On some days, one might spot model airplanes flying over Ta’ Qali, as it is the official flying site for the Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association. But did you know that Ta’ Qali has also seen full-sized aircraft in the past?

The Malta Aviation Museum has shared an old photograph dating back to pre-World War II when Malta’s first civil airfield, located in Ta’ Qali, was in operation.

This airfield was constructed under the British rule around the 1920s, not long after the first successful human flight took place. More airfields were built around the island during this time, including at Hal Far, however these were severely damaged during the Second World War.

One can notice the old Maltese spelling at play in the photo – the word we now say as ‘Qali’ was written and pronounced as ‘Kali’ back then, closer to the Arabic pronunciation rather than the glottal stop of the ‘q’ sound in today’s Maltese phonetics.

The photo shows the old air control tower, whose occupants are monitoring the pathway of one of the Royal Air Force jets with a familiar backdrop of the timeless Mdina Cathedral just visible at the horizon.

Can you imagine a modern-day plane landing at Ta’ Qali?