Aces high for rock star as he takes controls of First World War fighter

The Iron Maiden front-man, who was born in Worksop and went to school in Sheffield, is a qualified pilot and will be flying his own replica Fokker Dr.1 triplane, complete with Iron Cross insignia.

He will take part in a choreographed dogfight as he joins The Great War Display Team at the Duxford Airshow at the Imperial War Museum, Cambridgeshire.

Speaking ahead of the event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, he said: “First World War aircraft are what I would term unfailingly interesting in their flying characteristics.

“The triplanes in particular are independent-minded on the ground. In the air it is a pure dogfighter.”

The 56-year-old singer, whose godfather and uncle both served in the RAF, has worked as a commercial pilot since the early 1990s alongside singing in the globally-successful heavy metal band.

Dickinson joined The Great War Display Team earlier this year after purchasing his Fokker.

“This will be my first Duxford as a display pilot, so it’s a big thrill and I hope we stir the passions in the audience,” he added.

“It’s quite a sight, nine First World War fighters mixing it up, close and personal.”