Aviation legend 'Winkle' Brown delivers his own history
The Fleet Air Arm's most decorated Pilot delivered a lecture on Highlights of a life in Aviation at the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Museum at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton.
Captain Eric Melrose ‘Winkle’ Brown CBE, DSC, AFC, KCVSA, PhD Hon FRAeS, RN at the age of 94 is a former test pilot who has flown in 487 different types of aircraft, more than anyone else in history and a record unlikely ever to be broken!
Winkle Browns second world record is for the most aircraft carrier landings performed, 2407 in total!
On the night of 29 July over 400 people gathered beneath the Wings of Concord in the Museum to listen to who can only be described as a living legend in the world of aviation. Silence fell as Winkle Brown took to the podium next to a commissioned portrait of himself on loan to be hanged at RNAS Yeovilton.
The evenings lecture was for the Fleet Air Arm Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown said; “it is my pleasure be here thank you for inviting me” he added “it’s a wonderful setting”.
Commander (Cdr) Mark Langrill Head of Air Engineering on the Air Station and Chairman of the FAA branch of RAeS said “RNAS Yeovilton is home to the Fleet Air Arm Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. As well as being an icon of Naval aviation, Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown has long been a staunch supporter of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and we are privileged that he has allowed us to name our new flagship annual lecture in his honour.”
The Lucasta Partidge-Brown portrait of Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown on display throughout the evening, was accepted into the RAeS permanent collection in 2013 .It is now deemed most appropriate that the portrait resides on long-term loan with the FAA in RNAS Yeovilton.
President of the RAeS Air Commodore Bill Tyack said “ It is the epitome of fame to be known by a single name , tonight we are here to celebrate the life and achievements of someone who is known around the world by a single name ‘Winkle’
Air Cdre Tyack added ' Winkle' is quite simply one of the most distinguished aviators the world has seen. I am proud and humble to be standing here as President of the RAeS as we honour the man who was my predecessor as President 32 years ago. I thank and congratulate the Yeovilton Branch – particularly the Chairman Cdr Mark Langrill and the Secretary Lt Mark Davis for conceiving of the named lecture.”