Eric "Winkle" Brown - Legend
Discussion
Went to a short talk by Eric Brown yesterday at the FAST Museum Farnborough. He was there to formally open a new exhibition commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Captured German Aircraft display held on the airfield in November 1945.
I was there because I had helped build a couple of models to the model aircraft element of the display which was contributed by the Farnborough Branch of the International Plastic Modellers' Society.
He spoke a little about his experiences flying the Me163 and Me162 - uncluding having an engine explode on a 262 - luckilly when still on the ground.
He was also signing his new re-print of his classic book "Wings of the Luftwaffe" which recounts his experiences of test flying these aircraft.
Like many of his generation, (he's 90 years old), he is a real gentleman and was very omplimentary about the models. He even shook my hand
I was there because I had helped build a couple of models to the model aircraft element of the display which was contributed by the Farnborough Branch of the International Plastic Modellers' Society.
He spoke a little about his experiences flying the Me163 and Me162 - uncluding having an engine explode on a 262 - luckilly when still on the ground.
He was also signing his new re-print of his classic book "Wings of the Luftwaffe" which recounts his experiences of test flying these aircraft.
Like many of his generation, (he's 90 years old), he is a real gentleman and was very omplimentary about the models. He even shook my hand
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 27th August 08:56
Gokartmozart said:
Winkler ??? He aint the Fonz. 
You mean " Winkle"
Looked like you had a good time, did you get a chance for a chat with him?.
ETA - see you noticed the typo.
I did.You mean " Winkle"
Looked like you had a good time, did you get a chance for a chat with him?.
ETA - see you noticed the typo.
Edited by Gokartmozart on Friday 27th August 09:32
I didn't chat too long as there was a queue of people lining up to ask him questions. We just chatted a bit about the models which he said he really appreciated. I also asked him to sign a copy of Aeroplane Monthly, which this month, had a photo feature on the German Aircraft Display. He very kindly did this for me. He was there with his wife who was keeping him supplied with cups of coffee.
The FAST Museum is well worth a visit. It is only open on the weekends but entry is free.
PS - Eric Brown is MUCH cooler than The Fonz.
Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 27th August 10:17
Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot (flying Martlets/Wildcats) during the Battle of The Atlantic.
He was fluent in German having spent some of his student days pre-war in Germany where he became a friend of Ernst Udet - he was even invited to a few lads' evenings with Udet and his old pilot buddies.
Because of this background, he was transferred to Farnborough where a trickle of captured German aircraft had been arriving from early on in the war where he became one of the chief test pilots of these aircraft. This role became more and more important as more advanced German aircraft came into the hands of the Allies - such as the night-fighter Junkers 88s, the Messerschmitt 163 rocket fighter, the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter and the Arado 234 Blitz jet bomber.
All in all he flew 55 different types of German aircraft as part of these test and evaluation programme.
Being a Naval pilot, he also tested a number of innovations for the Fleet Air Arm.
He was the first man ever to land and a jet on an aircraft carrier (using one of the prototype Vampires).
He also tested the undercarriageless/rubber deck concept which was one method that was thought to confer some weight and range advantages for jets operating off decks. Anyone who flew these rubber deck flights was very brave. Partly because of improvements to jet technology and also partly from adverse reports by Brown on the practicallity of this concept, the undercarriageless system was not pursued.
He was fluent in German having spent some of his student days pre-war in Germany where he became a friend of Ernst Udet - he was even invited to a few lads' evenings with Udet and his old pilot buddies.
Because of this background, he was transferred to Farnborough where a trickle of captured German aircraft had been arriving from early on in the war where he became one of the chief test pilots of these aircraft. This role became more and more important as more advanced German aircraft came into the hands of the Allies - such as the night-fighter Junkers 88s, the Messerschmitt 163 rocket fighter, the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter and the Arado 234 Blitz jet bomber.
All in all he flew 55 different types of German aircraft as part of these test and evaluation programme.
Being a Naval pilot, he also tested a number of innovations for the Fleet Air Arm.
He was the first man ever to land and a jet on an aircraft carrier (using one of the prototype Vampires).
He also tested the undercarriageless/rubber deck concept which was one method that was thought to confer some weight and range advantages for jets operating off decks. Anyone who flew these rubber deck flights was very brave. Partly because of improvements to jet technology and also partly from adverse reports by Brown on the practicallity of this concept, the undercarriageless system was not pursued.
Eric Mc said:
Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot (flying Martlets/Wildcats) during the Battle of The Atlantic.
He was fluent in German having spent some of his student days pre-war in Germany where he became a friend of Ernst Udet - he was even invited to a few lads' evenings with Udet and his old pilot buddies.
Because of this background, he was transferred to Farnborough where a trickle of captured German aircraft had been arriving from early on in the war where he became one of the chief test pilots of these aircraft. This role became more and more important as more advanced German aircraft came into the hands of the Allies - such as the night-fighter Junkers 88s, the Messerschmitt 163 rocket fighter, the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter and the Arado 234 Blitz jet bomber.
All in all he flew 55 different types of German aircraft as part of these test and evaluation programme.
Being a Naval pilot, he also tested a number of innovations for the Fleet Air Arm.
He was the first man ever to land and a jet on an aircraft carrier (using one of the prototype Vampires).
He also tested the undercarriageless/rubber deck concept which was one method that was thought to confer some weight and range advantages for jets operating off decks. Anyone who flew these rubber deck flights was very brave. Partly because of improvements to jet technology and also partly from adverse reports by Brown on the practicallity of this concept, the undercarriageless system was not pursued.
Thanks.He was fluent in German having spent some of his student days pre-war in Germany where he became a friend of Ernst Udet - he was even invited to a few lads' evenings with Udet and his old pilot buddies.
Because of this background, he was transferred to Farnborough where a trickle of captured German aircraft had been arriving from early on in the war where he became one of the chief test pilots of these aircraft. This role became more and more important as more advanced German aircraft came into the hands of the Allies - such as the night-fighter Junkers 88s, the Messerschmitt 163 rocket fighter, the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter and the Arado 234 Blitz jet bomber.
All in all he flew 55 different types of German aircraft as part of these test and evaluation programme.
Being a Naval pilot, he also tested a number of innovations for the Fleet Air Arm.
He was the first man ever to land and a jet on an aircraft carrier (using one of the prototype Vampires).
He also tested the undercarriageless/rubber deck concept which was one method that was thought to confer some weight and range advantages for jets operating off decks. Anyone who flew these rubber deck flights was very brave. Partly because of improvements to jet technology and also partly from adverse reports by Brown on the practicallity of this concept, the undercarriageless system was not pursued.
A brave and talented man.
FourWheelDrift said:
He was also down to break the sound barrier first as pilot of the Miles M52 until the project was cancelled and Chuck Yeager took the honour.
The story of the Miles 52 is one that really grips my s
t. Sorry to lower the tone of the thread, but it does.I watched a documentary some time ago where one of the Miles designers (Dennis.......I can't remember) recounts the tale, and the anger and despair in his eyes was palpable.
ETA:
Dennis Bancroft
Resolute in the face of American skulduggery (IMVHO)
Edited by kiteless on Friday 27th August 23:35
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