Posted by Frederick Galea in a Facebook post on the 06/04/2023
Seafire-IIc MB293 – Parts of wartime Seafire recovered from seabed – Times of Malta, 27 April 1994
Parts of a wartime Seafire have been recovered from the seabed half a mile off Ramla l-Hamra, Gozo. The one-and-a-half ton wreck, consisting of the engine, parts of the fuselage, parts of wings and undercarriage, was hoisted to the surface on Monday by a crane on board the French research vessel Archéonaute. War Museum Association Secretary Frederick Galea said the parts will now be used in the restoration of another Spitfire.
The work is being carried out by Mr Ray Polidano, Director, Malta Aviation Museum Foundation, in a hut at Ta’ Qali and permission has been granted by the Director of Museums to cannibalize the aircraft parts found at Ramla. “We knew for some time parts of an aircraft were lying on the seabed off Ramla Bay and when two divers, Louis Bonavia and Ian Busuttil located the wreckage and informed the War Museum Association, we decided to take photographs of it, Mr Galea said. It was established that the aircraft was Spitfire – actually a Seafire IIc, serial number MB293.
And as the Archéonaute was equipped with a two-ton crane, the aircraft was recovered after permission was granted by the captain. Divers Reuben Grima, Michael Gauci and Charles Tanti, mounted an operation on Monday afternoon and the Spitfire parts were recovered at around 5 p.m. from 20-metre deep water. They were then taken to Vittoriosa for unloading, before being transported to Ta’ Qali, where the other Spitfire (EN199) is being restored.
History: First Flew 21 November 42 – Air Service Training – Air Service Training (Hamble) 28 Nov 42 – Converted Low Level Fighter IIC Merlin 32 – 15 Maintenance Unit 29 Nov 42 – Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment – 14 Dec 42 trials with 1×200-lb or 1×120-lb smoke bomb. Deck take-off trials with same. 3-44 trials with Mk III light univ carrier with 4×10-lb practise bombs and 4×4.5in dia recco flares and 4×40-lb GP bombs. Drag excessive 879S HMS Attacker.
NOTE: Today, in place is Maltese legislation protecting underwater cultural heritage.
