WW2 FAA Pilot gets his 'wings' back

This story was published in the December issue of “‘Today’s Pilot” . Repeated here for the benefit of any ‘Flypast’ readers who missed it.
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Regular readers of Flypast (with very good memories) may remember an article ‘Strike on Koriyama’ published in Aug/Sept 1996 in which Vic Spencer recalled his experiences of the Fleet Air Arm attack on Koriyama Airfield (120 miles north of Tokyo) on August 10, 1945.

For Vic and his Grumman Avenger, this was to be an ill-fated mission. Flying with ‘828’ squadron, Vic took-off from the carrier “Implacable” as part of a force of 12 Avengers. During the attack on the airfield, Vic’s aircraft was hit by flak and made a forced-landing in a paddy field some 30 miles from the Japanese coast. Vic and his crewman (The Avenger carried a Telegraphist Air Gunner) survived the landing and managed to evade capture for 2 nights before being apprehended by Japanese military. Luckily, the war in the Pacific was nearly over, and Vic spent only a few weeks in Omori POW camp before liberation by US Marines.

After the war, Vic became an airline pilot and flew an interesting selection of what we now consider to be ‘historic’ aircraft (including Dakota, Viking, Argonaut, Rapide, Dove, Viscount and Britannia 100). Notably, Vic was Chief Pilot of Aden Airways prior to and during the ‘troubles’ there (1963-67). He concluded his professional flying career with Britannia Airways flying as Captain on their Boeing 737 fleet. At the time, he was believed to be the oldest pilot ever to have completed the 767 type-rating course, although he opted to retire in 1984 without ever flying that type on the line.

In retirement, Vic continued to fly recreationally and owned a Taylorcraft BC12D for a number of years. In 1988 Vic made the acquaintance of Ray & Mark Hanna, and was delighted to be allowed to fly the Old Flying Machine Company’s Duxford-based Avenger. Unfortunately in 1991, after making only 4 flights in the Avenger, a minor coronary resulted in the loss of Vic’s flying medical.

Undeterred, Vic took up gliding, achieving BGA Bronze in 1994 and he subsequently owned a PW5 glider. However he was determined to resume powered flying and to this end, took some instruction in microlight aircraft.

In 2003, Vic became aware of the less-restrictive medical requirements of the National PPL (NPPL), and undertook a short course of refresher training with instructor Brian Clark at the Rural Flying Corps, Bourn airfield, Cambridgeshire. His perseverance was rewarded in August when he successfully completed navigation and general skill tests with examiner Lindsay Brown. In early Sept, a brand-spanking-new NPPL fell through his letterbox.

As can be seen from the picture, Vic is clearly delighted to be airborne once again. At the fine age of 79, he must be one of very few WW2 veterans still flying. Furthermore, with a grand total of some 22,800 flying hours, he will surely be one of the most experienced NPPLs.

Vic during his Skill Test with examiner Lindsay Brown (a feeble excuse to get a C152 picture into the “historic” forum !)