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Former RAF wing commander Adrian Chiles, of Fornham All Saints, near Bury St Edmunds, commends Spitfire replica at Sim2Do flight simulator business in Mildenhall




A former RAF wing commander and Spitfire pilot has applauded his simulator experience in an ‘exact replica’ of the British single-seat fighter aircraft.

Adrian Childs, of Fornham All Saints, near Bury St Edmunds, has more than 4,000 hours of flying experience from his time in the RAF from 1964 to 2000.

The 79-year-old paid a visit to flight simulator business Sim2Do in Mildenhall, after talking with owner and ex-airman Kenneth Mockford, 60, at Lackford Lakes.

Ex-airman Kenneth Mockford with former RAF wing commander Adrian Childs. Pictures: Cameron Reid
Ex-airman Kenneth Mockford with former RAF wing commander Adrian Childs. Pictures: Cameron Reid

Kenneth, who lives in Beck Row with his wife Martine, has built multiple flight simulators in his garden shed, including a Boeing 737 plane, a Lynx Helicopter, an F35 fighter jet and a Spitfire.

His creations are so realistic that trainee pilots are able to use them to practice for their flight exams.

Following a ‘flying’ experience in the Spitfire, Adrian said: “In the RAF, I flew a lot of planes and out of all of them, the Spitfire was the most delightful - if you think about flying, it almost does it for you.

Adrian enjoyed flying the Spitfire most out of all the aircraft during his 36 years in the RAF
Adrian enjoyed flying the Spitfire most out of all the aircraft during his 36 years in the RAF

“As far as I’m aware, there are no simulators like this in the military and this replica is completely representative of how it is and it brings all the memories back for me.

“It is a privilege to sit in an absolute gem of a replica and Kenneth has produced something so realistic.

“It is honestly absolutely remarkable.”

Adrian joined the RAF in 1964 as a flight cadet and has racked up more than 4,000 flying hours
Adrian joined the RAF in 1964 as a flight cadet and has racked up more than 4,000 flying hours

He added: “Once this is ‘airborne’, it handles like a real aircraft, the visual display is excellent and every little detail is spot on.”

Adrian, who was a wing commander from 1990 to 1999, also brought his wife, Judith, and grandchildren, Minnie, 14, and Freddy, 13, to Sim2Do.

The two teenagers enjoyed their ‘flights’, especially Minnie, who is a member of the Bury St Edmunds Air Cadets.

“There are no simulators like this in the military and this Spitfire replica is completely representative of how it is"
“There are no simulators like this in the military and this Spitfire replica is completely representative of how it is"

During lockdown in 2020, Kenneth took on the challenge of building the Spitfire replica, and spent more than two years constructing the front half of the fighter aircraft.

He spent £30,000 buying parts for the fuselage using blueprints, making many parts individually from scratch.

Kenneth said: “Having Adrian in the Spitfire was a really good feeling and gave me goosebumps to be honest.

Adrian as wing commander while at RAF Coningsby
Adrian as wing commander while at RAF Coningsby

“Telling me how the controls felt and whatnot was really special and he is definitely one of my favourite people to come here and fly the Spitfire.”