A FORMER RAF fighter who founded the 48-year Biggin Hill Air Fair series has died.

Jock Maitland, who became the first civilian director of Biggin Hill Airport in 1959, passed away on Friday at the age of 87 at his retirement home in Pembrey.

Joining the RAF in 1942, Squadron Leader Maitland flew the F-86 Sabre jet fighter during the Korean war in the early 1950s.

He flew 77 combat missions, shot down two Mig-15 enemy aircraft and was awarded the American equivalent of the Distinguished Flying Cross for skill and bravery in the air.

Later he commanded 249 Squadron RAF and saw action in the Middle East in the mid-1950s flying DH Vampire and Venom fighters, including at the brief Suez campaign of 1956.

Mr Maitland introduced the first of a series of air fairs at Biggin Hill in 1963, which ended in 2010.

In 2007 Mr Maitland was awarded an MBE for services to aviation.

Chairman of Biggin Hill Airport Andrew Walters paid tribute to the 50-year record of Jock’s influence at Biggin Hill.

He said: “Today there are thousands of pilots flying and many others working in aviation who owe their careers to the inspiration and leadership of Jock Maitland. His air shows fascinated and entertained millions of young people over the years.

“Jock’s determination and spirit was in the best tradition of Biggin Hill. He saved the businesses on Croydon Airport by transferring them to Biggin Hill, which in turn kept open when the RAF pulled out and he went on to lay the foundations for its success as an airport today.

"We have dedicated a corner of the airfield to Jock called ‘Maitland View’ where people can still watch the flying so that he will always be treasured and remembered at Biggin Hill.”