Anniversary flight for 99-year-old RAF veteran

A 99-year-old RAF veteran has been reunited with the Tiger Moth aircraft in which he made his first ever flight 80 years ago.

Flt Lt John Cooper took a trip from Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in Essex on Sunday, along with the biplane's co-owner and pilot, Terry Dann.

On 14 April 1944, Mr Cooper made his first flight in Tiger Moth T6055, which was renumbered as G-AIDS in 1946.

He said the anniversary flight was "wonderful" and he had "thoroughly enjoyed" himself.

Mr Dann and co-owner Keith Pogmore said they had spent more than 8,000 hours "restoring and maintaining" the aircraft.

Mr Dann said: "Flying a Tiger Moth can be quite demanding compared to modern aircraft as she needs a lot of TLC – but it is very rewarding."

After going up in the biplane, the aerodrome said Mr Cooper had a bonus "quick jaunt" in another historic aircraft - a 1946 ex-Army Air Corps Auster.

Mr Cooper was born in Sheringham, Norfolk, in September 1924 and joined the RAF in 1943.

He undertook his first training flight in the T-6055 at satellite landing ground, Alton Barnes.

He was one of eight trainee pilots accepted for further training out of a group of 50, going on to become a bomber pilot and then an instructor.

He flew more than 6,000 hours for Air Cadets and retired from the RAF in 1955, taking up a career as an air traffic controller.

The aerodrome's chairman of trustees, Martyn Gill, said: "It is always a privilege to welcome guests to the museum. Flt Lt Cooper is a particular honour, especially on such an auspicious occasion as this."

Mr Cooper said: "Flying is always so special and today has been a wonderful day. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself."

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