Chevvron,

The "After The Battle " magazine on Malta is No 10 published 1975. I picked up a copy for £2 at the weekend. Good coverage on the Maltese airfields. You can buy back copies just Google " After The Battle ".

ATB also did an issue devoted to Gibraltar; copies were issued to all air cadets and adult staff attending Gibraltar camps.

All I know about Hal Far is this...

Back in the late 60s and early 70s we used it as a crash diversion from Luqa.

The aeroplane? The Lightning.

We knew we could always get one out of Hal Far, but if the 'chute failed on landing I doubt any of us could ever have stopped the thing trying to get in.

Thankfully we never had to use it.

There was basic arrestor gear at Hal Far. Saved me once in a Venom, but then I had a hook.

I thought the later Lightnings (Mk.6) had hooks?

Yes, but at the time I was flying the F3, which didn't have a hook.

Most exciting event in my time at Hal Far. A Dutch Tracker Squadron called in and stayed for a few days. A Tracker got airborne on a Sunday morning, unusual in peacetime. There was a lot of excitement in the Squadron as it was a ground crewman who took the aircraft and landed in Tripoli.

Never heard the denoument - any offers ?