Veterans of the Med by Ivan Berryman. (B) PER53 the air defences of Britain

the air defences of Britain were regularly tested by Russian Tu-95 Bears as they probed NATO airspace high above the North Sea

and only the heroic resistance of the earl of Pembroke's bodyguard prevented the Scots from capturing the English King

British army horses were in a different category as they were War Office issue

Signed by five crew

Veterans of the Med by Ivan Berryman. (B) PER53 the air defences of BritainDHM1919B. Veterans of the Med by Ivan Berryman. Alone in the aerial defence of Malta in the early part of WW2, these three Gloster Gladiators, nicknamed Faith, Hope and Charity, saw such intense action against the invading Italian air force that the enemy's commanders were convinced that a much bigger force existed on Malta. They are depicted here making a low pass over the destroyer HMS Dainty as she heads out of Grand Harbour from Sliema Creek.