ONE of the first women to pilot a Spitfire came face-to-face with a life-sized replica of the iconic aircraft.

Joy Lofthouse unveiled the model at Lodge Hill Garage, in Oxford Road, Abingdon, which has been put up to commemorate the 166 women who were part of the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War.

Many of them perished on their missions delivering unarmed aircraft from factories to air bases.

Garage owner Peter Jewson, 79, paid £6,000 for the model last year from Wellesbourne Aerodome and has since had it renovated.

He said he was honoured by the visit of Mrs Lofthouse, of Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

To mark the occasion last Wednesday, Mr Jewson provided a 1940s-style lunch, a Spitfire flypast and a live swing band.

He said: “I grew more aware that these wonderful women who flew every type of aircraft to the battle stations across the country could pass through history without permanent recognition. I was thrilled to have some of these women present.”