New wings over Malta

A wartime training aircraft will live to fly another day when it is fitted with a new pair of wings built from scratch.

The Tiger Moth biplane, which was used to train pilots before they moved onto the Spitfires and Hurricanes in the Second World War, was originally delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1938.

In 2000, its fuselage was bought by the Aviation Museum in Ta' Qali. However, it was only two years ago that the aircraft was repainted and museum employee David Polidano began building its wings from scratch.

The wings were recently flown to a specialised company in Audley End, England, where they will be covered in canvas.

Should all go well, the Tiger Moth will be flown early next year by pilot Clive Denney, who flew a Hurricane from England to Malta four years ago.

Museum director Ray Polidano said the plane would first have to undergo a rigorous adjustment process to the new wings before it can fly.

"Since it's a biplane, the struts on its wings will have to be loosened or tightened to stabilise the aircraft's flight," he said.

The Tiger Moth was first flown in 1931 and was also used to patrol the British coast.

It eventually became the RAF's standard basic trainer and was therefore built in large numbers in Canada.

The aircraft was also used by air forces in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Uruguay, Iran and Iraq.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com