ONE is 30 and flies one of the world's most advanced aircraft. The others served with the RAF during the second World War. But, at the Queen's Hotel in Bournemouth on Friday, the decades melted away.

Eurofighter Typhoon pilot Flight Lieutenant Charlie Matthews of New Zealand was swapping stories with former RAF catering boss George Thorn MBE, Leading Aircraftsman George Freer and Flt Lt Derek Manley, of Bournemouth, who was a Hurricane navigator working on general reconnaissance during World War II.

And despite a 50-year age-gap, the two Flight Lieutenants found they had more than just their RAF heritage in common.

Before he joined the Eurofighter Typhoon display unit, Flt Lt Matthews, who comes from a family with a proud Airforce pedigree, was on Quick Reaction Alert, guarding UK airspace against terror and military threat.

During the Second World War Mr Manley was part of a team patrolling this section of the coast against German naval and air threat. "We've both seen this coast from the air but at completely different speeds!" said Mr Manley.

Both men agreed that while the hardware has changed, the RAF ethos has not.

"There is still that spirit of adventure and of brotherhood," said Flt Lt Matthews.

"The RAF has changed but what it requires from the people who serve in it has not."

Despite his love of flying: "I'd love to have another go in the Hurricane," Mr Manley said he wouldn't be up for a spin in the Typhoon.

"The G-Force would be too much."

Both Flt Lt Matthews and Flt Lt Instructor Richard Watts of the Typhoon team were able to see Mr Freer's book of war memories, which included his call-up papers and two sumptuous Christmas dinner menus served to the RAF men during the conflict.

"From these chaps you learn about RAF stations you never even knew existed," said Flt Lt Watts.

Flt Lt Matthews explained that during his display he is aware of the watching crowd but naturally concentrates on the manoeuvres.

"I do have an on-board computer and sometimes it talks to me and I do get messages from air-traffic control if they think I need to know something but generally, it's just me and the plane," he says.

The Typhoon flies at speeds of up to 750 mph but can go as slow as 150mph.

"But I'm always hoping for better weather so we can then put in a few more turns and go a bit higher," he says.