ERIC ( WINKLE ) BROWN DIES AT AGE 94. . . . . . .what an aviator ! ! !

[Phil Perry]

Just heard that Eric Brown ( Ex Royal Navy ) has died.

 

I can honestly say that this man was a personal friend, whom I met 20 years ago, following one of his talks at an Air Museum. We got into animated conversation about all things aircraft,. .. he had flown over 400 types, including Everything the Luftwaffe flew in WW2 and a lot more.

 

A more polite and unnasuming man you could not hope to meet. . .

 

He told me about his incident with the Me262, . .. he had looked at the flight manual, and seen that the engines were rated at a maximum life of ten hours. . .the particular aircraft he was going to fly, had logged 9.5 hours, bit he taxied it our anyway, . .and one of the engines exploded just as he got to the runway. . . .he told me that the published story about this happening was wrong, but didn't go into why.

 

I asked him where he was living and he told me, but he said that he would have to get a taxi back home, as his elederly firend had been taken ill,. . so I volunteered to fly him in a C-172 to a nearer point to where he had to go, and he accepted,. SO. . . .Phil flew with the famous Eric as a PX,. . .although the bugger flew it most of the way ! ! ! I asked if he'd flown a 172 before, and he said,. . " Oh yes. . .I've flown nearly all of the Cessnas. . ."

 

He told me a story whilst we were flying, about the time he'd been sent to collect two aircraft and fly them back to his Naval base. When he and his mate got there, it turned out that the two aircraft were HELICOPTERS !

 

He had never even sat in one of these,. . he asked the Adjutant where the Flying instructor was, so that he could get a checkride, but was given a flight manual, and some pilot notes. He studied thesee overnight, and in the morning, somehow, both he and his assistant managed to fly the helicopters back to his base. . . .bloody amazing ! He DID say that he had to help his associate a little with the finer points before setting off. . .( ? )

 

Jeeze. This is a pilot's pilot. . . . One of his achievements was flying a DeHavilland Mosquito off an aircraft carrier,. .. which the RAF boffins said was impossible without a catapult, as (he said) the stalling speed of a fully fuelled Mossie was around 115 Mph,. . .and the deck was nowhere near long enough to accelerate to that speed. . .. .anyway, he did it, and was the only pilot ever to have done so.

 

I asked him when he had learned to speak German, and this was in the 1930s apparently, with Ernst Udt, a German ace of WW1. He had many German friends he told me that some Nazi Officers had nicked his sports car whilst he was trying to get out of France following the German invasion. . . .he got away with getting made a prisoner, as his German was faultless. . this is possibly why he was asked to interview Hermann Goering, as HG was himself a pilot, and would speak to another aviator with no reservations.

 

He was also present at some of the concentration camps when they were liberated by the allies.

 

All the heroes are dying off,. . .we need some more,. . .so come on you young whippersnappers,. . .get going !

 

There are some books out there in bookland,. . .if you get the chance. . .have a read. What a bloke.

 

 

 

[JEM]

Sorry to hear of Captain Eric Brown's passing. Many years ago I bought his book Wings on my Sleeve which encouraged me to learn to fly.

 

 

[Phil Perry]

Sorry to hear of Captain Eric Brown's passing. Many years ago I bought his book Wings on my Sleeve which encouraged me to learn to fly.

Well,. .

 

I'm glad to hear that mate,. . .if you've watched the vid, and read Eric's biog,. . .then you'll be glad you were not enthused to fly by a bunch of bloody Nazis as Eric was at the time ! ! ! ! !

 

Cheers. . .

 

Phil

 

 

[Cosmick]

Great Documentary, Great Man, may he Rest in Peace.

 

 

[onetrack]

What an incredible bloke, and to survive to 94 after what he went through in life is nothing short of astonishing.

 

It won't be long before we're saying our farewells to the last of the WW2 veterans. About 5-7 years ago, we saw a rapid reduction in numbers of the WW2 Vets marching or turning up on Anzac Day.

 

They broke the mould after many of these blokes were cast. I doubt whether we'll see their likes again.

 

What is amazing is how many blokes were just accountants or farmers or public servants, and they just fronted up, learnt to fly, diced with death daily, to fight and bomb Germans and Japs - then at the end of WW2, they just chucked it all in, and went back quietly to their everyday jobs for the rest of the lives. Some never sat at the controls of an aircraft ever again.

 

Not only did they dice with death by fighting and bombing, they also had to put up with rapid advances in aircraft design that meant they were often flying equipment that still had design faults and assembly errors in it.

 

RIP, Eric Brown - an outstanding and long life well-lived, with commendable service to your fellow man.

 

 

[Chrism]

Thanks for the post and comments Phil, and others.

 

I have made a bit of a habit of over the last few years, checking his listing on Wikipedia every couple of months to check if he is still with us on this earth. Each time I would re-read his accomplishments and follow some of the links. No matter how many times I had done it, I still was fascinated and astounded by his amazing life and character.

 

Hope I can someday meet him in Heaven!

 

By the way i think he was 97, not 94, being born on 21st Jan 1919

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

Just heard that Eric Brown ( Ex Royal Navy ) has died.

Thanks PP for the info on Captain Brown. He was a special person and very much worth remembering. I just watched the video you attached. It was most informative and just by watching the video I fully understand your assessment of the man. RIP Captain.

 

Unfortunately, we're losing our greatest generation at a dreadful rate.

 

 

[PA.]

A good write up here on this amazing man.

 

Honorary Unsubscribe

 

 

[Phil Perry]

Thanks for the post and comments Phil, and others.I have made a bit of a habit of over the last few years, checking his listing on Wikipedia every couple of months to check if he is still with us on this earth. Each time I would re-read his accomplishments and follow some of the links. No matter how many times I had done it, I still was fascinated and astounded by his amazing life and character.

 

Hope I can someday meet him in Heaven!

 

By the way i think he was 97, not 94, being born on 21st Jan 1919

Sorry for the typo Chris. . . . Agreed, really Warm, amazing character.

 

 

[IanR]

Just bought his autobiography on Kindle. Its jumped to #1 best seller in military history !

 

 

[kaz3g]

I must have read his biographical account 20 times; and each time I find something new in it.

 

I love the little prologue at the beginning where he tells how his party trick was a slow roll on takeoff from the aircraft carrier. He says he was half-way thought the roll when all went quiet. He was glad the self-inflating bags in the wings worked and he thanked Prime Minister Churchill for his nice condolence card received in hospital...he had been giving the PM a demonstration of the American type (can't remember which one and can't find the book in the mess that is my study right now).

 

Kaz

 

 

[willedoo]

What is amazing is how many blokes were just accountants or farmers or public servants, and they just fronted up, learnt to fly, diced with death daily, to fight and bomb Germans and Japs - then at the end of WW2, they just chucked it all in, and went back quietly to their everyday jobs for the rest of the lives. Some never sat at the controls of an aircraft ever again.

Our next door neighbour was one of those. He enlisted in the RAAF and was posted to pilot training in Canada, then to England as a Lancaster pilot. He survived the war, came home and drew a Soldier Settlement Block and never flew again. He spent the rest of his life farming.

 

 

[onetrack]

The missus and I bought a nice 2012 Camry Atara about 18 mths ago from a deceased estate. It had only done 13,000 kms. Talking at length to the owners son, who was the estate executor, revealed the Camry owner had been a WW2 air veteran.

 

This old bloke had enlisted in July 1942 - then after having finished his flying course, he was assigned to Britain.

 

He then survived more than 40 missions over Europe, as a tail-gunner in a Halifax! - completely unscathed!

 

I found a photo online, of his S.A. flying training course group from 1942 - and a full 30% of the blokes on his course never made it.

 

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P04612.002

 

He returned from the War, became an accountant in a country town in W.A., and then later in life became a rural real estate agent in the SW of W.A.

 

He bought the Camry new when he was 88! - but he got a bit crook with age after about 12 mths, and the car got used very little for the next 18 mths - and he died just a couple of months short of his 92nd birthday.

 

He was typical of his generation - they stood up to be counted, laid their lives on the line, then often just lived quietly and anonymously for the rest of their lives.

 

I can find very little mention of this bloke anywhere, and it's pretty typical of a lot of them. We hear about the blokes who got lots of gongs, but many WW2 blokes who also deserved awards, got very little - but they never sought any, either.

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

Sorry to hear of Captain Eric Brown's passing. Many years ago I bought his book Wings on my Sleeve which encouraged me to learn to fly.

Thanks JEM for mentioning the book. In the U.S., Captain Brown just wasn't as well known. I've learned a lot from watching the video and reading about him. My interest was sparked by this thread. You mentioned his book. It's not readily available in the U.S. I found several book shops in London. One very reputable seller offered free shipping so I bought five of his eight copies in inventory -- one for me and four for my fellow aviators with whom I have lunch each Saturday. I've introduced them to Captain Brown's story; they'll be surprised to receive the books next weekend.

 

Again, thank's for mentioning the book. I've read a lot of WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan books and I really look forward to reading this one.

 

 

[Phil Perry]

Thanks JEM for mentioning the book. In the U.S., Captain Brown just wasn't as well known. I've learned a lot from watching the video and reading about him. My interest was sparked by this thread. You mentioned his book. It's not readily available in the U.S. I found several book shops in London. One very reputable seller offered free shipping so I bought five of his eight copies in inventory -- one for me and four for my fellow aviators with whom I have lunch each Saturday. I've introduced them to Captain Brown's story; they'll be surprised to receive the books next weekend.Again, thank's for mentioning the book. I've read a lot of WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan books and I really look forward to reading this one.

Gee SR,. . . .I will HAVE to join your lunch club someday, .. . my bookshelf has been viciously cleared out by she who must be obeyed, and I could do with a few more ! ! ! !

 

I wish you Clear Blue Skies Sir. . . . .

 

Phil.

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

Gee SR,. . . .I will HAVE to join your lunch club someday, .. . my bookshelf has been viciously cleared out by she who must be obeyed, and I could do with a few more ! ! ! ! I wish you Clear Blue Skies Sir. . . . . Phil.

Anytime Phil. Just hop the pond and I'll spring for lunch. Boring conversations though. Airplanes, sports, politics, history, and occasionally . . . women.

 

We also do breakfast on some days.

 

 

[Phil Perry]

Anytime Phil. Just hop the pond and I'll spring for lunch. Boring conversations though. Airplanes, sports, politics, history, and occasionally . . . women. We also do breakfast on some days.

Watching American politics with a much renewed interest SR,. . .Old Trumpy is very popular over in the UK,. . . ( apart from with the boring lefties that is ! )

 

I dunno about the other subjects you list,. . .sports. . . . Aviation ? ? ? . . . but the "Women" one sounds good. . . .BREAKFAST sounds even better !

 

I look forward to that Sir, and it has been added to my bucket list of things to do before I keel over. . . . .

 

Phil.

 

PS. . .I've just posted something USA related in the "Off Topic" barrel. . . . .

 

 

[DGL Fox]

can honestly say that this man was a personal friend, whom I met 20 years ago, following one of his talks at an Air Museum. We got into animated conversation about all things aircraft,. .. he had flown over 400 types, including Everything the Luftwaffe flew in WW2 and a lot more.A more polite and unassuming man you could not hope to meet. . .

Phil what an absolute honor it must have been to actually fly with the man and talk to him face to face... watched the doco and was amazed....he was an aviation hero for sure... may he rest in peace...

 

David

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

I look forward to that Sir, and it has been added to my bucket list of things to do before I keel over. . . . .

It's a deal PP. I too will look forward to the occasion. Just drop the "sir" please.

 

 

[M61A1]

Anytime Phil. Just hop the pond and I'll spring for lunch. Boring conversations though. Airplanes, sports, politics, history, and occasionally . . . women. We also do breakfast on some days.

Sounds good....When I was in the AirForce, I met a guy from the States that was a design engineer on SR-71s, he got a bit annoyed with me. He was a religious guy trying to tell me all about Jesus, and all I wanted to know as SR-71 stuff.

 

 

[Phil Perry]

It's a deal PP. I too will look forward to the occasion. Just drop the "sir" please.

OK re: the Sir bit,. . . .I actually address nearly ALL male persons whom I have not met with that prefix,. . . .No offence intended. Do you have a nickname ? ( ! )

 

[ I hope that "Nickname" falls within our shared lexicon S. . . . . oops.

 

Phil.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

...He then survived more than 40 missions over Europe, as a tail-gunner in a Halifax! - completely unscathed!...He was typical of his generation - they stood up to be counted, laid their lives on the line, then often just lived quietly and anonymously for the rest of their lives...

Very true, Onetrack. How I regret not getting to know old neighbours from that generation. Their stories went to the grave with them.

 

We hear about the blokes who got lots of gongs, but many WW2 blokes who also deserved awards, got very little - but they never sought any, either.

The French are a bit different. Every so often they give out medals to the few survivors, including Aussies who dropped bombs on them.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Anytime Phil. Just hop the pond and I'll spring for lunch. Boring conversations though. Airplanes, sports, politics, history, and occasionally . . . women. ...

When we're with women we talk about our planes. When we're around our planes we talk about women...

 

 

[Guest SrPilot]

The French are a bit different. Every so often they give out medals to the few survivors, including Aussies who dropped bombs on them.

The French are (were) not the only ones who honor their opponents. When I visited Gallipoli while motorcycling across Turkey, I was particularly struck by Mustafa Kemal's ("Ataturk") tribute to the dead at ANZAC Cove from that horrific WWI battle.

 

Here's the story:

 

http://lost-at-sea-memorials.com/?p=659

 

A close-up photo of the memorial:

 

http://lost-at-sea-memorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Attaturkswords5_2.jpg

 

A Smithsonian Magazine article on the battle:

 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-view-battle-gallipoli-one-bloodiest-conflicts-world-war-i-180953975/?no-ist

 

I left there as affected as I was from visits to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the "National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("the Punch Bowl") near Honolulu, the battlefields at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, or Arlington Cemetery in Washington. Gallipoli was a sobering visit (and I hardly ever even drink).

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

If only we had statesmen like Mustafa Kemal today. In our national capital is a unique tribute to our former enemy: a memorial tribute to Ataturk.