Spitfires to Malta – King George V Dock

Sorry for being late but maybe the following can add to the saga.
Twelve Spitfires were off loaded from Wasp when it was discovered the drop tanks were faulty. The US Navy then repaired the faulty tanks on the Spitfires which were aboard the ship. In Operation Bowery the Spits flew off to Malta together with a batch from Eagle. Maybe Eagle’s Spitfires were those which were off loaded from Wasp.
The distance between Renfrew Airport was not all that long. But just as you come to the dock the road narrows considerably with trees and hedges on either side, also the dock gate was very narrow and that is probably why the wingtips were taken off.
One Spitfire was lost on take off from Hornet and another lost it’s tank and landed on Wasp. This machine flew off the next day with a batch of either Swordfish or Albacore. Certainly the machines were delivered to King George V Dock by Queen Mary trailer and those at James Watt dock by lighter. The distance between Glasgow and Greenock is substantial and one needs to consult a map to see the distances. There is no way any aircraft was taken through the streets of Glasgow as indicated by the good doctor.