Big Dog or Top Gun? Boris Johnson takes a ride into the danger zone

One is a soon to be retired Prime Minister with the code name Big Dog. The other a slim, young test pilot known as Maverick.

But apart from the tell-tale blonde hair and, not to put too fine a point on it, his slightly portly figure, who can tell the difference?

Boris Johnson bestrode the runway at RAF Coningsby like a colossus on Saturday, clearly playing an action movie hero turning out for one last dog-fight - at least in his own head.

While the rest of the country seemed preoccupied with the real-life dog fight that is the Conservative Party leadership race being held to decide his successor, Johnson was being given a demonstration of a Typhoon fighter jet by the pilots and air crews at the Lincolnshire RAF base.

Mr Johnson was visiting RAF Coningsby for a behind the scenes look at one of the RAF’s two Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Stations which protect UK airspace. The base is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and the training station for Typhoon pilots.

Now where did Kelly McGillis - sorry, Carrie - get to?

Or has she already taken off?