Updated: Air Malta plane performs flypast with Spitfire
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
A vintage Spitfire aircraft and the newly livered Air Malta Airbus performed a unique flypast in close formation to bring the Malta International Airshow to a conclusion this afternoon.
The tiny Spitfire tucked itself right beneath the tail of the jetliner for the flypast which was greeted with applause by hundreds of people who attended the show.
The Spitfire was in Malta to mark the 70th anniversary since Malta was granted the George Cross.
Displays were also held by other aircraft including the Libyan Air Force Chinook and aircraft of the Royal Air Force and the Armed Forces of Malta.
Photo: Kevin J. Borg
Photo: Wilfred Schembri
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75 Comments
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Tony Borg
Oct 1st 2012, 08:56
I would like to draw the attention of the National Airline (KM) administration, that flags have a code as well, and so when a country flag is displayed officially, it should always be from LEFT to RIGHT (when printed).
Please check your newly Livery painted KM aircraft, the MALTESE flag in particular.
Another point to note is the George Cross. For me it looks out of proportion with the size of the flag printed and missing the RED lining too.
Are all these mistakes performed by a Professional company that is paid millions for the job ??
Mistakes like these, normally can spark a Diplomatic row. Who is accountable here ??
Elton Barbara
Oct 1st 2012, 08:14
Nice
J Galea
Oct 1st 2012, 07:19
This was a great flypast and no doubt meant to cheer up the crowds in the absence of the Arrows. In my mind it succeeded. Many thanks to the volunteers who made this event a success. Many of them, despite being avid plane fans spent the entire weekend directing traffic, selling tickets, etc. whilst we were enjoying the show. Some people should reflect a bit more before posting some of the negative comments here. The Arrows had a serious safety issue and in aviation safety is key. If you can't understand that why bother come to the air show in the first place?
Victor deBono
Oct 1st 2012, 00:40
May I be allowed to mention George Beurling who was the number one Spitfire ace in the Battle for Malta. He managed to shoot down 27 enemy aircraft while serving with 249 squadron at Ta' Qali.
It would not be out of place to erect a commemorative monument at Ta' Qali in honour of this great wartime hero. He earned the DFC, DSO, and DFM with bar. Malta owes him some recognition.
Victor J deBono
Grantham, UK
Martin Cole
Oct 1st 2012, 10:13
Well said!
N Callus
Sep 30th 2012, 23:13
Can anyone pls explain to me who is going to fly with air malta just because the plane has new colours splashed all over it? How is this good publicity for our air line?Money shoul have been spent on more effective advertisment and cost effective measures to make prices more compatitive.
Amante Reale
Oct 1st 2012, 08:09
You have a lot to learn about human psychology and marketing. You say "Money should have been spent on more effective advertisement"... what do you think this is? People like change - now they see a flashy new brand from Air Malta and they feel like using them instead of a low cost airline next time they want to fly. The reason people would want to not use a low cost is because low cost airlines aren't as comfortable as an Air Malta flight. Seeing the new colors will give people a sense that the airline is modern, safer, more current and therefore could swing their choice towards Air Malta.
Better prices would affect part of the market. But they apparently cannot reduce the cost of flying - seeing as how Air Malta is in the red - so they opted for the other part of the market... those who prefer comfort and don't care about the price. It was a good choice. Stop trying to talk about things you don't understand.
Christopher Grech
Oct 1st 2012, 22:14
@ N. Callus
Probably you never heard the word 'Marketing'.... of course it is good publicity!!
James Tyrrell
Sep 30th 2012, 20:38
Is it just me or is that Merlin engine the best sounding engine ever?
James Dewar
Sep 30th 2012, 22:07
No, not just you James. I'm with with you on that one and no doubt many thousands more!
Richard Caruana
Oct 1st 2012, 07:36
No it's not just you... it definitely is the best sounding engine ever built.
What an honour and privilige to hear it once again in Malta's skies.
David Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 19:57
AirMalta Captain - "Achtung Spitfire achtung spitfire!!!!
Jokes apart! Great flypast! Great publicity for AirMalta! Just one thing wanted to point out is the sorry state that Canberra is in and without any attention will surely deteriorate even more. So may I suggest the Malta aviation Museum to intervene and help with any minor restorations required and have it preserved at the same museum!
James Dewar
Sep 30th 2012, 19:22
Superb finale to what looked like another great show. Sorry i didn't make it this year but here's to next year!
Charles Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 19:01
This year's Air Show was super cool, fun and highly well organised... however, eventhough beyond control... it's a shame we had no Red Arrows this year. Hope we will see them in our country any time soon!!
Martin Lardner-Burke
Sep 30th 2012, 18:45
My father, Pat Lardner-Burke was stationed in Malta in 1941 flying Hurricanes and unfortunately was shot and injured in combat. However he did return to base and received the DFC for his services. The nice connection with Soitfire MH434 which has just flown at the Malta Airshow is that it became his personal aircraft when he returned to flying after his recuperation in 1942, with 222 Squadron at Hornchurch. The name on the side 'Mylcraine' is that of my mother. Thanks to Sarah Hanna and OFMC for retaining these markings from when he flew it. He would have been very proud that his efforts and those of the other pilots from that time are being remembered this weekend.
Ivor Ramsden
Sep 30th 2012, 19:06
Martin has rightly pointed out that his father was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism in the air. This aircraft is an ongoing tribute to him and his comrades.
James Dewar
Sep 30th 2012, 19:14
Nice one Martin. It's really good to know something of the personal history associated with these few remaining icons.
John Dee
Sep 30th 2012, 21:38
As James has commented, it is good to add a personal touch to the history on show via Martin's father's link. What it must have sounded like to have that Merlin warbling away around you !!
George Debono
Sep 30th 2012, 21:50
This is a sweet story, besides the fact that Malta owes much to the heroism of young guys like your father in the war.......Malta gratefully thanks them, for it is because of them that we are here now, reading and writing and enjoying airshows....
Pule' Carmel
Sep 30th 2012, 23:27
Well Martin, you should be proud of your father and to have such a flying memorial to remind you of his bravery, Prosit.
Richard Caruana
Oct 1st 2012, 09:28
It might be of interest for Mr Martin Larden-Burke to know that his father flew at least one mission during his time in Malta in the Hurricane that is now preserved in our Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali.
Pity that the Airshow organisers did not have the foresight to bring up this Hurricane to Luqa alongside the Spitfire. It would have made history for two aircraft flown by the same pilot to be seen together.
Another point of note is that it was thanks to the expertise of our Aviation Museum personnel, and particularly David Polidano, that the displays by the Spitfire we possible at all as he managed to fix up a technical hitch in record time.
Peter Cagney
Sep 30th 2012, 18:19
Excellent show Air Malta! You made this year's airshow worthwhile!!!
Eddy Privitera
Sep 30th 2012, 18:29
Petr Cagey: The aair show was organized by the Malta Aviation Society not Air Malta.
A. Mifsud
Sep 30th 2012, 19:01
Eddy
You seem to get annoyed at every little bit of praise anything related to the government (in this case airmalta) gets. Why do you always have to be so negative, or politically blinded?
Peter Cagney
Sep 30th 2012, 19:14
Good point Eddy. But the Air Malta and the Spitfire flypass was the Grand Finale of this year's airshow. No doubt about that.
James Dewar
Sep 30th 2012, 19:19
@ Eddy Privitera: Methinks Mr Cagey was making reference to the last minute display provided by Air Malta with their new Airbus as a generous substitute for the short notice absence of the Red Arrows.
Richard Caruana
Oct 1st 2012, 07:40
@ E Privitera
At least give credit to the new management of Air Malta who after 20 years of airshows have realised that they should participate. It's the best kind of publicity any aviation organisation can obtain, in direct touch with the public.
The formation flight with the Spitfire is a publicist's dream, a PR exercise that no money can buy. It's all over the internet already, being seen all over the world.
Well done Air Malta, let's hope to see you again next year and every year after that.
Richard Caruana
Sep 30th 2012, 18:16
History in the making, and the publicity of something like this is something money just can't buy.
Pics of this event are already doing the rounds on internet around the world.
Peter Murray
Oct 1st 2012, 00:44
What money can buy is cheaper flghts from other airines as in the end that is all that matters and not publicity.
J Busuttil
Sep 30th 2012, 18:13
The comments of j brincat, Peter Murry and the Dottore Bezzina give us an indication what is to come in the future, the likes of them do not know how to distinguish between enjoyment, hobby and politics.
It is a shame that these same people and the likes of them would do anything to spoil the benefits we have managed to gain in the coming future.
Richard Caruana
Oct 1st 2012, 07:42
It's the style of old socialism that dies hard, if at all, once it has rubbed in.
Pity, if only they would leave others to live a life the likes of which they can only dream of.
j brincat
Sep 30th 2012, 18:00
Who cares when today will be the last working day of some of Air Malta employees (after many years of service) AND this after the solemn promise made by GonziPN in the last election that they (and others) would be retained!
Who would have ever imagine that our national pride would come to this precarious state!
My heart weeps for these poor employees!
(jb)
B. Storace
Sep 30th 2012, 18:07
If they have the skills I am sure that they will find another cushy job somewhere in Malta. Just look in the 'situations vacant' column in the newspapers..............loads of jobs for the trained workforce but not the illiterates.
Ross Stephen
Sep 30th 2012, 18:12
about time too ..... you cant milk a cash cow forever and as always Mr Brincat your positive comment's bring a warm glow to my heart and many other readers too I'm sure.
get a self help book and try looking at the glass half full. its small minded narrow visioned people like your self that bring this island down. jet back to the 1970's were you and your type belong.
Richard Caruana
Sep 30th 2012, 18:15
You would weep for these employees if they had been chucked out without having an alternative employment.
We'll see if any of them will be unemployed for more than a few days.
Better than being herded into some Korp tal-Pijunieri, cause that's the only solution lejber ever found for those looking for a job.
Eddy Privitera
Sep 30th 2012, 18:25
So promising that their work with Air malta was guaranteed. And then , after the election, telling them that they had only one choice- to accept a sum of money and go look for a job somewhere else, doesn't mean anything ?
Dunstan Crockford
Sep 30th 2012, 18:38
Get a life man! This photo will do our beloved Malta loads of good!!! Well done to the Government for helping the Malta International Airshow to bring over the Spitfire!
T Mifsud
Sep 30th 2012, 19:04
Jb Moaner again. Please mention 1 instance where an employee got fired because of GonziPM
Charles Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 19:05
...incapable people employed by the Labour regime should get out of Air Malta! Why employ people with no qualifications?? People Employed by Labour in the 70's and 80's where, and are still employed with Air Malta, and most of them have NO qualifications at all!!!
These are being removed, and replaced by ones who truly deserve positions, after studying at 6th form and/or university and doing certian courses in customer care and aviation... The people removed from Air Malta are given a fair trade, as they are recieving an EARLY pention, apart from the 25,000 Euro government bonus! And these are people who earned their education from one of the Labour Party clubs!
Mr. Brincat, don't do like Super One News does... if you say something, GIVE US ALL the picture, mhux li jaqbel lilek u lil partit tal Lejber li tant ghandek ghal qalbek, qisu xi team tal Juventus!!
James Dewar
Sep 30th 2012, 19:17
I may have missed something but I somehow think that is not what the Malta Airshow is all about!! Maybe the post has found its way on to the wrong feature!
Joe Spiteri
Sep 30th 2012, 19:19
@ Eddy Privitera. At least, they were "rewarded" with a sum of money for their services (?) with Air Malta. When I was made redundant at 57, not only I was not offered a sum of money, but I was owed some five months' wages by my generous employers!
Anthony A. Mifsud
Sep 30th 2012, 17:50
Bellezza...
Pule' Carmel
Sep 30th 2012, 17:43
Aesthetically It is like a mother dolphin being so patient with its new born but engineering wise, mum is younger than the child and the child over the years helped to form a better mum!
The Spitfire used 90 gallons per hour. The Airbus uses over 1000 gallons per hour!
Mighty as they look, one bullet in the glycol reservoir above the front of the merlin could down a Spitfire and a couple of ducks in the intake of an A 320 could down it in the river Hudson. But as Engineers we still do our best in silence to make them even better. To me it is little satisfaction to see such emotions without caring about the reality of the technolgy behind all that emotional flight. But Emotions are strong to control the public!
Alan Cordina
Sep 30th 2012, 23:01
WHAT A NICE AND INFORMATIVE COMMENT ! I (and many like me) SALUTE YOU MR PULE !
paul camilleri
Sep 30th 2012, 17:36
mmmmmmmm just saw the fly pass bit,, pity there was no formation just a big bus ready to plop down on a beautiful spitfire.
maybe airmalta/ Malta / fancy coloured plane can afford the fuel because we just had a reduction of 0.01 cent.
one hopes that the amount of fuel which i have no idea (probably 500 gallons) would not be a add on to our already expensive ticket.
h camilleri
Sep 30th 2012, 17:28
Video of Air Malta/spitfire flypast :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOr5KLja7e0&feature=plcp
Peter Murray
Sep 30th 2012, 17:18
The only "past" associated with Air Malta is their sell-by date!
Gable Porter
Sep 30th 2012, 17:51
Peter Murray as usual being very insightful. So look forward to hear your voice.
A. Schembri
Sep 30th 2012, 17:51
Sorry Peter, but nowadays whenever I come across any of your comments, I have to conclude that you need to get a life.
At a bookshop once can easily find books about positive thinking. You surely might be keen to get a few of these books and fast.
james zammit
Sep 30th 2012, 16:57
Mort nara l-Air show tal-ajruplani u gejt misruq mhux minn halliel imma mill-organizzaturi. Hallast 12 euros u x-show ma saritx ghax r-red arrows ma gewx meta dawn kienu jafu li mhux gejjin. Allura gejt misruq minn organizzazzjoni tal-gvern. Din tbazwira ohra ta' kif isiru taht il-PN. Bil-haqq ukoll kellu jaghmel titjira bl-AM u wkoll ma saritx. Bil-haqq nsew itellghu l-gogi tat-tombla. Mhux affarijiet tad-dahk dawn ghax kieku hemm s-serjeta dawn l-praspar ma jsirux
Alfred Bugeja
Sep 30th 2012, 17:54
Are you for real?
What has the Government got to do with the airshow which is organised by the Malta Aviation Society - which up till when I was one of its members was an NGO made up of very dedicated individuals?
And what can the organisers do if one of the Red Arrows' Hawks developed a technical fault while they were flying here? It was certainly beyond their control.
Of course if Gonzi were not Prime Minister, the Hawk would not have developed a fault, you would have been able to visit the airshow for free, and we would all be living blissful lives.
Hallina tridx!
Charles Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 19:09
Mr. James Zammit, you and your type make me smile... Il PN x'ghandu x'jaqsam?! LOL Issa la Joseph Muscat tieghek u it team tal lejber jitla fil gvern ma jkunx hawn affarijiet bhal dawn u kollox jimxi ward u zahar!
Three Words I have for you buddy...
1) GET
2) A
3) LIFE
....and smileeeeee!! :)))))
Christopher Grech
Sep 30th 2012, 21:44
@ James Zammit
Kummenti bhal tieghek iqabbduni n-nervi fl-istonku... the usual moaners li ssibu mistrieh biss fit-tgergir.
Anke hawn trid iddahhal il-politika??
Ara jien ma nghidx bhalek... jien nghid li tant saru sewwa l-affarijiet li jien b'erba t'itfal xorta 12 euros hallast u hadt pjacir hafna avolja ma kienx hemm red arrows !!!
Get a life man !!
Alan Cordina
Sep 30th 2012, 22:55
Meta james kiteb li it- titjira bl- AM wkoll ma saritx ...... qed jirreferi ghal display ta l' Air Malta ???? ma saritx ??? ........ jien qed nohlom jew !!???? ....... u kif kontributur (bil- kumment) fit- Times Of Malta ma jkunx ra artikli min granet qabel l'Airshow innifisha, fejn fihom l'organizzaturi kienu diga avzaw fuq it- Times illi Ir- Red Arrows inqalatilom problema serja HAFNA (li setat kienet tragika) ???? kieku kien jaf bhal ma kienet taf Malta kollha, ma kienx jigi l' Airshow u ma "kienx jigi misruq min Gonzi" !!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha
Richard Caruana
Sep 30th 2012, 16:44
This sort of photo opportunity is a PR dream. The kind of publicity no money can buy,
Pics will be all over the internet, the kind of publicity from which a small airline like Air Malta can gain immensely.
Alan Cordina
Sep 30th 2012, 22:48
Ahhhhh !! kemm nihu pjacir kultant naqra kumment ta xi hadd LI JAF u JIFEM (sew) fis- sugget !! mhux ghax lil- kummenti l'ohrajn jaffettwawni, ghax peres li jkunu gejjien min- nies li ma jaghrfux ajruplan min dinghy, noqod naqrahhom bi tbissima u nidhaq xi tnejn .... imma kumment bhal dan ifakkarni li hawn hafna (fortunatament) li jafu x'qed jiktbu fuq is- sugget partikolari. Tat- tombla kien l'isbah !!! Ha Ha Ha !!!
G Schembri
Sep 30th 2012, 16:32
Why not have a bingo game as well.
John Dee
Sep 30th 2012, 16:26
Readers' letters spreading light and happiness again!
Peter Murray
Sep 30th 2012, 17:20
As is there right to freely express -but at least they are addressing an issue.What's your point with regard to the article?
John Dee
Sep 30th 2012, 18:20
My point really Peter is that maybe we should lighten up and enjoy life again - less doom and gloom, more optimism perhaps.
Roy Muscat
Sep 30th 2012, 16:03
Vera airshow bla sens
Lawrence Fenech
Sep 30th 2012, 15:14
Air Malta has already made a fly past - over 500 employees.
K Mizzi
Sep 30th 2012, 17:41
good one
A Trapani
Sep 30th 2012, 17:53
.... and it was about time too...
Victor Vella
Sep 30th 2012, 15:11
It is better for Air Malta not to waste money and instead use its cash flow properly. It is better to use these wasteful monies to try to reduce its fares which after shedding off 500+ of its employees, sold everything even its administration buildings, its fares are still the highest in the world, than making such theatrical shows of no value .
Alan Cordina
Sep 30th 2012, 22:42
It is obvious that we, as a nation, we will never overcome such outlooks such as these, like Victor's !! Alas Alas !!!
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Sep 30th 2012, 14:58
It looks like a very poor Malta Air Show this time...................may the general public for once get to be aware of the real truth?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Sep 30th 2012, 15:22
Dottre why being negative, these jewels are the safest so better safe then sorry .... as we say in laymans terms Shit happens
Next time
Ninu
Richard Caruana
Sep 30th 2012, 15:59
And what the Dickens do you know about airshows.
Notwithstanding the news that the Reds would not make it due to a very serious problem, thousands are enjoying themselves up at Luqa Park Four... others whine and hsbr no idea of how to find a life.
M. Bezzina
Sep 30th 2012, 16:32
Dottore allahares il poplu jaghti kas x tghid int...get a life
Charles J. Buttigieg
Sep 30th 2012, 17:22
Everything is blamed to technical problems. What is the real reason why the Red Arrows cancelled their performance?
david galea
Sep 30th 2012, 17:42
Maaaaaa... It's like everything that happens has a conspiracy theory involving a government mistake... For someone who has more letters after, than in, his name, you do yourself an injustice with comments like this. Grow up..
Matthew Scerri
Sep 30th 2012, 17:59
its an excellent airshow for what it is. you arent going to see a libyan ch47 fly anywhere and you dont see a 2 time red bull air race champion fly around in a spitfire everyday.
re red arrows they had contaminated oxygen when they did a tech stop in spain. 2 pilots even ended up in hospital for precautionary checks.
ive payes hundreds of euros for an entry ticket alone and still displays got cancelled. it happens and its stated. besides the reds problem was clearly advertised by organisers so its not an excuse to moan that they didnt come. the red arrows, while very good display team, are not the be all and end all of aviation either.
Roger Chenery
Sep 30th 2012, 19:04
It was unfortunate that the Red Arrows had to cancel for technical reasons but I beleive that the Malta Aviation Society have done a wonderful job over the years in putting on such a show and they have now excelled themselves by overcoming the setback caused by the Red Arrows cancellation and making the very best of the situation. Well done to all concerned.
Alan Cordina
Sep 30th 2012, 22:40
HA HA HA HA ...... And what the heck do YOU know about Airshows dottore !!!!????? ha ha ha ha ha ... are any of the letters behind your name, making you an authority in aviation. Can you even tell a Spitfire apart from a Concorde !!?? Oh My God !!!! ha ha ha ha ha ...........
Please choose the reason of your report below: