⚜ | Malta Aviation Museum - Spitfire, Gloster Meteor, Swordfish (!) and More

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Finally I am able to share one of my personal highlights from my conqu...I mean holiday in Malta. Had a great few hours in the Aviation Museum. The footage is somewhat shaky, mainly due to me filming this on a phone. I am hoping to eventually invest into a GoPro as it is light, small and offers better Q but sadly the price makes it somewhat tough to get at the moment. Btw, the 'wrecked' Vampire is in fact a Sea Venom.

[@TheSkilledIdiot]

Ive been here Bismarck it's a really good display. Greetings from England. P.s did you get a badge from them :p

[@collonellbenered8088]

yay the almigthy sea venom its so op xD

[@alfienator1249]

I have also been there on my holiday to Malta as well a few years ago. Apparently the pilot of that specific hurricane disappeared after the hurricane crashed into the sea when taking off due to stormy weather. Its that specific reason why they do not attempt to modify it or restore it as the hurricane may be a war grave for the pilot.

[@fernandoi3389]

Are you a pilot ?

[@BJDansie]

The meteor with the zig zag markings is painted to look like WK714 flow by squadron leader Des de Villiers but is actually WK914 according to Wikipedia but the museum website says it's the actual WK714. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Here is a good labeled picture I found of WK714. wpalette.com/system/pictures/a/1/b/a/34857/original.jpg

[@EdadTace]

Tbh, I doubt being a wreck would have that big an impact on the Swordfish's ability to fly.

[@danielr.l.mccullough600]

tbh, i think you're right

[@carloscosta4212]

As far as the paintings in the Gloster meteor meaning, those are the squadron markings, and their significance in terms of colours is as follows: the blue symbolizes the english channel, white, the cliffs of dover and green the fields of Kent. The plane that appears in the video was then, probably of the 500 squadron, Royal auxiliary Air Force, circa September 52. That should mean it to be a Mark 8. Cheers.

[@calebkualii9516]

Always nice to see people preserving military history

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Indeed

[@douglasfulmer5483]

i learned about malta from a series of Lindie BIIIEEEGGGEEE vidyas. Fascinating history.

[@DFX2KX]

honestly, you're not the only one who'd geek out about the inner mechanical bits scattered about. I love that sort of stuff.

[@edmundscycles1]

Yes, the hurricane wins hands down for me. such a great fighter. A real work horse that could take so much punishment. my grandfather was ground crew for 6 squadron DAF. worked on Iic and IId.

[@000theUnforgiven000]

Went there last summer, the staff is incredibly nice and I had the chance to sit down and talk with the owner. When it became obvious that I was passionate about aircraft, he let me sit in the cockpit of the G 91 and Spitfire. The italian girl behind the counter was also super nice. Enjoy Malta, beautiful country!

[@ryanfester2824]

I really did enjoy your video but I also enjoyed how you even showed some of the old rusty stuff that you may have labeled as 'boring or dense' because you were more or less worried about your viewers attention span. I like seeing that type of stuff because it's the type of equipment people forget about and leave in a shed or to nature to rot. I went on a spree on Wikipedia after you mentioned the Swordfish and learned a lot about something I didn't know before. Also love you simulator videos too! Thanks for sharing!

[@sirschebling]

I agree about what you said about the Hurricane. It really gets far less attention than it deserves. After all, they were the backbone of the RAF during the BoB...

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Was also more suited to the African theatre than the Spitfire

[@sirschebling]

And for service on carriers. But beating the Spitfire in that regard doesn't mean much :D Fun fact: I just saw a picture of a special lend-lease Hurricane. The Soviets fitted a second seat and mounted a MG in the back. Crazy bastards :D

[@Lemard77]

They wanted to make an IL-2 out of it lol

[@benwkphillips7316]

i went to Avalon airshow this year in Australia (one of the best airshows ever), i saw a P-40, Spitfire and Gloster Meteor flying in formation

[@PointyHairedJedi]

No lederhodsen, I'm very disappointed.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

I went in disguise :3

[@needmoredan]

The Museum about 10 minutes from my house, has an airworthy Swordfish Mk.IV. It also has a TBF Avenger which is absolutely massive!

[@MrDgwphotos]

The word you were looking for is "Crankshaft."

[@EvillClaws]

That was the first word that came in my mind , even though english is not my native language , like Bismark.

[@mrbear9973]

Nein. "Krankenwhirlbeshaffeit"

[@DIY-valvular]

I wish to add in the word in spanish, so Bismark can say it in mani languages: Crankshaft = Cigüeñal ;-)))))))

[@ednitram]

Dear Bismarck you seem to have enjoyed yourself in my country. The Hurricane is also the hero of Malta fighting the Italians and Luftwaffe alone between July 1940 and April 1942 when the first Spitfires Vb with Vokes filter were sent to Malta. These were the first Spitfires sent outside Britain, just in time to help Malta survive before the tide was turned in the Battle of Alamein. Bombers from Malta sank many supple ship on their way to Rommel and thus helped Montgomery at Alamein. Later Malta served as the springboard in the invasion of Sicily. The Italian fleet surrendered in Malta in September 1943. BTW my grandfather served in the Royal Navy in WWII.

[@Litany_of_Fury]

As a student of war I do happen to know where Malta is. Give me a medal.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Here you go

[@Litany_of_Fury]

Bismarck Thank you.

[@robertdavis100]

george cross like the country!

[@doogleticker5183]

As a student of war, do you understand women? Somebody must...I just don't know who...

[@farmerned6]

The Unsung Hurricane WON the Battle of Britain - the Spit just helped Hurri was :- Cheaper Easier & Faster to Build/Replace Old tech design & build meant there was ground crew available to repair it (welding Spitfire framework was a new skill to master) Faster to refuel & re-arm wide-track made it easier to land on dispersed rough air strips /at night (lower losses from landing accidents, ME109 were high) Capable of tighter turns than a Spitfire Capable of absorbing more punishment better/more effective gun layout than Spitfire

[@AbdulBasit-zo5tw]

Farmer ned 6 put more info on tighter turns than a spitfire....

[@patrickbrennan1317]

Farmer ned 6 the hurricane never gets the credit it deserves.

[@damo7667]

if you like to get close/touch the museum aircraft & exhibits, you should check out Pima Air and Space museum, near Tucson Arizona. It's amazing. Bit of a long trip from Europe, but if you are ever in the area definitely check it out. They have multiple B52's lined up and even (most impressive on first viewing) a B36 Peacemaker. They are continuously restoring and adding aircraft to the exhibition. Plus across the road is the famous Aircraft Boneyard, Davis-Monthan AFB.

[@donaldhill3823]

That is the RAF "Number 500" Squadron insignia on the Meteor. Searched "Royal Air force Meteor squadron insignia" and found a picture of a Meteor with the same markings from that squadron.

[@MartinPlanner2]

that chair, is actually a training seat for training the muscles to pull up :D great haul sire :D

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Wait, what? Are you serious :o

[@MartinPlanner2]

yes. either for punishment for bad landings or to practice combat strength...just like the low press chambers :D

[@funkychicken5091]

Gloster Meteor markings: "f.mk.8 wf714:K of 500 squadron; RauxAF, based at West Malling in the early 1950s." I don't know if "wf714:K" is the individual plane - or the exact model of plane: I'm not a plane buff - just did a search while waiting for my washing to finish. For reference search scribd com, Warpaint series No 22 Gloster Meteor: it's at the bottom of the pdf.

[@GuniMatthiasson]

Hey, I was there last year! It was on my 2nd visit to Malta that I found out about this museum and of course I took my little brother there immediately the following morning. It was my favorite museum experience as I share your weird fetish for dusty, gritty, tangible bits of history. A few days later I found a book for sale aboard the Gozo ferry: Malta Spitfire - The Diary of an Ace Fighter Pilot, by George Beurling and Leslie Roberts. I thoroughly recommend it if you want to pick up some interesting reading material on WW2 aerial combat from a very subjective human perspective.

[@No_Fuse8771]

It's always nice to see someone else geek out about aircraft the way I do. Keep bringing is much history as you can to your channel, I love it and I'm sure others do too. As always you do great work.

[@granskare]

I was in Malta in the late 1950's flow aboard BEA Elizabeth class - great plane!!

[@martentrudeau6948]

This is Bismarck's idea of fun to satisfy his insatiable appetite for war related tech and explains a lot about the man. Thanks

[@aarongalea]

Hey Bismark, I am from Malta and just to let you know the Tiger Moth still flies today. They usually take it out for a spin and land it in a small airfield about a kilometer away from the museum where they fly radio controlled models at Ta' Qali :) Hope you enjoyed your stay.

[@Smertyuk]

Nice footage! T-6 without side pannels really gives the understanding how seemingly chaotic and yet organised the cabling is in those aircraft. On the other note. Hearing crazy german say "It is a possibility" in that voice made me look behind my chair. Twice.

[@ZdrytchX]

Tiger moths still fly at my local GA airport. They also have nacchangs, albatross (short stubby jet), DH Chipmunk, Trojans, a kit-built Spit mk 25/26 (no idea which one it is) and a few others i probably dont recall right now.

[@spudster561]

as ive said before, Imperial War Museum Duxford is a must for aircraft enthusiasts

[@Pylon5Productions]

I've been to England once, and was able to go see Duxford with my dad. As we were touring the indoor part of the museum, we walked up to the giant window looking out at the field. We watched a Spitfire make a low pass over the runway on a gloomy mid-afternoon--that'll be something I won't ever forget. I felt like I was transported back in time for a few seconds.

[@spudster561]

+PylonProductions wow...

[@davidgreen5099]

Spudster if you ever get to USA, go to wright Patterson AFB.

[@a.morphous66]

You can head to the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas to see a lot of aircraft in really good condition, and a lot of them are still operational! Some were damaged during Hurricane Ike and are being restored, so you may not see everything. Also at Ellington Field (where the museum is located) there is an air show hosted every year with a ton of awesome stuff.

[@Trigg3rHippie]

I visited Duxford during this year's Flying Legends show. Amazing stuff. Unforgettable. The museum as well of course. They've got quite a collection. B-52, Lancaster, B-17, B-29, Concorde, SR-71 Blackbird. Nice collection of ground vehicles; Polish T-34-85 and IS-2 among them. I've been to RAF Museum in Hendon, London at least 10 times over the last 13 years. Visited the Bovington Tank Museum during Tiger Day to see the Tiger 131 in action:) Been to Biggin Hill Festival of Flight in 2017, seen Red Arrows in action, what a sight:) Imperial War Museum in Elephant and Castle in London is great as well. Plenty to see in the UK if you're a warbird/tank enthusiast:)

[@JasonDykstraMT]

That Tiger Moth was the last ever aircraft to land at the disused runway at Ta' Qali, which is just down the road from the museum. And that Meteor F.8 has since been restored, along with many of the aircraft seen here. They have also got some new aircraft and displays. This is quite and interesting video, I've been to that museum loads of times and there are things which I haven't noticed that you pointed out in your video. I highly recommend this museum and would recommend you visit it again. Great video!

[@masterofinsanity1993]

4:51, these are radial piston engines, and judging by the state of the first one, I'd guess it was fished from the ocean. Take what I'm about to say with a fistful of salt, but I'd bet the engines belonged to Martlets, which were RAF and FAA F4F Wildcats and took part in Siege of Malta campaign. They were also used as fleet escorts operating from aircraft carriers.

[@StuSaville]

Not sure if anybody has mentioned it yet but the markings on rear fuselage of the Meteor at 11:00 indicate No. 500 Squadron RAF.

[@RamonInNZ]

Had one of those Link Trainers at Air Training Corps in New Zealand in the mid-1970s - was fun to use with hood off and on.

[@HB-ps6rn]

It's great to see that T6. My grandfather used to fly them in air shows all around North America and he still has a couple 9in working condition that are awesome but scary as all hell to fly because they are big beasts.

[@rendezso]

Well that was a REALLY interesting crane lol

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

I like it

[@BrownFoxWarrior]

I actually found the hand crane pretty interesting. Hurricanes all the way!

[@Troubadour04]

Amazing video! Glad to see all this history still being preserved.

[@Deevo037]

I would have thought that they would have had a Gloster Gladiator there given how significant that plane was in Malta's defense.

[@mpk6664]

Don't think there are any left.

[@Gaizhun]

One of the original three gladiators remains in pieces on Malta, and two are airworthy in the UK, at the shuttle worth collection and fighter collection respectively.

[@guidor.4161]

Very nice stuff, but where is the Gladiator? A different museum?

[@XShifty0311X]

Bismarck, gotta make it to Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA for EAA Airventure in late july every year. If you like "hands on" history, you'd love it. Not to mention airshows every day that are hours long (Including night shows). Almost every plane in the show can be toured, touched, or you can just get up close and personal. Since you would be coming from Europe, it would be expensive, but I think you would find it to be worth it.

[@jericho9416]

Dude you were going full Deedee with that T-6 Texan man. CRANKUNSHAFTEN!!!!!

[@matthiaszammit2435]

yay you finally visited my country

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

T'was a very nice holiday! Thanks for having me ^^

[@matthiaszammit2435]

No problem hope you come again and visit the maritime museum in birgu

[@matthiaszammit2435]

When where you here in malta

[@TotalRookie_LV]

LoL, to someone who actually speaks Russian, your nickname seems a bit weird, a bit off. It would roughly translate to English as "finite Soviet soldier", as "конечный" usually means something at hte end of the road, for example "конечная станция" is "terminal station". I presume, this was intended as "the last Soviet soldier", wasn't it?

[@dervpool]

Wow it's really awesome to be able to have such a close look at the great pieces of machinery. U know it really makes me sad to see things like this lay around I mean it's something that has seen so much things and there's allmost all the time There's an interesting story behind it. It's so cool to see people actually care about them. I live in Germany and I would really like to have the same opportunity as these guys that are as young as me and work on this planes.

[@x4n0]

Been there 2 times, love that spitfire ! Will be moving to Malta next year (gf is maltese) so hopefully will see the Spitfire more often :)

[@roanferguson8873]

If you ever come to the states, come to Everett, Washington to the Flying Heritage and combat armor museum

[@34powers]

Hello from Malta ;) Hope you enjoyed your stay here

[@mariabriffa850]

OH GREAT BISMARK THX FOR COMING TO MALTA FINALLY SOMEONE FAMOUS COMES TO MALTA

[@DashinGhost]

The air museum in my state has a very similiar, if not the same model of that small training aircraft.

[@janrikoekemoer2190]

Where I live each airshow there are two vampires that fly and do tricks

[@davidgreen5099]

Janri Koekemoer always wanted to see a vampire up close and personal.

[@malusignatius]

Those piston engines might be bristol sleeve radials, like were on the Beaufighter.

[@bohlder]

Oh quite it Biz. I LIKE those "gems" Thank you!

[@mikemusto6552]

Wow! Great footage!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Merci

[@ChanMan257]

Ended up getting Il2BoS because of you. In a few weeks I get my new computer and both track IR and pedals.

[@archiescriven6178]

You should have gone round the back of the Spitfire hangar, Theres a carrier landing training game thing.

[@GoBIGclan]

What.... I was there for a while and I never knew about this museum! Damnit

[@oliver4434]

Garnisionsmuseet in Aalborg in Denmark is really interasting as they have a lot of defirent both aircraft, tanks, artillery and other fun stuff. i would say that it is worth a look.

[@tommihommi1]

you really need to get to the "Flugwerft Schleißheim" Museum near Munich. Sadly, the airplane section of the main Museum in Munich is being renovated and will reopen 2018 (they got an me262 and a ton of other cool stuff, which at the moment is in Schleisheim). a Bf 109 E and a me163 is there, for example.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Want to go, their opening times are a nightmare tho

[@tommihommi1]

+Bismarck every day from 9:00-17:00 is a nightmare?

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

+tommihommi1 Mixed it up with another Museum. I've been to Schleißheim before, as a young kid. Should go there again.

[@tommihommi1]

+Bismarck maybe you can fit it into your schedule :) maybe, if you ask nicely, they might even let you go on the floor where they restore planes. It's like this huge hangar, where normal visitors can only watch from above.

[@rolland890]

I love your videos Bismarck!

[@Antonluisre]

What about the English Electric Lightning Nose?

[@jimyoung2188]

Where's Faith of Faith, Hope & Charity the survivour of the three Gladiators that fought on Malta as the front line fighters of the day, that's supposed to be in the museum in Malta

[@TheDkeeler]

Thank you for all your efforts.

[@hardlydank932]

9:45 the dixiewing air museum has one of these I got to actually 'fly' it

[@tinglydingle]

I'm with you on the Hurricane being where it's at. Had family who flew it in the Battle of France and it will always be my favourite, I have some bits of Merlin engine that was found at the wreckage of his plane on my shelf.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Keep them forever !!!!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Wait, did I read that right? Was he shot down?

[@tinglydingle]

Bismarck Not exactly, but it is quite a tale if you are interested in hearing about it?

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

+Monkey Absolutely!

[@tinglydingle]

Bismarck Alright! My great grandfather (Wilfred Adams) and his flight were patrolling over northern France in May 1940 when they were bounced by a number of 109s. One Hurricane was shot down, and another badly damaged, but my great grandfather managed to avoid being hit and the two Hurricanes escaped heading north. The other Hurricane was in a bad way, and while being escorted home by my great grandfather, the poor young man lost control of his damaged aircraft and collided with my great grandfather's somewhere near Armentières. Sadly, both were killed. My uncle and I have spent a lot of time over the last five years looking into his death, eventually finding his grave and that of the other pilot a couple of years ago. We took my grandfather (Wilfred's son, who was only 4 at the time of the accident) to visit for one of the most memorable holidays of my life. While in France, we found the farm the two aircraft had come down on, as well as the grandson of the farmer at the time of the crash. Over the years, he and his family had painstakingly gathered all the bits of wreckage he could find, and stored it in his barn, including an almost complete wing! He was very generous, and offered us the entire wreckage, however it didn't feel right walking away with what must have been hundreds of hours of his work, so we left it, bar a couple of small bits. Part of the Merlin: i.imgur.com/74fhAq3.jpg His Hurricane, just a couple of weeks before his death: i.imgur.com/1c51vcM.jpg We've been trying to find the family of the other pilot who died, but have been unsuccessful so far. The search continues!

[@margretfortune1524]

Did the Brit's have a variant of the Hurricane with 4 30mm or 40mm cannon ? I just remember reading about it somewhere. Though it could be a vodka induced hallucination not sure.

[@clayvanalstyne7805]

African campaign had the mk 2b I think used for tank busting.

[@bossplayerunit4563]

Mz. Fortune there was the hurricane mk 1/2c which had 4x 20mm cannon and the mk iv which had 2x 40mm cannon and 2x 7.7mm mg

[@margretfortune1524]

Thank you so much, I wasn't sure and could find some references but no pictures. Hurricane was a really interesting aircraft, very versatile.

[@An0beseGiraffe]

that F8 belonged to Squadron No 500, RAuxAF 1954 :)

[@Lemard77]

Nice

[@itztobi145]

jetzt hab ich wieder Bock nach Malta zu fliegen😄

[@benedictcase4290]

i loved it when i went there such a good museum

[@BABATMAN95]

I love this content Bismarck keep it up when you can.

[@reubendapiton573]

Fuck I wish I can volunteer like that kid

[@lgliam]

Fantastic video, please do more like this!

[@DavidStumpGrinder]

its nice to see that someone else knows Malta exists :^)

[@palin_genesis935]

No gladiator!?!?!?!?

[@JosipRadnik1]

As far as I can remember there IS a gladiator on malta, but I think it's on display in the other museum in La Valetta. This museum bismarck is visiting here is Ta'Qali - where the figher base was from where 249 Sqn flew in 1942. @Bismarck (if you read this): Sorry lad, but I think you've fallen prey to those Minengeschoss myths that are constantly circulating those particular (blue) forums since the ol' IL2 days. I won't say that you can't tear a hole of the size you just described with a 2cm explosive bullet if G-forces and slipstream are helping, but I would not advocate such giant holes as beeing typical damage done by that type of ammo. for THAT size, you definitely need something bigger. Under most circumstances, 30 to 40 cm in diameter would be rather realistic for 2cm HE, rather than the 70+cm circles you were outlining with your arms.

[@kazoolordhd6591]

instrument only navigation training thing, but it still has little cartoon plywood wings

[@777giba]

Thank you for sharing.

[@dexterfitben]

Nice 1 Biz. Radials could be a Gladiator?

[@iankerridge5720]

at ta 'qali they have all sorts of aircraft bits waiting to be restored. they just need finance to do the work. Malta is an alladin's cave of war memorabilia just waiting to be harvested. God Bless the Maltese for being so active in preservattion of their History

[@biponacci]

You should check out NZ museums one day, they’re pretty good, or at least Warbirds over Wanaka. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.

[@theclockmaker633]

For what was the chair with the string

[@malusignatius]

14:30, I think that's an early Sea Venom.

[@stephenburgess5109]

The Sea Gladiator is in Valletta in another museum

[@Cryotheos]

Great video Bismark! I really want to know what the deal was with that chair at the end lol...

[@linkxsc]

Not getting to Malta for 2 more years, But I'll give a look.

[@Flatian]

I am always amazed how big those planes actually are, really good video and explanations. Do you know the Technik Museum in Speyer and can you recommend a visit?

[@Karelwolfpup]

aha, so this is why you visit the smaller museums, eh? to get hands on with the "history" of that cute Italian jet ;3 XD

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Karel....

[@Karelwolfpup]

Bismarck XDD

[@gerry5265]

We also have a link trainer at the motat museum in Auckland New Zealand

[@donaldjames2104]

I think they are fairly common most of the aviation museums I've been too have one.

[@dr.michaelr.foreman2170]

Thanks for the tour!!

[@ctwentysevenj6531]

FIAT G-91 was also built by Dornier for the Luftwaffe. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_G.91

[@ArtOf2nd]

Jingles, you're starting to sound more and more like Bismarck!

[@jameslightfoott]

I live in Malta. This place is like my second home

[@Wagamanee]

Was that a r 18 doubke wasp

[@EdwardMayall]

grey shirt and red trousers. very good.

[@Rohilla313]

I heard about Malta because I grew up there ;)

[@jasondykstra3102]

I think they've finished restoring the Meteor.

[@enjadalven5751]

why did you put the G.91 in the thumbnail if you werent going to show anything but the parachute in the video? it's one of my favorite planes though.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Simply happened to be the best picture I took. I had about 1h worth of video but the final edit had to be within 15min. The chute part made her special, so thats why thats in.

[@enjadalven5751]

alright, that's fair. i appreciate you showing us what you did. great video!

[@TheDunestyler]

is that in Taqali?

[@britbong1457]

I'm 16 I'd love to help restore planes like these. I love the history of the vehicles developed during and after ww2

[@danielernst8353]

I'm 16 as well, it would be amazing to work on these planes

[@lavrentivs9891]

Look around for museums near you and ask if they need any volunteers. Can't hurt to ask =)

[@resonance01]

Agreed 100% Bismarck, I too have a greater love for the Hurricane than the Spitfire.

[@EnterpriseXI]

Oil pan under Hurricane which means they have started the engine

[@flyingfortress2842]

that fiat is called a G.91

[@Risinghaze]

Hi! Du magst ja nicht so Jets, wie ich aus deinen Videos raus gehört habe. Wenn doch gibt es ein "kleines" Museum, was dich vielleicht interessieren könnte. Es hat auch einige Propeller Flugzeuge, aber hauptsächlich Jets wie z.B. Mig 21. Das Technikmuseum in Wernigerode. Die Flugzeuge sind halt eher nach dem 2. Weltkrieg angesiedelt, aber ich wahr da schon einige male und finde es dennoch erstaunlich wie das alles aussieht. Und der Besitzer rennt da auch manchmal rum und erzählt einem auch was zu der Geschichte von den Flugzeugen (Also nicht den Modellen sondern den Flugzeugen, die da stehen). Ist nur so ein Tipp. :)