German woman, 99, walks on the wing of a moving plane, creates world record: ‘I was so excited’

Born on September 23, 1927, Helga Duffy, a German woman, achieved a remarkable feat as the world's oldest female wing walker. Inspired by 97-year-old Betty Bromage, Helga straddled the wing of a moving aircraft at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, setting a new record. Now residing in a care home in Devizes, Wiltshire, she had previously lived in Frome, Somerset.

In her world record attempt, Helga successfully raised over £1,300 for the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance, earning her recognition as a "legend" by volunteer Sam Conway. Speaking to the BBC, Helga expressed her exhilaration, stating, "I wasn't frightened because I was so excited." Reflecting on her childhood, she shared that she was the eldest of seven children and that her father would be proud of her accomplishment.

She added, "He expected the best of us, so I always tried. I think if he's still there somewhere, he'd be very proud of his firstborn."

Guinness World Records honored Helga with a certificate for her achievement at the airfield. Her nieces, Jackie Rose and Juile Preece, who witnessed her world record attempt, described her as an "independent" and "forthright" lady. The online reactions to her accomplishment were equally positive, with one user commenting, "At that age, why not risk it all?" and another saying, "What a wonderful lady! Congratulations!"