Prince William has taken a flight with the Battle of Britain memorial flight team as part of a visit recognising those who continue to protect UK airspace.
The Duke of Cambridge sat in the front seat of a Chipmunk training aircraft during the visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).
Before taxiing and taking off William spent time with Second World War RAF veterans surrounded by Spitfire and Hurricanes kept in the air by the BBMF.Former pilot Ken Wilkinson, one of those famously dubbed the "few" by Winston Churchill, talked with the Duke and asked if he had flown in his old aircraft.
Prince Harry has piloted the plane and William replied "my brother's been up in one and I'm dying to do it".At the helm was Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, officer commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and he spent some time taking William through the controls before they took to the skies.
They were joined by a Spitfire, flown by Flight Lieutenant Anthony Parkinson, and the two flew in formation.
The Duke was clearly impressed with the Spitfire, telling the two pilots and 97-year-old Mr Wilkinson: "Seeing it flying alongside was fantastic - pretty special."
Sqn Ldr Mason said it was an "absolute" privilege to have William in the aircraft, and added the Duke took control of the plane once they were airborne.The plan was for William to join the crew of a Dakota aircraft, but when a mechanical issue was found with the vintage plane a back-up Chipmunk needed to be used.
Before taking the flight the Duke observed the 100th Anniversary Parade of the illustrious 29 (Reserve) Squadron and took the royal salute while a flypast of four Typhoons roared overhead.
The squadron's flying history dates back to the First World War but it now plays a modern role training Typhoon jet pilots.
The base is responsible for delivering the Quick Reaction Alert, launching armed aircraft at short notice to investigate potential threats to Britain
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