Misc.

Avro Shackleton

An aircraft type that was once stationed in Malta with Nos. 38 and 203 squadrons in the maritime patrol role, the aircraft would later be converted for the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role, and again visit Luqa to participate in exercises with visiting fighter squadrons on their month long Armament Practice Camps (APC).

Incidentally, the first Shackleton AEW.2 version to visit on 7 August 1972, WL745/O, was also the first Shackleton to have been converted for the AEW role.

With the Shackleton last being seen in 1978, the 24-hour visit on 4 June 1990 by WR963, call sign RAFAIR 6E08, was particularly welcome, in view of the aircraft’s imminent retirement later in the year.

BAC 111

The Royal Aircraft Establishment’s BAC 1-11 XX105 paid a 24-hour visit on 3 February 1976. The aircraft had a white fuselage top, red cheatline and fin, with yellow fuselage undersides and wings. It arrived early in the afternoon, using call sign MPNTU. After refuelling, it carried out several approaches to runway 24/06 before landing at 16.50. Departure was the following day.

English Electric Canberra

Whilst researching material for this page, I came across a list of Canberras, which in 1973 were considered amongst the most interesting examples seen in Malta. Although not on a delivery flight, their insertion should be interesting, especially since only the PR.9 remains in RAF service.

DATE	TYPE	SERIAL	UNIT/SQUADRON>	NOTES
	PR.3	WE137/A	39	Camouflaged, based at Ta’ Qali in late 1950’s.
21.03.70	PR.3 Modified	WE173	Meteorological Research Flight, Royal Aircraft Establishment	Overall silver.
23.02.71	T.4	WH849/O	85	Overall light grey finish, with dayglo stripes and red/black checkerboard on rear fuselage.
13.04.71	B.6	WH952	Royal Aircraft Establishment	Overall silver, with dayglo-red sections
25.10.68	B.15	WH957	73	Cyprus Strike Wing, camouflaged.
19.05.72	E.15	WJ756	98	No. 90 (signals) Group. Modified from B.15, camouflaged.
02.07.70	B.6	WJ775/Z		Lenghtened nose, camouflaged.
27.03.69	B.16	WJ777		”NEAF Last Strike Canberra” titles on nose. Also carried four badges of Cyrpus Wing. Camouflaged, seen at Hal-Far. (All other Canberras were seen at Luqa.)
20.08.71	T.17	WK102/A	360	Camouflaged.
19.02.71	B.2	WK121	Bomber & Maritime Flight Test Squadron, A&AE	Overall black finish with pale blue trim.
21.03.70	TT.18	WK123	Royal Navy Fleet Requirements Unit	Overall grey with yellow/black striped undersides and dayglo bands.
06.12.71	B(I)6	WT309	?	Modified wingtips. Overall white with red section.
06.12.71	B(I)6	WT312	213	Camouflaged.
21.07.69	B(I)8	WT333		Overall white finish, with triangular markings on wings and kangaroo badge on fin.
07.08.70	PR.7	WT532	58	Camouflaged.
08.05.71	B(I)8	XK951	16	Camouflaged, with “shark-mouth”.

Hawker Siddeley Nimrod

The very last RAF aircraft to depart Malta was Nimrod XZ280, which arrived on 29 March 1979, and departed on 1 April, giving a brief display over Grand Harbour. HMS London was exiting the harbour at the time.

Handley Page Victor

An unusual delivery flight was that of Victor K.1A, XH667 of 214 Squadron, Royal AF, when it landed at Hal-Far on 22.09.75, destined for the fire dump.

Vickers Valetta C.1

Not strictly speaking, a ferry flight as such, but the fuselage of Vickers Valetta VX574 was “delivered” from Hal-Far airfield fire-dump to Luqa Airport on 14 July 1978. Work on turning Hal-Far airfield into an industrial site after the airfield’s hand-over to the Maltese Government had already been initiated, and the dump needed to be cleared. Despite having being retired from service with the RAF Malta Station flight in 1968, the fuselage had remained in reasonably good condition, with “Royal Air Force Malta” and serial number VX574 still visible. Its duties were communications and VIP flights, along with sister ship VW856. The latter was also scrapped and sent to the Hal-Far fire dump.