A hero Battle of Britain pilot has taken to the skies at the tender age of 99 for the last time – in a Spitfire.
World War II ace Archie McInnes is one of only six surviving RAF pilots who took part in the vital Battle of Britain – known as The Few.
The war hero took to the skies above Kent last week in a refurbished Second World War Spitfire – accompanied by the plane he flew during the war.
Archie McInnes, who is 99-years-old, during last weeks flight in a Spitfire above Kent
The two-seater Spitfire, operated by the Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, Kent, was joined on its flight by the one-seater Hurricane – the plane Archie flew to protect Britain from the Luftwaffe.
Archie, who lives near Cambridge, beamed with joy when he saw his beloved Hurricane flying on the wing of the Spitfire.
The flight was organised and photographed by pal Jonny Cracknell, working alongside the Battle of Britain Museum.
Jonny said: ‘There are only eight Battle of Britain airmen left, and out of them, Archie is the most active.
Battle of Britain pilot Archie McInnes during his flying days. He lost his arm when he was shot down in North Africa in 1941
Archie McInnes clocks his beloved Hurricane on his port wing during his Spitfire flight
‘I managed to get him back up in a Spitfire, and it was amazing.
‘It was an unbelievable and surreal experience to see Archie back in a Spitfire again.
‘And the smile on his face when he spotted the Hurricane was priceless.’
There are only six pilots and two aircrew left out of the thousands of heroes who risked everything to protect Britain from the Nazis.
Archie joined the RAF in 1938, the year before the war, and completed pilot training in August, 1940.
He flew Hurricanes as part of 601 Squadron in Exeter, before moving to 238 Squadron at Chilbolton.
Archie, who lives near Cambridge, beamed with joy when he saw his beloved Hurricane
The Spitfire, operated by the Battle of Britain Museum was joined on its flight by the Hurricane
After the Battle of Britain ended, on Ocotber 31, 1940, Archie’s illustrious career took him on board HMS Victorious – where he was part of the team that hunted the Bismarck.
Archie then took part in the North African campaign, where he was shot down and lost his arm.
Pal Jonny said: ‘After he was shot down, it took him some time to recover.
‘But eventually he managed to find a way to make things work for him.
‘He got back to flying again.
The flight was organised ahead of the 78th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, September 15
‘Archie is incredible. Sadly, it’s definitely going to be one of the last flights of the Battle of Britain.’
He was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.
Pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain are known as ‘The Few’ after an iconic speech by then-PM Winston Churchill.
Churchill famously said: ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few.’
The flight was organised ahead of the 78th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, on September 15.
The two-seater Spitfire flies out of Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, in Biggin Hill, Kent.