• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Must Reads Good News

World War II pilot fulfils dream of “one last flight”

A World War II pilot who was desperate for “one last flight” has fulfilled his dream after he took to the skies at the age of 96. George Harvey flew bombing raids behind enemy lines during the conflict after joining the RAF in 1939. Now the 96-year-old has taken off in the cockpit from the […]

Clair Hart by Clair Hart
2017-10-26 14:03
in Good News
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

A World War II pilot who was desperate for “one last flight” has fulfilled his dream after he took to the skies at the age of 96.

George Harvey flew bombing raids behind enemy lines during the conflict after joining the RAF in 1939.

Now the 96-year-old has taken off in the cockpit from the RAF Lossiemouth military base in Moray and held the controls for the final time.

Mr Harvey’s carer Claire Nias was responsible for looking after the veteran after he spent a brief spell in hospital.

While completing routine paperwork to monitor his progress, he wrote: “I want to be airborne one last time before the ‘wooden overcoat’.”

Mrs Nias, who works at a hospice in Nairn, vowed to make his dream a reality and immediately contacted RAF Lossiemouth to arrange it.

Flying Officer Chloe McFarlane, who is stationed at the base, knew it would be impossible to arrange a seat in the supersonic Typhoon jets.

So instead, she contacted the Moray Flying Club, based at Kinloss Barracks, to make preparations for the nostalgic flight.

During his 38-year career in the RAF, Mr Harvey flew the Mosquito bomber, Meteor jet and Bristol Beaufighter strike aircraft.

While returning from one sortie during the war, the pilot even had to land one of the bombers with the wheels up due to combat damage.

As he walked across the Moray airfield, the veteran joked the Cessna plane lined up for the flight “would have to do” instead of one of his former planes.

Flight Lieutenant Ian Bright commanded the emotional flight but passed the controls to Mr Harvey while following the line of the Moray coast.

After landing at Kinloss the veteran was presented with a station tankard after getting to inspect the Typhoons his successors in the air force now fly.

He said: “I’ve had the most fantastic day. It has been so wonderful to fly again.”

Flt Lt Bright added: “It was a huge honour for me to be able to take Mr Harvey flying once more.

“He truly is a fantastic character who had us all laughing – he still possesses brutal military banter.

“Once airborne it became clear that lots of memories were rushing back to him, I think he had a tear in his eye.”

RelatedPosts

It’s been a rubbish year so here are some heart-warming stories to lift your spirits

Disabled teen sent over 500 Xmas cards by strangers after mum put out request on Facebook

Watch: Lonely veteran who survived Covid twice sent 5,000 cards for 101st birthday

Married GPs are celebrating milestone of jointly dedicating a 100 years to NHS – and have no plans to retire

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

The Irishman: Life is very, very long

Twitter reacts furiously to James Blunt’s assertion that Brexit wont “change people’s lives”

Coronavirus UK – Up to 20,000 armed forces to form part of Covid Support Force

How Much Does a Hair Transplant Cost in Turkey?

President Supervillain – Trump’s Words Mouthed By Comic Villains Is Genius

10 of the best French restaurants in London

Britain pulls out of InterRail scheme after almost 50 years

Weather forecast, alerts and UVB index for London, Thursday 13 August 2020

Seller of imported endangered skulls….spared jail

‘Do not resuscitate’ orders unfairly imposed on Covid patients with learning difficulties

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.