricanes were to be flown off to Gibraltar.
The Spitfires were launched in two separate flights an hour apart starting from position 37°30'N 03°20'E, approximately north of Algiers.
Eight Blenheims, also destined for Malta, would depart from Gibraltar. The first two would rendezvous with the first flight of Spitfires. The second pair of Blenheims would repeat the process with the second batch of Spitfires getting airborne from the carrier. The remaining four Blenheims, meant to act as reserve aircraft, would leave for Malta later. All aircraft were to land at Luqa.
Given that a message from Malta to C-in-C Mediterranean stated “15 Spitfires and 7 Blenheims arrived safely. Very many thanks.” then the list below is missing one aircraft. It would also appear that one of the Blenheims, for unknown reasons, also failed to arrive.
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| SERIAL |
VARIANT |
SQUADRON |
ARRIVED |
DEPARTED |
NOTES |
| AB262 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Damaged in air raid over Kalafrana workshop. SOC 11.04.42. |
| AB329 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. SOC 06.05.42 |
| AB330 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Lost during air combat off Filfla Island on 17.03.42. |
| AB331 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. SOC 31.03.42. |
| AB332 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Lost in air combat on 18.10.42. |
| AB334 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Lost in air combat on 18.03.42. |
| AB335 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Lost in air combat East of Kalafrana on 02.04.42 |
| AB336 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Destroyed on ground, possibly during an air raid, and SOC 18.04.42. |
| AB337 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Lost in air combat on 20.03.42 and SOC 30.03.42. |
| AB338 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Destroyed in air raid Takali on 03.04.42. SOC 07.04.42. |
| AB341 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Destroyed on ground, possibly during an air raid and SOC 28.04.42. |
| AB343 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Lost in air combat on 10.03.42. SOC 19.03.42. |
| AB344 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Believed destroyed on ground at Kalafrana workshops on 18.04.42. |
| AB346 |
VbT |
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07.03.42 |
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Assigned to 249 squadron. Aircraft hit by anti-aircraft fire (“friendly fire” in today’s parlance) on 08.04.42. Pilot baled out but suffered slight injuries. |
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| SERIAL |
VARIANT |
SQUADRON |
ARRIVED |
DEPARTED |
NOTES |
| ? |
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20.04.42 |
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46 Spitfires arrived, having been flown off the USS Wasp. Unfortunately, the RAF wasn’t prepared for their arrival (in terms of refuelling and arming them as soon as they landed), and a Luftwaffe attack practically destroyed all aircraft. |
| ? |
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20.04.42 |
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Being launched from the USS Wasp with the above, the US pilot for some reason ended up crashing in Algeria. |
| ? |
Vc |
81 |
09.05.42 |
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Crashed in the sea after take-off form the USS Wasp. It is believed that the pilot failed to choose low or fine pitch for the propeller, and not fully opening the throttles. As a result, the pilot failed to reach flying speed by the time he reached the end of the deck, and crashed into the sea. |
| ? x2 |
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09.05.42 |
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Launched from the USS Wasp. According to the website www.usni.org/ magazines/naval-history-magazine/2023/june/yank-flat-top-malta, these two Spitfires attacked an Italian Fiat RS.14 seaplane, but the seaplane’s gunner returned fire, hitting one, which then collided with the other. Both planes crashed into the sea, and the two Canadian pilots were lost.
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| BP958 |
Vc |
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Aircraft was flown off the US carrier Wasp on 20.04.42. Pilot experienced engine problems after getting airborne. Unable to keep up with the rest of the formation, he overflew a vessel, when his engine began emitting smoke (hit by gunfire?). Turning towards Algeria, he made a forced landing, being interned by the Vichy French authorities. |
| BP976/O |
Vc |
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Aircraft was flown off the US carrier Wasp on 20.04.42, and shot down in combat the following day. It had been allocated to 126 sqduaron. |
| BR126 |
Vb |
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09.05.42 |
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After getting launched from the USS Wasp pilot discovered there was a problem with transferring fuel from the external tanks. The website www.usni.org/ magazines/naval-history-magazine/2023/june/yank-flat-top-malta has the following description about this incident.
On his first try, Smith received a wave-off from LSO David McCampbell, who dived into a net. On his second try, Smith landed without, mind you, an arrestor hook—well down the flight deck and braked to stop just a few feet from the Wasp’s bow, to the great approval of the men of the Wasp, who feted him and awarded him U.S. Navy wings . . . and a cake.
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| BR127 |
VcT |
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20.04.42 |
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Aircraft was flown off the US carrier Wasp. Would later be assigned to 603 squadron, and shot down in combat on 12th May. |
| BR128 |
VcT |
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09.05.42 |
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Aircraft was flown off the US carrier Wasp. Aircraft would be lost in combat on 22.07.42. |
| BR308 |
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416 |
03.06.42 |
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Aircraft was on a delivery flight from Gibraltar but went missing after passing Pantalleria. Possibly shot down by enemy fighters. Pilot missing, believed dead. |
| BR313 |
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277 |
03.06.42 |
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Aircraft was on a delivery flight from Gibraltar but went missing after passing Pantalleria. Possibly shot down by enemy fighters. Pilot missing, believed dead. |
| BR322 |
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OADU |
03.06.42 |
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Aircraft departed from Gibraltar for Malta, but went missing after passing Pantalleria. Possibly shot down by enemy fighters. |
| BP348 |
Vc |
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09.05.42 |
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Flown off aircraft carrier, landing at Hal-Far, destined for 185 squadron. As pilot was taxying in, the airfield was attacked by Me-109s shooting up the newly-arrived Spitfire. The pilot opened the throttles to take off again from the side of the runway, but hit the wall of an aircraft pen with his starboard wing, which was wrenched off. The pilot suffered what must have been severe injuries, as he died later in the evening at hospital. |
| BR358 |
Vc (Trop.) |
OADU |
03.06.42 |
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Aircraft departed Gibraltar for Malta, but never arrived. Presumed missing between Pantalleria and Malta. |
| BP907 |
V |
1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit |
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Aircraft was in transit from Gibraltar to Malta on 20.04.42. According to a report by the American Charge d’Affaires based in Tunis, the aircraft made a forced landing at Djebedeida, pilot being safe. |
| EP194 |
Vb |
154 |
17.08.42 |
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Pilot was getting airborne from HMS Furious for delivery to Malta. During its take-off run, the aircraft swung to port, resulting in it going over the side, the aircraft sinking almost immediately. A search by a destroyer failed to find the pilot. Position 037 deg 34’ north, 003 deg 04’ east.
Furious was sailing directly into the wind, wind speed over the deck being 40-45 knots. During start up, and up to lining-up, the pilot didn’t report any problems. Having been granted permission for take-off, the aircraft was seen to swing initially to the right, then left. Pilot then depressed his left wing accentuating the left swing. Bringing his control column hard back in an attempt to get airborne, and pressing on the rudder to control the swing. Aircraft adopted a climbing attitude, with the left wing tip brushing the deck. Striking the forward section gun, the aircraft cartwheeled over the deck into the sea, sinking almost immediately. |
| EP378 |
Vb |
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21.07.42 |
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Pilot had taken off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier on a delivery flight to Malta. He reported that he was experiencing problems with the auxiliary fuel tank. Pilot was ordered to abandon the aircraft by parachute, and not try to land back on the carrier. The aircraft was, however, seen to crash into the sea, but no parachute. The pilot’s body was later recovered by a destroyer. |
| ? |
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17.08.42 |
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32 Spitfires were flown HMS Furious. One failed to take-off, two pilots were forced to bale out, and two aircraft crashed at Malta. |
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