Luqa Airport, Malta - 1st September 2011

[iaint]

I spent last week in Malta for holiday, and to attend a Wedding in the wife's family... On the day of the wedding I managed to sneek off to the Airport at Luqa for a look around. There wasn't very much going on whilst I was there - I seemed to miss the juicier visitors on other days - so here are a couple of the photos I took of what was there (all military) after a good look around the airfield.

Visiting and having been around for a few days was RAF Herc ZH870

IMG_7103 by iainthomson84, on Flickr


PICT0111 by iainthomson84, on Flickr

The AFM King Air left as I drove around to their area of the airfield, It was rather hot, and so this image suffers from heat haze...

IMG_7116 by iainthomson84, on Flickr

I stumbled upon this airframe, preserved, but missing a vital part... Can you see what is missing?

IMG_7143 by iainthomson84, on Flickr

After seeing these two in the distance whilst I was at the Hercules, I drove around and past the locals and Canberra and managed to find a perfect spot to see and photo them... Anyway, the Libyan Mirage F.1s

PICT0114 by iainthomson84, on Flickr


IMG_7123smaller by iainthomson84, on Flickr


IMG_7132smaller by iainthomson84, on Flickr

Feel free to add comments and criticism


Iain

I will add non-aviation related photos later on

[Wes_Howes]

Great stuff Iain! Those Libyan F.1s are a great catch.

Is the Canberra missing it's nose wheel?

[IanOlder]

The F1's are looking a bit dusty now, shiny as a new pin when they arrived.

[dinovandoorn]

Can you provide the GPS coördinats where you took these Lybian's and did you use a step ladder ?
Because i will be at Luqa in about 2 weeks as well

Thx in advance,
Dino

[james solomon]

Are the mirage's impounded

[iaint]

Dino,
Using Google Maps I found some form of co-ordinates for the spot I was at for the photos.

Hopefully if you put 35.852622, 14.474441‎ or +35° 51' 9.44", +14° 28' 27.99" it should pop up with a Green arrow at an unknown road between a quarry and the south side of runway 05/23. (north of point A on the map - Triq L-Imqabba)
The photos were taken through a convenient hole in the fence at this point so no need for ladders. If directions are needed then I can give these as they may be easier to understand and more useful if the Google Maps trick doesn't work.

Wes, the Canberra is indeed missing a Nosewheel, it appears to be supported on Pallets

Iain

[DamienB]

The Can looks like it has no engines either - no bullets sticking out of the intakes.

[dinovandoorn]

Hi Iain,

thx a lot for your info !! i am able to find the spot with your coördinates and it looks like it is at a sort of flying club with some small props...

Kind regards,
Dino

[Dragon Rapide]

In like these - it's a long time since I was last at Luqa. Don't think those Mirages will be going back home...yet!

[Quid59]

Are the mirage's impounded

we hope the new Libyan government keep them here!!!

[POD]

looking forward to seeing the F1's at the Malta Air Show in a few weeks time!

kev

[jaguar]

Hi, I am off to Malta on Tuesday, are the Mirages in a easy spot to take pictures? only I would love to get a few shots of them.

Regards.
Paul.
CP Aviation Photography

[iaint]

Paul,
See my response to Dino above... Once you get to the Mirages, they are easy to see/photo.

For info, the route to the spot I highlighted in Google Maps takes you alongside the fence past the preserved Canberra and also the apron/hangar for the Maltese military bits too (if they are out of the hangar)

Iain

[Quid59]

Hi, I am off to Malta on Tuesday, are the Mirages in a easy spot to take pictures? only I would love to get a few shots of them.

Regards.
Paul.
CP Aviation Photography

if u have GPS take the Bac111 coordinates

[superstags]

Hi I am going to the malta airshow,I do know Malta pretty well,re the f1c `s position do you approach from the spotters wall side or from the westerly side ,hope you can give hire car directions for me as I hope to copy your great pics.

[iaint]

My directions are a bit sketchy, but are from memory...

From the Spotters wall (or roundabout from the tunnel) head north towards Mqabba and then at the next roundabout turn right - 4th exit. I followed this to a crash gate. I did a u-turn but headed towards the right following the airport fence. (I saw signs hanging on the fence for the Armed Forces Air Squadron and an Italian component.) Anyway, this road to the right will follow the perimeter fence, and it should be followed all the way to the end where it stops/gets far too narrow. Where the road ended at the fence, the Mirages were easily visible.

Hopefully my less than perfect directions are clear enough and can be of some help, and that the Mirages are still at that location by the time you're in Malta


Iain

[superstags]

Hi Iain
Got it !,I know exactly where I am going now many thanks.
Malc

[solent]

Off to Malta in three weeks so hopefully will like to get a shot of the Mirage. Not driving but using Public Transport. Looking at Bus Routes I'm aiming to get to the Aviation Museum. Does anyone know if it's a fair walk from Ta'Hali or does a bus go near the Museum.

Thank You