Harry is still a high flyer at 97

AN RAF veteran took to the skies one more time at the grand old age of 97 – thanks to a kind-hearted teenage pilot

- DOUGLAS WHITBREAD

Ex-engine fitter Harry Appleton was treated to a 20-minute flight above the skies of Manchester in 18-year-old Nathaniel McMurray’s four-seater plane.

Harry, from Swinton, Salford, said: “It was a fabulous day. Absolutely perfect. There’s no other way to describe it.”

Nathaniel, who still hasn’t passed his driving licence, flew Harry and other military vets in his Cessna 172 light aircraft for charity on Saturday.

The schoolboy and air cadet, who started flying at 14, came up with his heartfelt idea after learning about how many veterans ‘struggle with social isolation’. And for the next three weekends, he aims to take 100 heroes up in his hired plane, two at a time.

Harry, who served for six years in the RAF’s 1660 squadron bomber command, sat in the co-pilot’s seat during his flight. During his time in the RAF, he would fit engines in planes and – despite never having a flying lesson – would take command occasionally on test flights.