A BOMBER crewman from Dunfermline who survived 10 perilous missions during the Second World War has died at the age of 96.

Flight Sergeant Colin Hynd, who was known as 'Chiefy', joined the RAF just after his 18th birthday and was part of a seven-strong bomber command crew during the war.

He worked as a flight engineer in a Halifax aircraft, changing fuses and supplying fuel to the four engines by switching between its 12 petrol tanks.

His most daring flights included one during which a 250lb bomb smashed straight through the plane’s tail mid-flight.

Following the war, Colin returned home to Scotland and went on to train air cadets across many UK RAF bases.

Friend John Davies said Colin had a lasting influence on thousands of recruits who came through the air force ranks.

"He helped turn over 3,000 young lads aged between 15 and 18 from boy to man," he said. "I joined as a drummer and he was in the band which had about 70-plus members. That was his responsibility.

"Chiefy was a legend. He was only small – about five feet six inches – but was massive in stature. He spent so many years between RAF school Halton and RAF Cosford."

Colin retired from the RAF in 1968 and worked for Edinburgh City Council then Fife Council on the Children’s Panel, until taking full retirement in 1985.

On reaching his 96th birthday last August, Colin put his long life down to lots of physical training, never drinking alcohol and good medical care.

A funeral service for Colin will take place at Dunfermline Crematorium on October 7 at 11.30am.