Brown apparently climbed out of the cockpit at night over the Atlantic to remove ice from the engine air intake
While it's not known if the story is factual, the old timers certainly did pull off some amazing acts.
Sir Patrick Gordon Taylor, GC, OBE, MC, Australian aviator of some fame - During the 1935 Australia-New Zealand airmail flight with Charles Kingsford Smith, the starboard engine failed and the crew decided to return to Sydney, where the aircraft was buffeted by strong winds. It was decided that fuel and cargo must be jettisoned. During these conditions, Taylor made six journeys outside the cabin of the
Southern Cross, climbing along the under-wing strut to drain the oil from the useless motor and transfer this to the overheating port motor. Taylor's actions, with the addition of Kingsford Smith's flying skills, resulted in the plane making its way back to land safely. Taylor was later awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal for his actions, which was later exchanged for the George Cross