Avast ye! A scurvy ole pilot of WWII, aged 102, sets sail on a jolly joltin' flight fer charity!
2024-02-06
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Jack Hemmings, a bold buccaneer who once commanded the skies in the Royal Air Force, be takin' to the heavens at the ripe old age o' 102! 'Twas all to gather doubloons for his charity, the Mission Aviation Fellowship. A true legend, that ol' matey be!
In a remarkable feat, former Royal Air Forces pilot, Jack Hemmings, took to the skies in a Spitfire at the age of 102. The ex-squadron leader, believed to be the oldest pilot to fly a World War II plane, embarked on a 20-minute flight to raise funds for a charity he co-founded almost eight decades ago. Hemmings, who had never flown a Spitfire before, described the experience as "absolutely delightful," although he admitted that the ride was "very bumpy."The flight aimed to support Mission Aviation Fellowship, a humanitarian air service that Hemmings helped establish after WWII alongside D-Day veteran Stuart King. Over the years, the organization has evolved into a Christian group that employs aircraft to transport relief, medicine, and emergency supplies to countries in need. This flight also served as a tribute to King, who passed away in 2020, and commemorated 80 years since the D-Day landings.
Notably, Hemmings is no stranger to aviation adventures. On his 100th birthday, he performed aerobatics and raised over 40,000 pounds ($50,000) for the charity. Barry Hughes, a pilot who accompanied Hemmings on this recent flight, praised the veteran's natural flying abilities, stating that he didn't require much instruction and enjoyed every moment of the journey.
With his incredible achievement, Hemmings has not only demonstrated his love for aviation but also his commitment to making a difference in the world. Flying a Spitfire at 102 years old is undoubtedly an impressive feat that showcases the indomitable spirit and determination of this former RAF pilot.