Malta has a long and chequered history with aviation. Being a British colony from 1800 to 1964 meant that the Island had its first taste of aviation already during the very early days of flight. With the United Kingdom being an early leader in the sector, the Maltese quickly became accustomed to high-tech aircraft from both the Royal Air Force as well as the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
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 Two. Air crashes and hijacks remain among the worst memories of recent history.
Such a history has ingrained a deep-routed interest in aviation both among locals as well as among the many visitors and enthusiasts to the island. In this context, the Malta Aviation Museum is the must-see location for historical jets, helicopters, general aircraft and engines on display.
Due to lack of space, for decades a number of aircraft exhibits were stored in a dismantled form due to lack of roofed...
