Eric Brown | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Naval_Pilot_Who_Landed_Jet_Plane_on_Carrier._On_3_December_1945,_Lieut_Cdr_Eric_Melrose_Brown,_MBE,_DSC,_RNVR,_Chief_Naval_Test_Pilot,_Landed_a_De_Havilland_Sea_Vampire_Jet_Aircraft_on_the_Flight_Deck_of_the_British_Aircraft_Carrier_HMS_Ocean..jpg) Brown as a lieutenant RNVR, c. 1939-45 | |
| Nickname(s) | Winkle |
| Born | 21 January 1920 Hackney, London, England |
| Died | 21 February 2016 (aged 96) Redhill, Surrey, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1939–1970 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Cross King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
| Other work |
|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:DeHavilland_Vampire_HMS_Ocean_Dec1945_NAN1_47.jpg)
Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS[1] (21 January 1920 – 21 February 2016) was a British Royal Navy officer and test pilot who flew 487 types of aircraft, more than anyone else in history.[2][3][4]
Brown held the world record for the most aircraft carrier deck take-offs and landings performed (2,407 and 2,271 respectively)[2] and achieved several "firsts" in naval aviation, including the first landings on an aircraft carrier of a twin-engined aircraft, an aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage, a jet aircraft, and a rotary-wing aircraft.
Brown flew almost every category of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft: glider, fighter, bomber, airliner, amphibian, flying boat and helicopter. During the Second World War, he flew many types of captured German, Italian, and Japanese aircraft, including new jet and rocket aircraft. He was a pioneer of jet technology into the postwar era.[5][better source needed]
- ^ Jones, Luke (14 November 2014). "Eric 'Winkle' Brown: The man who seemed not to notice danger". BBC News Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ a b Guinness World Records. "First landing on an aircraft carrier". Guinnessworldrecords.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ Ailes, Emma (23 April 2013). "Captain 'Winkle' Brown: Is he the greatest pilot ever?". BBC News Scotland. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ Pociask, Martin. "Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown: Officer, Gentleman, Test Pilot Extraordinaire" (PDF). The Helicopter Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Paisley University Library Special Collections – Putnam Aeronautical 1997". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
Captain Eric Brown. The Fleet Air Arm's most decorated pilot, he had a thirty-one-year career in the Royal Navy. He served as test pilot from 1942, eventually being appointed Chief Naval Test Pilot at RAE Farnborough and commanding the Enemy Aircraft Flight, the High Speed Flight and the Aerodynamics Flight. He continued test flying after the war, amassing a world record total of 487 basic aircraft types before retirement.
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