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'Maltastic' |
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Early
plans for the show boasted a USN F-14 Tomcat, surely the best news for any
aviation enthusiast, but sadly they pulled out, which was not totally
unexpected but in the past Malta has had some terrific visitors. So we
were disappointed but we. Like, many others, are always hopeful that the
Libyans will turn up. Most people in the UK mock the fact that they always
publisise the participation of the Libyans but if Joe Ciliberti (President
of the Malta Aviation Society) has anything to do with it - IT WILL
HAPPEN. Every year he has meetings and is told that it will happen and
every year so far they have pulled out but I have every confidence that
Malta WILL have Libyan participation and it will be soon. So
despite the disappointment Malta turned out to be fantastic yet again.
There was an Italian Frenzy this year and the Frecce Tricolori was the star billing
but many other Italian types turned up including my first Italian F-16B
along with an MB.339CD,
AMX, Tornados and many others. My personal favourites were the Agusta 109C
and Agusta Bell 412HP of the Guardia di Finanza – the 109 was painted up in bright yellow and green
and was just beautiful. The RSV (Reparto Sperimentale Volo) were there in force and put on some great
displays. They all put on stunning shows
in the lovely Malta weather although this year it was windier and more
unpredictable than normal.
The Dutch contingent arrived on the Thursday as did the Frecce but a USN C130 came in and we were really excited thinking it was there for the show but seemingly it brought in some equipment by way of an apology for the other USN aircraft not turning up and then it departed much to our dismay. Three beautiful French AF Alpha Jets pitched up as part of the flying display and I for one have not seen them anywhere else this year. Another French gem was the Mirage 2000N – where else have we seen that at a show out side France. Many of the Malta regulars were there and from the RAF there were two Chinooks of which one did the full display on both days and one on static The Chinook Display for me has been the highlight of the 2004 display season – it seems to have instilled some pride back in to the RAF fleet as it has been something different to see and very many people have said the same. I love watching all the RAF displays, usually because I have had some dealings with the crews involved, but the Chinook Display has had everyone talking this year with the outstanding manoeuvres that this machine is put through. The 20(R) squadron black tailed Harrier was there piloted by Flt Lt Chris Margiotta from Wittering but as his support he brought a 4 Squadron Harrier GR7 and for static he brought a T10 which attracted a lot of attention from the local enthusiasts and was flown one of the few female pilots. RAF Lossiemouth supplied the 2 static Tornado aircraft – one from 12 Squadron and the other from 14 Squadron.
Further items on static included and Italian Air Force P-180AM Avanti, Guardia de Finanza ATR-42, German Navy Atlantique and of course the Armed Forces of Malta were there on display for all to see. 2 Italian Navy Sea Kings were lovely in the sunshine as were the Belgian Alpha Jets of which one was the specially marked aircraft. A further two Dutch F-16s were on static along with AMX, Italian Tornados and a civilian Metro belonging to Berry Aviation. Other unusual visitors were MIATM AB.212AM and Polizia di Stato AB.212. There
was a surprise for everyone on the Sunday morning as the C-130T of the USN
arrived back and was parked in static and it was joined by a C-26D Metro.
So
what about the Malta Airshows of the future – well, like the UK, they
were let down by aircraft canceling at short notice after promising to
attend. It is a good value for money show with a charge of 4 Maltese Lira
for entrance (about £6.50) with 2 MTL for a programme with a free sticker
- they certainly were not there to rip you off. This year they had one
bouncy castle, which had never been seen at the show before and stalls
from the Malta Aviation Society, the local model club, the local model
shop and the museum. There were two food outlets selling delicious filled
rolls and again certainly not there to rip you off – they cost about
50p. Malta is NOT your typical air show – it is relaxed with breaks in between the flying so that the civvy airliners can take off and land. It is usually baking in warm sunshine and the welcome is certainly warm but like the UK it is struggling – I reckon that more people watched the show from outside than in which is a real shame considering how low the entry charge is. The Maltese public NEED to support their show or they, like our own shows, may be in doubt for the future. Parking is easy too as you park in between the two aircraft parking areas. Viewing of the aircraft taxying in or out is very accessible and later on in the afternoon the sun is in a better position for flying shots. 2005 is to be a very proactive and ambitious year for the Malta Air Show. 24th and 25th of September 2005 is the weekend to pencil in to your diary – their theme is “Merlins over Malta” and highly ambitious plan to get a BBMF Hurricane and Spitfire to fly over this heroic island yet again along with a privately owned Spitfire and Hurricane. A huge reunion is planned and who knows what else they have up their sleeve but knowing Joe Ciliberti and his Malta Team there will be a few surprises planned and YES the Libyan’s will be asked AGAIN!
Go to Malta – you won’t be disappointed and if we
can help you with any information please ask us or check out the following
web sites: www.maltairshow.com
- all you need to know about the show www.mas.org.mt
-
The Malta Aviation Society very useful site www.airshows.co.uk
- another Malta Report and Malta pictures on view www.merlinsovermalta.com
- support the Hanger restoration project www.battleformaltareunion.freeservers.com
- information about the reunion We traveled to Malta using www.dialaflight.co.uk
flying with Britannia Airways and booked our villa with www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
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