You will all be aware of Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, sometimes described as ‘Britain’s Greatest Pilot’. Born in 1919, he led an incredible life, holding records for the most aircraft types flown (487) and the most aircraft carrier deck landings (2,407), amongst many other achievements. He died in February last year and more recently the National Museum of the Royal Navy was able to purchase his medals and log books, with the assistance of an anonymous donor.
Thanks to the generosity of the NMRN, these medals have now gone on display at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune in Scotland. They are on display until late June, so this is a very short-term opportunity to view the medals of this amazing man for anyone who is unable to make it to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. Further details about the display can be found on the museum website at http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/whats-on/medals/
On permanent display at the National Museum of Flight is the Messerschmitt Me 163B1-a Komet which Captain Brown flew on 10 June 1945, the only Allied pilot ever to fly the Komet under power. There is also the Sea Hawk which he sat in to be pulled round the station when he retired as station commander from RNAS Lossiemouth. With these and other aircraft are touchscreens on which can be viewed interview footage of Captain Brown talking about his experiences. All in all, it’s well worth a visit!
Photos: Neil Hanna
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By: RadarArchive - 24th February 2017 at 18:03
If you scroll down this page (http://www.nms.ac.uk/explore/stories/science-and-technology/messerschmitt-komet/), you’ll see an image of the log book entry for the flight, with Me 163 191659 shown. Plus he told me himself!
By: DaveF68 - 24th February 2017 at 16:11
Thanks, I’d missed that completely. Always regret I missed the opportunnity to meet the great man (by a few hours in one case)
By: DC Page - 24th February 2017 at 15:54
Dave, last year there was some great footage of Capt. Brown reunited with the Komet, and several stories in the papers. Sorry I don’t have a link at the moment but search using the headline in this link and you should find it. As always it was fascinating to listen to him talk about his experiences.
By: DaveF68 - 24th February 2017 at 15:44
On permanent display at the National Museum of Flight is the Messerschmitt Me 163B1-a Komet which Captain Brown flew on 10 June 1945, the only Allied pilot ever to fly the Komet under power.
Interesting, I didn’t know that had been identified (Presumably via Capt Brown’s logbook)
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February 24, 2017 at 8:28 am