Memorabilia of 'Top Gun' pilot and world air-speed record breaker Squadron Leader Neville Duke fetched £138,000 at auction.

Duke is best known for his test pilot years, breaking the air-speed record in 1953 over Littlehampton, but was also the highest scoring RAF ace in the Mediterranean theatre of battle in the Second World War.

Duke, now 83, and living in Hampshire, is regarded as one of the most distinguished pilots of his generation with a magnificent wartime history.

His many accolades, including an OBE, a distinguished flying cross and a DSO were among a range of memorabilia which went under the hammer at auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb in London.

He last flew as a test pilot in 1994, aged 72. He still flies regularly and his latest log book records 12,120 hours flying time up to this September.

He was one of just 15 airmen to win the combination of a DSO and DFC in the war.

He also gained the Czech military cross and post war test pilots accolades of OBE, the Air Force Cross and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air.

In September 1953, he achieved the ultimate accolade when he famously captured the air-speed record from the Americans with a speed of 727.63mph in an all-red Hunter WB188, which now resides in Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

The medals were bought by Chelsea Military Antiques on behalf of a private collector.

It is understood that they will remain in this country.