Capital Area Modelers Society

I have a broad collection of aircraft from the Siege of Malta, including several that represent some of the heaviest fighting in the engagement.

“On June 11, 1940, the day after Italy declared war on Britain and France, the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) commenced operations against Malta. Shortly before 0700 hours, Macchi C.200 fighters escorted a group of Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers across the 60 miles of sea separating the archipelago from Sicily. British anti-aircraft guns engaged the Italians while Malta’s Fighter Flight scrambled Gloster Sea Gladiators. It was the first of countless actions that would continue for 2½ years, as the Italians, later aided by their German allies, attempted to neutralize and seize the island.” (https://www.historynet.com/air-battle-fortress-malta/)

Thus began a series of 3,000 bombing raids on 95 square miles of land.  Flying from bases in Sicily, Italy’s primary bomber was the SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk), accompanied by the Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) or the Macchi C.200 Saetta (Lightning).  The Regia Aeronautica also had the Ju 87, which they named Picchiatello, or “Crackpot”, to attack shipping and airbases on Malta.  Later, the Macchi C.202 Folgore (Arrow) and Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II entered the action.

My Trumpeter 1/48th SM.79 Sparviero represents 193-1 flown by the squadron commander of 193° Squadriglia 87° Gruppo, 30° Stormo, Regia Aeronautica, at Sciacca, Sicily, early 1941.  Fiat CR.42 Falco is 1/48th by Italeri represents the aircraft of Maggiore Ernesto Botto, commander of the 9° Grouppo, 4° Stormo while stationed in Sicily and flying missions over Malta.  While flying missions during the Spanish Civil War, then-Capitano Botto’s right leg was smashed by a bullet.  During his hospitalization, part of that leg was amputated and replaced with an artificial limb.  On 3 July 1940, Botto shot down the Hurricane (P2614) piloted by Officer John Waters of Hal Far (Malta) Fighter Flight.

Pacific Coast Models 1/48th Macchi C.200 Saetta (the highlighted image for this post) represents 81-12 of 81^a Squadriglia, 6° Gruppo, 1° Stormo stationed in Sicily. The Ju 87 B2/R2 Picciatello is a 1/48th Italeri model of “red 7” of 239a Squadrigia of the Regia Aeronautica (picture 4), flown by Cap. G. Cenni, while stationed in Comiso, Sicily, in late 1940.  The Hasegawa 1/48th Macchi C.202 Folgore represents MM.7944 flown by Adriano Visconti, 86^a Squadriglia, 7° Gruppo, 54° Stormo, Pantelleria, in June 1942. The Sword 1/48th Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II 152-4 was flown by Capitano Salvatore Teja to carry out missions over Malta in 1942.