Capt Eric 'Winkle' Brown dies

Britain’s greatest ever pilot, Capt Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown has died, aged 97, after a short illness.

His family released this statement: “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.”

Capt Brown flew 487 different types of aircraft, many as a test pilot. He made 2,407 aircraft carrier deck landings. It’s said that the US Navy gave one pilot the job of breaking Brown’s record, but after 1,600 deck landings he had a nervous breakdown. He also made the first deck landing for a twin engine aircraft, the Sea Mosquito.

Brown’s preparation for test flights was renowned, and he put his survival in several incidents (ie, crashes) down to his ability to curl up in the cockpit. But his ability to remain calm and functioning in a crisis also helped. He once said when asked about freezing when afraid, “I react almost the opposite. If things are really difficult I go ice cold and my brain seems to go up a gear.”

https://youtu.be/lhdt7n1KubY

Full documentary available from Quanta Films: www.quantafilms.com