I would like to use this forum to public thank the Curator of the Maltese aviation museum.
My wife and I turned up at the museum completely unknown to the curator, we were asked if we would like a tour of the workshops. Lo and behold there was a Hurricane undergoing restoration to an AIRWORTHY state. As explained to us, this Hurri was a veteran of the Maltese air defence campaign. It was a very moving experience to see such dedication and pride shown in all the exhibits.
Whilst not a large museum it is well worth the effort to go there.
Good on you guys.
By: whirlwind - 19th May 2003 at 06:33
I was only quoting what I was told when I visited the museum. I do not pretend to be an expert on all things aviation related, rather someone who takes more than a passing interest. I am always open to correction. I know my aircraft by silhouette (?) but as for different variations in engines and armaments, serial numbers etc, forget it!
Credit where credit is due, it is amazing what those good people have done with the Hurricane. As an Aerospace engineer myself I can appreciate the quality of work and fully understand what damage corrosion can do. We at Westland Transmissions have lost millions of pounds worth of gearbox parts to corrosion over the years even before said parts have been mated to their respective airframes.
To see a Hurricane, a Spitfire and a Gladiator together would be an incredible sight. The Battle of Malta Memorial Flight!
By: Ant.H - 18th May 2003 at 14:21
Although being beautifully restored,the Maltese Hurri is only being rebuilt to taxiable condition.As someone has mentioned,the wreck this restoration is based on was recovered from the sea bed a few years ago.Unfortunately,exposure to salt water seriously affects the condition of the structure,and so generally a wreck recovered from the seabed can’t be brought back to operational condition.The guys at the museum have worked wonders in getting this aircraft to the condition it’s now in.
By: Mirrors - 18th May 2003 at 11:27
There are lots of photos of the Malta Hurricane fuselage before it was covered with fabric in 2001, from this page onward:
http://www.searchmalta.com/cgi-local/photos/main.cgi?locationid=115&type=1&brand=0&pg=3
The story of its recovery from the sea is well doccumented elsewhere, but I did also hear that there were plans to rescue a Swordfish from a similar watery grave – does anyone know more?
The last I heard, the Hurricane was being rebuilt to taxiable status only.
By: Moggy C - 18th May 2003 at 09:06
Great to hear.
The Hurricane’s role deserves some more commemoration.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful sight to ferry the two Gladiators down there once the Hurri is airborne and fly them as a vic? (Dream mode off)
Moggy
By: PhantomII - 18th May 2003 at 08:14
That’s great news!
The Hurri is my FAVORITE British fighter.
And good on you for actually talking about something other than the Spitfire or Me-262.
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May 18, 2003 at 6:50 am