Nearly 70 years later, he got a different impression of the Second World War – from the bomber crew's perspective including the confines of a rear gunner's turret.

Sir David, who was born in London in February 1940, was opening a major new exhibition – Against the Odds – at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York.

The permanent display has been produced in association with the Imperial War Museum and pays tribute to tens of thousands of members of Bomber Command, including 55,000 who gave their lives during the war.

Veterans of Bomber Command, whom Sir David met yesterday, included Ralph Tailford, of Huddersfield, who flew from Elvington with 77 Squadron and Air Gunner George Martin, of Harrogate, who survived severe shrapnel injuries.

One of the oldest surviving veterans was 92-year-old Donald Wilson, of Harrogate, who flew Whitley aircraft from RAF Dishforth and RAF Linton-on-Ouse in the Vale of York dropping propaganda leaflets in 1939 and John Fisher, who towed two gliders into action with his Halifax during the D-Day invasion.

Sir David, who had visited the Air Museum when it was used as a film location for the Touch of Frost dramas in which he starred, said: "I got involved many years ago with the RAF benevolent fund so my association with the RAF and anything they do is quite strong.

"It was quite moving to meet some of the aircrew. They are in their 80s now. They were young guys of 19 and 20 flying and navigating these huge bombers and I was particularly moved that young men could learn in such a short time to be so responsible.

"One was 19 and flew his bomber from here. That was the war, drop the bombs on Germany and bring the crew back. How many 19-year-olds could do that today? I don't think they so much gave their lives as they were taken from them. This exhibition shows what they went through."

Sir David, a life member of the museum who holds an helicopter pilot's licence, added: "I have a deep sense of gratitude for those aviators who flew in – and still fly in – our conflicts to defend our freedoms, especially the fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command aircrews who faced those terrifying ordeals.

"Perhaps the museum will serve as a reminder to our younger generations just what a sacrifice they made. Against the Odds will provide an excellent resource for everyone interested in this era of our history."

Museum director Ian Reed said: "This exhibition, which is of national standard and scale, will bring the story of Bomber Command to a younger generation in keeping with the objectives of this unique Memorial to Allied Air Forces.

"This is probably the most fitting place in Britain for it to be located."