As Wings over Malta was a recent event I thought that those of you with digital or Sky might be interested, stars Alec Guiness, it’s so long since I saw it I can’t remember much about it. Isn’t it based on the life of a famous pilot whose name escapes me as usual.
By: Mark12 - 3rd March 2006 at 18:06
The Spitfires in Malta Story
Still a bit of a mystery.
Three low backs and one high back painted to represent a PR Mk XI. They could be Mk IX’s or Mk XVIs.
TE241, a Mk XVI, was definitely used as it was captured by the ‘Times of Malta’ photographer in 1953. The movement card does not give any indication of the unit allotted at that time
TE358. I have a report that this aircraft was ‘back in the UK from Malta Story’ but would treat it with caution. If correct, this Spitfire was at 103 Flying Refresher School, which became 207 Advanced Flying School at that time, and may be the prime source of the film Spitfires.
Anybody out there with more information?
Mark
By: colin.barron - 3rd March 2006 at 17:35
Wouldn’t this film be a great contender for a big-budget remake?
Colin
By: DazDaMan - 3rd March 2006 at 13:04
That’s the one I was thinking of.
Can anyone supply any info on the Spitfires used in the film, I know a lot of it was original footage but some of it was shot using 4 Spitfires I reckon.
The PR Spitfire looked like a Mk 9, I was straining to see the number but it was to small to make out.
The Spitfires supposedly off the Wasp were 3 bubble cockpit types, I wondered whether they were the THUM flight examples or the same one’s as used in Reach For The Sky, presumably all of them were shipped over to Malta for the filming, anyone have any info about this, Oh Spitfire experts.
Three MkXVIs and a MkIX, I think (althought thinking about it, could have been a high-back XVI). I don’t think any serials are visible in the movie, although if they were they may well have been made up (as in Reach for the Sky)
By: JDK - 3rd March 2006 at 12:04
I defy anybody to not have a lump in their throat as the Ohio comes into Grand Harbour lashed between two destroyers.
Getting to see the real Ohio nameplate in the Malta War Museum was a personal highlight. A story you couldn’t make up.
By: Pete Truman - 3rd March 2006 at 11:48
Adrian Warburton?
If so I cycle past his Alma Mater twice a day. Probably says more about my taste in reading that the only three old boys I’ve heard of are Warburton, Gibson and Bader…
Adrian
That’s the one I was thinking of.
Can anyone supply any info on the Spitfires used in the film, I know a lot of it was original footage but some of it was shot using 4 Spitfires I reckon.
The PR Spitfire looked like a Mk 9, I was straining to see the number but it was to small to make out.
The Spitfires supposedly off the Wasp were 3 bubble cockpit types, I wondered whether they were the THUM flight examples or the same one’s as used in Reach For The Sky, presumably all of them were shipped over to Malta for the filming, anyone have any info about this, Oh Spitfire experts.
By: adrian_gray - 2nd March 2006 at 15:01
As Wings over Malta was a recent event I thought that those of you with digital or Sky might be interested, stars Alec Guiness, it’s so long since I saw it I can’t remember much about it. Isn’t it based on the life of a famous pilot whose name escapes me as usual.
Adrian Warburton?
If so I cycle past his Alma Mater twice a day. Probably says more about my taste in reading that the only three old boys I’ve heard of are Warburton, Gibson and Bader…
Adrian
By: dhfan - 2nd March 2006 at 14:48
I defy anybody to not have a lump in their throat as the Ohio comes into Grand Harbour lashed between two destroyers.
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March 2, 2006 at 11:50 am