By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-08-13 18:45:46 | Updated at 2026-08-13 19:48:39
1 hour ago
Three World War II veterans have sat down with GB News after taking to the skies in the iconic Spitfire plane, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Speaking to National Reporter Will Godley, veterans Alfred Cooley, Ivan Staines and Paul Terry reflected on their experience as they embarked on a 45-minute flight across the British countryside.
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, the trio gathered at London Biggin Hill Airport ahead of their flight.
After returning to the runway after reaching cloud nine, Mr Cooley, Mr Staines and Mr Terry expressed their joy and gratitude for the experience.
Reflecting on the flight, Mr Cooley, aged 100, told the People's Channel it was an experience he "never thought would ever occur".
He said: "The nervousness appeared to disappear because I was more anxious about the heat because it was very, very hot, especially with that helmet and the gear on.
"And all I wanted to do, really, while waiting for the other plane was take off, and when we did, I felt fine."
Praising the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, Mr Cooley continued: "It's something I never thought would ever occur, but thanks to the taxi people, I got my wish.
Three WWII veterans sat down with GB News after flying in the iconic Spitfire planes for the first time
GB NEWS
"And I thank them very, very much because they're wonderful people and they do wonderful things, and I just feel so good about them."
Asking Mr Staines about his flight in the Spitfire, the 99-year-old WWII veteran said he "thoroughly enjoyed" taking to the sky.
He said: "It was marvellous; you could see for miles, and it was all countryside, not built-up areas. It was all countryside, and that was wonderful; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"She done one of the turns, and were like this up and down, that was lovely, I enjoyed it."
The three veterans took to the skies earlier today in three iconic Spitfire planes
GB NEWS
Will then asked Mr Terry about his flight, which was almost cancelled due to technical difficulties on the runway.
The 101-year-old veteran told Britain's News Channel: "I was a bit concerned at the start because the plane had a bit of problem with it, and I thought, well, I'd said my prayers last night, and eventually God answered the prayers, and it was a lovely flight, one I shan't forget.
"I didn't expect anything like that, but whilst I was out there, to be honest, my mind was on the young lads that fought in them planes, how terrible it must have been.
"There's very little room to manoeuvre, but they were really heroes, and I had a relation who was in the Air Force, but he never returned home. No one ever knew what happened to him, but these young fellows, they must have gone through hell."
Paul Terry told GB News the experience was 'marvellous' and 'above words'
GB NEWS
Heaping praise on the taxi charity, Mr Terry said he hopes the cause continues for "many, many years to come".
He said: "It's out of this world what they did, and it's been going since 1945. But you couldn't wish for a more caring bunch of people.
"There's nothing they wouldn't do for you, and I'm honoured that I'm actually a veteran and they appreciate what we did for them. They're wonderful, wonderful people.
"I pray that it will go on for many, many years and in fact, I pray that we never have it for our younger generation. They never went through what we went through, so there'll be no need for them. But obviously it's dwindling away now, we're getting older now, but our thanks go to them wholeheartedly for what they do. We're so safe and secure in their hands."
