A Second World War veteran who was later at the forefront of the jet age while serving on an Edinburgh-based Squadron has celebrated his 100th birthday at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Spitfire pilot Mr Joe McCulloch, 100, who once ‘buzzed’ a train his future wife was travelling in, was earlier honoured by his old unit – 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron – at their central Edinburgh headquarters.
Joe marks his centenary as the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which he served in, also celebrates 100 years. He and his family were invited to the Tattoo as a guest of Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Bill Gibson, on 13 August 2024.
Joe’s flying career saw him fly Hurricanes in Africa and the Far East during the Second World War. When the war ended however, Joe became a reservist aviator with 603 Squadron, flying Spitfires from RAF Turnhouse.
It was then that he sought to impress his future wife by flying fast and low over a train she was travelling in.
It is particularly poignant that Joe, who served in Royal Auxiliary Air Force, is turning 100 in the same year as the RAuxAF.
Joe belongs to a unique generation who served the nation during the Second World War, and later became pioneers of the jet age and the RAF continues to be inspired by the bravery and sacrifice of those men and women as we serve in defence of the United Kingdom.
We were delighted that he was able to join us at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and be recognised as among the Best of British as both he and the RAuxAF enter their second centuries.
Air Commodore Bill Gibson, Air Officer Scotland
Having mastered two iconic wartime fighters, Joe, famous for his bulldog spirit, embraced the challenge of the jet age. He converted to the Vampire before getting into the cockpit of the powerful twin-engine Meteor.
The RAF took the decision to disband Reserve flying squadrons in 1957, as jet aircraft became more advanced. Joe’s passion for aviation didn’t end there however. He returned to the skies on his 99th birthday – flying in one of the Tiger Moth bi-planes he originally learned to fly in, in 1943.
Joe has been an icon of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron for over 75 years. His wartime service in the Royal Air Force and in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force sets a remarkable standard of voluntary service that continues to this day.
We are all delighted that Joe, on his 100th birthday, has been invited along with his son, Callum and granddaughter Isla, to be recognised at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a guest of Air Officer Scotland
Group Captain (retired) Bob Kemp, Life President, 603 Squadron Association
Connection is a core value for us at the Tattoo and we pride ourselves on the wide audiences that we attract to the Show – from across the globe, with different age ranges and variety of backgrounds. The stories they bring with them are magnificent– and after they see the Tattoo it is our hope that we’ve created more for them to take away.
We’re delighted that Mr McCulloch was able to celebrate the centenary of his birth at the Tattoo – not only with us, but his family in attendance too.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
67 years after Joe’s flying career ended, the RAuxAF is once again piloting RAF aircraft from Scotland, with Reserves recently conducting training flights on the P-8A Poseidon from RAF Lossiemouth.
