A BASINGSTOKE pilot helped a Second World War veteran achieve his dream of flying in a Spitfire for his birthday.

On Saturday 7 April, Den Wood, 94, flew in formation in the iconic aircraft, to be surprised with a secret mid-air rendezvous for both planes.

Tom Graham, Den’s friend and regular pilot, organised the surprise in the centenary celebrations of the Royal Air Force this year. Tom and photographer Jamie Dunkley flew just 15 feet next to the aeroplane to capture the event on camera, while being in formation.

Den has wanted to fly in a Spitfire since watching the plane’s maiden voyage in Southampton when he was 14. During the war, he flew a Wellington bomber over Rhodesia.

Flown by Former Navy Harrier pilot Don Sigournay, the Spitfire took off from its home at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar in the morning. It was accompanied in the sky by the Piper Cherokee aeroplane, flown by Tom.

Basingstoke pilot, Tom Graham, said: “Den and I have flown together a lot in recent years for Project Propeller. This particular occasion is the highlight - flying in formation with the iconic Spitfire with our friends in both aircraft is a pretty special moment for us all and I am delighted to be involved.”

Tom, who Den calls his ‘air taxi’, flies him every year to Project Propeller, which is an annual reunion for more than 150 Second World War aircrew. All the people who attend are flown in, from all over the world, by volunteers in light aircraft. As a result, Tom knew how important this would be for Den, and arranged for the two planes to meet in the air.

Last year Den had been scheduled to go up in the Spitfire only to be denied on doctor’s orders at the last minute due to medical issues.

The photographer Jamie Dunkley, also from Basingstoke, said: “It was a fabulous occasion to photograph the Spitfire in flight. Only had a few minutes as it flew alongside but the makeshift cabin we prepared and the superb weather conditions made for a fantastic and exhilarating shoot.”