[Brit] Hero, 91,takes controls of rare aircraft 70 years after he first flew legendary plane

Daily Mail ^ | 8-19-12 | Ben Griffiths

[Dysart]

He survived the daily dangers of being a pilot in the Second World War and even risked his life on a clandestine operation in the Soviet Union.

Now aged 91, and seven decades on from his wartime exploits, Eric Carter has taken to the skies again at the controls of a rare two-seater Spitfire.

Earlier this year, museum officials denied Mr Carter the chance even to sit in the cockpit of a Spitfire because of health and safety rules.

'Just as I remembered it': Eric Carter, 91, said it 'all came back' after ten minutes of flying in the Spitfire. The pilot is the last surviving member of a task force sent to northern Russia in 1941 to protect supply routes

Mr Carter, the last surviving member of a 38-strong task force sent to northern Russia in 1941 to protect supply routes, said: ‘Amazing as it may seem it all came back to me after about ten minutes in the air.

‘The firing button and all the controls were right there, exactly as they were when I last flew the Spitfire.

'Amazing experience': The former World War II pilot is pictured flying in the rear of the plane, with co-pilot Dave Ratcliffe in the front

Mr Carter, from Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire, was sent to Russia with 37 other pilots as part of Force Benedict. They flew 365 sorties over four months to keep the port of Murmansk open, shooting down 11 Messerschmitt fighters and three Junkers 88 bombers.

The operation remained a secret for years because Stalin did not want to admit he had asked for help.

[Dysart]

The actual title could not be posted, but: Flying high again... the Spitfire pilot shot down by elf 'n' safety: Hero, 91, takes controls of rare two-seat aircraft 70 years after he first flew legendary plane

[Dysart]

Hero: Mr Carter pictured during World War II, when he was part of a task force dispatched to northen Russia to protect supply routes

[Fester Chugabrew]

"The firing button and all the controls were right there, exactly as they were when I last flew the Spitfire."

I hope so!

[workerbee]

Matt Jones, of the Boultbee Flight Academy, organised for him to fly in a dual control Spitfire TR9 over Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex. The plane, PV202, was built as a single-seater in 1944 and flown in combat in Northern France. .....

Mr Jones said: ‘I found it was ridiculous that Eric wasn’t allowed to sit in a museum Spitfire due to inane modern health and safety rules.

Good on you, Mr. Jones.

[Dartman]

I just logged in and this was the first thread I saw.
What a wonderful story about a wonderful man.

Thanks, Dysart.

[Dysart]

Glad you appreciated the story.

[diogenes ghost]

My old man flew Spits for RCAF during Battle of Britain. I'm sure he would be queing up for a flight were he still around.

Great story...thanks for posting it.

[GBA]

Great story and post! The good guys win again!

[vetvetdoug]

I’m trying to eat my dinner but there is a big lump in my throat and I’m having trouble with my vision.

[JCG]

Best thing I've read on FR today!

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Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it.
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[Shady]

What a wonderful story!

[Jack Hammer]

Good to celebrate a hero’s life.

Congratulations, troop - and thank you!

You and others like you are the reason we’re not all speaking German today.

[WhoisAlanGreenspan?]

I've told this story before on FR but what the heck. I love all these guys from WW2 and from every other conflict. Thank you all all for your service!!

Dad passed in 2008.

Before that, a chance came up to have him take a flight in a b-24. He'd flown 50 missions flying out of Italy, Pancraznio<-spelling? It was $4-5 hundred each for Dad & I to go for the flight and when I asked him (he was in his mid eighties at the time) he shocked me... "Do you realize how many times I thought I'd never come back from a flight in a B-24? No thank you! I rather die right here on the ground than in one of those."

So we who are left behind get to glorify the equipment. Some of which helped win the war without necessarily winning the hearts of those that operated them. Probably because many died right along side them. Our country owes much to the men like my Dad.

I for one, will never forget.

[ArmyTeach]

Go, Mr. Carter! You rock!

[WellyP]

I just posted this story on Facebook. I want it to go “viral”!

[JCG]

Our country owes much to the men like my Dad.

Agreed -- with many thanks!

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Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it.
www.AnySoldier.com
(An entirely free service)

[visualops]

great story. sounds like your Dad was a practical man!

[visualops]

awesome! thanks for posting

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I remember the story of an old pilot who got a similar experience but then came a cropper because of his glib tongue.

He flew the plane expertly and landed safely, and when he got out he was all smiles and pumped up.

“Did you remember how to do it all?”, someone asked.

And without thinking, he replied, “Oh yes! It was as easy to remember as boffing your first girlfriend!”

And then he realized his wife was standing behind him.

[exit82]

SC, just for your personal info—great story.