Posted on 08/19/2012 4:22:49 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Hero: Mr Carter pictured during World War II, when he was part of a task force dispatched to northen Russia to protect supply routes
I hope so!
Mr Jones said: I found it was ridiculous that Eric wasnt allowed to sit in a museum Spitfire due to inane modern health and safety rules.
Good on you, Mr. Jones.
I just logged in and this was the first thread I saw.
What a wonderful story about a wonderful man.
Thanks, Dysart.
Glad you appreciated the story.
Great story...thanks for posting it.
Great story and post! The good guys win again!
I’m trying to eat my dinner but there is a big lump in my throat and I’m having trouble with my vision.
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Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it.
www.AnySoldier.com
(An entirely free service)
What a wonderful story!
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.
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.
Go, Mr. Carter! You rock!
I just posted this story on Facebook. I want it to go “viral”!
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)
great story. sounds like your Dad was a practical man!
awesome! thanks for posting
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.
SC, just for your personal info—great story.
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