Off Gozo · Technical · 70m

Spitfire Mk Vc

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc resting at 70m off the coast of Gozo, confirmed discovered in 2021. The Spitfire Mk Vc was the specific variant shipped to Malta in large numbers from April 1942 onward, finally turning the air war in Malta's favour after two years of Hurricane-only defence. This aircraft is one of the very few diveable Spitfires in the world.

36°03.744'N · 14°19.590'E | Off Gozo, NW Malta

70m

Max Depth

70m

Min Depth

2021

Discovered

20-30m

Visibility

XR Trimix

Cert

17-27°C

Temp

Book This Dive Dive Conditions

Site Profile

April 1942 The first Spitfire Mk Vcs reached Malta on 20 April 1942, flown off HMS Eagle and USS Wasp. These aircraft transformed Malta's air defence capability. Mk Vcs were tropicalised versions with a Vokes air filter for desert and Mediterranean operations.
Loss This aircraft was lost during operations over the Maltese Islands or while returning from a mission and came down in the sea north of Gozo. The exact circumstances are undocumented.
2021 Confirmed discovered during systematic survey of the seabed around the Maltese Islands. One of the most significant aviation archaeology discoveries in recent Mediterranean history.
Today At 70m off Gozo on a sandy seabed. The elliptical Spitfire wing plan, one of the most distinctive in aviation history, is expected to be identifiable at depth.

Malta holds a special place in Spitfire history. No other location in the Mediterranean saw the Spitfire fight as intensely or at such cost. Finding one preserved at 70m off Gozo connects directly with that story. At the same depth and general area as the Hawker Hurricane, both can be dived in a planned two-aircraft technical day with diveshack.

Depth Profile / Spitfire Mk Vc / 70m

Points of Interest

Spitfire Mk Vc: what to look for

70m

TEC ZONE

Elliptical Wings

The Spitfire's hallmark elliptical wing plan. Both wings are expected to be present. The Mk Vc carried two 20mm Hispano cannon plus four .303 Brownings; the cannon ports in the leading edge are identifiable features.

70m

TEC ZONE

Merlin Engine

The Rolls-Royce Merlin III or 45 in the Mk Vc variant. The cylinder block and reduction gear housing typically survive well underwater. The exhaust stubs along the cowling sides are visible on well-preserved wrecks of this type.

70m

TEC ZONE

Tropicalised Vokes Filter

The Mk Vc Malta variant carried a bulbous Vokes air filter under the nose, the identifying modification for tropicalised Spitfires. The filter housing projects below the engine cowling and is the clearest visual distinction from standard Mk Vs.

70m

TEC ZONE

Tail Assembly

The Spitfire tail is distinctive: small tailplane, rounded fin. If intact, this allows positive identification of the Mk variant from the tail silhouette. The rudder and elevator hinges are metal components that survive well at depth.

Dive Conditions

When to dive the Spitfire

Period	Water Temp	Visibility	Conditions
Jan-Mar	15°C	15-25m	Winter conditions limit boat operations
Apr-Jun	20°C	22-30m	Good
Jul-Sep	27°C	25-30m	Best
Oct-Dec	22°C	18-25m	Good

Summer

90%

Winter

70%

Currents

Open water off northwest Gozo. Variable. Assess surface conditions before descent. Current direction at depth may differ from surface. Plan a downstream ascent if current is present.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. GPS descent. Blue-water descent with shot line where available. Site position is confirmed but access protocols continue to be developed. Full pre-dive briefing with diveshack required.

Equipment Notes

Full technical configuration. Trimix appropriate for 70m. Stage cylinder for decompression gas. 7mm wetsuit or drysuit. DSMB mandatory. Two dive computers minimum.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Trimix Required

70m on air is not survivable with any reasonable bottom time. Oxygen partial pressure is dangerous above 40m on air. XR Trimix certification is mandatory for this dive. No exceptions.

Mandatory

Decompression

A full decompression schedule is required. Plan all decompression stops, gas volumes, and contingency gas before entry. No recreational NDL applies at 70m.

Mandatory

DSMB

Mandatory for all divers on this site. Blue-water ascent off Gozo requires a clearly visible DSMB for surface support. Deploy at the start of your ascent from 70m.

Mandatory

Aviation Heritage

The Spitfire is protected under Maltese heritage law. Observe and photograph only. Do not touch or remove any component of the aircraft. Penalties apply to all persons regardless of nationality.

Legal Requirement

New Site (2021)

Site position is confirmed but access details and mooring arrangements continue to evolve. A full pre-dive briefing with diveshack is required before this dive. Do not attempt to locate the site independently.

Caution

Emergency

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. Ensure surface support has hospital contact details and your dive plan before you enter the water. DAN membership recommended.

Carry Details

Book This Dive

Dive the Spitfire with diveshack

diveshack operates guided technical dive operations to the Spitfire Mk Vc off Gozo. Boat departure from Gozo with full pre-dive briefing, GPS navigation, and trained surface support. Group sizes are strictly limited for safety at this depth. Contact diveshack to confirm XR Trimix qualifications and plan your dive date.

Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Book this dive as part of a technical package:

Tec Dive Package

Pair this dive with the Hawker Hurricane for a two-aircraft technical dive day off Gozo.

Spitfire Mk Vc

What You Might See

Dogtooth Grouper

Atlantic Wreckfish

Greater Amberjack

Violescent Sea Whip

Feather Black Coral

Basket Star

Red Coral

Mediterranean Feather Star

Spitfire Mk Vc: what to look for

Elliptical Wings

Merlin Engine

Tropicalised Vokes Filter

Tail Assembly

When to dive the Spitfire

Currents

Entry / Exit

Equipment Notes

Spitfire Mk Vc underwater

Safety and planning

Trimix Required

Decompression

DSMB

Aviation Heritage

New Site (2021)

Emergency

Dive the Spitfire with diveshack