FirebexLovely, thanks for posting.
Unfortunately the shot does not show the film set immediately between it and the sea.
On my last visit two years ago, the U-boat film artefacts, were still very much present.
The corresponding Cambridge battery to Rinella, located at Sliema, is in the grounds of a hotel and whilst it doesn’t have it’s 100 ton gun, the fort layout remains and is very much in use albeit modified.I seem to remember on my first visit to Malta in 1990, I went to Hal Far and saw the remains of a number of aircraft around the fire fighting school, including what I remember was a fairly well burnt out (no fuselage top half), DC-3.
I remember the Connie restaurant near the airport, still existing as well.
The museum at Taqali managed to salvage the Engines Propellers and tail unit of the Connie. The U Boat is floating in a backwater of the dry dock next to where the immigrants have set up camp along with some other interesting stuff.There used to be 4 or 5 marine Griffons on the dry dock warf that had been taken out of some old patrol boats since scrapped (we think ??).
Mike e
FirebexWhen one considers the fantastic work done in restoring the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tiger Moth & currently the Bird Dog, what could they do for “Faith” currently moribund in the War Museum in Valletta! It is wingless and in an appalling environment, the Air Museum has an excellent environment to store the aircraft and a set of wings!!!!!!
I know it was mentioned in the past and we even had a petition at one stage as regards the Gladiator labelled as Faith although there is some doubt that it is that particular aircraft.
Some considerable time and previous government bodies in Malta .Negotiations took place on the initiative of Ray polidano the museum Director to get Faith rebuilt byu the museum.In fact with the help of the Fleet Air Arm museum,RAFM and the Swedish all the needed parts to rebuild and complete the aircraft where obtained and shipped to Malta.These being the complete Cabane struct structure,the interplane struts,a full set of mainplanes some spare bits and pieces and ll the fittings needed. Sadly the government changed as did the policies and persons in charge. .So its rebuild was put on hold. Then after a number of years the new government departments started to possibly warm to the idea then low and behold the government changed again and so the yo-yo process recommenced in fact at one stage the person in charge of the museums department whom I might add is very experienced in Roman artifacts made the statement that Oh No the aircraft could not go to Taqali for rebuild as they would make it like new aand that could not be allowed.Perhaps the individual should stick yo his understanding of dead Romans and stop trying to treat an aircraft the same.Sad fact is the aircraft is in desperate need of a total strip and rebuild it is the 1970’s since it was touched and a lot of “temporary work” took place at that time to make the aircraft presentable.You would think that one of the islands national treasures should be allowed to be rebuilt by a very capable time and also made complete at the time.It does not have to stay at Taqali once finished it could go back to the cramped confines of Fort St Elmo in the damp next to the Harbour wall but it is a shame that it is being allowed to what seems to many to deteriorate to such a degree that its future could be threatened.Where would they be then without it ??. I can see there being then another ten year search to find one like there was with EN199 the Malta Spitfire that so many of us worked so hard to obtain parts for and rebuild for the Island to have as a memorial to the few !!!
Look what happened to the cockpit section of George Beurlings Spitfire that is on Display at Fort St Elmo it was just fished out of the harbour it has never had any preservation work or other carried out on it and it is just powdering away to nothing and that is a very historic piece of aircraft from a war time national hero
It is all very sad indeed.
The guys I know are having one last try at persuading government departments to allow them to carry out the much needed work on the Gladiator.If anyone is so inclined they can write to the Times of Malta in support as this newspaper has in the past carried articles trying to help.Or send letters of support direct to the Malta Air Museum (their address can be found online). If there is no success this time then workshop space will be lost for around 7 years as the Swordfish from Canada will move into its slot instead for rebuild (to taxi able condition as is the museums policy where possible if flight not an option)
Mike E
FirebexThe airfield at Taqali has an awful lot of history around it if you look carefully beyond the football stadium and othe rmodern bits you will find the old officers mess.behind the museum are the remains of the cave hangars (they are trying to preserve one or whats left of it).The craft village is a time warp with a lot of it being the old camp buildings the cinema and the parachute building also three of the old hangars exist in the concrete works and the basketball stadium is an old T2. The concrete runway does exists in its entirety but many years ago to discorage aircraft landing they built an island down the middle of it to creat a dual carriageway type roadway not going really anywhere .This being because the runway is actually on the direct line of the approach into the main runway at Luqa and alegedly previoulsy there ha dbeen instances of aircraft lining up to land a few miles short of where they should have.
The original terminal at Luqa was certainly a laugh it was like a big tin shed but some of the old bits still remain as they moved the terminal area completely about 1/4 mile even the previous tower and other structures still exist and many nissen huts. as another point before you go up the hill from the big island and interchange near the dry docks on the left is the area where the V bomber crashed and burned ( I think it was a Vulcan)never re built on.very conveniently to the rear of it is the very large cemetary.
A wonderfull country with very pleasant people even the youngsters are very polite and sociable a pleasant change .
For anyone who has never visited and not sure where to go try Malta it offers everything and a rich military and aviation history beside thousands of years of other history and remains to see.And nice weather and a few cracking beaches for the other half to lay on while you visit the museum they even like hands on visitors when we go I still tend to get involved If you contact them in advance of going I am sure they will welcome you with open arms.
Mike E
FirebexMine 🙂
I probably paid a fair bit over the odds, but the bidding was tough and I had to have it 😀
so it was you was it !!!!!!!
Can I possibly have a copy of any relevant pages dealing with the Westland Whirlwind Fighter Please ???.
I missed the close of the auction .I only wanted it for the Whirlwind Info then probably would have put it back on evilbay :diablo::diablo::diablo:
Mike E
FirebexYes a very historic day at “Taqali” its been a lot of hard work getting the agreement of the government depart responsible and the aero modellors entrenched on the threshold and first 75 metres of runway to agree to its use on a limited basis I understand only so many days a year initially.
re the scrap yards on Malta yes there where a few now none..The main yard we pulled the Spitfire out EN199 (the team I headed up on the rebuild in 1991/92) has now gone this was at Kirkop and help amongst other things; Canberra fuselage,The remains of two Spitfires,A very badly chopped Sea Hawk The cockpits and some engine nacelle bits of two Hastings,The remains of a Stuka wing (the rest hanging on the wall at Valletta),The remains of an unidentified american type its radial engines being present and bits of all sorts of aircraft and scrap dockyard equipment and vehicles.
There used to be Paolo’s Yard out near Kalafrana this was famous for having the remains of Ted whites Harvard and the nose perspex from at Least 6 Mosquito’s and the burnt cockpit centre section of a Mosquito (identity unknown) donated to the museum at the begining of this year following the death of the owner.
There used to be other parts around the island including a yard that had the remains of a B737 (I think it was) that ha dbeen blown up by terrorists at Luqa airport.And a few hundred yards away a man who had a garage/car port made from a DC3 fuselage and either a very early DC3 or DC2 fuselage as walls with Canberra wings over the top as a roof. There was a bar near Attard that had a Turret on its roof for many years (could have been either Sunderland or something american).Then of course there is the fire training school at Halfar that has had numerous types through its yard including caribou,DC3 ,Beech 18,B727 and other types.
Sadly other than what is currently at Halfar,at the Museum at Taqali and in the sea the rest has gone over the last few years the yard at Kirkop being one of the most recent with the Hastings parts being some of the last bits out going to Canada. Everything else is in the sea and the list is a long one and not for me to go into on this forum as its not really my place to.
mike E
FirebexPagen01,
This is a snippet of info on the Sycamore, not really fresh but I assume they are still working on it.
http://www.flyingbulls.com/#/en/Terminal/Latest-News/-/Bristol-Sycamore/
The best warbird helicopter for my money that really did its work in Malaya etc in conflicts was the Belvedere a few of those exist now that would be a machine to put in the air its almost like our 1950’s60’s equivalent of a Chinook without the glass cockpit.
Mike E
FirebexI wondered if anyone has any pictures of inside the link trainer ie the workings ,wiring etc as on saturday i shall be picking one up which i have got to restore ,
I have not seen it yet but what i have been told it may be a d4 .and is still mounted on its hexagon frame.
It is a early d4 i was told but was told a rough year of 1947 which means it could be a earlier mark ? but d4 was mentioned.
I am also looking for any diagrams of systems ,electrics and any general information on the workings of the systems if any one can help as i think i have a nice winter project on my hands.
I shall tackle the location of instruments when i get it back on saturday as i know the panel is bare.
If anyone can help me in any way it would be greatly appreciated.Thank you
Hi
Contact the guys at the aviation Museum in Malta a few years back they got given a complete example with spare bits and all the manuals etc for it.If you contact Ray Polidano at the museum you will find they are most helpful.They have a link from their web site which is very detailed and helpful or you can ring them direct 00-356-21-416095 I am sure they will help with information if they can.
Mike E
FirebexThe Skeeter strikes me as one of those little designs that would make a good personal helicopter if it could be re-engined with a small gas turbine (Bo.105 type say) and new drive sytems and rotors.
Thanks Stony
the main problem initialy was with the rotor construction but then gearbox and dirve problems started to occur. If you want a personal helicopter about that size at the risk of being accused of useing bad language then you are talking of something like dare I say the word Robinson (I dont mean the fruit cordial either).
Mike E
FirebexThat’s $150 for the seat and $24,350 for the tins of Duraglit used 😀
By heck is Duraglit that expensive now its as expensive as black paint brushed on a Merlin £200 for the scrap engine and £18,800 for the paint and corrosion
Mike E:diablo::diablo::diablo::diablo:
FirebexWish I could join you with that mission Rich!
HunterXF the evidence is there with the others it’s just the images are usually too poor to correlate to the right airframe.
It should be noted that the Dougal on WR960 was reapplied after the aircraft got to the museum.
Somewhere I have got photo’s of both Zebedee and Ermintrude but from some reading there are duplicates as a couple of airframes duplicated the names I will look it up in my records and hopefully post back.
Mike E
FirebexI don’t think Pillock is offensive or a swear word, Mike:D
Anon.
I know but she who sometimes has to be obeyed and kept happy was looking over my shoulder at the time.I was thinking more along the lines of Bottom orifice but that would of course be offensive and I would not want to get into trouble.
Seriously though has anyone heard if the Catalina is in the pot of disposals or is it just written off as scrap ???.
If its scrap baggsy me and Annon on the next ferry with some big trailers and his big petrol powered stanley knife :D:D:D:D
How small can you get a Catalina to go on a ferry ??????.I know it wont go in the back of a Landrover and the garden is full of all the other aircraft Oh ****** !!!.
Darling you know you said you fancied a bigger house ???????:diablo::diablo::diablo::diablo:
Mike E
FirebexThe main point with Helicopters as someone has already stated is maintenance costs.
Unlike a fixed wing aircraft that you service and overhaul parts you then refit and carry on flying.With Helicopters in the majority of components they have a set life expectancy once that is reached in terms of flying hours time period since first installed etc they are then removed AND THROWN AWAY not permitted to be refitted.As you can imagine if you have a very common type with a big spare pool to draw on its not a problem but when you are down to perhaps less than 20 of the breed in existence and no big pool of parts what parts are available get used up fairly quickly.
This is the issue with some of the helicopters currently grounded because of rotor blade or drive/gearbox issues the original manufacturers for the main have moved on to umpteen models down the line and to produce one off sets of parts for a few surviving airframes is not cost effective and its not as if you can just get hold of some drawings and get your local machine shop to knock up the bits.Not only do the materials etc have to be to spec and approved with paperwork but the engineering shop manufacturing has to be approved and then so does the engineer signing it off as fit and then the poor sod fitting it has to then put his name to it and before long it gets so bogged down with documentation is it all worth doing or cost effective.
That I suggest is why you don’t see so many rare and interesting war bird helicopters in the air sadly that is why I had to get rid of my Skeeter G-BDNS many moons ago because even then (in the late 1970′ early80’s) parts where becoming a begger to get and my friend who owned G-APOI and two other ex military airframes could not get the parts he needed to put his machines back into the air and they sat for many years in sheds stuck for parts and are now thankfully in safe keeping in collections sadly static.
I hope this helps towards the explanation I dont say its the only reason but one of the main ones.
Mike E
FirebexDelboy at it again DO NOT BE CONNED
Item number: 130614334581 Merlin 225 aero engine
You have to give this con artist 10 out of 10 for trying this is the engine I posted a week or so back with a cautionary tale.How do I know ? he is even using the same photographs and part of his original description.
To Repeat DO NOT BELIEVE anything written in the description or if anyone rings the guy or emails him what ever he tells you about how good it is.Is NOT TRUE
THIS ENGINE IS A TOTAL WRECK FROM A CRASHED MOSQUITO IS VERY BADLY DAMAGED.THE BOTTOM IS RIPPED OUT OF IT AND IT IS SEIZED UP SOLID.No cooling system,pump,pipes etc,supercharge bottom and gear drive carb and bottom of engine case damaged.Nose case repaired ?(bad grinder marks not very well filled) Black paint put on engine with a trowel.Car type spark plugs in lower (there from original factory honest guv !!!)All damage either “Corrosion” or perhaps the previous owner “might have dropped it”
Yes the RAF previous owner from a height in an aircraft into a hole !!!!!
Sadly it seems someone has been taken in because he has an offer on the engine. I also note he is using a different identity to sell the engine it appears to be a female ID.
At the best the only thing you could salvage is the heads and the rocker covers well at least one of them as the other is damaged and bodged up.He also has a nearly new carb in a box but not off this engine.Professional opinion we had from a war bird aero engine specialist take a zero off the end of the asking price and you are about somewhere near its true worth.
If anyone has been looking LOOK ELSEWHERE its very not worth it you are being asked top dollar for a scrap engine !!!!!
This guy wants seriously taking to trading standards he has been told face to face by a professional engineer and others in the know the engine is scrap,
he claims he did not know but even a blind man with a white stick and a guide dog can see there is something seriously wrong with it.he claims he is not fussed if he sells it or not. NOTE None of his photographs are close up or show the lower/bottom sections of the engine. Yet here he is a couple of weeks later trying it on again and he still has it in the Brooklands Auction In February claiming its a new unused engine stored from new complete and potential flyer.(It would not fly even if you threw it off the top of a block of flats). And he never discloses any damage to enquirers
Please if anyone knows anyone who has expressed interest in this engine tell them WALK AWAY FROM IT OR YOU WILL BE RIPPED OFF.
Please I do not rubbish anyone or anything lightly but someone is going to be badly burnt if they buy this unawares and heaven forbid unseen.
Mike E
FirebexScotavia- Scotland’s aviation heritage is still poorly represented. East Fortune could do a lot better -look at the types still missing ala Canadian Sabres-D.H Heron-HS 748 -all of which played a part in Scottish aviation!
Its a damn long way from Southend to Scotland to shift a 748 as that’s about the last place you will find one.
Going back to the Nimrod its nice to see that she appears to have been separated on or around the front fuselage center section joint. As most folks will know the HS 801 was basically a Comet 4 with a chunk removed aft of the center section and a chunk removed in front of the center section. Suggest you speak to the crew at Elvington re missing bits as they seem to have become experts at tracking down stuff removed then just dumped in skips the logic of that seems to escape me but still why dismantle Tornado’s and store the bits when you are scrapping them but that’s stupid incompetent government policy for you waste time effort and money.
Good on you guys for all the effort in preserving at least the front end if nothing else.
mike E
FirebexI seem to recall seeing some photo’s of at least two of the ex 8 sqdn machines wearing cartoon characters from the magic roundabout that they where named after ???
Mike E
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