This second Gladiator had been slowly refurbished from a virtual wreck and held a surprise for any curious Italian who got to close. For this aircraft sported not four but six machine-guns, the extra pair mounted over the upper wing in the fashion of some WWI fighters. This was strictly a local modification and was quickly forgotten, as was the sight of the three Gladiators which had been so symbolic in the sunny Mediterranean sky that they were given names that have passed into history. Not everyone forgot however, for on Friday 3rd September 1943 a strange ceremony took place in the presence of the new AOC, Air Vice-Marshall Sir Keith Parkes and Sir George Borg, the island’s Chief Justice, together with a guard of honour and the band of the Royal Malta Artillary. The focal point for the ceremony was the skeletal fuselage of a Gloster Gladiator, presented to the people of Malta. Whether it was one that made up the historic ‘threesome’ is unknown, since it was salvaged from the rubbish dump at Kalafrana. It’s true identity is unknown as all the serial numbers were sanded off the components at some time. The aircraft is displayed in the Fort St Elmo War Museum, at first just the rear portion was recovered with fabric and the serial N5520 applied. A small brass plaque alongside reads “ This is Faith”. Since the name was never applied to any individual machine, who is to say this is inappropriate or incorrect. In 1974 volunteer tradesmen from RAF Luqa painstakingly restored the fuselage to immaculate condition….a fitting tribute to plane that spawned a Legend….Lest We Forget. I must thank Pedro Caparros for his excellent Savoia Marchetti S-79 Sparviero bomber.The image in part 2 is based on the painting 'Gladiators over Malta' by Michael Turner. The aircraft above is NOT a Malta Gladiator, it is housed in the RAF Museum at Hendon and I think it's a relic of the Norway campaign mentioned at the start of this story.( I'm sure Rob can correct that if I'm wrong.) Thanks for looking in and any comments....