Queen says RAF has ‘defended our freedom gallantly’

A former squadron leader has taken to the sky once more at the age of 96 in an iconic Spitfire – 77 years after shooting down his first German bomber.  

Allan Scott was only 19 when he shot down his first enemy plane while serving as a pilot during the Second World War, but he is still flying almost eight decades years later.

He was part of a Spitfire flypast at Biggin Hill today as part of the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary celebrations. 

The Queen said the RAF has ‘defended our freedom gallantly’ today as celebrations kicked off today in the London Borough of Bromley.

He was only 19 when he shot down his first enemy while serving as a pilot during the Second World War, but he is still flying 77 years later

Mr Scott said: ‘I can’t wait to get up there flying again in my beloved Spitfire. It’s a beautiful aircraft. It fits you like an overcoat.’ Left, Mr Scott just after the war, and right, earlier today

Squadron Leader Allan Scott, 96, returned to Biggin Hill to perform a flypast in his beloved Spitfire as part of RAF100 celebrations (pictured in the rear of a two-seater Spitfire)

Mr Scott told iNews last week: ‘The RAF has stood in defence of Britain for a century. It’s a big family. It’s part of me.

I can’t wait to get up there flying again in my beloved Spitfire. It’s a beautiful aircraft. It fits you like an overcoat.’

Mr Scott joined joined 124 squadron at London’s Biggin Hill airfield after war broke out before being stationed in Malta, where he earned a Distinguished Flying Medal for shooting down five planes in the Battle for Malta. 

While stationed in Malta, Mr Scott’s squadron lost 36 men in a matter of days. The average life expectancy in the air was just 15 minutes.

Speaking of his time there, he said: ‘We knew we might not come back and that each moment could be your last, but we were young and we accepted it.

‘When the battle started, the adrenaline flowed. But we had Spitfires. It was a beautiful aircraft. You’d feel it instinctively. It felt like it was part of you. Flying a Spitfire came to me very naturally.’ 

Now Mr Scott is an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, a charity that helps veterans with housing adaptations, mobility aids and even financial assistant.  

Former Spitfire pilot Allan Scott, 96, stands near the iconic aircraft as part of the 100th centenary celebration of the Royal Air Force

Mr Scott gives the thumbs up from inside the Spitfire (left), and the war hero stands on the runway with the Spitfire primed (right)

The former squadron leader takes to the sky once more at the age of 96 in an iconic Spitfire – 77 years after shooting down his first German bomber

Celebrations have begun for the Royal Air Force as they mark the 100th birthday of the world’s first air force. Pictured: Honorary Ambassador for the Air Cadets, Carol Vordeman MBE talking with guests

On April 1, 1918, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF.

Centenary celebrations will last 100 days and feature a number of events, culminating in a service in Westminster Abbey on July 10, followed by a parade in The Mall and a flypast over Buckingham Palace. 

Today began with a breakfast reception at a building on the Strand, London – the former site of Hotel Cecil which was the first headquarters of the RAF.

A printed message from the Queen was read out by Aircraftsman Adam Wood, from Aylesbury, who at just 16 is one of the youngest members of the RAF.

The Royal Air Force Pipe band (pictured) marked the arrival of the past veterans along with serving personnel and the current Chief of The Air Staff Sir Stephen Hillier with this performance

Veterans (pictured) and current service personnel held celebrations here today to kick off RAF100. The green plaque in this photo marks the site of the first HQ for the RAF

Left, Chief Of The Air Staff, Sir Stephen Hillier, signs the Royal Air Force Association Scroll while accompanied by Air Marshall Sir Baz North, President of the Royal Air Force Association. Right, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and members of the RAF100 baton relay team

Aircraftsman Adam Wood, pictured, read out a letter from the Queen to a room full of dignitaries at the start of the series of events today. The 16-year-old, from Aylesbury, is the youngest Airman in the RAF

He told a room acked full of dignitaries including the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, that the Queen sent her ‘heartfelt congratulations’ as he read her message.

Also in attendance was Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE, who was shot down over Germany and imprisoned in the camp from which 76 prisoners tunnelled out of during the ‘Great Escape’, and former Countdown presenter and honorary Group Captain, Carol Vorderman. 

The Queen said in her message: ‘The anniversary of the world’s first independent Air Force is of great significance, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the tenacity, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served within its ranks over the last century, and who have defended our freedom gallantly.

‘Through its enduring focus on professionalism, excellence and innovation, the Royal Air Force stands as a shining example of inspiration around the world today and for the next generation.

‘May the glory and honour that all ranks have bestowed on the Royal Air Force light its pathway to the future guarding our skies and reaching for the stars.’ 

Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE, who was shot down over Germany and imprisoned in the camp from which 76 prisoners tunnelled out of, is pictured talking with guests

Here, a veteran arrives at St Clements Danes Church, the RAF Church in Westminster, where a church service was held earlier today

The church, pictured, was heavily damaged in 1941 during the Blitz. Following an appeal for money by the RAF the church was completely rebuilt and became the spiritual heart of the RAF after being consecrated on 19 October, 1958

Here, the Royal Air Force Association Standard Bearers are pictured arriving for a service at  the church in Westminster

Held within the church are the RAF Books of Remembrance. The books began in 1912 and continue right up until the present day. Pictured: more veterans arriving at the church

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Lady Hillier are pictured here arriving at St Clement Danes Church

The Queen finished the message with the Latin motto of the RAF, Per Ardua ad Astra, which translates to English as ‘through adversity to the stars’.

ACM Hillier told the Press Association that as the RAF enters its second century, the anniversary is a ‘chance to reflect back on a first century of achievement, success, courage and sacrifice’.

Pressed on what the message from the Queen means to the RAF, he said it is ‘tremendously important’, highlighting how King George V also sent them a message when the service was first formed.

‘And now to have Her Majesty the Queen sending a message to her Royal Air Force and recognising what we have achieved in the past and also looking forward to the future, it is a tremendously significant moment for us,’ he said.

After the service, the centenary baton relay is due to begin. Pictured: Members of the Royal Air Force and veterans arriving at St Clements Danes Church

The relay will involve a specially designed baton visiting 100 sites associated with the RAF, starting at the Royal Courts of Justice. Pictured: Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stewart Peach, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Air Marshal Stuart Atha, Air Chief Marshall Sir Glen Torpy and Air Marshal Sir Barry “Baz” North

A Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner from the Queens Colour Squadron, RAF Northolt stands in the honor guard for guests at St Clement Danes Church

When asked whether when he first joined the RAF he ever imagined he would have been Chief of the Air Staff during the centenary of the service, ACM Hillier said ‘No’.

‘I joined the Royal Air Force quite a few years ago now, but I joined the Royal Air Force because I had a love of flying, I wanted to be a pilot… but also because I wanted to give myself as many opportunities as possible, to challenge myself and get greater responsibility,’ he added.

‘I guess that has happened as each year has gone past, and one day I found myself in command of the Royal Air Force – it is just a huge privilege, I am tremendously proud to be in command of the Royal Air Force.

‘And on our 100th birthday as well – (it) just makes it even more special. But I do that on behalf of everybody in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force family.’

After the talk at the Strand, there was a service at St Clement Danes Church, in London. 

The church was heavily damaged in 1941 during the Blitz. Following an appeal for money by the RAF the church was completely rebuilt and became the spiritual heart of the RAF after being consecrated on 19 October, 1958.

After the service the Centenary Baton Relay began at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The relay will involve a specially designed baton that was constructed using brass, wood, aluminum, steel and carbon aerofoil wing cross-sections visiting 100 sites associated with the RAF in 100 days before finishing at the Horseguards Parade on July 10. 

Pictured: Ambassador for the Air Cadets, Carol Vordeman MBE talking with guests at the former Hotel Cecil

Pictured: Air Marshal Sir Baz North, President of the Royal Air Force Association, giving at speech at the former Hotel Cecil

Pictured: Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Lady Hillier arriving at St Clement Danes Church

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