98-Year-Old Veteran Smashes Guinness World Record With Daredevil Wing Walk

A 98-year-old Second World War veteran has become the world’s oldest wing walker after completing a breathtaking flight high above the British countryside.

Harry Heasman achieved the official Guinness World Records title at Duxford Airfield on Saturday, May 23, undertaking the challenge in aid of the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund.

Harry, who was born on May 30, 1927, completed the wing walk in memory of his wife and son, both of whom died from cancer.

Strapped to the wings of the aircraft as it climbed to more than 1,000 metres, Harry spent over nine minutes in the air during the record-breaking feat.

Following the flight, he described the experience as “the most incredible” of his life and said fulfilling a childhood dream at the age of 98 was beyond anything he had imagined.

The challenge was inspired after staff at Eastham Care Home encouraged Harry to create a bucket list.

Care home manager Karolyn Sisto then worked to turn the ambitious idea into reality.

Over an 11-month period, physiotherapist Reef Cowell of Reeflex Mind and Motion helped Harry regain strength and mobility in preparation for the challenge.

Organisers say Harry hopes to raise £5,000 for the charity through the stunt, with donations continuing to be accepted online.

Originally from London, Harry now lives in Chelmsford, Essex. He served during the Second World War and was later deployed to Germany after the conflict ended.