CENTENARIAN Ken Tunley was left on cloud nine after being taken for the flight of his life in a World War II biplane to mark his 100th birthday.
The aged care resident from Bundoora, Victoria, was taken on an exhilarating joyride through the clouds in a 1930s open cockpit Boeing Stearman plane recently.
Taking off from Tiger Moth World in Torquay, Ken's pilot Grant Walsh remarked it wasn't often the passenger was older than the plane.
"The plane ride was fabulous - I really like flying," said Ken, who donned a Biggles-style leather jacket, helmet and goggles for the experience.
"We didn't do any aerobatics, but it was great to be up in the air. It reminded me of the times I flew with my sons."
It wasn't the first time playing passenger for Ken - a resident at Vasey RSL Care Bundoora. He was often invited aboard light aircraft flights while two of his sons were undergoing aviation training.
Ken's children - born not long after the World War II - watched from nearby as the plane took off.
A loop-the-loop was out of the question, but Ken said he relished the expansive views of the Great Ocean Road, crisp air and feeling of complete freedom.
Mother Nature called in a favour, delivering clear blue skies for the veteran's birthday flight.
The flight was a gift to Ken as part of Vasey RSL Care's Hero's Wish program, honouring veterans and war widows for service to their country.
Ken was conscripted for active service during World War II when he was 22. Born in Sydenham in south-east London, Ken worked as a plumber for the army, building shower blocks and water services.
He remained in active service for six years, before being demobbed. A few years later he and his wife decided to emigrate from the UK to Australia.
Vasey RSL chief executive officer Janna Voloshin said through the Hero's Wish program they had been able to make numerous wishes come true for veterans and war widows in their community.
"It is a real pleasure to give back to those who have done so much for our country," she said.
"The smile on Ken's face when he went up in the plane was priceless. We want to be able to bring that smile to more people in our community."
Vasey RSL Care is a not-for-profit aged care organisation and welcomes donations for the Hero's Wish program.
To find out more about making or granting a wish, www.vaseyrslcare.org.au/heros-wish/
