Atlas A400M performs low level fly-past to celebrate RAF veteran turning 100
An RAF Atlas A400M aircraft has performed a low-level flypast to celebrate the upcoming birthday of a 99-year-old WW2 veteran.
A video posted to social media shows the RAF jet dipping its wing, in an apparent salute and nod to RAF veteran Fred Jennings.
Mr Jennings who served during the Second World War, is a custodian at the Ulster Aviation Society and turns 100 on Saturday 15 February.
My Jennings says that the secret to living such a long time is to "avoid fast women and slow horses," and said the most annoying thing is "the way you deteriorate".
The 320 Squadron veteran was born in 1925 and says that he joined the RAF just after his birthday in 1943 and attended radio and radar school.
He added: "When I passed out from there, I was posted to 320 Squadron, who were flying out of [RAF] Dunsfold and the letter I had with me didn't mention the fact that I was posted to a Dutch squadron."
He says the 98 Dutch personnel had no radar specialist there, so he went to support them.
During one air attack, he says he was very lucky when he "saw these five Focke-Wulf 190s [German air force fighter aircraft] coming from the east and the thought occurred to me, "that's an unusual direction from the Spitfires".
"Seconds later, virtually, they opened fire, and I was able to dive into this unfilled bomb crater," which he described as "perfect protection".
Mr Jennings recalled his colleagues followed him into the crater and they could hear the "shells thudding into the ground, but we were safe as houses in there".
In October 2020, Mr Jennings, who was 95 at the time, was presented with the Dutch Liberation Medal at the Embassy of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom.
The medal is presented as a token of gratitude from the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to those who contributed to the liberation of the Netherlands during World War 2.
A party is planned for the almost centenarian at the aircraft museum's site in Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
The A400M aircraft is capable of operating at altitudes up to 40,000ft and can also perform impressive low-level flight to deliver re-supply by parachute.
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