Aviation plays an important role in the island’s development with several key episodes dotting some of the most remarkable dates in its history books. These include important milestones such as the construction of the first seaplane base at Kalafrana during World War I to the sights of terror during World War II.  Air crashes and hijacks remain among the worst memories of recent history.

This background has ingrained a deep-routed interest in aviation both among locals as well as among the many visitors and enthusiasts who travel to the island. In this context, the Malta Aviation Museum is the must-see location for its varied display of historical jets, helicopters, general aircraft and engines.

Due to lack of space and no available roofed exhibition area, a number of aircraft exhibits were stored in dismantled form for decades. EU funding facilitated the construction of a new Main Exhibition Hangar which is large enough to house most of the museum’s collection of aircraft and historic aviation artefacts.

Based on a floor display area of 1,400 square metres, the hangar was built on an ex-RAF airfield in Ta’ Qali, costing some €345,000, with 80 percent of the funds coming from the European Regional Development Fund.

The new hangar, built opposite the Air Battle of Malta hangar, shelters some historical aircraft such as the DC-3 Dakota, a Bell 47G helicopter, the first aircraft of the AFM, a Bird Dog, which was the AFM’s first fixed wing aircraft, two British Meteor jet fighters from the 1950s, and an Italian Fiat G91, the front section of a Lightning, one of the earliest supersonic fighters, and the cockpit section of a BAC 1-11 jetliner.

The construction of a new hangar also allowed the Museum to focus on its aircraft restoration projects, which in the past few years included the completion of the Hurricane and a much-needed boost to the restoration of the DC-3 featuring the colours of Eagle Aviation, which was used on air services to Malta in 1952.

While the Museum might be a living testament to history, the construction of its new hangar was future-looking, being one of the first of its kind to seek to improve its sustainability. As well as an eco-friendly modern lighting system which aims to improve energy efficiency, the project also features the creation of a new covered reservoir adjacent to the hangar which collects run off water from the hangar and nearby areas.

With this important upgrade, the Museum today continues to contribute to the memory of our forefathers and the battles they fought to safeguard our freedom and prosperity.

www.maltaaviationmuseum.com