The clutter at the War Museum in Valletta would be eliminated if the Gladiator currently exhibited there were to be moved to the Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali, Ray Polidano, director general of the Aviation Museum Foundation said.
Asked for his comments about the number of artefacts that are on the floor resting against walls because of lack of space and funds at the War Museum, Mr Polidano argued that the Aviation Museum has managed to get hold of a set of wings and other parts for the Gladiator.
"At the Aviation Museum, we have the parts and the expertise - as can be seen from the on-going restoration of a WWII Hurricane fished out of the sea - to restore the Gladiator.
"Other aircraft parts that are lying about at the War Museum, such as a tailplane of a Messershmitt, should also be passed on to the Aviation Museum," Mr Polidano said.
A tailplane is the horizontal airfoil of an aircraft's tail assembly that is fixed and to which the elevator is hinged. According to Mr Polidano, the tailpiece probably belonged to a plane that was flown by a prominent German ace.
"Once the parts are restored and placed in context, visitors will be much better able to appreciate these war artefacts," Mr Polidano added.
Having such exhibits passed on to the Aviation Museum would make a lot of sense especially now that the museum is working hard to inaugurate the Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar, Mr Polidano noted.
When Italy entered the war on June 10 1940, only three Sea Gladiators opposed all the aircraft the Reggia Aeronautica threw at the island. They were nicknamed 'Faith', 'Hope' and 'Charity' and during the early days of war they were the only British defense in the air. The Gladiator at the museum is one of the three.
The Aviation Museum in fact will shortly be requesting Heritage Malta, which is in charge of the War Museum, to be handed the Gladiator and other aviation parts that are currently thrust in several corners of the museum fighting for attention.
Asked whether he agreed with the idea that the War Museum be shifted to Ta' Qali, Mr Polidano said that Julian Zammit, who died recently, had drawn up a plan to have several museums connected with the war in one complex at Ta' Qali including one for military vehicles.
Regarding security, Mr Polidano pointed out that no place as such is safe, no matter how secure one tries to make it.
Referring to the recurring break-ins at the War Museum and offices, he felt the thieves had stolen things "to order" meaning that whoever broke in did so having been commissioned by a collector or collectors to steal specific items.
A spokesman for Din l-Art Helwa, the heritage organisation, said he did not concur with the idea that the museum be moved to Ta' Qali.
"The War Museum attracts about 60,000 annually mainly because it is sited where it is. With a modest financial investment it could easily attract 100,000 to 150,000 visitors.
"On the other hand moving to Ta' Qali would involve a huge expenditure and be off the beaten track.
"One should not shoot down the idea of moving but one would have to see what this shift would involve. It is hard to imagine, though, how Ta' Qali can be developed as one would like it to be developed," the spokesman added.
The space at the War Museum was far too small and restricted. One option is to expand the museum where it is at present.
There was ample space at Lower St Elmo but one would have to clear the place of "the sheer lawlessness" that has been allowed to sprout and spread.
It was extremely important that Heritage Malta and the authorities got all the stakeholders involved in the compilation of development brief for Fort St Elmo.
"The development brief should act as a catalyst as to what will become of the War Museum.
"What could really be a prime location in Valletta is characterised by amateurism. Actually it is miserable.
"One would of course have to do a careful study before a final decision is taken. A decision that would have to be taken as part of the overall plan for St Elmo," the spokesman noted.