A 96-year-old veteran pilot took to the skies again last week in a Spitfire – 71 years after he last flew the iconic plane.

Squadron Leader Tom Rosser, who lives in Marlow, rolled back the years at Biggin Hill Airport in Kent and soared through the skies in the fighter aircraft alongside his friend and pilot, Richard Verrall.

Ex-British Airways captain, Mr Verrall, flies Spitfires and Hurricanes on a regular basis from the Heritage Hangar at the airport and decided to take Mr Rosser on a trip down memory lane.

The former Shiplake resident travelled to Kent from his new home at Cliveden Manor Care Home, in Marlow Road, especially for the exciting flight.

Mr Verrall said: “I took Tom flying in a two seat Spitfire last week, some 71 years after he last flew one. The CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] have changed the rules recently, which now permit passengers to be flown in Spitfire aircraft. 

“We flew from historic Biggin Hill Airport in Kent from the Heritage Hangar, which has around 13 Spitfires, a Hurricane and a Messerschmitt 109 hangared there. 

“Tom has visited on a number of occasions and viewed the aircraft but until last week had not flown.”

Squadron Leader T.N. Rosser OBE DFC first volunteered for pilot training early in 1940. After training in England he was commissioned and flew with Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons in England and Bengal from August 1941 until December 1942.

He then joined No 3 PRU (later redesignated 681 Squadron) in Calcutta for photographic reconnaissance operations in Japanese-occupied Burma, Thailand, and the Andaman Islands.

After his operational tour ended in July 1944, he commanded the PR training Flight in 74 OTU in Palestine until VE Day when the OTU was disbanded. He later formed and led a temporary squadron of Spitfire fighter/bombers based in Egypt for internal security duties in the Middle East.

He was demobilised in late 1946 after administrative appointments in Air HQ Egypt, and at RAF Cranwell.