At 102, MAF pioneer Jack Hemmings flies Spitfire for the first time

Jack Hemmings AFC is the oldest pilot to fly a Spitfire (Credit: Simon Dunsmore)

On Monday 5 February, 102-year-old Jack Hemmings AFC, took to the skies in a Spitfire for the first time raising over £5,000 for the charity he co-founded nearly 80 years ago. This latest feat from RAF Biggin Hill in South London follows a number of high-flying challenges performed by the much-loved RAF veteran in recent years

Jack Hemmings AFC does it again! This time, in a Spitfire.

At 102, MAF’s co-founder and grandfather-of-three, is believed to be the oldest British pilot to take control of a Spitfire aircraft based at RAF Biggin Hill in South London.

Jack is strapped in for his latest challenge! (Credit: Simon Dunsmore)

The 20-minute flight over Kent – in the only surviving 1944 VIII trainer model – took in views of the Thames Estuary, Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Brands Hatch and London’s skyline.

The flight takes in views of Kent and London (credit: Jonathan Buckmaster)

He was accompanied by deputy chief Spitfire pilot Barry Hughes and waved off by his son Adrian Hemmings, journalists, some MAF friends and RAF dignitaries including RAF Chief Chaplain – The Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood and Group Captain Jonathan Hughes – Commanding Officer of RAF Northolt.

‘Absolutely delightful, but very bumpy!’

Mid-air, Jack could be seen waving and smiling to the crowd before enjoying three ‘victory rolls’ – a series of upside down turns once used by pilots to celebrate the shooting down of enemy aircraft in WWII.

Jack turns upside down in a Spitfire for three ‘victory rolls’ (credit: Jonathan Buckmaster)

Jack – a former RAF Squadron Leader and recipient of the Air Force Cross medal – sums up his exhilarating experience:

‘It was just great – absolutely delightful, but very bumpy! The controls were slightly heavier than I expected. We were flying at about 210 knots – faster than I used to fly at in my Air Force days.

‘You’re sitting there with the controls, a pair of wings, and you can go up and do what the birds do!’

The ripe old age of 102 is no big deal says Jack (Credit: Simon Dunsmore)

Friends, family and fans admire his adventurous spirit and incredible energy despite his age, but for Jack, it’s no big deal:

‘It’s not incredible to live to 102. You just get up every morning and go about your day. It’s the present moment which counts – and this one was very special indeed!’

Jack Hemmings AFC – MAF co-founder and oldest Brit to fly a Spitfire

Pilot Barry Hughes accompanies Jack as they fly over Kent (credit: Jonathan Buckmaster)

Deputy chief Spitfire pilot Barry Hughes, who handed control over to Jack, talks through the flight:

‘We went out flying in the local area and I gave Jack the ‘hands-on’ of the aircraft so he could move it, make a few turns, do some basic manoeuvres and get familiar with where we were going, and then he flew us back to Biggin Hill. He really enjoyed every single moment.

‘It’s an absolute pleasure to fly the veterans and someone like Jack after all he has done. Jack didn’t need any instruction really – he hasn’t lost his touch and most never do. It’s a bit like riding a bike – once you’ve flown, you should know what to do! With Jack’s history of aviation, he’s a remarkable gentleman and it’s an honour to be able to fly.’

‘Crasher Jack’

Proud son Adrian marvels at his father’s achievements – not just over Jack’s latest challenge, but his whole lifetime:

‘I’ve almost taken him for granted, but then you see him through other people’s eyes. What struck me is that he flew a tiny Miles Gemini aircraft for thousands and thousands of miles and he was only 25 – younger than my kids! He was a young lad doing extraordinary things.

‘We’ve been brought up on his stories, but when you look at them in detail, you actually realise what he’s achieved.’

Jack during his RAF days (credit: MAF Archive)

But so much success is not without a few hitches along the way says Adrian:

‘During the war he was in a very bad crash and in the early days of MAF he had a crash. He refers to himself as ‘Crasher Jack’, but thankfully today he landed very smoothly! It’s been wonderful.’

Jack was nicknamed ‘Crasher Jack’ when he and fellow MAF co-founder, the late Stuart King, miraculously survived an accident in Burundi when their Miles Gemini collided with a banana tree leaving the plane in pieces.

Despite that early setback, fearless Jack and his colleagues went on to establish what is now the biggest humanitarian airline in the world.

With more than 120 aircraft in over 25 countries, MAF continues to deliver help, hope and healing to the remotest people on earth.

Jack’s accolade is the latest in one long line of achievements (Credit: Simon Dunsmore)

It’s not too late to celebrate Jack’s amazing achievement:

Donate today and help make history!

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