Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown - obituary
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Posted on 02/21/2016 3:56:43 PM PST by the scotsman
'The Royal Navy's most decorated pilot, Capt Eric "Winkle" Brown, has died at the age of 97.
Capt Brown also held the world record for flying the greatest number of different types of aircraft - 487.
During World War Two, Capt Brown, who was born in Leith in 1919, flew fighter aircraft and witnessed the liberation of Bergen Belsen concentration camp.
The pilot, who had been appointed MBE, OBE and CBE, died at East Surrey Hospital after a short illness.
A statement released by his family said: "It is with deep regret that the passing of Captain Eric Melrose Brown CBE DSC AFC is announced.
"Eric was the most decorated pilot of the Fleet Air Arm in which service he was universally known as 'Winkle' on account of his diminutive stature.
"He also held three absolute Guinness World Records, including for the number of aircraft carrier deck landings and types of aeroplane flown." '
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
What a life.
RIP Sir.
He also wrote a lot of books. RIP.
He was the best. He flew everything.
Now he gets his own wings at last.
Be nice to see a before picture too, when he was young and daring.
Er, scroll down a bit. There’s a pic from ‘44 in there.
There is a really good documentary about him on NetFlix that I saw a few months ago. He tells his own story. I think something very similar is on You Tube. I’ll try to find and post it if it is still available. Such an interesting man.
The only allied pilot to fly the Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet under rocket power. The man was a giant among pilots. RIP, Winkle Brown.
Er, I did. Ends at post #8. Refreshed a couple of time and still ends at #8. Nothing there.
Wow! Thanks!
RIP to a great aviator.
Amazing men and women who rose to the occasion with fixed purpose and a certain elan
Again, great looking guy!
I saw it (possible on Netflix) - an incredibly interesting life. And although records are made to be broken, I suspect that some of his records will NEVER be broken. And that tough old bird was very active until at least his early 90’s - what a tough old bird.
He was also the first pilot to land a Mosquito bomber on an aircraft carrier.
That was the generation. I would have love to have lived in those times.
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