Once again, I had made plans to discuss a particular topic, but something came along which encouraged me to change my mind! You probably won't be familiar with Eric Brown, but what an incredible story...
Captain Eric Brown, CBE, DSC, AFC, HONRAeS, RN, was born in Leith, Scotland, on 21st January, 1919. While visiting the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Brown met a former WWI German fighter pilot, Ernst Udet. Already interested in flying, the two soon became friends. The Scot was fascinated by the newly-formed German Luftwaffe, and became a regular at their social gatherings.
He moved to Germany in 1938 as an exchange student, but returned home when Britain declared war on the Germans. Rather strangely, he was immediately imprisoned, and just three days later, released and allowed home!
Brown joined the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot, and served on the aircraft carrier, HMS Audacity. When the Audacity was torpedoed in December 1941, Brown was one of only two survivors of his 802 Squadron. From that point, Brown was largely engaged as a test pilot, specialising in carrier landings, but still saw active service in Germany, where he was fluent in the local language.
After the war, Brown continued his career, and made his last flight in 1994. During his career, Eric Brown set a number of impressive records, including :
Flying a total of 487 different aircraft.
Made the first ever tricycle undercarriage aircraft landing on a carrier,
Made the first ever twin-engined aircraft landing on a carrier.
Made the first ever jet aircraft landing on a carrier.
Made a total of 2,407 aircraft carrier landings.
The most-decorated pilot in the history of the Royal Navy.
In addition, Brown was involved in the post-war interrogation of several leading Nazis, including Goering and Himmler, was present at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, and survived eleven plane crashes and one sinking!
Eric Brown died on 21st February, 2016, after a short illness.
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