There are both upwind and downwind designs.
A substantial number of the small wind turbines are downwind with all Proven models and the SouthWestWindpower Systream being downwind designs. These are of 2.5m dia to 7m dia and cost £10k to £50k. In jthe upwind style you can see the Fortis, Iskra and Bergey machines. They are almost all passive yaw devices irrespective of whether they are upwind or downwind.
These days there are no large wind turbines which are down wind layout. The UK government killed off the UK large wind manufacturers about 20 years ago and they were the only serious downwind large wind models. The large wind turbines are active yaw devices and are turned out of wind (side on) for maintenance, very high wind episodes, etc. by motors. Downwind is being reconsidered for particular large wind layouts especially for very large ones a long way offshore. A French company called Vergnet is looking seriously at a downwind layout. These are all about 50-70m diameter and £1-4m.
Ordinarily the shaft brakes are not supposed to be used to stop the blades rotating when running. They are intended to keep the blades stopped once they have stopped. Engaging them too quickly can result in serious damage as you have illustrated.
This is a fast-growing industry and the operators are going up a very steep learning curve. Mistakes do happen.
Hope that helps you decide whether to use them as a wind direction guide.