As a girl Pat Tobin witnessed British pilots fight off Luftwaffe aircraft during the Battle of Britain.

And now the Southwold woman, who turned 93 last week, has herself flown in a Spitfire - after her family arranged a surprise for her birthday.

Mrs Tobin, according to her granddaughter Pattie, was "gobsmacked" after learning she was going up in one of the aircraft that is famous for helping fight off the Nazi menace.

More than 80 years earlier, as a girl she used to look up into the sky above Stratford in London and witness dogfights between Spitfires and German Messerschmitt 109s.  

READ MORE: Eight Norfolk links to the Battle of Britain

Lowestoft Journal: When Pat Tobin was young she witnessed the Battle of Britain in the skies above her childhood home in London. When Pat Tobin was young she witnessed the Battle of Britain in the skies above her childhood home in London. (Image: Supplied by family)

Her own house was later bombed during the Blitz - but all her family were away at the time.  

She loved the noise of the Spitfires and Hurricanes and respected the pilots who helped protect the country and win the war. 

READ MORE: Battle of Britain - a list of all those who fought

Lowestoft Journal: Pat Tobin's family took her to the RAF memorial museum at Biggin Hill in Kent for her 93rd birthday. Pat Tobin's family took her to the RAF memorial museum at Biggin Hill in Kent for her 93rd birthday. (Image: Pattie Tobin)

On Saturday, August 12, her family took her for a trip to Biggin Hill in Kent where there is an RAF memorial museum.

Mrs Tobin was watching the Spitfires landing and taking off and enjoying the spectacle when her daughter-in-law, Zuhal Tobin, said to her, "You are up next."

Mrs Tobin could not believe it and asked, "Are you serious?"

When her family replied yes, she said, "Right, great, let’s go."  

Lowestoft Journal: Southwold woman Pat Tobin, 93, standing outside a Spitfire plane at Biggin Hill in Kent. Southwold woman Pat Tobin, 93, standing outside a Spitfire plane at Biggin Hill in Kent. (Image: Pattie Tobin)

Pat's son Simon Tobin, 65, said: "This shows the mindset and resilience of the British people before us which sets a great example to us all."

Her granddaughter Pattie said: "She was very emotional when we surprised her with it.

"She knew she was going to see some Spitfires but she didn't know she was going to fly in one."

Mrs Tobin is no stranger to flying. For her 60th birthday she enjoyed a flight on a Concorde.

The pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain became known as 'The Few' and their exploits - credited as saving Britain from an invasion by German forces - are the stuff of legend.