Ah, here is what I have. "Full circle" p. 190.
He mentions the Spitfires being cast off some 600 miles (nautical) from the islands. The Hurricane squadron flew off some months before April 1942, from HMS Argus. Their fate was bad, for there was a mix-up of nautical miles and English miles, so only 4 out of 12 made it. (As well as 2 aircraft from the fleet air arm). The gallons left in the tanks were 12, 4, 3, and 2 in those.
Johnsson's trip was from the USS Wasp, which launched 48 Spit Vc's, oh yeah, armed to the teeth with quad 20mm cannons. Squadrons were 601 and 603 RAF. The slipper tank was a releaseble one and contained 90 gallons. The Wasp allowed for somewhat a safer takeoff than the British carriers, since the deck was much longer. And, - a much bigger ship.
It came to my attention that the takeoff on the carrier deck was achieved with absolutely full power. Through the gate. Sort of fresh in my mind from reading up on the 109E, which already had a troublesome swing in the takeoff due to engine power several hundred horsepowers less than a Spit V. Anyway, the Spit did indeed "swing" from it, but not enough to skid off unless you were clumsy. The first aircraft skidded off about half way down the deck, but was airborne and made it.
These Spitfires took off with no flaps, - there were no wooden sticks enabling them the half-position down as was used on the shorter escort carrier. So, a takeoff from half the deck with no flaps and an overloaded aircraft is quite a thing really!!!
47 of 48 made it. I am sure that one had to turn back due to fuel line problems and land on deck without arrestor hook, only to leave again next day for Gibraltar, but I don't see it in the text right now.
There were plans to intercept them, but they pulled the wholething off. German ground control also tried to bluff them but without success.
Quite a thing those Malta rides
