Museum reaches milestone as 'Tiger Moth' is rolled out
A 68-year-old Tiger Moth biplane was rolled out at the Aviation Museum today in a milestone in its long restoration process.
The 'moth,' started being produced from 1931 and most of Britain's wartime pilots took their first training flight on it.
The aircraft bought by the Aviation Museum, built in 1942, it being restored to full flying condition, a first for the museum.
"The restoration work is almost complete, we have now started the process of certification and hope to fly it for the first time by the middle of this year," a proud Ray Polidano, chairman of the Malta Aviation Museum said this morning.
The flight would also mean that it will be the first time in more than a generation that a full-sized aircraft would have taken off from Ta' Qali, which is a former airfield.
Some 700 metres of the old runway still exist, enough to get the nimble 'moth' on its way, but for that to happen the museum authorities would have to overcome administrative hurdles and make arrangements for the removal of low walls and the closure of a street.
The Tiger Moth was acquired from the UK in 2000, minus its wings, which were bought separately. A complex restoration process was then taken in hand, with most of the engineering work being carried out in-house under the engineering direction of David Polidano.
The work was funded mostly by donations from the UK, as well as some from Malta, and the Good Causes Fund made a donation which enabled the museum to settle the final payments due.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech was present for this morning's roll-out and blessing ceremony.
Mr Polidano said restoration work of this nature usually cost £80,000 but the aviation museum was able to spend less because it was able to use its own expertise.
The museum has already restored a Supermarine Spitfire fighter to static display condition. It is concluding the restoration of a Hawker Hurricane to taxiing condition.
Once the 'moth' takes to the air, efforts would be concentrated on the more challenging restoration of another biplane, a Swordfish torpedo bomber.
Mr Polidano regretted that no progress has been made in what the museum regards as its most important wish -- the transfer of the remains of Gloster Gladiator Faith on loan from the War Museum and its complete restoration, including the provision of wings, which the museum bought some years ago.
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 built in large numbers in Canada.
The aircraft was also used by air forces in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Uruguay, Iran and Iraq.
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Paul Norton
Feb 11th 2010, 12:32
David Polidano mentions in the film clip that the Tiger Moth was first seen as radio controlled drones for the navy in the 1930s. These aircraft were fitted with floats and known as the "Queen Bee". I was raised in a small town called Watchet on the Somerset coast of the Bristol Channel. About a mile to the east of the town was a gun park which used to fly and shoot at the Queen Bees before WWII. After the war' Mosquitos towing fabric targets were used.
E Muscat
Feb 11th 2010, 11:31
Very well done to the Malta Aviation Museum and its volunteers who spent alot of time dedication themselves to restore such unique aircraft.I hope that from now on the voluntary work being done by this members will be more appreciated by the authories.I am saying this that to fly such aircraft , one should consider to find an appropriate place ,such as Ta Qali on the old runway or finding another place at S
Ivan Cocker
Feb 11th 2010, 11:30
Another feather to your hat goes to the Museum!
Looking forward to see the Moth in the Sky!
Well done to David and all the staff at the Museum, you really do justice to Mlata's Aviation History ! It is just a pity that almost nothing is left of the original Ta Qali runway to keep in contest of the historical place and just adjacent to the Museum the last original RAF ta Qali hangar remain BEING used as a basketball pitch, when we have new state of the art gym in the Cottonera!
Prosit again Malta Aviation Museum!
Alistair Farrugia
Feb 11th 2010, 08:47
Well done to all at the Aviation Museum... will certainly make me visit again! :) Step by step you guys are working on having a restored sample of all the major aircraft that operated in Malta during World War 2... Keep it up!
Next step, a Beaufighter maybe?
One suggestion for the Aviation Museum, consider the introduction of a mini-theatre were World War 2 (aviation-related) documentaries can be shown to visitors. This would enhance the product on offer at the Museum. Documentaries like the Maltese production 'Heroes in the Sky' would be more appreciated in such a setting, methinks! :)
Nonetheless, well done!!!!
Anthony Borg
Feb 11th 2010, 06:19
I am truly grateful for the dedication of Mr. Ray Polidano and all the staff at the Aviation Museum in Ta’ Qali. Having seen with my own eyes the professional restoration of the Spitfire, it is truly a magnificent job!
As a World War II aircraft enthusiast, I am thrilled to see these types of aircraft on our soil. And now with a restoration of a Swordfish torpedo bomber in the “wings”, we truly have something to look forward to. If I remember right, Mr. Polidano initially started the restoration of the “Spit” in his own garage at our home town in Attard: truly a dedicated professional.
Well done and “Tally Ho” to all at the Malta Aviation Musuem!
Joe Grima Brussels
Feb 10th 2010, 21:05
Dear Mark Mifsud Bonnici, Andrew Gatt, and Mark Busuttil.
Exactly my thoughts! And those of thousands of Maltese who treasure our glorious history, especially the critical years of World War 2. The thought of all of us is that we 'HOPE' that Heritage Malta do 'CHARITY' with the Gladiator 'FAITH', and do the only rational thing to do: preserve it. It's 'common' sense, although sometimes it does not seem that common!
The Tiger Moth was acquired wingless, but in just ten years it grew its wings.
The Gladiator was also 'acquired' wingless by the Maltese, and yet, sixty five years later, she's still wingless. If only it could talk!
Galea. L
Feb 10th 2010, 21:04
Congratulation on your achievements. If only all our cultural heritage is taken care of as you are doing with aircraft.
Mike Camilleri
Feb 10th 2010, 19:46
Well done Ray Polidano, David Polidano and all the staff of the aviation museum, we look forward to see the Tiger Moth in the sky soon. Very good job.
Now it's time that the aviation museum will have his own aerodrome like other European countries. The only airfield that still exist is the San Niklaw Airfield Qrendi, and it's a shame that we left it in that state.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Feb 10th 2010, 19:42
A very professional job indeed.
and yet the only surviving Gloster Gladiator from the last war gathers more dust.
When will these professionals be given the chance to show this historical gemn to the public.
FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY MIGHT BRING THIS TO REALITY SOME TIME!
Andrew Gatt
Feb 10th 2010, 18:35
Fantastic news and yet another feather in the cap of the Malta Aviation Museum! Well done!
And Heritage Malta persists in clinging to "Faith" and doing nothing about it. Shame shame shame. When will Government act?
Mark Busuttil
Feb 10th 2010, 18:31
Excellent job by very hard working people! The museum is lucky to have this expertise and dedication - I've seen very few people as capable as David Polidano. I can't wait until the Moth is in its natural habitat, i.e. up in the air.
I'm surprised that the Gloster Gladiator is still being kept at the War Museum. Its proper place is with its brethren at the aviation museum!
Joe Grima Brussels
Feb 10th 2010, 18:13
Wow! Another monument added to the many preserved with such love and dedication by the Aviation Museum. Well done boys, and keep it up.
Louis Gatt
Feb 10th 2010, 18:06
Well done Malta Aviation Museum. This is certainly a milestone in your magical walk towards the creation of the Museum out of nothing! Well done Ray, your wife, family and friends for your gallant work which will certainly go down in history. I wish you all the best with your work and may your dream of seeing the 'moth' in the air, come true.
Charles Sammut
Feb 10th 2010, 17:24
Such dedication, a true labour of love.
Margaret cooke
Feb 10th 2010, 15:53
Well done Malta Aviation Museum. mI have visited the museum each time we come to Malta and each time we are amazed at the dedication of Mr Polidano and the rest of the volunteers.I agree that the gladiator should be in the Aviation Museum with these wonderful, dedicated people, why has heritage Malta not handed it over? Are they doing the restoration themselves?
Christopher Grainger
Feb 10th 2010, 15:50
I echo the thoughts of Mark Zerafa.
The work of the aviation museum is exceptional.
Well done to you all Chris G
Astrid Vella
Feb 10th 2010, 15:22
What an impressive achievement! Goes to show what volunteers can achieve, giving their time and effort so generously. Well done all.
Mark Zerafa
Feb 10th 2010, 14:55
And once again we hope that Heritage Malta finally does the right thing and hands the Gladiator over to the Real expertsin the field.
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 10th 2010, 14:37
Very well done Malta Aviation Museum.
G. Fenech
Feb 10th 2010, 13:39
Great job guys,