Eric "Winkle" Brown RIP

Nforce

A true legendary figure in avaiation

AN EDINBURGH-born aviator who was dubbed the world’s greatest test pilot has died at the age of 97.

Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown, from Leith, a veteran of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm holds the world record for flying the greatest number of different aircraft and also piloted Britain’s first supersonic flight.

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/world-s-greatest-aviator-eric-winkle-brown-dies-at-97-1-4035347

Nforce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEe5ul37Q7g

Tenger

Oh thats sad to hear. Although 97 is a great age, and what a life he has lead.

He was a arrested in Germany at the outbreak of war in 1939.....but they let him go after 3 days. He seemed to be involved in the testing of most new/captured aircraft with several combat stints thoughout the war. I think at the end of the war he also accepted the surrender of an airfield, he landed there but the troops had been held up so it was still operational when he arrived. After the war he tested jet aircraft on carriers,including the first steam catapult launch from a stationary carrier.
His life story reads like a "Boys Own" story. That documentary linked above is very good. I also recommended his book, "Wings on my Sleeve."

AlekSmart

To earn money for his studies, Brown became a ‘wall of death’ rider on a small 250cc two-stroke motorbike,often sharing the wall with his boss and a fully-grown male lion riding pillion.

What a Life !

It is hard to imagine modern times allowing for such individuality any more....?

R.I.P Capt Brown.

Pat Dunne

Very sad to hear that he has passed through the Departures Lounge. A truly remarkable airman, the likes of whom will never be seen again.

RIP.

dogmatix

Very sorry to hear this, he was a legendary man in the field of aviation. I have a copy of Wings of the Luftwaffe in which Eric Brown test flies a variety of different german types giving his thoughts of setting them up to fly, cockpit layout, fight charateristics and so on (plus each type is accompanied by excellent cutaway drawings) - an excellent book that I also felt gave an insight into the man himself.

PapaQuebec

Tenger wrote: »

Oh thats sad to hear. Although 97 is a great age, and what a life he has lead.

He was a arrested in Germany at the outbreak of war in 1939.....but they let him go after 3 days. He seemed to be involved in the testing of most new/captured aircraft with several combat stints thoughout the war. I think at the end of the war he also accepted the surrender of an airfield, he landed there but the troops had been held up so it was still operational when he arrived. After the war he tested jet aircraft on carriers,including the first steam catapult launch from a stationary carrier.
His life story reads like a "Boys Own" story. That documentary linked above is very good. I also recommended his book, "Wings on my Sleeve."

I have his autobiography "Wings on my Sleeve" (as mentioned above) as a DRM-free eBook. If anyone wants a copy please send me a PM.

PapaQuebec

http://forums.mvgroup.org/index.php?showtopic=64838

EchoIndia

I spotted several copies of "Wings on My Sleeve" in a local shop (Omni Shopping Centre, Santry) this morning - a snip at €3.99 each.