http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.co...t-97-1-4035347

1919 - 2016 - 97 yo

 

I confess that, just as many other subjects pertaining to Combat Aviation, Eric's name was completely unknown to me until I started playing combat flight simulation games, like DCS and il2 BoS and even Rise of Flight.

 

I have gained some knowledge about ww2 and ww1 combat aircraft, and air combat simulation occupies presently more than 95% of my simming time per year!

Thanks for the link. It is important to note the passing of people such as Capt. Brown, not only in aviation but in other walks of life. They were forged in a different era, in a world made of different stuff with a different attitude. We owe him and others so much. May he rest in peace.

A true legend. His autobiography, "Wings on my sleeve", is, in my opinion, compulsory reading if you have any interest in real-world aviation. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as holding the record for flying the greatest number of different aircraft (487 - excluding different marks!). His record for the most carrier landings (2,407) is unlikely to ever be exceeded. A great test pilot and an all-round nice guy, he will sorely missed.

I was fortunate enough to meet him a couple of months ago, and asked him to sign my copy of his autobiography, which he did very graciously. He was so polite and humble - he asked my name and held his hand out and said 'Well nice to meet you Paul' as he shook my hand, and I was thinking it's the other way round more like!!

Man o' man. If I can accomplish a fraction of those merits in my lifetime, I will consider my time on earth an exceptional success. What a spectacular man and life he lived. God bless his family and welcome him with open arms.

Interesting video regarding Eric Brown: