I noticed a programme on BBC 2 at 9 o'clock tonight about this remarkable pilot. Might be good, might be a load of pants, but probably worth checking out for those interested.
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steve
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Not heard of him Steve but have taken a little look at his history which is remarkable.
Not many Airmen in the Fleet Air Arm rose to Captain.
Laurie -
No that was no let down Steve.
Unfortunately only got in about half way through. But that last half an hour was just incredible.
The landing and take off the first Jet aircraft ever to achieve this by Eric Brown in a Sea Vampire is captured on film and all great shots.
A fascinating man and a compelling film. Now I have to find some means to view the first bit.
LaurieComment
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It is on again on Tuesday at 11:20 pm.
Not to be missed
LaurieComment
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Saw it advertised about half hour after it started.Will have to watch it on catch up TV.Comment
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Excellent program, I had already read about his life elsewhere. Such a fascinating life and incredible range of aircraft from the Gloster Gladiator to the Buccaneer. He incidentally picked up a slew of firsts and records that are unlikely to be beaten: Most carrier landings (2770 approx.), 487 different aircraft types flown, 1st twin engined landing on a carrier (Mosquito), 1st jet landing on a carrier (vampire). He prepared well and was also lucky, he reckons 13 times he came close to death as a test pilot, including the DH108? after it killed DeHavilland.
There is some great footage of the mosquito carrier landing and Me163 and Me262 test flights he did.Comment
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So right Dave and as repeated do not miss this it is a great hour (at least the last 30 mins I have seen so far.. Eric Brown himself is such an unassuming character and so candid. He is also now 95 years old. Tich of a bloke as well.
As he tells it and as Dave has said his description of his flight in the DH108 was remarkable after his friend had been killed and how he near came to the same conclusion.
LaurieComment
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Just seen this one , a day too late , DOH !! like Dave I'll be looking out for it on catch up .Thanks anyway steveComment
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I watched the programme last night. Very much Eric Brown in his own words but a very good watch for that. He tells some great anecdotes, the one about going for a flight with Udet as a teenager (obviously before the war) I'd not heard before.
Cheers
SteveComment
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I thought the thing that came through was the number of times he put his life on the line. More remarkable as it came through to me that, although he may see it now, he did not see it then as he had such confidence in himself and his self preparation for each flight.
His only downfall I thought was what no book and there it was. After owning until a year ago 800 books on WW11 not one was the Eric Brown Story.
Wings of the Weird and Wonderful. Perhaps there are more books. How is it Bader as was discussed a few weeks ago is so well know and this character not ? Or put in a different way how has this escaped me ?
LaurieComment
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I think he's escaped you Laurie. He has written a few books. I have 'Wings of the Luftwaffe' which recounts his experiences flying captured German aircraft during and after the war. He was well qualified to do this being fluent in German and having, more importantly, a good knowledge of technical German.
'Wings on my Sleeve' is an account of his time as a test pilot. I've read it but my copy seems to have gone AWOL. I expect it is still available as it was a more recent publication. I'm sure there are others.
Cheers
SteveComment
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Think it will have to be the library Steve. The Weird and Wonderful is selling at very weird prices. Not sure what is in it but there are two volumes.
LaurieComment
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I'm glad you posted this Laurie as I totally missed it. Recording it tonight so will watch in the next few days(not one of Gills' favourite subjects so I will have to pick my moment).Originally posted by \It is on again on Tuesday at 11:20 pm.Not to be missed
LaurieComment
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Actually Steve (Stona) was the instigator Vaughan I just picked up on it. Yes not Pauline's favourite either but strange she had just finished a programme could not find another until the news. She sat there suggested is this OK and enjoyed it but perhaps not as much as I did.Originally posted by \
LaurieComment
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Lots of interesting stuff about Eric Brown on Youtube, here for instance where he discusses Luftwaffe aircraft he has flown
I came across his name years ago when I found a photo of a Storch landing on a RN carrier.Comment
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