Anniversary flight for 99-year-old RAF veteran

Flt Lt John Cooper returned to the Tiger Moth in which he took his first RAF flight in 1944

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.

Terry Dann (left) now co-owns and pilots the biplane

Mr Cooper said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his flight

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."

Mr Cooper also took a flight in an ex-Army Auster from the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome