British Forces

Malta’s first Hurricanes

Imperial War Museum

Malta: the remains of a Gloster Sea Gladiator, perhaps “Hope” destroyed in an air raid on 4 February 1941, which formerly flew with the Malta Fighter Flight. In the background is a parked Hawker Hurricane Mark I, W9133, of No. 261 Squadron. The first four Hurricanes joined the Sea Gladiators at the end of June 1940 and the Flight raised to Squadron status when the No. 261 Squadron RAF was formed on 1 August 1940. On 2 August twelve Hurricanes was delivered by the aircraft air carrier HMS Argus. With the arrival of the first Hurricanes the Italian biplane fighter Fiat CR.42 was immediately outdated and the S.79 bombers met a very dangerous enemy. Victor Sierra