I flew the world's only full-size WW2 Spitfire simulator and was blown away

Your patriotic Express went 'Chocs Away and Tally Ho!' in Blackpool - to 'Reach For The Skies' in the world's only full-size WWII Spitfire fighter simulator. Normally when holidaymakers soar through Blackpool's air it's strapped in one of the Pleasure Beach Resort's edge-of-your-seat rollercoasters like the Big Dipper.

So imagine my thrill when invited to the Spitfire Visitor Centre at Blackport Airport to don a WWII flight suit, fur-lined jacket, leather gloves and boots, lifejacket, pilot's cap and even a heavy parachute and clamber into the Mk V Supermarine Spitfire that struck terror into Hitler's Luftwaffe. Under the watchful eye of genius designer Andrew Harper, I strapped into the authentic cockpit, pulled back the stick and watched myself roar at 300mph across the giant cinema screen to intercept a Nazi bomber formation.

And I endured the thrill and guilt our brave Battle of Britain heroes must have felt as I watched my fellow RAF pals being hit - before I shot down a five-man Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber as it tried to wreak havoc on one of our factories or streets below.

With all those layers on I probably should have avoided wearing a jumper underneath, and as my mission went on it felt roasting and stifling inside the cockpit - especially as I suffer claustrophobia.

But if those 3,000 RAF Battle of Britain pilots did it day-after-day, claustrophobia was not going to stop me getting a taste for what they must have lived through.

At times, patient Andrew had to gently remind me on my headset that I was actually being shot at by the bombers! I can't say I would have lasted long in a dogfight against an ace in a nimble Messerschmitt Bf109 fighter.

I made a few raking runs past the formations of bombers and after bagging a Heinkel for King and country discretion became the better part of valour so I returned to base for tea and biscuits with the chaps in the mess.

My admiration for The Few was sky-high - especially as Andrew explained the leather gloves would have only protected the pilot's skin for around 30 seconds in a flaming, stricken plane.

The 30ft-long plane simulator is a testament to Andrew's six years of determination to show as realistically as possible the sights, sounds and feel of flying WWII's most iconic aircraft.

He's worked in the aerospace industry for over 30 years, based in the Middle East, Africa and more recently the UK. Half of that time has been as a ground school technical instructor on fast jet fighter and advanced trainer aircraft. He has also worked on advanced fast jet fighter simulators.

Andrew told us: "From the enthusiasm of the public being able to get up close to a spitfire, even a replica, I came up with the concept of a populated cockpit with working switches, instruments radios, lights and intercom and integrating these with flight simulation games thereby enabling people to experience the atmosphere of flying a spitfire.

"Period clothing further enhances the immersive experience of flying this iconic aircraft, from climbing in, strapping down and going through the checks and functions to starting engine, taxiing and getting airborne."

He added: "They get dressed up, have a technical briefing, navigation briefing, then take to the skies - first flying from Blackpool up into the Lake District and later on a combat mission.

"For combat there are two scenarios. This one here, bomber intercept and the next one is a dogfight. Dogfight is significantly more difficult!

"Whereas the bombers were holding their formation and maintaining arcs of fire, with dogfighting it's a big free-for-all. You also have to correctly identify the target before you open up.

"When people come and have a go, and have all the gear on, it gives them a renewed sort of pride in what these RAF pilots did."

I asked knowledgeable Andrew if all his customers are keen RAF ace wannabes?

He added: "I think the most odd one I had had two current German Luftwaffe - as it's still called that - air force pilots come all the way here just to try this.

"It was fascinating hearing German being spoken over the intercom for a change!"

I asked him what they thought of it as current Luftwaffe aces. "Did they go, why are you shooting our bombers down?!?"

Andrew quipped: "Quite! They were bowled over by it. What else could they be - it's so realistic!"

* For a special treat you can enjoy the unique flight Sim experience at https://ravencockpits.co.uk/unique-gift-for-plane-and-aviation-enthusiasts-the-supermarine-spitfire-simulator/