Final mission for dambuster hero

DAMBUSTER: Les Munro, pictured here in 1943, flew 57 bombing sorties over Europe during World War II and put his survival down to "Lady Luck".

It's the last official speech from the last 'Dambuster' pilot.

Squadron leader Les Munro is tall, robust and authoritative, and commands an attentive audience, even at age 95.

The former King Country farmer, now living in Tauranga with his long-time partner Christine Ross, had been coaxed to Masterton as guest speaker for the official launch of Wings over Wairarapa 2015 at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park on Wednesday night.

Mr Munro, who flew in the Dambusters mission in World War 2, said his speech in support of Wings over Wairarapa will be his swansong after years of official engagements and public speaking. As Ms Ross put it: "he's 95 - how long do you want him to go on for?"

But Mr Munro easily strode to the stage and, armed with a laser pointer and a PowerPoint presentation, he reminded the audience of around 100 people that 617 squadron was notable for more than just the 1943 Dambusters mission, which he flew at age 25.

"The dam raid seems to have captured the imagination of authors around the world - God knows how many books have been published," he said.

"But there's insufficient recognition for other operations carried out by 617 squadron."

He said the squadron's involvement in the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in 1944 was "a classic example ... of endurance and determination".

But in his opinion Operation Taxable, a series of feints by numerous bombers across the Channel a day before D-Day, was the most important mission the squadron carried out.

"Not because of bad weather, not because of the risk of enemy action, and not measured by any visible result.

"But very exacting requirements in navigation and flying."

After his speech, Mr Munro told the Times-Age he had been involved in public speaking for many years, and admitted the demands on his time with engagements and autograph hunters had become "rather stressful". Wings over Wairarapa airshow director Tom Williams asked him out of "retirement" to lend his name to the official launch.

"He's been very good, flown me to each of the airshows - I felt indebted to him," said Mr Munro.

He attended the 2013 Wings over Wairarapa, which included a guest seat in the cockpit of a De Havilland Mosquito fighter bomber as it flew a demonstration flight to Wellington.

Ask whether he would attend Wings over Wairarapa 2015, he said, "I may well be - depends on my health".

The airshow has a budget of just over $1m, said Wings over Wairarapa trustee Bob Francis.

The Trust is organising sponsorship, corporate tables, stall sites and ticket sales.

The three-day show over Wellington Anniversary Weekend attracted over 24,000 people and an estimated credit card spend of $4.6m, says Destination Wairarapa.

Mr Francis said they are looking at making it a four-day event next year.

For more information see www.wings.org.nz.