Worcestershire war veteran who fought with Nazi pilots refused entry into Spitfire cockpit

Jan 8 2012 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

WHEN Eric Carter was just 21 he risked his life on a daily basis, flying his Spitfire in dogfights against Nazi aces above the frozen seas and tundra of Arctic Russia.

The fresh-faced hero had lied about his age to join the war effort and was soon packed off on a top secret RAF mission to help save the vital Russian port of Murmansk from German invaders.

No challenge was too daunting for the high-flying hero.

But now he has been shot down – by health and safety red tape.

When Eric received a special invitation to inspect a Spitfire at a Midland museum, he was delighted to be reacquainted with the flimsy Castle Bromwich-made fighter he entrusted with his life.

Then the 91-year-old veteran was left gobsmacked after worried officials refused his request to sit in the cockpit – because health and safety rules deemed it too risky.

Last night Eric, from Worcestershire, told the Sunday Mercury he could barely contain his amusement when told the news.

“You couldn’t make it up,” he smiled. “I used to fly those things every day fighting the Germans.

“Now that really was a health and safety concern, let me tell you!

“But you have to chuckle. I don’t think they meant any harm, and they gave me a lovely day out at their museum, which is great.

“I had to laugh to think that I couldn’t sit in a stationary Spitfire in case I got hurt. I think they had their reasons, and they were probably just trying to be extra careful, which was very nice.

“I just wish the Luftwaffe had been so caring.”

Mr Carter was grounded on a visit to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, in Hanley, near Stoke-on-Trent.

He was invited there to look at the type of plane he flew during the war, a Spitfire XVI LF RW388, but also because he trained as pilot in the city before being sent on his mission to Russia.

Eric is the last surviving member of a task force which was sent to keep the port of Murmansk open at any cost in order to keep crucial supply lines open to Soviet Russia following the German invasion of 1941.