History does repeat itself.

In 1940, even as defenceless Malta faced the imminent danger of air attack, the British Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm tussled over who should operate outdated Gladiator aircraft lying in crates in Kalafrana. The RAF wanted them because it had no aircraft of its own to defend Malta with. The FAA said it required them for its aircraft carriers. A compromise was reached and some of the bi-planes took to the skies over Malta. The FAA then had a change of heart and the aircraft went back to their crates. But common sense finally prevailed and back to Malta's defence the aircraft went.

One of them was N5520, ever since immortalised as Faith - although there were more than three such aircraft defending the island, the Gladiators were referred to as Faith, Hope and Charity, possibly because they used to fly three at a time. Faith survived the war but was in a battered state when it was presented "to the people of Malta" in 1943. All that remained was the skeleton of its fuselage only partially covered with fabric. The enduring memory made this the most famous surviving Gloster Gladiator in the world.

In 1974, the RAF put fresh skin on the fuselage and painted it in wartime colours. A group of volunteers then set up the National War Museum Association, building a collection of war memorabilia at Fort St Elmo, in Valletta. The War Museum was born. The collection has grown much bigger since, too big for the space available for it in that historic fort.

Now a fresh tussle has broken out. The Malta Aviation Foundation is asking Heritage Malta to transfer Faith to it on loan for restoration and eventual display in the new Air Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar in Ta' Qali.

The foundation would like to fully restore Faith, including fitting it with wings, and give it the pride of place it deserves at Ta' Qali flanked by the aircraft to which is passed the baton: The Hurricane and the, Spitfire.

Heritage Malta, however, argues that Faith is an integral part of the national collection under its remit and a national icon that is pivotal to the display at the National War Museum. That, it insists, is its rightful place.

The foundation is making a strong case that deserves a hearing. The Gladiator has already undergone extensive restoration. It is very different from the remains presented in 1943. To take the process to its natural conclusion, therefore, makes sense. It would be a laborious exercise, costing hundreds of thousands of liri and requiring particular expertise. But the foundation has already shown it is up to the task.

Heritage Malta has also been doing a professional job in other areas of Malta's patrimony. But, given its overflowing plate and scarce resources, transferring responsibility for Faith to the aviation foundation does appear to make sense.

It would also be proper for Faith to be displayed at the airfield from which it flew, alongside other fighters of the period. Assigning examples of Malta's heritage to the care of the private sector has already been proved to be a successful concept.

Taking Faith to Ta' Qali and restoring it must not be seen as a loss for the War Museum but a gain for national heritage. Rather than tussle, the Aviation Museum and the War Museum should partner and promote each other.

All it takes is a leap of Faith.