Portrait of NZ Dambuster veteran heads for London

When one of the world's most renowned portrait artists met one of the last three surviving veterans of the famous Dambusters raid this week, neither could say who had the bigger honour.

Richard Stone, whose previous portrait subjects include the Queen, Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles, says he felt humbled to set up his easel in the Tauranga apartment of 95-year-old former Squadron Leader Les Munro.

The prominent UK artist grew up hearing about RAF No 617 Squadron's daring Dambusters raid on German dams during World War II, and decided to capture the last three surviving veterans of the legendary mission.

When his request was relayed to a modest Mr Munro, who has turned away many approaches over recent years, the initial answer was no.

But with "some gentle persuasion", the decorated former pilot agreed to do so as a memorial to those who were lost or have since passed on.

Mr Munro's portrait will hang in London's Imperial War Museum with those of Canadian Flight Sergeant Fred Sutherland in Canada and Bristol-based Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson.

Of the 144 young men who took off from RAF Scampton in East Midlands in May 1943, 56 failed to return, all but three of them sacrificing their lives.

Mr Munro's Lancaster was hit by flak over the Netherlands and with all communications knocked out, the decision was made to turn back to base.

"As a result of that, I feel as though I can't be part of the glory of having been part of that successful raid ... that's the downside," he said yesterday.

Mr Stone begged to differ.

"We had this chat during the week and Les took responsibility for the safety of his crew ... that takes a remarkable amount of bravery."

The pair have bonded since Mr Munro collected Mr Stone from Tauranga Airport last Sunday, the Kiwi host showing his guest around town and sharing stories over dinner.

Mr Munro still felt flattered about the experience when he spoke to the Weekend Herald yesterday, describing it as "something I never ever dreamed would happen". Mr Stone insisted the pleasure was all his.

"Every day now I read the obituaries of heroic nonagenarians and reflect on what a splendid generation we are losing," he said."If I can help preserve the memory of another one of them, then I should."