Wem WWII fighter ace honoured with model Spitfire
A Shropshire fighter ace and one of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War has been presented with a handmade model of the aircraft he flew in Malta during the conflict.
Squadron Leader Allan Scott, of Wem, was presented with the model Spitfire by Bravo Delta Models’ CEO Edward Martin.
The Devon-based model-making firm wanted to honour the 96-year-old, who served in the RAF for 35 years and is the last surviving Siege of Malta fighter pilot.
Mr Martin presented the model Spitfire to Mr Scott at Sleap Airfield, near Shrewsbury, on Saturday.
WATCH Mr Scott with his Spitfire model:
The Spitfire Vb is the same model Mr Scott flew in the Siege of Malta in 1942.
Mr Scott, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, has also had his story told in a new book called The Last Heroes.
On receiving his model Spitfire, Mr Scott said: “It is a fantastic recreation of the Spitfire I flew in.
“I’m so pleased to have it.”
His friend Andrew Perkins, 56, of Shrewsbury, was also at the presentation.
He said: “They wanted to honour him in some way. The model is of the Spitfire Vb. It’s the one he flew in Malta in 1942.
“He shot down more than five enemy aircraft.
“Allan was overjoyed with the presentation. It is a beautiful model and will be going in a cabinet at his home.”
Mr Scott was based at Biggin Hill flying Spitfires during 1940 and 1941 and caught the tail end of the Battle of Britain.
He was then posted to Malta and took part in the vicious air battles there.
He finished the war with 13 kills and several probables.
In 2015, at the age of 94, Mr Scott was able to take to the skies again in his beloved Spitfire after a break of 65 years.
He took control of a two-seater version being flown at his old airfield of Biggin Hill.
