RAF veteran reunites with jet he flew 60 years ago for 90th birthday

A former Royal Air Force pilot celebrated his 90th birthday with an emotional reunion with the de Havilland Vampire jet he flew more than six decades ago.

Tony Davies, from North Dorset, was surprised by his family with a special visit to Vanguard Storage in Bath, where the aircraft is on display. The Vampire was one of the first jets Tony flew after qualifying as an RAF pilot in 1961.

Accompanied by his daughter Sarah, Tony spent the visit recalling stories from his 28-year RAF career, during which he flew a range of aircraft including the Vampire, Jet Provost, Victor and Vulcan bombers. He was also a member of the Red Pelicans aerobatic display team in 1969, before the formation of the Red Arrows.

After retiring as an officer, Tony continued flying with the RAF Voluntary Reserve for another 14 years, taking Air Cadets into the skies.

"I felt wonderful and very privileged to be able to see a real Vampire again," Tony said. "It brought back so many memories from the early days of my flying career."