Tim Peake pays tribute to Captain Eric '˜Winkle' Brown
Captain Brown was the Navy’s most decorated pilot, having flown over 487 types of aircraft during his career.
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Hide AdTim Peake has tweeted his tribute from the International Space Station, saying: “So sad to hear that Capt Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown has died - to my mind the greatest test pilot who has ever lived. A true inspiration.”
Born in Leith, Captain Brown was the first Naval pilot to land a jet on an aircraft carrier, also holding the record for the most carrier deck landings at an impressive 2,407 landings.
The pilot died at East Surrey Hospital on Sunday night, after a short illness.
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Hide AdAviation expert Paul Beaver, a friend of Brown’s for the last 40 years, paid tribute to a man who was “self-effacing, modest and an absolute delight”.
He said: “He was a great Scot and one of the greatest living pilots. Nobody will ever beat his records. He was a man whose life will never be repeated.”