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BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:44 am
by Ovenpaa
Did anyone watch the documentary on Eric "Winkle" Brown last night?

Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, RN, CBE, DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS (born 21 January 1919) is a British former Royal Navy officer and test pilot who, in testing 487 different types of aircraft, has flown more types of aircraft than anyone else in history. He also holds the world record for most aircraft carrier landings performed and is the Fleet Air Arm's most decorated living pilot.

I enjoyed it however for me it was spoilt slightly by the camera effects.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 7:19 am
by DW58
A inspirational documentary. I've long been a fan of "Winkle" Brown since reading his autobiography "Wings on my sleeve" over thirty years ago.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:36 am
by mag41uk
I had never heard of the chap before but what an amazing career!
He seemed to be in the right place at the right time to do all the things he did.
Its on iplayer if you missed it.

The program about 6th June after was pretty good too.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:52 am
by Jenks
I missed it, but have just watched it on IPlayer (available for six days)

A truly amazing man, who had an extraordinary career.


Jenks

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:05 pm
by Polchraine
Planning to watch it tonight - I watched the one on D-Day last night.

I did notice they pictured him in RAF uniform which seems odd for a Royal Navy Officer. Maybe I will find out tonight.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:28 pm
by 1066
What an amazing chap, what an amazing pilot. A true unsung hero. I thoroughly enjoyed his autobiography and will enjoy watching the programme when I get chance.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:38 pm
by DW58
Polchraine wrote:Planning to watch it tonight - I watched the one on D-Day last night.

I did notice they pictured him in RAF uniform which seems odd for a Royal Navy Officer. Maybe I will find out tonight.
He was a member of Edinburgh University Air Squadron as a student, hence the RAF uniform.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:07 pm
by Polchraine
DW58 wrote:
Polchraine wrote:Planning to watch it tonight - I watched the one on D-Day last night.

I did notice they pictured him in RAF uniform which seems odd for a Royal Navy Officer. Maybe I will find out tonight.
He was a member of Edinburgh University Air Squadron as a student, hence the RAF uniform.
Thanks ... and then he saw sense. Always fun watching CrabAir trying to land on carriers.

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:00 pm
by IainWR
Polchraine wrote: Thanks ... and then he saw sense. Always fun watching CrabAir trying to land on carriers.
Errr ...

I was a member of Aberdeen UAS (as was my father). I loved messing about in boats and thought the Fleet Air Arm was the life for me, right up to the point that AURNU (work it out yourself A1) took me to Dartmouth.
About 30 years later, I landed on Lusty one dark and stormy night halfway down the North Sea, to collect a matelot who needed Comp A transport, and as I departed into the snowstorm, Flyco signed off with "nice job, God speed crab". I cried a little for our guy in the back.

Iain

Re: BBC2 - Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown

Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:26 pm
by Egg on Leggs1
Sikorsky R-4B Hoverfly - first helicopter flown by Brown, learnt to fly it from aircraft manual.[57][58] :o