Ex-RAF pilot flies Spitfire for first time aged 102

A former RAF squadron leader has flown a Spitfire for the first time at the age of 102.

Jack Hemmings was an early pioneer of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) - the world's largest humanitarian airline.

His twenty-minute flight from London Biggin Hill on Monday was to raise awareness and funds for the charity he co-founded 80 years ago.

Mr Hemmings, from Horam, East Sussex, said the flight was "absolutely delightful" but "very bumpy".

He said: "The controls were slightly heavier than I expected. It was faster than I used to fly at in my air force days.

"To be honest I felt a bit rusty - not surprisingly as I am rusty. You forget how many safety precautions you have to take."

In 1948 Jack Hemmings piloted a wooden Miles Gemini aircraft from Croydon to Nairobi, commencing the first British aerial survey to assess humanitarian needs across central Africa.

The 10-month mission helped lauch MAF - which now operates in more than 25 low-income countries with a fleet of 120 light aircraft.

Mr Hemmings' Spitfire flight challenge was aimed at raising awareness and funds for MAF.

He said he had not thought yet how he would celebrate his achievement.

But added: "I dare say a bit of a beverage of some sort might come in."

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