On the 21st of February, 2016, Captain Eric Brown flew West at the age of 97.įollowing is a complete list of fixed and rotary wing aircraft found in Capt. The launch was a success, proving the system, and paving the way for US carriers to feature the steam catapult. British officials decided that, as the new steam catapult was capable of launching an aircraft without any wind, they would risk their pilot (Brown) if the Americans would risk their aircraft. In January 1952, Brown was selected to demonstrate the steam catapult to the Americans, flying a Grumman Panther off the carrier HMS Perseus while the ship was still tied up to the dock at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Brown officially became the first person to sucessfully land, and take off a jet aircraft from an aircraft carrier. After landing back on board HMS Ocean, Cpt. ![]() Eric "Winkle" Brown took the controls of a specially converted De Havilland Sea Vampire Mk.10, taking off from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier 'HMS Ocean'. Brown and Martindale managed the trip safely, if raggedly, in formation, although sometimes as much as a couple of miles apartĭecember 3rd 1945 Cpt. Having no real helicopter training, Brown asked the Master Sergeant in charge about himself and Martindale being taught to fly them, he was handed a "large orange-coloured booklet" with the retort "Whaddya mean, bud? – Here's your instructor".īrown and Martindale examined the booklet and after several practice attempts at hovering and controlling the craft, followed by a stiff drink, they set off for Farnborough. On arrival, they found the American mechanics assembling the machines. ![]() In February 1945, Brown and a fellow pilot and friend, Martindale were sent to RAF Speke to collect two new Sikorsky R-4B Hoverfly/Gadfly helicopters. The fastest speed for deck landing was 86 kts, while the stall speed was 110 kts. This was the first landing on a carrier by a twin-engined aircraft. Brown landed one for the first time on HMS Indefatigable on 25 March 1944. While at Farnborough as Chief Naval Test Pilot, Brown was involved in the deck landing trials of the Sea Mosquito, the heaviest aircraft yet chosen to be flown from a British carrier. In an amazing twist of fate, during the summer of 1944, Brown's home was destroyed by a V-1 "Doodlebug" cruise missile, concussing his wife and causing serious injury to their housekeeper. In 1943 Brown resumed operational flying, being seconded to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons flying escort operations to USAAF B-17s over France. On 10 March 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service on Audacity, in particular "For bravery and skill in action against Enemy aircraft and in the protection of a Convoy against heavy and sustained Enemy attacks" ![]() Eric Brown was one of only two survivors of the squadron, being saved by his Mae West life jacket. The Audacity was torpedoed and sunk on 21 December 1941 by U-751, commanded by Gerhard Bigalk. During his service on board the Audacity he shot down two Focke-Wulf Fw 200 "Condor" maritime patrol aircraft. He then went on to ac hieve the world record for most aircraft carrier landings performed by a pilot - 2,407 in total.ĭuring WW2, Brown served with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as a Fleet Air Arm pilot, where he was posted to 802 Squadron, initially serving on the first escort carrier HMS Audacity flying the Grumman Martlet. Wrinkle was also the first to land a jet-propelled aircraft on board an aircraft carrier. ![]() Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS, RN (21 January 1919 – 21 February 2016) British Royal Navy officer and test pilot who flew 487 different types of aircraft, more than any other pilot in history.
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