Malta, places of aviation interest?

Hi Chaps,
Just got back fro Malta an hour ago. You were correct, it’s a great place to stay (st julians) , absolutely loved Valletta, seen the War Museum and the Aviation Museum, especially snooping behind the hangars with Hasting cockpits, Mossie remains and some sea wreckage (wings) that I couldn’t identify.
BR108 was impressive so were the Spit and Hurri at Takali. Will post pics when I goy myself back on track.
Cees

A small but very interesting private collection by a friend of mine in Gozo. Derek Azzopardi has been collecting for many years now and it’s all very nicely presented. Have a look on his Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=436326889791036&set=a.436326826457709.1073741825.100002411867200&type=1&theater

Yes I remember the summers there!!

All the people I’ve taken there have either returned or are planning to.There is something for everyone there. Bear in mind the summer there is very,very hot.

Thanks. I think I’d like to – there was quite a bit of archaeology there and some interesting history around Valletta, as I recall.

I think all of the museums were founded after you’d left. There really is a lot to see; there’s history everywhere and, strangely, some of it isn’t aviation-related! You’ll notice a big difference if you return.

I am enjoying this thread. I spent quite a bit of extended time working on the island back in the late 60s/early 70s and did not realise there was so much to see. Or are some of the museums more recent creations?

There is a public bus service from Valletta to Ta ‘Qali, which is the old RAF airfield where the Malta Aviation Society have a wonderful aviation museum. Was there a few years ago and they have a Sea Hawk, Spitfire, Fiat G91, Vampire T.11, C-47, Ex Italian Army Bird Dog and many other types awaiting restoration. The museum is adjacent to a Craft Village, where there is glass blowing etc so good to deposit the wife there while you take in the museum! The museum is about a 10 minute walk from where the bus stops.

My father served on HMS Lauderdale, a destroyer involved with the Malta convoys. When my partner said she was going on holiday there a few years back, he said, ‘Why would you want to go to a big smelly quarry?’ I suppose it was a fair description of his experience of the place at the time.

And if you visit the old Hal Far airfield, it’s now a drag racing track, something on most weekends,check here..

www.maltadragracing.com have the volume turned down!

bCees,
We were there a 3 years ago and I would definitely recommend taking a trip out to Ta ‘Qali for the museum there….a lovely place the sun always makes it feel so much better 🙂 as everyone else has stated a day at valletta is a must, you could probably spend alot longer there. It certainly gets you thinking when you see the scars on the buildings, the harbour is something else aswell.

We never thought of going to Malta before, it was a last minute decision based on a recommendation from the travel agent and I would definitely recommend it!!!

You’ll enjoy it Cees – there is a lot to see. Try to organise a dive you can – there are some good aircraft wrecks

Thanks for the suggestions chaps,

Enough to see there I gather.
Cees

In a quieter moment vist the beautifully kept Capuccini Naval Cemetery at Kalkara, although a naval cemetery, many RAF airmen are buried there, including 5 of the original 16 Spitfire pilots who flew to Malta from HMS Eagle in March 1942.

We were there again two weeks ago. I wish we still were. The link in Planemike’s post above will take you to a thread which lists most places.
A bit more info on a couple of the places listed:
The Malta at War Museum at Vittoriosa (also called Birgu) has reopened. It’s got some good WW2 exhibits but they are largely un-labelled.
If you like big muzzle-loading guns and the Victorian period Fort Rinella is an interesting visit. They do tours every pm and fire various weapons including a howitzer. For 10 Euro you can fire it yourself. Like a big kid, I had a go.
When you’re in Valletta, Senglea or Vittoriosa have a look round at the buildings. A lot of them are post-war reconstructions but on some of the earlier ones you can still see damage from bombing.
Enjoy it, Cees!

Hi Cees, have been there two years ago. I must say a real tread for culture freaks Valetta, Marsaxlokk, island Gozo. For aviation I can recommend Valetta with a war museum with much wreck relics dug up from Valetta harbour, RAF war memorial in Valleta towncentre, and Ta ‘Qali which is a craft centre but during WW2 an airfield and now a museum. Small but a visit worth it!! Have a good trip
Cheers,
Adrian

I was there last month – managed to get to the War Museum in Valletta but due to ill health had to miss out on the Malta Aviation Museum. The War Museum is ‘compact’ but well laid out and as the restored remains of the Gladiator “Faith” are there worth visiting.

Cees,

Suggest you start here:- http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?115640-Tips-for-a-trip-to-Malta&highlight=Malta

Planemike