RAF Hal Far file photo [23037]

RAF Hal Far

Type   148 Air Base
Historical Name of Location   Hal Far, Malta
Coordinates   35.816389000, 14.508056000

Contributor:

ww2dbaseIn 1929, the British Royal Navy established the HMS Falcon airfield in southeastern Malta, the island's first permanent airfield. The base was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force and renamed RAF Station Hal Far. During WW2, being one of the three major air bases on strategically located Malta, it was the first to be bombed in 1940 and attacks continued into 1943. During this period, an estimated 2,300 tons of axis bombs were dropped on RAF Hal Far, resulting in 30 killed and 84 wounded. Toward the end of the war, the Fleet Air Arm returned to RAF Hal Far to conduct training missions. In 1950, it was returned to the Royal Navy. Resurfaced for jet aircraft, the recommissioned HMS Falcon hosted Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Divisions for training missions through 1956. Starting in 1957, civilian air traffic began using HMS Falcon's runways. In 1958, it was the home for the world's first assault helicopter squadron. In the mid-1960s, it became known as RAF Hal Far once again as it was briefly back in RAF possession. In 1967, it ceased to be the home of any British squadrons and it was downgraded to be a satellite field for the larger RAF Station Luqa to the northwest. Between Mar 1967 and Sep 1978, it served as a base for the private aircraft maintenance company Malta International Aviation, MIACO. The site was transferred to the Maltese government in Jan 1979. Today one of the former airstrips, Runway 13/31, is now being used by the Malta Drag Racing Association as a drag strip, while industrial facilities occupy other areas.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Update: Dec 2014



RAF Hal Far Interactive Map

Photographs

Aerial view of RAF Hal Far while under Italian attack, Malta, 1941

RAF Hal Far Timeline

1 Apr 1929 HMS Falcon was established in southeastern Malta.
11 Jun 1940 Ten Italian Z.1007 Alcione bombers attacked Grand Harbour, RAF Hal Far, and Kalafrana in Malta, killing 1 civilian and 6 soldiers. RAF Hal Far was the first of the three major Malta airfields to be attacked during the war.
21 May 1943 RAF Hal Far was bombed by the Axis for the last time.
20 Apr 1959 The work to resurface Runway 13/31 at Hal Far, Malta began.
26 May 1959 The work to resurface Runway 13/31 at Hal Far, Malta was completed.
12 Jun 1959 The work to resurface Runway 9/27 at Hal Far, Malta began.
28 Jul 1959 The work to resurface Runway 9/27 at Hal Far, Malta was completed.
31 Aug 1967 On Malta, RAF Hal Far's last British squadron was disbanded.




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Modern Day Location
WW2-Era Place Name Hal Far, Malta
Lat/Long 35.8164, 14.5081
RAF Hal Far Photo Gallery
Aerial view of RAF Hal Far while under Italian attack, Malta, 1941


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