When the Lord Mayor of Birmingham launched his Spitfire week, he approached Alex Dunbar the MD of the Factory to put on a little display. He in turn asked Alex but, he replied he was worried about the local's and the danger if anything went wrong. This was cleared and the show went ahead. People later found out that this act of stupidity and defiance was to teach the Mayor and Dunbar a lesson.

He carried out all the manoveres and running out of height after a series of vertical rolls lined up for his run down the Highstreet. Proceding to do this ended up in the inverted position above the civic hall. The people ran for cover as the ear shattering noise brought the city to a standstill. Admiration for the man was high, but the police were not impressed.

After landing the police arrived to take Alex down the station to give a statment to be taken. His reply to this was "I am not going anywere, the Mayor gave me the all clear and that was good enough for me "

The demonstration took the city of Birmingham to new heights.The city and other fund raising organizations raised a furthe £6000 to put towards the building of four Spitfires.

Many people only remember him as a test pilot for Spitfires but he flew many other Aircraft at his beloved factory including Hurricane, Wellinghton and the Lancaster that was also built there (305 were built here) The Lancaster flying was close to his heart. Alex was the only man known to Victory roll a Lancaster with ground crew and fellow pilots by his side to verify this task of sheer brilliance.

I've got Sigh For a Merlin, anyone know where I can get Flight of The Mew Gull? Haven't seen any copies for a while...

Good to see someone that age rewarded for his contributions and experience with an opportunity like that!

If I were him, I'd value that flight more than a knighthood.