A World War two Spitfire ace has been reunited with the airframe for the first time in 80 years at the Australian International Airshow. 100-year-old Warrant Officer (retd) John McDonald sat in the cockpit of a No. 100 Squadron Spitfire, part of the RAAF heritage flight showcased at the event.
During the Second World War, John had been a fighter pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew Spitfires over the unforgiving skies of Europe. His last mission flying a Spitfire was escorting a bomber in November 1945. Until this year's Airshow, that was the last time John has taken a seat in a Spitfire cockpit.
Flight Lieutenant 'JB', a combat fighter instructor in Air Force, helped John get into the cockpit of the static Spitfire. He said it was great to see John's love and passion for the aircraft.
"It was amazing watching him. As soon as he got into the cockpit, he knew exactly where to put his hands on the control stick and he put his finger on the trigger."
"It was great seeing how happy he was getting into the Spitfire, it's the same love we have when we get into the cockpit," Flight Lieutenant JB said.
John enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 26 February 1943. He learnt to fly on Tiger Moths and Wirraways before flying the legendary Spitfire.
The Commanding Officer of No. 100 Squadron, Wing Commander Richard Brougham, explained how at the Airshow John got to meet the newer generation of fighter pilots, as well as the pilot who flew the Spitfire in the lunchtime flying display and some of the younger aviators in 100 Squadron.
"It was great they got to talk to living history and, when he spoke to the display pilot who flew the Spitfire, he gave him some instructional technique on landing, which was terrific."
"It's great current members got to meet someone who has flown this aircraft. The opportunity to hear his stories and learn from his experience is becoming rarer," Wing Commander Brougham said.
John's day at the Airshow started with watching a Spitfire in the air. He then travelled down to see the aircraft as it sat statically. After sitting in the cockpit and reminiscing about his flying days, he sat with Wing Commander Brougham to watch the afternoon flying display of Australian Defence Force capability.
At one stage during the flying display, a Mustang and Spitfire flew in mixed formation with a F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A Lightning II. In the air was Air Force's proud history and current capability side-by-side, just as it was on the ground as the Second World War veteran sat next to Wing Commander Brougham, taking in how much air power capability has evolved.
