A  Bovey Tracey man  has been lucky enough to take to the skies in one of the world’s rarest aircraft still flying.

Former RAF engineer  David Heath is no stranger to flights in historic aircraft, having already bagged flight hours in a twin-seat Spitfire, Hurricane, P-51 Mustang and a Harvard - and can now add the WW2-era  Blenheim to his list

Last  month the 73 year old travelled to Duxford to fly in the world’s sole airworthy Bristol Blenheim light bomber. 

She is now operated by Aerial Collective at Duxford airfield, home of the Imperial War Museum and  is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority to carry just nine lucky passengers a year.

‘The last time I saw her was back in 2019 when she was in bits, awaiting a rebuild,’ said David

‘I jokingly said to the chief engineer that I’d love a flight in her  - not expecting that five years later my name would be pulled out of the hat for a flight this year.’

This aircraft entered RAF service with 23 Squadron on September 2, 1939 just one day after war broke out and took part in the Battle of Britain.

Pilot for David’s  flight was Jon Gowdy,  who also flies for British Airways as a pilot in his day job.

‘After getting strapped into the greenhouse-like cockpit Jon wound up the two  Bristol Mercury nine-cylinder radial piston engines which ran as  sweet as a nut,’ continued David.

‘Taking off on runway 24 we were soon airborne and headed out past Stanstead and towards Felixstowe docks where we saw two container ships in the harbour and carried out a simulated bomb run. 

‘As I was in the observer/bomb aimers seat it really brought home to me just how brave those young airmen were in the war.’

After a fly past at RAF Wattisham,  where David was based back  n 1972 , it was time to return to Duxford.

‘Jon obtained permission to do a run and break down the runway at 200mph  much to the delight of hundreds of tourists who were visiting the Imperial War Museum,’ added David.

‘It was a truly incredible experience I will cherish for a very long time.’

And as for his next sortie David already has tentative plans.

‘They do have a Westland Lysander - an aircraft best known for completing clandestine operations dropping and picking up agents in occupied Europe , ‘ he said with a big grin.

‘Now that would be nice to add to the list.’

Bristo Blenheim. Reaching for the sky - David and pilot Jon Gowdy line-up the aircraft on the runway at Duxford prior to take-off
Reaching for the sky - David and pilot Jon Gowdy line-up the aircraft on the runway at Duxford prior to take-off ( )
Bovey Tracey resident David Heath who was lucky enough to secure a flight the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim - an RAF light bomber from the start of WW2
David Heath with pilot Jon Gowdy after the flight (David Heath)
Bovey Tracey resident David Heath who was lucky enough to secure a flight the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim - an RAF light bomber from the start of WW2
The Blenhein starts its take-off run (David Heath)
Bovey Tracey resident David Heath who was lucky enough to secure a flight the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim - an RAF light bomber from the start of WW2
David Heath and the Bristol Blenheim (David Heath)
Flight -briefing - David Heath in the cockpit of the Blenheim
Flight -briefing - David Heath in the cockpit of the Blenheim ( )
The world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim
The world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim ( )
Bovey Tracey resident David Heath who was lucky enough to secure a flight the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim - an RAF light bomber from the start of WW2
David Heath viewed from the bomb-aimer’s window (David Heath)