A WARTIME aviator who later in life became the oldest stunt pilot in Britain died in hospital on April 12, aged 92.

Hampshire-born Doug Gregory was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service flying night fighters in support of Allied bombers over Germany during the Second World War.

He later went on to become a teacher, but after retiring he built a replica First World War biplane and helped found the Great War Display Team, performing at shows across the country, including near his home in the New Forest.

Mr Gregory was born in Southampton in 1923, attending Freemantle School.

He joined the Royal Air Force as soon as he reached 18, and after training in Southern Rhodesia he was posted to No. 141 Squadron in early 1943.

Initially flying Beaufighters on anti-U-boat patrols, he and his comrades were later assigned Mosquito night fighters and tasked to support Bomber Command. He flew nearly 70 sorties before being awarded the DFC and re-posted as an instructor in Gibraltar.

After the war, Mr Gregory, now a Flight Lieutenant, spent several months in India as a test pilot before returning to the UK in 1946 to become a teacher.

Four years later he married Liz.

He taught art and is well remembered by his former students at Hardley and Noadswood schools, the former now the New Forest Academy.

Mr Gregory retired at 60 and went on to build his SE5a biplane replica over a four-year period between 1983-87, at a cost of £5,000.

He flew the aircraft for more than two decades with the Great War Display Team, becoming the oldest stunt pilot in Britain in his eighties.

In 2010, he and some of his fellow pilots took part in a dogfight over the New Forest to celebrate the centenary of the former Royal Flying Corps airfield at East Boldre.

His final flight was on his 90th birthday. Shortly after, in an interview with the Daily Echo, he said: "That's where I ought to be, in an aircraft.

"Like a sailor likes the sea, I like the air. I feel happy when I'm up there among the clouds. I feel free, turning and twisting upside down."

He published his autobiography 'Aeroaddict, the story of one man's love affair with aeroplanes' in 2014. His other interests included classic cars and writing poetry.

Mr Gregory died in Southampton General Hospital after being involved in a car crash while walking to the shops near his home.

He leaves his wife, son and daughter.