Ex-RAF engineer realises Spitfire dream – aged 83
A former RAF mechanical engineer was granted his lifelong wish to take to the skies in a World War Two Spitfire to celebrate his 83rd birthday.
David Giles served in the forces in 1956 and 1957 at West Malling and had a special place in his heart for the famous aircraft.
His wife June and daughter Wendy Irvine clubbed together to spring the Spitfire surprise upon him and he took off from the runway at Headcorn Aerodrome. He said: “It was something I wanted to do for some years. It was unbelievable. I enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t explain how fantastic it was.”
Red Arrows pilot Tony Parkinson took Mr Giles under his wing and showed off the agility of the Spitfire before heading over the Channel.
Mr Giles, from Maidstone, said: “I couldn’t believe the mobility of it. We flew over the cliffs of Dover. There was a moment we flew over a ferry that I knew my daughter was on as she was travelling to France and she got pictures of the Spitfire. The occasion is so precise in my memory and it won’t go away for a long time.
“I was so proud of my family who came to see me take off. They put me in the cockpit in the back and I was all done up in overalls and I felt like I was ready for the Battle of Britain.”
The Spitfire Mr Giles went up in was called Elizabeth and was one of a select few planes chosen to provide the authentic sound effects in Christopher Nolan’s new film Dunkirk.
The flight with Aero Legends at Headcorn costs a minimum of £2,500 but Mr Giles admitted the experience was priceless.
He said: “It really was a momentous occasion. It was quite expensive but my wife and daughter schemed together and got it set up for me. The experience was second to none.”