A woman has managed to fly in her late grandfather's WW2 RAF plane after tracing its whereabouts on the other side of the world and recreated a treasured family photo. Courtney Dohnt, 38, from Australia, was never able to meet her grandfather Charles who fought alongside the Brits in a Hawker Hurricane.
The plane nicknamed Pegs, after his beloved wife Peggy, was shot down during a raid on German-occupied Dieppe, France, in August 1942. A photo of him alongside the plane had a prominent place in their home in Geelong, Victoria, Australia for as long as Courtney can remember.
Charles sadly passed away in 1963 of a heart attack. His family heard about a Hawker Hurricane being restored in Maidenhead, Berkshire, and got in touch in a bid to learn more about the plane.
They were overwhelmed to find restorers had used Charles' 'Pegs' tag on the paintwork, along with the kangaroo logo from his original. Courtney managed to fly to the UK from Australia to have a flight in the incredible plane on October 17 which is used for commemorative flights in the UK.
Courtney said: "I was so excited when I heard about the plane. I jumped at the chance to see it. I went to visit as I was over in the UK for a wedding and I couldn't quite believe it.
"It was so overwhelming to be able to see that plane, with 'Pegs' on the side for my grandmother, just like in the photo of Charles. That picture was on our wall in our home as I grew up so this experience hit me like a tonne of bricks."
Australian-born Charles was part of RAF Squadron no. 174 based at RAF Manston in northeast Kent during Second World War, fighting alongside the Allied forces. Courtney grew up hearing stories of her grandfather's impressive war efforts.
His original Hurricane, Pegs, also featured an image of a boxing kangaroo to represent his Australian background but this was shot down. The pilot never had the chance to say goodbye to Pegs (the plane) before his death in 1963.
The picture of Charles stood next to Pegs was a permanent feature in Courtney's home and was like a part of the family. It was always admired by his real-life widow Peggy.
When Courtney heard that restorers had found the exact same model as her grandfather's, she got in touch with Hurricane Heritage. It coincided with visiting the UK for a friend's wedding so it didn't take long until Courtney was on her way to Maidenhead.
After replicating the treasured family photo of Charles beside it, to her amazement, the restorers offered to take her out for a fly in Pegs.
She said: "A pilot flew me out and a spitfire pilot even flew out with us in formation. He flew beside us like cat and mouse. We were doing barrel rolls, loops and going upside down - I was proud I didn't throw up!
"But it was the most amazing experience as soon as I got there and saw 'Pegs' on the side. I got to not only see but fly in my grandfather's RAF plane - how many people get the chance to do that?"
