The Hurricane is Z4544, a Mk.IIA fitted with a desert filter. This was a Royal Navy Hurricane (but not a Sea Hurricane) and was originally issued to the Royal Navy Fighter Squadron in Egypt. It later was passed on to No. 806 Squadron where it hit a car on take-off at Helwan on 29 December 1941 and was written off. No Maltese connection is apparent but there is the wreck of a Beaufighter in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

Spitfire IX EN199 does not have any codes but served first with No.92 Squadron and later with No.238, with which it was lost on 13 September 1943. Only No. 92 passed through Malta en route to Sicily so where the photo was taken is obscure.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX / XVI - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Also around in mid-1942 were some Catalinas for No.240 Squadron staging through to Redhills Lake, Madras. VA731 was the awkward one as it developed engine problems that proved beyond local help. A spare engine was sent from the mainland but the fuselage also got damaged so in the end VA731 proceeded no further and returned to the UK where it was overhauled and issued to No. 131 OTU. The bomb-damaged hangar is testament to the Luftwaffe's raids on Kalafrana. The odd VA-prefix is not a misprint, being a Canadian-built aircraft with an much-advanced serial for its time. We still await a logical explanation for this.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Consolidated PBY Catalina - СШАUSA - 1935

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Consolidated PBY Catalina - СШАUSA - 1935

Spitfire ES127 seems to have been a local mod. It carries the codes of No.4 Squadron SAAF and it appears that the fuel tank in front of the cockpit has been removed to make room for a seat. The purpose is unclear although there were wartime rumours that at least one hack Spitfire had been so converted to permit the CO to carry his batman around during changes of base! ES127 was SOC on 8.3.44 to became a ground instructional airframe. One wonders if this was camouflage for what actually went on away from the prying eyes of AHQ or the result of someone finding out what was going on.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Trainer - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The ramp at Kalafrana has been the background for many photographs of RAF marine aircraft between the wars but this photograph shows a different picture after numerous raids. A land mine landed left centre and wrecked the hangar and a parked Sunderland. One three-bladed propeller can be discerned on the left and various bits of the boat on the right.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The seaplane is a Liore-et-Olivier H-257bis from either Escadrilles B1 or B2 and, in true naval style, is flying a French ensign. It is moored in Pretty Bay, off Marsaxlokk.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Liore et Olivier LeO 25 - ФранцияFrance - 1928

The three-engined flying boat is a Loire 70 of Escadrille E7 which had an establishment of seven boats of this type. Like the Leopard-powered Iris in the main article in this issue, one engine was a pusher.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Loire Loire 60/70 - ФранцияFrance - 1934