A pilot who survived when his plane crashed into a tree on a Dundee golf course has said he has the Biggles stories to thank for his lucky escape.

Vince Hagedorn’s microlight ran low on fuel and became lodged in tree branches at Caird Park Golf Course.

He said he had copied fictional wartime pilot Biggles who, in a book, had also used a tree to cushion his landing.

Just before hitting the tree Vince pulled his microlight hard UP and hit the tree at a minimum speed with the belly of the plane. Thanks to Captain W.E. Johns story of Biggles when he had to land in a similar situation when his engine was shot up by enemy planes.