10.05.2009, 17:09
The first Spitfires to be sent to Malta were a batch flown from HMS Eagle in
‘Operation Spotter’ on 7 th March 1942 when 16 aircraft flew off the carrier and
all landed safely at Malta.
To enable the aircraft to get into the air within 660 feet of Eagle's deck, the Spitfire needed take-off flaps. Unfortunately, the Spitfire only had one 90-degrees flap setting for landing. A simple solution was developed whereupon the flaps on ferried aircraft were locked half-way down by inserting wooden wedges between the flap and the wing. As each aircraft took into the air, the pilot had to lower the flaps fully, dropping the wedges to the sea, and then close the flaps again for there 650 mile one way trip to Malta.
‘Operation Spotter’ on 7 th March 1942 when 16 aircraft flew off the carrier and
all landed safely at Malta.
To enable the aircraft to get into the air within 660 feet of Eagle's deck, the Spitfire needed take-off flaps. Unfortunately, the Spitfire only had one 90-degrees flap setting for landing. A simple solution was developed whereupon the flaps on ferried aircraft were locked half-way down by inserting wooden wedges between the flap and the wing. As each aircraft took into the air, the pilot had to lower the flaps fully, dropping the wedges to the sea, and then close the flaps again for there 650 mile one way trip to Malta.