I first met Winkle about 15 years ago at Duxford and I must admit that at that time I'd never heard of him! As he has got older and his peers have all left us he has taken more and more of well deserved limelight. I get the impression that he never really thought he was that special and hence he was never really nationally recognised until now as he was comfortable in what he had done and didn't need to crow about it. A great shame really because he is a living "Boys' Own Hero".
He struck a chord with me today when he said he gave up flying at 74 years of age; it made me realise that I too would have to hang up my boots one day and how would I feel? I decided that his description of how he felt was pretty accurate!
An amazing man, indeed.
LJ