Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Kevin Wood on 21 February 2016, 23:47:37
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Yesterday evening I came across a podcast that I'd saved months ago, and not got round to listening to, so I put it on. It was Eric "Winkle" Brown on desert island discs. I listened to it fascinated. Probably the most accomplished pilot we will ever know, and so much more. Present at the liberation of Belsen concentration camp. On the panel that interrogated Goering and Himmler, amongst others, following the 2nd world war. Survived over 1400 carrier deck landings, 11 aircraft crashes and 1 shipwreck. Pilot of 487 aircraft types. Despite this, a wonderfully modest and endearing man to listen to, in my opinion.
By some coincidence, he passed away today. I've been watching BBC news channel for the last 90 minutes and nothing has been said about this remarkable man. I heard about his passing on an internet forum. It's all about Boris and the EU. >:(
Well, rest in peace, Eric. :'(
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So sad :'( Thank you Eric :y
As for Boris... I suspect he has just cancelled any chance he had of continuing his political career... Whatever your opinion on the EU, he's nailed his colours to the mast of a ship that doesn't belong to his party ::)
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He was mentioned on the BBC 10 o'clock news ...... showed the first carrier landing, him flying a captured German jet plane & parts of an interview with him
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Also was a report of his demise on BBC teletext. Farewell to a true Great Briton. R.I.P.
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An absolutely amazing guy, and an example to all.
This is well worth watching again and again, and if you get the chance to read his book "Wings on My Sleeve" .. then do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szten4iypCM
RIP Sir, there will never be anyone like you again.
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He certainly lived a life 'less ordinary' :y
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Another one that reached the end of the road on Friday with very little comment in the news was Harper Lee.
For those that don't know she wrote one of the modern classics - To Kill a Mockingbird
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I've been watching BBC news channel for the last 90 minutes and nothing has been said about this remarkable man.
Its not in the BBC's current agenda >:(
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He and the many thousands of others didn't see themselves as heroes,just ordinary people doing what had to be done at the time. For me they were all heroes.R.I.P.sir.
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He was CO at Lossiemouth when I was at Kinloss in '67, and a close friend of my then OC Charles Fountain, who coincidentally had a similar career in reverse, Navy first, then RAF. I dined with Charles at a reunion last year, and he related some fascinating tales about Eric.
RIP one the greats.
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In fairness to the beeb, he was mentioned this morning. Might have been local news, I wasn't paying sufficient attention.
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BBC2, 7 o'clock tonight. 'Britains greatest pilot'.
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It,s the same film as Entwoods link, well worth a look.
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BBC2, 7 o'clock tonight. 'Britains greatest pilot'.
Can't find it on i-player. :(
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BBC2, 7 o'clock tonight. 'Britains greatest pilot'.
Can't find it on i-player. :(
Sometimes takes a while to appear :y
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An absolutely amazing guy, and an example to all.
This is well worth watching again and again, and if you get the chance to read his book "Wings on My Sleeve" .. then do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szten4iypCM
RIP Sir, there will never be anyone like you again.
I believe I met the man along with Bee Beamont at a open day about 20 years ago when we was ground running / taxing XR 724 at Binbrook.
All I can say is that there isn't many people I call sir nowdays but that man is certainly one.
I and a few others spent about half a hour stood listening to him and Bee just talking about flying various aircraft in the 50's / 60's. You could hear a pin drop :)
Rest In Peace Sir