from http://www.naval-history.net/xAH-MaltaSupply02.htm
Operation INSECT - Thirty two further Spitfires were shipped from Britain, unfortunately several damaged in transit, in the freighters EMPIRE DARWIN (22 aircraft), EMPIRE KESTREL (4 aircraft) and EMPIRE TERN (2 aircraft) in convoy OG 86 which sailed 2.7 and arrived 14.7. It is presumed that the figures quoted for each freighter are the undamaged aircraft. 31 Spitfires and 4 Swordfish from Gibraltar plus 6 Sea Hurricanes were embarked in EAGLE and sailed on 20.7, with the CAIRO, CHARYBDIS, ANTELOPE, ITHURIEL, VANSITTART, WESTCOTT and WRESTLER, to fly off the aircraft on 21.7, after having been unsuccessfully attacked by the submarine DANDOLO.
Was Eagle unable to fly her FAA planes with 41 planes on board, of which only 4 with folding wings? I suspect that all, or many Spitfires were parked on the flight deck.
Was the situation so desperate to take the risk?
Max
