HENRY LABOUCHERE

Lifelong aviator celebrates the simple beauty of the Austin Seven and Tiger Moth

- MATT WARE

I just love old things," smiles Henry Labouchere, reflecting on two of his great passions parked side by side in the sunshine on a remote Norfolk airstrip. The tiny Austin Seven and, in aeronautical terms, equally diminutive de Havilland Tiger Moth belong to a bygone era, representing mechanical simplicity and bags of fun. While the Austin has been in the family since 1955, the Moth was bought in Australia in 1971, but it's an equally important example of how he cherishes wonderful veteran machines and symbolises an extraordinary life in the air.

Henry was flying solo before he had his driving licence and has flown all over the world in a variety of aircraft. He has worked with movie legends including Harrison Ford, David Niven and Christopher Reeve, and has spent the past 40 years involved in every area of aviation aside from being a commercial pilot.