One of the founders of the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has taken to the sky over southern England in a World War II Spitfire fighter plane at the age of 102. Jack Hemmings’ flight raised more than A$5,000 for the Christian charity he co-founded nearly 80 years ago.
The Associated Press reports a much younger pilot Barry Hughes, who was in the front seat, described Jack as having a ‘natural touch’ when he took over the controls. “He didn’t need any instruction really. He just took control, flew us around, made some turnings and basic manoeuvres. I think he really enjoyed every single moment of the flight,” he observed.
The centenarian said it was “absolutely delightful” being back behind the controls, though he said the ride was “very bumpy. To be honest, it felt a bit rusty. Not surprising, I am rusty,” he added. The former squadron leader with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War Two had never flown a Spitfire before. He’s believed to be the oldest person to have flown the aircraft.
Jack launched MAF with former RAF flight engineer Stuart King and New Zealand Wellington bomber pilot Murray Kendon — both Christians — soon after the end of World War II as a humanitarian air service to take missionaries, medical staff and supplies, and the Gospel, to some of the most remote places on the planet. It currently has a fleet of around 120 planes.
In its appeals for support, the charity writes: “MAF uses planes to transform the lives the world’s most isolated people in need. We fly to overcome the barriers of jungles, mountains, swamps and poor roads to serve around 2,000 relief and mission groups. With a plane taking off or landing every 4 minutes, the need is huge. We need your help.”
Jack’s flight marked 80 years since the D-Day landings and paid tribute to co-founder Stuart King, who was at those landings and died in 2020 at the age of 98. Murray Kendon passed away in 2014, aged 97.
Jack Hemmings has previously performed aerobatics on his 100th birthday and raised a total of around A$80,000 to help fund MAF.
Photo: MAF UK
