A retired RAF Vulcan pilot from Colten Care’s Poundbury care home Castle View surprised aviation experts when he enjoyed a day out at Dorset’s Compton Abbas Airfield.

Captain Michael Harrington amazed his hosts by showing them logbooks from throughout his career documenting in detail his first flying school experiences right up to his years of service transporting members of the royal family around the UK and overseas.

Altogether he completed 417 royal legs and nine full royal tours, with passengers including Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princes William and Harry.

As well as talking through entries in the logbooks with the flight controller and other managers at Compton Abbas, Michael was invited into the hangar to view a vintage Chipmunk, a plane he flew regularly in his early years of RAF service.

After his visit, Michael said: “I had a truly spectacular day. I loved spending time at the airfield and watching learner pilots taking to the sky.”

Castle View companionship team leader Katja Williams, who accompanied Michael to Compton Abbas, said: “The flight controller and management were amazed that Michael held all of his logbooks. They really welcomed him and extended their gratitude to him for coming. And on our way home, Michael told me all about his favourite aircraft to master in the RAF, the Vulcan.”