Hal far
An operational base for fighters - Hurricanes
& Spitfires. The Fleet Air Arm also based Swordfish & Albacore Squadrons
here.
Albacore aircraft arrived at Hal Far in October 1941 to join the Swordfish
already stationed there.
Ark Royal delivered 10 replacement Swordfish
on 16th October 1941.
Established around 1920 (possibly just before), shortly after Kalafrana. Closed
mid 1960's.
Standing at the entrance to
a hanger at Hal Far airfield. On the far left is John William Tully
- Leading Aircraftsman (AC1). John was stationed on Malta 1935-37
& is thought to have taken the following photos. He served on
HMS Glorius. |
Hal Far 1938-39. Sqn
Ldr (later to be) |
Hal Far camp. |
The following photos are thought to have been
taken between 1935-37 (pre-war). Photos courtesy of Norman Tarrant. |
Hal Far 1937-39. |
Hangers on Hal Far airfield. |
Circling Hal Far. |
Cliffs with Hal Far airfield behind. |
Hal Far airfield from the air. |
802
Sqn radio room « Pompy » Turner left, « Nobby »
Clark. |
Timms front seat, Turner driving.
Car Austin 8, 4-seater tourer |
Kenneth Hugh Percival
(Glorious casualty 1940) back seat. Timms
driving. Tom Johnson front passenger. Car Talbot 10 |
|
Turner & Clark, Hal Far. |
3F crashes during a night flight.
June 1935. |
Vancias first stop on the way
to India. May 1936. |
Vickers Wildebeest torpedo bomber.
October 1935. |
74 (TG) Squadron line up. October
1935. |
Baffin which took off in tight
formation force lands in a Monastery near Hal Far. July 1935. |
Wildebeest crash. August 1936. |
Hal Far Airfield.
Photo courtesy of
Cheryl Beesley
In November 1936 the airfield suffered strong winds (cyclone). This is mentioned
in the book 'Carrier Glorious' by John Winton (page 60). No photographs
accompanied the text.
Aircraft & hangers suffered severe damage as depicted in the following
photos.
Photos courtesy of Norman Tarrant
Hal Far Airfield. |
Hal Far taken in 1956
Photo courtesy of Jason Pisani.
The link below is a satelite imageof modern day Hal Far.
Squadrons based at Hal Far included:- 185 Squadron
Army units stationed |
In January 1942 the airfield
along with Ta'Kali became waterlogged after heavy rains & all fighter
aircraft were moved to the bomber field at Luqa.
|