ALEX Henshaw, the famous WWII Spitfire test pilot, had a flight in a special two-seat ‘Spit’ last month as part of celebrations for the iconic aircraft’s 70th birthday. The 8-minute flight took place at Southampton Airport where the company which designed and made the aircraft, Supermarine, was based in 1936. The aircraft’s designer, R J Mitchell, died the year after it had its first flight.

Alex, now 93, said: “For me this is really full circle as I first flew the spitfire from Eastleigh on my birthday in November 1939. This is the last time I will go up in one so it’s very nostalgic.”