Established in 1934 for passenger aircraft. Closed mid 1960's.
Two spellings are found commonly in literature - Ta Qali is used in modern literature.
Mainly used as an operational base for Hurricanes & later Spitfires.
Ta'Qali - (Ta Kali)
Established in 1934 for passenger aircraft. Closed mid 1960's.
Two spellings are found commonly in literature - Ta Qali is used in modern literature.
Mainly used as an operational base for Hurricanes & later Spitfires.
Aerial photo of Ta Qali Airfield
taken after a raid. The structures towards the top of the left side of the photo
are reinforced aircraft pens.
Photo taken 29th April 1942
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Ta Qali Airfield.
Mosta Dome in centre. |
This is a 'blow up of
the aircraft sitting on the airfield in the photo to the left. |
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Ta Qali Airfield.
Taken probably in the 1950's |
Hurricanes on Ta Qali Airfield. |
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Photos in this block courtesy
of Barbara Hopkins whose husband 'Eddie' is seated at the front in photos
above & right. |
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Cpl Hopkins and friend at Mdina near Ta Qali 1943 |
Group from 249 sqdn Ta Qali in gardens at Naxxar Palace. |
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Spitfires at Ta Qali 1942/43 |
Medical staff outside sick quarters Ta Qali. Butcher , Jenkins, Mackay and one other. |
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Electrical section Mosta end of
Ta Qali airfield 1942/43 |
Ta Qali 1942. Entrance cut in
side of quarry in which caves were cut |
Ta-Qali now....
This site is currently used as a retail / craft park. Many old buildings have
been converted into units.
Some buildings/structures are from the war - some added post war.
From talking to the traders in 2006 it would appear that the site is due to
be bulldozed to make way for modern units.
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Huts. Ends constructed out of Maltese stone. Hut number painted on side. |
Water tower, the old city of Mdina in the background. |
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Possibly the old HQ building. |
Hanger
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Hanger |
Huts |
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Huts |
All that's left of the runway. The strip was modernised after the war & tarmaced. Used at least towards the end of the '50's. |
23 Spitfires landed from the Operation
Bowery convoy (9th May 1942)
In January 1942 the airfield along with Hal Far became
waterlogged after heavy rains & all fighter aircraft were moved to the
bomber field at Luqa.
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Squadron's Various Squadron's were based at Ta Qali. The Spitfire contingent was made up of 249 & 272 Squadrons which contained pilots from Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand & UK. 229 Squadron 185 Squadron 603 City of Edinburgh Squadron - Hurricanes (Commanded by Squadron Leader Lord David Douglas - Hamilton). 605 Squadron (posted to Halfar / Kalafrana 27th February 1942). USAAF
Boston A 20's operated from this airfield. Army
units stationed |
Pilots I list pilots here I have found in literature. This is not in any way complete & I would appreciate any help in expanding this list. Officers....... Stan
Grant (Squadron Leader June 1942) Norman
Lee (UK) Sergeants.......... John
Williams (Willie the Kid - Canada) From
Laddie Lucas' book (unknown ranks). |
Photos of Ta Qali airfield taken in 2006
by Keith Chambers
Keith's unit is 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment, RA (Volunteers)
The offical MOD site is: http://www.army.mod.uk/106regtrav/
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Ta Kali Aviation Museum 2006. Photos courtesy
of Keith Chambers.
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Anti Aircraft gun |
Dakota
Hurricane |
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Spitfire |
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