So who's the Top Gun? William takes to the skies at RAF squadron event - but is he as hot as younger brother Harry in flying gear? 

  • Today it was William's turn to wear a flying suit for trip to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire
  • Prince donned a helmet and mask to take to the skies in Chipmunk plane for short flight
  • Harry won a host of new fans last week when he wore similar outfit for a Battle of Britain flypast
  • William tells veteran of his dream for a flight in a Spitfire saying: 'My brother's been up in one and I'm dying to do it'

They have already demonstrated their sibling rivalry this week with their choice of Rugby World Cup teams.

But now it looks like another brotherly battle could be on the cards for Princes William and Harry... who looks better in uniform? 

Last week Harry won himself a new host of female admirers when he donned a flying suit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

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Last week Harry won himself a new host of female admirers when he donned a flying suit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Today it was older brother's Williams turn to stake his claim as Top Gun among the royals, sporting a similar jumpsuit during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire

Sibling rivalry: Just a week after his brother won a host of new female fans by donning a flying suit for the Battle of Britain flypast, today it was William's turn to be the royal Top Gun during a visit to RAF Coningsby

Today it was older brother William's turn to stake his claim as Top Gun among the royals, sporting a similar jumpsuit during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

While his younger sibling paired his olive green uniform with a new ginger beard and tousled hair, William preferred a more clean-shaven look.

And unlike Harry, who gave up his seat in a Spitfire for veteran Tom Neil, William was able to take to the skies - climbing into the cockpit of a Chipmunk plane for a short flight at the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). 

The pair's friendly rivalry has already made headlines this week, when the Duke of Cambridge urged the Welsh rugby team to beat England in their crunch Rugby World Cup match at Twickenham on Saturday.

Top Gun: Prince William took to the skies today in a Chipmunk plane as he paid a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire

Top Gun: Prince William took to the skies today in a Chipmunk plane as he paid a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire

Heir force one: The prince's Chipmunk plane prepares for take off during William's trip to the RAF base today

Heir force one: The prince's Chipmunk plane prepares for take off during William's trip to the RAF base today

Chocks away: William was allowed to taxi the plane and take off, with a pilot behind him to oversee the brief mission

Chocks away: William was allowed to taxi the plane and take off, with a pilot behind him to oversee the brief mission

Up in the air: William was allowed to take the controls for a portion of the excursion, and the pilot he was out with said it was an 'absolute' privilege to take the prince flying

Up in the air: William was allowed to take the controls for a portion of the excursion, and the pilot he was out with said it was an 'absolute' privilege to take the prince flying

Up and away: The prince's plane glides through the skies as part of a Battle of Britain memorial flight

Up and away: The prince's plane glides through the skies as part of a Battle of Britain memorial flight

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William, who is vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, told the Wales squad at their welcome ceremony at Guildhall in London: 'Unfortunately, I will be watching you with my brother, so I will need a Wales win more than ever.'

The prince also made new friends today on his visit to the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), where he was told a risque joke by former Spitfire flier Ken Wilkinson, who took part in the famous campaign 75 years ago. 

Before taxiing and taking off, with a pilot behind him, the Duke had spent time with Second World War RAF veterans surrounded by iconic Spitfire and Hurricanes kept in the air by the BBMF. 

Mr Wilkinson, who was one of the Battle of Britain pilots famously dubbed the 'few' by wartime leader Winston Churchill chatted to William and asked if he had flown in his old aircraft.

Prince Harry has piloted the famous plane and William replied: 'My brother's been up in one and I'm dying to do it.'

Mr Wilkinson could not help adding mischievously adding 'I'm under instruction not to tell dirty stories', and the Duke asked him to tell the story.

Later the former wartime pilot recounted his story about a man called Joe who becomes the captain of his golf club and insists on only being referred to by his new title at a dinner where he receives his honour.

Mr Wilkinson said at the end of the event the man went home, got undressed and as he got into bed with his wife announced himself as the 'captain' and she replies 'You have to be quick, Joe will be home soon'. 

Flying machine: With a little help from Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, William gets in the cockpit of a Chipmunk plane

Flying machine: With a little help from Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, William gets in the cockpit of a Chipmunk plane

Role: William is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire where the squadron is based

Role: William is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire where the squadron is based

Prepare for take off: William inspects the inside of the cockpit before climbing into the front seat

Prepare for take off: William inspects the inside of the cockpit before climbing into the front seat

William had planned to join the crew of a Second World War Dakota aircraft but when a mechanical issue was discovered with the vintage plane the back-up Chipmunk was used.

At the controls of the aircraft was Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, officer commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and he spent a long period talking the Duke through the controls before they took off.

They were joined in the air by a Spitfire, flown by Flight Lieutenant Anthony Parkinson, and the two aircraft flew in formation for a period in the blue autumn sky.

A Royal Maverick: Trained pilot William readies himself for his flight in the Chipmunk 

A Royal Maverick: Trained pilot William readies himself for his flight in the Chipmunk 

Getting some tips: Prior to take-off the Duke had spent time with Second World War RAF veterans surrounded by iconic Spitfire and Hurricanes kept in the air by the BBMF

Getting some tips: Prior to take-off the Duke had spent time with Second World War RAF veterans surrounded by iconic Spitfire and Hurricanes kept in the air by the BBMF

In memory: The prince sported a commemorative 'Lest We Forget' patch, honouring the work of the Battle of Britain pilots

In memory: The prince sported a commemorative 'Lest We Forget' patch, honouring the work of the Battle of Britain pilots

Clear for take off: William, who is Honorary Air Commandant of Royal Air Force Coningsby, prepares for his flight in the Chipmunk

Clear for take off: William, who is Honorary Air Commandant of Royal Air Force Coningsby, prepares for his flight in the Chipmunk

Here we go: His mask and helmet firmly in place, William is ready for his ride in the historic aircraft

Here we go: His mask and helmet firmly in place, William is ready for his ride in the historic aircraft

Action man: The Duke and the plane make it back down to earth safely after the short flight

Action man: The Duke and the plane make it back down to earth safely after the short flight

When the Duke landed he was clearly impressed by the Spitfire and told the two pilots and 97-year-old Mr Wilkinson: 'Seeing it flying alongside was fantastic - pretty special.'

Sqn Ldr Mason said later it was an 'absolute' privilege to take William flying and said the Duke took control of the plane.

He said: 'The great thing about the Prince is he's a pilot and he just instantly engaged. He's never flown one before but he's a helicopter pilot which is all about stick and rudder and the Chipmunk is the same.

His feet on the ground: William is helped from the aircraft by a crew member after taking to the skies
William removes his flying gloves as he steps away from the aircraft

His feet on the ground: William is helped from the aircraft by a crew member after taking to the skies

Admiring the view: The Duke of Cambridge walks with Group Captain Jez Attridge past the air base's historic aircraft

Admiring the view: The Duke of Cambridge walks with Group Captain Jez Attridge past the air base's historic aircraft

'I obviously took off and landed but once we were up there he took the controls.'

He added that when the Duke saw the Spitfire he was impressed: 'He had a very similar reaction to most people, just awe struck at its beauty.'

Earlier in the day, William had honoured the RAF squadron and its illustrious past by taking the royal salute at its 100th anniversary parade.

With a flying history dating back to the First World War and a modern role training Typhoon jet pilots, 29 (Reserve) Squadron is a famous air force unit.

Banter: The prince was told a risque joke by former Spitfire flier Ken Wilkinson, who took part in the famous campaign 75 years ago
Mr Wilkinson could not help adding mischievously adding 'I'm under instruction not to tell dirty stories'

Banter: The prince was told a risque joke by former Spitfire flier Ken Wilkinson, who took part in the famous campaign 75 years ago

The real hero: Mr Wilkinson, who was one of the Battle of Britain pilots famously dubbed the 'few' by wartime leader Winston Churchill chatted to William and asked if he had flown in his old aircraft

The real hero: Mr Wilkinson, who was one of the Battle of Britain pilots famously dubbed the 'few' by wartime leader Winston Churchill chatted to William and asked if he had flown in his old aircraft

Smartly-dressed: While his younger brother paired his olive green uniform with a new ginger beard and tousled hair, William preferred a more clean-shaven look
The Duke of Cambridge is Honorary Air Commandant of Royal Air Force Coningsby

Smartly-dressed: While his younger brother paired his olive green uniform with a new ginger beard and tousled hair, William preferred a more clean-shaven look

All smiles: The prince jokes with crew members, clearly enjoying his trip to the RAF base
Prince William smiles during his trip to the air base

All smiles: The prince jokes with crew members, clearly enjoying his trip to the RAF base

Father-of-two William is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby, where the squadron is based and trained with the RAF, flying as a helicopter pilot with the service’s search and rescue unit before joining the East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer. 

In warm autumn sunshine, the second in line to the throne sat with a large group of family members and veterans of the squadron on the station’s tarmac.

Lined up in three rows were servicemen and women from 29 (Reserve) Squadron and in the background were Typhoon jets and large Awacs (airborne early warning and control) planes.

Shared experiences: The Duke of Cambridge chats to Battle of Britain pilots Ken Wilkinson (left) and Tony Pickering (right)

Shared experiences: The Duke of Cambridge chats to Battle of Britain pilots Ken Wilkinson (left) and Tony Pickering (right)

Stories to share: Mr Pickering grins as he shakes William's hand, and tells the prince of his time with the RAF during WWII

Stories to share: Mr Pickering grins as he shakes William's hand, and tells the prince of his time with the RAF during WWII

Impressed: When the Duke landed he told 97-year-old Mr Wilkinson: 'Seeing it flying alongside was fantastic - pretty special'

Impressed: When the Duke landed he told 97-year-old Mr Wilkinson: 'Seeing it flying alongside was fantastic - pretty special'

Meet and greet: The Duke of Cambridge also met service personnel and their families during his visit to RAF Coningsby, and was only to happy to pose for pictures

Meet and greet: The Duke of Cambridge also met service personnel and their families during his visit to RAF Coningsby, and was only to happy to pose for pictures

A military band entertained the guests with popular tunes like the theme from The Great Escape and Thunderbirds. 

William received the royal salute from the servicemen and women and a flypast of four Typhoons roared overhead.

The squadron was formed in November 1915 and by the following March was deployed to France with its pilots seeing action during the Battle of the Somme.

During the Second World War, Flight Lieutenant Guy Gibson, later to earn global fame as the leader of the Dambusters, joined the squadron, and more than 60 years later in the Falklands conflict the unit deployed to Stanley to provide air defence.

Visit: Earlier in the day,William had honoured the RAF squadron and its illustrious past by taking the royal salute at its 100th anniversary parade

Visit: Earlier in the day,William had honoured the RAF squadron and its illustrious past by taking the royal salute at its 100th anniversary parade

 Day out: William grinned as a military band entertained the guests with popular tunes like the theme from The Great Escape and Thunderbirds

 Day out: William grinned as a military band entertained the guests with popular tunes like the theme from The Great Escape and Thunderbirds

Flypast: Four Typhoons take to the skies as an enthralled Prince William watched from the ground below

Flypast: Four Typhoons take to the skies as an enthralled Prince William watched from the ground below

Important role: Coningsby not only trains Typhoon pilots but is one of a number of squadrons that help defend the skies above the UK

Important role: Coningsby not only trains Typhoon pilots but is one of a number of squadrons that help defend the skies above the UK

By the late 1980s the squadron became the first operational unit to be equipped with the Tornado F3 and it deployed to Saudi Arabia after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, participating in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Today it not only trains Typhoon pilots but is one of a number of squadrons that help defend the skies above the UK.

Typhoons have been scrambled from Coningsby a number of times this year after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK air space. 

Audience: In warm autumn sunshine, the second in line to the throne sat with a large group of family members and veterans of the squadron on the station’s tarmac

Audience: In warm autumn sunshine, the second in line to the throne sat with a large group of family members and veterans of the squadron on the station’s tarmac

Honour: William received the royal salute from the servicemen and women and a flypast of four Typhoons roared overhead

Honour: William received the royal salute from the servicemen and women and a flypast of four Typhoons roared overhead

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