A war hero pilot who survived almost 70 skirmishes with the Luftwaffe has died after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver near his home.

Doug Gregory, 92, had popped out for his daily newspaper when he was struck by a car outside a petrol station.

The ex-Spitfire pilot suffered a serious head injury and was flown to hospital by air ambulance, but died two weeks later.

A hero: Doug Gregory. 92, only retired from his job as a stunt pilot two years ago. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after surviving almost 70 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe

Fighter pilot: The 92-year-old had survived 70 missions against the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. He flew Beaufighters and Mosquitoes before testing aircraft, including models of Spitfires and Hurricanes

Mr Gregory began flying during the Second World War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his gallantry in 69 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.

Having volunteered for the Royal Air Force as early as he could, straight after his 18th birthday in 1941, Mr Gregory flew Beaufighters and Mosquitoes. He also tested a wide range of aircraft, including Spitfires and Hurricanes.

A veteran of D-Day, the RAF’s Battle of Berlin bombing campaign and night sorties all over Europe, he recalled years later: ‘I wasn’t shot down but I was shot at. Luckily they missed – most of the time.’

Mr Gregory also survived a brain haemorrhage in 1947.

He only retired from his role as a stunt pilot at the age of 90. Mr Gregory was performing loop-the-loops throughout his 80s – earning the nickname The Flying Zimmer – as a founder member of the Great War Display Team, a band of pilots determined to preserve the spirit and skills of Britain’s First World War dogfighter heroes.

Knocked down: The war hero was making his daily trip to the shops and had just purchased a newspaper when he was struck. Officers are still investigating the collision but say no-one has been arrested or charged

Hit-and-run: Police at the scene where Mr Gregory was knocked down by a car. Officers say a female motorist driving a silver-coloured Nissan involved in the collision came forward and was interviewed under caution

The accident happened on March 30 just after he had bought a paper at his local newsagent’s in Blackfield, Hampshire.

His wife and son accompanied him to Southampton General Hospital, where he died on Sunday.

Police said a woman who was driving a silver-coloured Nissan involved in the accident later came forward and was interviewed under caution.

A police spokesman said officers were still investigating the accident. He added that no one had been arrested or charged in connection with the collision.

Last night tributes poured in. Military historian Paul Beaver tweeted: ‘Deep regret at passing of Doug Gregory, night intruder veteran & honorary member of Army Flying Association. Our thoughts with Liz & family.’

Another fan tweeted: ‘RIP Doug Gregory DFC a great former Mosquito and display pilot. Blue skies, Sir. Very sad news.’

Mr Gregory's love of flying continued after the war. He built a 1917-style bi-plane and joined the Great War Display Team, eventually becoming Britain's oldest stunt pilot until he decided to give up his role in 2013

Teacher: After leaving the RAF in 1946 Mr Gregory (left) became an art teacher at two Hampshire schools. Police said no-one had been arrested or charged in connection with the collision in Blackfield (right)

When he gave up his role as a stunt pilot in 2013 Mr Gregory insisted he would still continue to fly planes

Mr Gregory left the RAF in 1946 and spent the rest of his working life teaching art in a Hampshire comprehensive. But on his retirement, aged 60, he wanted to do something more than garden and play golf, so he used his £5,000 savings to spend four years building himself the 1917-style SE5A biplane that he flew in airshows.

He joined the Great War Display Team, saying: ‘Flying has been my favourite thing all my life, especially aerobatics. I don’t do any other kind of sport. Flying is quite enough to keep me going.’

Determined to teach younger generations of the bravery of the First World War pilots, he said in 2007: ‘I am afraid that the public’s grasp of history today is pathetic.

'If we can help people understand a bit more about what happened in the Great War, then it has to be worthwhile.’

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