Pilot, 68, shared chilling warning before he died when his beloved replica Spitfire crashed into a field
THE pilot killed in a Spitfire crash had shared a chilling warning before his tragic death.
Trevor Bailey, 68, died after the replica plane crashed in a field near a busy A road in Enstone, West Oxfordshire, on Tuesday.
Emergency services rushed to scene at around 3pm and found the mangled wreckage of a light aircraft.
The pensioner had previously admitted that flying the plane “can be a challenge”.
Trevor, from Cheltenham, was one of the first onboard when enthusiasts launched a mission in 2018 to build the first modern Spitfires in Europe and get them flying again.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail in 2018, Trevor said he flew at least once a month but still admitted to feeling nervous before taking off despite believing that was a good thing.
In 2018, the tragic pilot said: “They are great fun to fly but can be a challenge.
“There is a lot going on and it’s not very comfortable.
“I think most pilots are wannabe Spitfire pilots but will never get the chance.”
The Spitfire Club, based at Enstone Airfield, constructed three models of the iconic aircraft at the time and is now in the process of building 15 Spitfires.
Organiser Paul Fowler, 57, paid tribute to Trevor after his tragic flight, describing him as a “great pilot and a friend”.
He told the Oxford Mail: “Trevor was always enthusiastic about the Spitfire project.
“It is a devastating loss to his family, friends and the whole flying community.”
His wife, Kate Dove, said Trevor “lost his life following his passion”.
In a tribute posted online, she said: “It is with the heaviest heart I need to let you all know that Trev is no longer with us.
“He was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and loved by so many wonderful friends the world over.
“He lost his life following his passion. We are all devastated.”
On Tuesday evening, cops revealed he had tragically died after initially reporting he had been injured.
Chief Inspector James Sullivan said: “We are on scene following this incident, there is one casualty, who is the pilot of the aircraft.
“We would ask members of the public to please avoid the area to assist in the emergency response and allow the investigation to take place.
“A road closure is in place on the B4022, just off the A44.
“If anyone has witnessed this incident or has any footage or photographs that will assist with the investigation, we would ask them to please contact us.
“We would kindly ask that members of the public do not post footage or photos of the scene or incident on social media.”