A 102-YEAR-OLD former RAF pilot who fought during the Second World War will be the guest of honour at a new airshow.
The Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome’s Propwash, which is set to take place on July 23, aims to showcase aviation history and raise funds for the preservation of the aerodrome.
During the war, Jim Dearlove served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force and conducted daring bombing raids on Berlin while flying his de Havilland Mosquito.
His experiences make him a sought-after figure, and he has gladly accepted the invitation from the SMGWA charity to share his insights and answer questions from the audience.
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Ian Flint, chief executive of the charity, said he was honoured that Jim would be joining the event.
He said: "All of us at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome are honoured and delighted to have Jim join us at Propwash.
"The opportunities to hear first-hand from those who flew in defence of our nation in the Second World War are, sadly, now extremely limited and that is why we are sure there will be a large audience for Jim’s appearance at our event."
The 102-year-old joined the RAF at the age of 19 in 1940 and underwent flying training in Devon and Canada.
Following his training, he became a flying instructor and spent additional time in Canada before returning to the UK.
He later joined the 571 squadron at Oakington in Cambridgeshire, where he flew the iconic de Havilland Mosquito on numerous missions to Berlin from November 1944 to April 1945, carrying formidable 4,000lb bombs.
He said: "The Mosquito could outfly the fighters the Luftwaffe sent up to intercept us and while my aircraft was attacked on a couple of occasions when returning home, I was never shot down."
After the war, Jim pursued a career as a retail manager in Berkshire.
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On his 100th birthday in 2021, he was treated to a memorable flight in a Spitfire from Duxford, relishing the exhilaration of flying over the white cliffs of Dover and performing aerobatic manoeuvres.
Propwash is a new event on the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome calendar and is the first of its type dedicated to aviation.
Situated between Chelmsford and Maldon in the Essex countryside, the aerodrome features the largest collection of Royal Flying Corps buildings in the world.
For more information, visit stowmaries.org.uk.
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