FROM the age of eight, Eric Brown knew he wanted to become a pilot.
And with amazing determination and bravery, he fulfilled that dream many times over, going on to become a record-breaking airman of worldwide renown.
Now, Eric “Winkle” Brown, who died last month aged 97, is to be honoured at the National Museum of Flight, based in East Lothian, just a few miles from his birthplace in Leith.
Captain Brown was a jet fighter test pilot of such distinction that calls have also been made for his heroism to be enshrined in his home city of Edinburgh.
He was credited with the attribute of “rarely getting scared”.
The airman’s brave legacy is etched not only in the annals of world warfare and social history, but now, for the first time, his remarkable career will also take the form of a detailed museum exhibition.
Scotland’s National Museum of Flight is to unveil the captain’s world in his own words at an interactive exhibition based on his own words.
Steve McLean, of the National Museum of Flight, said the war hero’s death hit hard.
He said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Captain Eric Brown.
“I had the privilege of meeting him last year when we reunited him with the Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet here at the National Museum of Flight, 70 years after he first flew the highly volatile aircraft.
“Born in Edinburgh, Capt Brown was the Navy’s most decorated pilot, having flown 487 different types of aircraft; more than anyone else in history.”
He added: “We interviewed Captain Brown for interactive displays, which form part of a £3.6 million redevelopment of two Second World War hangars.
“It is important to tell the human stories behind the aircraft and we are honoured to have recorded for posterity the extraordinary story of his test flight in our Komet. We look forward to sharing his story with all who visit the new displays when they open at Easter.”
Capt Brown came to be called Winkle, short for periwinkle, by his naval friends because of his physical stature, but they also praised his acts and achievements, which reached phenomenal heights. Before the war, he had the privilege of travelling with his officer father.
He was taken to see the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and his experiences on the trip helped trigger his ambition.
Capt Brown was one of only two men to survive an attack on HMS Audacity, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat in December 1941. His aptitude for flight deck landings – acknowledged as one of the most difficult actions a pilot can make – led him to test aircraft carriers before they were brought into service, and for more than 65 years Capt Brown held the world record for the most flight deck landings.
The aviator was one of just a few pilots to receive the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross for acts of courage throughout his career, as well as his numerous campaign medals.
At his 97th birthday celebration in London on Wednesday, January 27, he was joined by more than 100 pilots, including the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas.
Admiral Zambellas said Capt Brown was one of the Royal Navy’s greats.
Paying tribute after his death, he said: “The Fleet Air Arm may have lost one of its finest and best-known pilots, but British aviation has lost something even greater – the most accomplished test pilot of his generation and perhaps of all time, and a huge advocate of military aviation.”
Capt Brown died at the East Surrey Hospital, in Redhill, after a short illness.
His family said in a statement released after his death: “Eric was the most decorated pilot of the Fleet Air Arm, in which service he was universally known as 'Winkle' on account of his diminutive stature.
“He also held three absolute Guinness World Records, including for the number of aircraft carrier deck landings and types of aeroplane flown.”
His full title was Captain Eric Melrose Brown CBE, DSC, AFC, KCVSA, PhD Hon FRAeS, RN.