SPITFIRE ace Allan Scott shot down dozens of Nazi fighter planes and came through World War Two without a single bullet hole in his plane.

His 603 Squadron fought at more than 400mph and were scrambled up to four times a day to battle German and Italian ­airmen in the skies over Malta, regularly out- numbered five to one.

11 Hero... Pilot Allan Scott fought daily against Nazi foes but his plane was never hit Credit: Collect

Aged just 21, Allan taught himself unique manoeuvres to stay alive in those endless weeks of ­conflict, surviving hundreds of dogfights without a scratch.

Then, in 1953, he was facing certain death at an air ­display in Edinburgh when he believes the spirit of his late father stepped in to save him as he plunged to earth.

At the controls of a Tiger Moth biplane, woodworm had ravaged part of the ­structure and it snapped as Allan was carrying out a combat ­landing.

As the plane smashed nose-first into the ground, he was catapulted from the cockpit — his tough webbing harness having been mysteriously sliced through.

11 Nosedive... air show crash in 1953 Credit: Collect

11 Recovery... Allan was injured after plunge but survived healthy Credit: Collect

After the crash, RAF experts could provide no answers for Allan’s miraculous escape and, for the first time in an official ­investigation report, declared “supernatural” as the explanation for his death-defying escape.

As the RAF celebrates its 100th birthday tomorrow, Allan says in an exclusive ­interview with The Sun: “There wasn’t time to get a knife and cut the straps. It must have been a guardian angel. I ­certainly didn’t do it.”

He is convinced his father George, who died just after the end of World War Two, was with him in the cockpit.

Now 96 years old, Allan shakes his full head of grey hair and says: “It was a miracle. I can’t explain it.

“I think it was my father protecting me.”

11 Allan with dad George and mum Mary Credit: The Sun / Collect

Recently Allan, the last remaining RAF ace from the siege of Malta, returned to the Mediterranean island.

He was guest of honour and met Prince Charles in celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Britain’s battle to prevent the island falling into Adolf Hitler’s hands.

During that time Allan became an ace with six confirmed kills, including blasting a German bomber out of the sky.

But modestly, his bulging logbook records many of the other Nazi fighter planes he shot as “unconfirmed”.

11 Spitfire... Allan flew Britains most iconic fighters Credit: PA:Press Association

Allan, from Wem, Shrops, says: “For six months the Axis powers bombed an island the size of the Isle of Wight, 60 miles from Sicily.

“Malta was to become known as the most bombed place on Earth.

“Hitler wanted air superiority to get supplies through the Mediterranean to Rommel who was fighting the Desert Rats in North Africa.

“We were stopping them so we had to be got rid of.”

11 Allan today with Sun writer Mike Ridley Credit: Paul Edwards - The Sun

Months under siege left Malta in ruins. The people had been bombed out of their homes and food was so scarce Allan lost 4st in six months.

Pilots back in the UK were fed bacon and eggs before flying but those stationed at Malta’s RAF bases — Takali, Luqa and Hal Far — were lucky to get a cup of tea and a slice of bread for breakfast.

And many suffered from the infamous Malta Dog — violent diarrhoea caused by a lack of food.

Only the arrival in Valletta harbour of five shot-up ships, from a convoy of 14 that had left the UK, saved the island from starvation and surrender in mid-1942.

11 Young guns... Allan, stood second right, with his squadron Credit: Collect

Last summer Allan attended the world premiere in London of the movie Dunkirk, which starred Tom Hardy as a Spitfire pilot.

But Allan says of the film’s action scenes: “They were too slow. I could shoot down three in the time it took him to bag one.

“It seemed to take ages for them to shoot down a bomber. A three-second burst was all you needed to wallop them down.

“You just couldn’t sit there and pick your target.”

11 Log book... Allan shot down three enemy planes in one day Credit: Collect

Allan is not bragging in any way. He did shoot down three enemy planes in a single day during the battle for Malta.

He is simply trying to explain the speed of mind and hand RAF pilots needed to survive a dogfight against Messerschmitt fighters ­protecting the Nazis’ Junker and Heinkel bombers.

He says: “The sky would be filled with aircraft, all of them twisting and turning, my head jerking with them, eyes flitting from one flick of a movement to another.

“The Spitfire became an extension of the mind. You were part of the aircraft.

"In a dogfight it ­automatically turned with you and you were part of that aircraft.

“I had eight machine guns and two cannons, each firing 20 rounds per second, which in a three- second burst would deliver 600 rounds, usually sufficient to destroy a bomber.”

11 Royal visit... Allan meeting George VI Credit: Collect

It was 75 years ago last year that Allan shot down three German planes on that fateful single mission.

On October 12, 1942, he scrambled to intercept a large convoy of more than 100 German Junkers Ju 88 bombers escorted by a swarm of Messerschmitt ME109 fighters.

At 450mph, Allan climbed to 15,000ft before diving nearly 10,000ft to attack the flying armada below.

He remembers: “I got my sights on a Ju 88 and opened fire with a good three-second burst. Bits flew off it and the engine was hit, smoke pouring out.

11 Wreckage of a German Ju 88 plane in Malta Credit: Media Drum World

“A dogfight was in progress with Spitfires and 109s weaving all over the sky. I managed to destroy a 109 and damage another.

“With the need for attacking fighters to reserve enough fuel to get back to base, dogfights did not last long.”

At the end of our interview, ­modest Allan insisted: “Don’t make me out to be a hero — we were just doing our job.”

But a grateful country did think he was a hero and as a non- commissioned pilot sergeant Allan was awarded a rare DFM, the ­Distinguished Flying Medal, for his actions in Malta.

And last year Allan got back into the cockpit of a Tiger Moth — just like the one that he crashed in in 1953.

11 Allan got back into a Tiger Moth last year Credit: Paul Edwards - The Sun

He took the controls for a flight around a former RAF bomber base at Breighton, East Yorks.

Climbing out of the RAF Benevolent Fund-sponsored plane, Allan said: “It was great but I was a bit rusty.

“Despite what happened, I still love the Tiger Moth.

“And for my 100th birthday in 2021, I’ve booked a flight in a Spitfire.”

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Party plans soar By David Willetts A WHOLE series of celebrations is planned to mark 100 years of the RAF. Tonight the force’s amazing achievements will be toasted at a special Centenary Gala at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Celebrities taking part include Carol Vorderman, Alexandra Burke and Mick Hucknall – whose dad Reg served with the RAF. And tomorrow – the day the world’s first independent air force was formally established 100 years ago – a Founder’s Day Service will be held at St Clement Danes Church in central London. Also tomorrow, a specially designed baton will set off from the capital on a 100-day relay around the UK and overseas to 100 sites linked to the RAF. The baton will be carried by RAF personnel, cadets, veterans and members of the many sporting associations with links to the RAF. But the biggest event will be an epic parade and flypast over Buckingham Palace on July 10. Thousands are expected to take part in the parade on The Mall after a special centenary service in Westminster Abbey before 100 aircraft soar through London’s skies. Iconic aircraft will tour the country, including making visits to Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham. There are also special events for schools and universities to inspire the next generation of heroes.

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