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Tributes to armed forces legend who carved lasting legacy in Moray

Captain Eric Brown before his retirement
Captain Eric Brown before his retirement

Tributes have been paid to an armed forces legend who carved a lasting legacy in Moray, following his death at the age of 97.

Captain Eric Brown, who was born in Leith in 1919, is the Royal Navy’s most decorated pilot.

He held the world record for flying the greatest number of different aircraft, clocking up an amazing 487 in his logbook.

The world-renowned test pilot also became the first person to land a jet on an aircraft carrier in 1945, and performed more than 2,400 similar feats throughout his forces career.

But for north-east residents, it is his efforts at HMS Fulmar which are most fondly recalled.

In September 1967, he began his last appointment in the Royal Navy when he took command of HMS Fulmar, which is now RAF Lossiemouth.

He helmed the Royal Naval Air Station until March 1970, the same year that he was made an OBE.

Personnel who served under Cptn Brown last night hailed him as a “true gentleman”.

Chairman of the Fulmar Association Committee, Hugh Williams, worked alongside the celebrated pilot as an aircraft electrician attached to 809 squadron during the late 1960s.

Mr Williams said: “He was an excellent captain, and a true gentleman.

“Everyone at HMS Fulmar liked him, and he is still talked about fondly by those who worked with him.

“He really was a remarkable pilot and a remarkable man.”

Mr Williams also paid tribute to Cptn Brown’s self-deprecating manner.

The air force luminary was known to comment that he had survived several jet crashes because his diminutive stature allowed him to roll up into the cockpit.

Cptn Brown’s height led to him acquiring the affectionate nickname “Periwinkle”.

In 2009, Cptn Brown returned to RAF Lossiemouth as the guest of honour at a dinner the base held to remember the Battle of Britain.

He toured the grounds of the airfield and visited the on-site museum, which contains several exhibits commemorating his time in the region.

He later gave a stirring speech to station personnel, documenting the airborne heroics he and pilots like him performed against invading Luftwaffe aircraft during World War II.

Last year, a documentary was released celebrating the famed aviator’s life and times.

Production company Quanta Films pieced together the pilot’s personal history for the project, which cast new light on his time in Moray.

At the time of its release, filmmaker Nicholas Jones said: “Eric Brown is Britain’s greatest living aviator, if not the world’s.

“He is a Scottish and British national hero, and nobody will ever fly as many aircraft as he has.”

Cptn Brown survived 11 plane crashes and the sinking of HMS Audacity in 1941.

He met Winston Churchill and King George VI numerous times and interrogated leading Nazis after World War II, including Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goering.

The pilot, who had been appointed MBE, OBE and CBE, died at East Surrey Hospital on Sunday after a short illness.

A contingent representing HMS Fulmar intend to pay the fallen commander their final respects by attending his funeral.