Capt. Eric 'Winkle' Brown: the first Mosquito carrier deck landing

The People's Mosquito is a UK registered charity dedicated to getting a DH.98 Mosquito flying once again in the UK www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/ca...
In March 1944 the De Havilland Mosquito undertook carrier deck landing trials on HMS Indefatigable in the Irish Sea, giving the then Lieut. Brown the chance to make the first deck landing of a British heavy twin-engine aircraft. In this video the Patron of The People's Mosquito talks about the aircraft and the challenges he faced when presented with the task of landing it on deck.

[@moxey25]

Met him fixed his toilet then stayed for tea really nice bloke

[@watsisbuttndo829]

" The arrestor hook broke and i had to make a decision, i went full power and the torque drove me off the side of the ship where my wheels may have touched the water" . Bet the old bugger clanks when he walks. Nowdays people loose their mind when somebody calls them stupid on twitter.

[@dirkdiggler3552]

8😮98888008999988888778887778😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@dirkdiggler3552]

888888

[@stevemull2002]

I had the pleasure of meeting Eric, twice, and listening to his talk for a couple of hours, WOW, is an understatement, what this man did, was truly a lifetime of a 1000 men, but crammed into a handful of years, ive never understood why he wasnt made a Sir, when any muppet in parliment, only has to fart, and they are made one !!

[@gordonhall9871]

what a great story teller -- I could listen to him talk about airplanes for hours

[@rbtsimpson1966]

Capt Eric 'Winkle' Brown truly is one of the finest examples of the Greatest Generation. What an honour to watch this video.

[@lordbadman9264]

The number of aircraft this man flew will never be surpassed.His logbook is a film that must be made

[@mogsyman]

I never managed to chat to Eric but saw him at close quarters at Shoreham some years ago on the terribly sad day of the Hunter air crash. He was lucid and very chatty and it was a joy to actually see in the flesh what can only be described as an absolute legend. RIP Eric, what a truly magnificent man you were.

[@james5353]

What an incredible life that man had - a true legend of British aviation

[@sblack48]

I was told that even in his 90s he could still tell you the characteristics of every plane he flew. All 400+ of them. A national treasure.

[@flybobbie1449]

We have an old boy at my flying school, he's 93 and remembers his time in the RAF. He remembers Morse code, the marks of radio fitted to his aircraft and all sorts. Tells all about going on the Queen Mary to Canada, his training and tales etc. I think sometimes we get scared of old age and memory loss, but many keep their marbles.

[@EdMcF1]

I have the immense privilege of attending a talk of his when he was 95, he spoke for 90 minutes on his feet, the only point at which he was looking for a word was for an RAF term about pilot rotation (which he quickly remembered), given he was FAA in the war, it wasn't even 'his' jargon. It was the most astonishing evening, his anecdotes whether horrifyingly sobering and humorous.

[@ElSmusso]

EdMcF1 I envy you, but thanks for sharing the story :)

[@jgrif9256]

Read his books. Great reading.😀

[@gravyboat2370]

And they gave knighthoods to bankers and not this legend !!!

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Eric Winkle Brown is a legend. I did get to see a Mosquito up close with a flying demonstration recently. It was as beautiful as I imagined, maybe a bit more.

[@nervo6321]

This man should be held in the highest esteem......

[@NVRAMboi]

I believe he is. On *both* sides of the pond.

[@raymondgill9796]

It is humbling to hear this man talk. What a great generation.

[@jnordne2]

As an airplane nerd who majored in Aerospace Engineering, I could talk to this man for hours and hours.

[@bertram987]

He is one of the greatest Britons! What an absolutely amazing Man!

[@shiangtingkung2904]

Capt. Eric “Winkle” Brown is a legend and my hero! What a great pilot!

[@roboaten6931]

His book is a revelation - his approach was to practise everything mentally beforehand. Years ahead of his time and he reckons the reason he survived.

[@vambo67]

The memory on this guy was amazing, you can truly say he lived life to the fullest! Maximum respect!

[@soulpaua2097]

That Mosquito footage is from out in New Zealand. We've rebuilt several now. Don't worry Capt. Brown we got ya back!

[@banjopete]

Jesse Sorensen ,Kiwi ingenuity!

[@goojedooje660]

Blenham South Island nz

[@user-kp4ts4mc8l]

Well done you lot😊

[@MACLAD6666]

Another scotsman that proved we got fvcking balls sir. Salute to that man, what he showed to aviation would take 4 lifetimes to learn by anyone else.

[@guts067]

Phenomenal understated courage. Thank you Captain Winkle Brown.

[@rotax636nut5]

This man was an actual Force Of Nature, thank you and God Rest you Eric Brown

[@TheDarwiniser]

read his book, wings on my sleeve. when you see the pace and the skill this man displayed flying multiple aircraft daily, round the clock, it beggars belief. i dont have heroes, but damn this man knocked on the door when i realised just what he has done.

[@bogomir67]

This gentleman would forget more about aviation in 5 minutes than most people would learn in a lifetime.

[@MrDaiseymay]

He holds the unbeatable record, of having flown more aircraft types, than ANYONE ELSE---BY A MILE !

[@MW-bi1pi]

If Eric Brown was that mentally sharp in his 90's, imagine what he was like in his 20's and 30's.

[@SISU889]

Well said , Sir.

[@dellawrence4323]

RIP Eric Winkle Brown RN, an exceptional man.

[@antiussentiment]

"I had a boffin assigned to me".. ~ smiles ~

[@mattharte7334]

This talented pilot had an incredible life and it's a brilliant interview about deck landing a Mosquito on a ship, it was incredible, must have taken nerves of steel, I can recommend his autobiography too.

[@murraystewartj]

It's these small footnotes to history that are the best. So sad that so many have been lost as the greatest generation passes. Thanks for this.

[@postwar46]

What a professional ! He Quietly worked out how the expectation could be achieved. I believe he was 95 years old at the time of this interview.

[@tedfrederiksen4989]

Eric Brown has to be the greatest Naval Aviator of all time & all navies, my personal opinion.

[@belchnasty]

Greatest aviator period.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@belchnasty correct

[@sblack48]

He is the equal of any other test pilot from any service or nation but the fact that so much of his work involved ship board landings makes him unique. Landing on a boat us dangerous enough in a proven airplane but being the first to do it in airplanes never intended for it is a whole other level. Then evaluating all the german military airplanes including rockets and jets. It's hard to fathom the depth of his experience.

[@Twirlyhead]

The Barracuda story (easiest to deck land, RAF pranged all five) - priceless.

[@davidmaccormack7067]

I crash landed a hang glider from a flat spin,not bad for my 2nd flight and no one told me how to,l thot l was fukt,tore the arse outa ma Jean's ouch 'Anlandugen sie gehen veg von ist gute Landun ' ok l limped away...straight to the pub [e-mail]

[@jacktattis]

Yes indeed he actually taught Jeffrey Quill how to land on a carrier and yet Eric Brown gets no mention in Morgan and Shacklady Spitfire the History

[@gordonstuart5800]

The greatest pilot ever flew more airplanes than any pilot ever, a great Scotsman yeh.

[@H4CK61]

What a Man. fearless in his quest of testing planes to there limit. Many never survived but Winkle was the test pilot of test pilots.

[@robinmcphail34]

Absolute legend, got his biography and " Wings of the Luftwaffe ". If he couldn't fly it, no one could.

[@ronitsingh85]

Hats off to you sir! He is telling like it was yesterday he had done all this amazing knowledge

[@gregorypaulbox3035]

An exceptional gentleman and an exceptional pilot.

[@davidelliott5843]

Here was a man clearly in the latter stages of life yet such a powerful personality. An amazing human being.

[@johnharb01283]

what an amazing man thank god we had men like this, balls of steel!

[@4vepvik781]

What an extremely lucid Man Captain Eric Brown was and as sharp as ever even in His old age and what a Pilot!!.

[@bodieofci5418]

Amazing man. I have his book and a signed picture from him. His life story makes a James Bond film look boring. RIP Sir.

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

His autobiography Wings On My Sleeve is a fantastic read. RIP Sir.

[@nicksullivan8075]

I cant remember what i had for breakfast. What an amazing generation.

[@31144]

Snap, his recollection is unbelievable, I literally can't remember what I did yesterday, His autobiography is a fabulous read ! !

[@peterlethbridge7859]

Probably the most gifted pilot to have ever flown. A truly remarkable man indeed

[@Simonsvids]

Not necessarily. He was certainly the pilot given the most opportunity to fly different kinds of aircraft. But he was more of an engineer than a pilot. He would calculate everything. Not the kind to fly without considering the risks. In combat situations you do not have that luxury.

[@petej8556]

He was an operational combat pilot to start with in the War. RN fleet air arm, & has quite a number of confirmed kill's. It was because of his outstanding abilities as a Pilot that his superiors advised for him to transfer to testing aircraft.

[@mothman411]

Of course Simon, do thrill us with your personal tales of air combat...........

[@kevinstraus1478]

@@mothman411 don't know about Simon but there I was in a F4 over Hanoi doing Mach 3 guarding SR71s from Mig 15s. Can't say more as it is classified

[@rjk69]

@@Simonsvids You do not survive as a test pilot if you are not a gifted flyer. A new aircraft has to be flown by instinct and feel, he had both and survived to tell the tale.

[@PUBHEAD1]

Winkle is a legend

[@jamesgivens4446]

Captain Brown should have his own posthumous channel! Anyone who has been a PIC IS IN ABSOLUTE AWE OF THIS MAN,

[@buzzer1961]

I remember my parents telling me about him flying a Spitfire up Scott St, in Galashiels, Scotland, during WW2, where he had relations.

[@burningb2439]

Anything with Eric Brown you sit , watch an listen ..

[@obiemichaels9675]

What size fantastic memory from a man who simply told the facts and didn't try to talk himself up.

[@davebartos7743]

I understand he till holds the record for most deck landings. RIP a true legend.

[@jacktattis]

Yes and the most different types of aircraft flown

[@nilsfinken]

What an amazing memory and unique ability to extract the most interesting details and lucid analyses. An incredible personality.

[@HO-bndk]

Neil Armstrong's hero. They even met once.

[@helvehammer7846]

*Well THAT about says it all ! ! !*

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

They almost worked together on the X-15

[@MrDaiseymay]

what did armstrong do?

[@andyphillips7435]

Philip Croft He said ‘ He was standing on the shoulders of giants’ Newton. ( probably didn’t, but should have done)

[@diggledoggle4192]

@jonny j Think it's a joke pal

[@stewsretroreviews]

What a truly amazing man, loved reading his book, just so many stories in there.

[@306champion]

That was history in the making. Like all these blokes I could listen to them all day.

[@scottmitchell8273]

At the going down of the sun and in the morning..we will remember them ..

[@hughtuck5147]

Hats off to Capt. Brown and others like him - brave, skilled - and articulate even in his '90s... what a hero!

[@geoffdearth8575]

The Mosquito was a brilliant airplane. Those who flew in them were brilliant airmen. I say this as a US commenter.

[@alteredbeast67]

Well i have to say that makes a refreshing change. Usually English ww2 iconic aircraft are dismissed by US citizens, largely due to ignorance, jealousy and lack of knowledge. Winkleman was also the man who made the first successful carrier landing of the F4U corsair. The famous curved approach. Before that the US were only operating corsairs from ground based runways, which was a shame as the corsair was a mighty fine carrier fighter. And along with the Hawker Sea Fury, was the only two piston driven fighters that scored a kill against Mig 15 jets during Korea. Interesting Brown mentions Britains best 3 aircraft of ww2 The Spitfire, Mosquito & Lancaster. I think the US also had 3 exceptional aircraft just as good as those mentioned. The P-51 D. The B - 17 & the Lockheed P - 61 "black widow" Even though the P - 61 was developed and put into operations late in the war, it was the only ww2 aircraft designed from the ground up specifically for night fighting. And very effective. Im sure some would disagree with my top 3 US aircraft and it could be argued the P - 47 or F4U were better than the Mustang. Or even the Grumman Hellcat. The Lockheed P - 38 could also be counted although it suffered from a number of serious issues throughout its combat life. Also i personally think the B - 24 liberator was a better bomber than the B - 17. So i guess its a matter of opinion.....

[@geoffdearth7360]

@@alteredbeast67 Our P51s would not have developed their full potential were it not for the Merlin engine (Packard license manufacture). Haven't the Kiwis restored at least 1 Mosquito?

[@jamiecole2096]

geoff dearth - yes we have.

[@sugarnads]

Geoff Dearth aeroplane mate. Aeroplane.

[@mikebelcher8442]

@@geoffdearth7360 at least 3

[@welshpete12]

A very great man , there should be a statue of him outside the Houses of Parliament .

[@guysatchwell6990]

Should be a statue of him in Leith where he was born?

[@dovidell]

SJW's would just spray graffiti on it , without even knowing the great man's contribution to the nation

[@bobthompson3739]

What a man, superlatives cannot cover a man of this stature, this is what a hero really looks like. My admiration is unbounded

[@johnevans7261]

I had the privilege some years ago of a long chat with 'Winkle' at the Dunsfold Wings and Wheels show. We discussed the Sea Mosquito, and he pointed out the major restriction on operating prop-driven twin-engine aircraft at sea was the lack of asymmetric control if an engine failed. " The engines had to be far enough apart to allow the props to turn without hitting each other. That limitation disappeared when the jet engine took over - they could be placed close together." A simple explanation from the world's greatest test pilot - what a character.

[@pwareham61]

A great british hero. I could listen to Eric recite the phone book.

[@daveBit15]

Legendary pilot.

[@airplanes42]

The greatest pilot from the era when pilots were actually skilled stick and rudder men.

[@geoffdearth8575]

Capt. Eric Brown RIP from the USA.

[@martentrudeau6948]

Geoff Dearth - Ditto!

[@smartringworld8828]

14:16 "now the Barracuda is probably the easiest deck-landing aircraft you will ever find and they managed to prang all five of them, so I really wasn't to hopeful of the outcome!".....priceless! What detail, what a gent, what a legend. I bow in respect.

[@adoreslaurel]

I think we should put to bed any comparisons between Yanks and Brits, each have their own re balls to the fire re risks to life and limb, Either side had men capable of extraordinary things when faced with a challenge.And I say that as neither a Brit or Yank.

[@whigwood]

Whar a hero! I could listen to this man for ever. Not long before he died, he was guest on "Desert Island Discs" (BBC radio 4) and had Kirsty Young practically eating out of his hand, such was his magnetism.

[@howardgriffiths9130]

On that programme he recounted his celebration of VE Day by flying his naval spitfire THROUGH Tower Bridge !!!

[@pcka12]

Great to hear this grand old Gentleman talk, Captain Brown mentions the involvement of Barnes Wallace and in later years my dad (who was involved in the secret explosive developments without which Barnes Wallace’s weapons could not work) helped in ensuring that B W was awarded an honorary degree.

[@cambium0]

What an articulate speaker. Just off his head making all kinds of sense with every word. A bit slow but worth slowing down for. Mosquito was a great plane.

[@seansky2721]

I read Winkle's book. More than once. Not one wasted word. There is nothing like actually hearing the way he puts his words together. God rest you, Captain Brown. You have inspired so many more airplane drivers than you could possibly imagine. I would not wish to land a Mossie on a flat-top. Not one smaller than a US Navy CVA. You Beauty!

[@lunaticfringe8066]

A great interview with one the greatest test pilots of all time.

[@EricIrl]

I've never heard Eric Brown tell an uninteresting story.

[@geoffdearth7360]

That's because he lived history. He was history.

[@P-CROZIER]

An Amazing Humble Gentleman - great clip!! Thank you Sir for your tremendous contribution to our Freedom !!

[@richardevppro3980]

All i can think of is this Man is a true Hero and those that gave the thumbs down are ignorant people who know nothing of the past!

[@TechNed]

Fascinating. The voice of first-hand experience. He's so right about bringing the dearth of planes back to flying status. I've no idea how many are left.

[@sblack48]

"Yes I'll have a go at that" 😁 crazy bastard!

[@tonyjennings1025]

In the US. All airworthy. Also when crediting British aircraft he left out the Hawker Hurricane which surprised me. Pilots such as he will never be seen again incredibly skillful and courageous.

[@stephenhowlett6345]

Every memory still remembered. Strange how we mostly remember the good times.

[@MrDaiseymay]

What a great human being he was. Genious and Gentleman, I wish I had met him.

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

"Flying behind the curve" - ie.below stall speed but using the propellers like a helicopter.

[@plunder1956]

An amazing pilot, his log book had more aircraft types in it than are even possible today. Many were captured German aircraft from the gigantic to the tiny Me-193

[@poruatokin]

Just had a shiver run down my spine. at 12:02 he talks about Beccles airfield. It is known as Ellough and later became an industrial estate where I started working for a plastics company in the 1970's. At lunchtime, we would often explore the old control tower. Fascinating.

[@gordonbradley3241]

What an absolutely ASTOUNDING bloke ? He's flown and tested more aircraft types than anybody ! They even got him to fly the luftwaffers Comet rocket interceptor after the war ? A " suicide ride in a hell machine " if there ever was ! This bloke is made of pure TUNGSTEN !

[@EndingSummerwithRalph]

Amazing, I was totally enthralled at that story. Thanks!

[@abbamanic]

What a remarkable man. Very few like this man grace any generation.

[@flymoon24]

Hi, I can only write that I am extremely impressed and humbled by Captain Captain Eric Winkle Brown it should be Sir Captain Eric Winkle Brown!

[@jacktattis]

I believe he turned it down

[@stephendiskin9939]

Stephen Diskin. A first class story Sir. I was not aware of any attemt of anybody landing a Mosquito on a carrier. Well done capt well done.

[@terrycarter4459]

A wonderful gentleman who I could listen to all day and what a great video.

[@dryflyman7121]

My next door neighbour was a former Mosquito pilot and had his original flying log of all his operations. We had not been here long when he died and I never got to talk to him about his service or see his log book, as his Son took them after he had died. Very sad.

[@geoffdearth7360]

A great man who deserves all the encomiums given to him. From US.

[@rustykilt]

What an amazing man....Greatest pilot that ever flew.

[@stevenchandler3694]

Thanks for posting this video, and thanks Eric for your service very brave men

[@NickRatnieks]

The Mosquito was also the best photo reconnaissance aircraft of WW2.

[@MrDaiseymay]

just say best----everything

[@jacktattis]

No that was the Spitfire MkXI and then the MkXIX in the ETO The Mk XIX could get to 49000ft

[@theeaselrider4032]

I could spend endless hours, days even, listening to that man tell stories. If Winkle Brown thought the Mosquito was a pretty special aircraft, you don't need to ask anyone else about it. About as high a praise as you can get.

[@bobsymons9642]

Father and his 2 brothers were Mosquito and Beaufighter Pilots Windsor Ontario group are building a Mosquito. One comment on Mosquito by father was that bullets went right thru instead of bouncing around off metal and getting you. Many lost on takeoff and landing, partially due to both engines rotating in same direction, making it harder to keep straight.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Even a legend such as him made a model of the B2 spirit. Thanks Uploader.

[@herberar]

My respect Captain! Excellent work of camera and production team. Thanks a lot !!!

[@teacherinthailan6441]

Fascinating! Cheers dude.... Also ....Thank you so much for your brave service and knowledge too! X

[@stevencooper787]

RIP Sir, my respects from the French Fleet Air Arm.

[@marcusgault9909]

A huge number of carrier landings, which was Winkle's self-effacing way of saying the MOST EVER, and in the greatest NUMBER of aircraft types to boot!

[@ralphshepherd1770]

Great history lesson, glad this great man could share it with us. So much R&D and planning was made in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Glad that in the end it wasn't needed.

[@Ingens_Scherz]

What a wonderful, brave man.