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lazarus
February 21st, 2016, 11:15
35290

Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS, RN (21 January 1919 – 21 February 2016).
He made 007 seem a slacker.

jetstreamsky
February 21st, 2016, 11:27
Amazing life of a very courageous man.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-35626854

lefty
February 21st, 2016, 11:29
Probably no exaggeration to say he was the finest pilot ever.

therealjambo
February 21st, 2016, 11:41
Very sad news indeed, an absolute legend of a man, RIP Sir.

hewman100
February 21st, 2016, 11:45
Seconded lefty. A true gentleman and captivating individual. The world has lost a great man.

I wonder what he'll make of his new set of wings?
'May all your landings be happy ones Captain'

Ferry_vO
February 21st, 2016, 11:56
Great BBC docu on Youtube here:

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

Bomber_12th
February 21st, 2016, 12:36
Here is a list of the different aircraft types that Eric Brown is noted to have flown (often times as a test pilot): http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57445

Notable interviews I recall listening to him speak about - flying/testing the Me-163, the Me-262, the Seafire (w/carrier ops), the Sea Fury (w/carrier ops), the Sea Mosquito (w/carrier ops), and his experiences with the DH.108 Swallow.

No better pilot, and one of the finest of gentlemen. What a life he lived.

Rami
February 21st, 2016, 13:06
Lazarus,

Aw, damn. Thanks for letting us know, this is truly sad news. Godspeed, Eric, and may you enjoy the skies above forever. :engel016:

DaveB
February 21st, 2016, 13:06
Thanks for posting that link mate. I've seen the programme before but it was a pleasure to watch it again;)

ATB
DaveB:)

Wayland
February 21st, 2016, 13:13
And an Angel appeared before him and said "Don't just lie there mate, get one up!"

vortex
February 22nd, 2016, 09:37
The term legend is often overused but in Winkle Brown's case it's almost not good enough. His record of 2,407 carrier deck landings is unlikely to ever be beaten and, as far as I'm aware, he still holds the Guinness World Record for the most types flown (487 excluding different variants of each type). If you haven't read his autobiography, "Wings On My Sleeve", you're really missing out. Some of the things he did in his lifetime are amazing (and not just his flying). One of the truly great test pilots - possibly the greatest! A sad loss to the world of aviation.

TARPSBird
February 22nd, 2016, 11:53
Capt. Brown's total of carrier landings will probably stand forever. He's got 500+ more than LCDR Arthur Critser (RIP), the USN's "top bagger" with 1,888 traps.

SPman
February 22nd, 2016, 16:24
A sad eventual inevitability, but, dammit, what a life to remember - a life well lived and an inspiration to others.

Well done that man.

wombat666
February 23rd, 2016, 02:01
'Winkle' will be sorely missed.
Small in stature, but an aviation giant..........the like of who we will never see again.

hubbabubba
February 23rd, 2016, 14:59
I'm sad of his departure, but captain "Winkle" Brown had not only a long life; he had a full one.

So long captain... and waiting on your report on that new set of wings. :angel:

Flyboy208
February 25th, 2016, 19:48
What a legendary Aviator! The compilation of types he flew is staggering. Fair winds and following seas Captain ! Mike

oldmsgt
February 25th, 2016, 21:10
Enjoy your last flight Captain. :unitedkingdom:

PSULLYKEYS
March 18th, 2016, 10:52
Sorry I missed this. He was an amazing flyer... and not afraid to rate aircraft to their capabilities, regardless of the country that built and used them.