Any room on that list for either/both of the Wrights? :E

Naaah, as everyone knows, they didn't actually invent the airplane. :eek:

Personally, I think the 'greatest ever' was/is probably one of those unnamed 21 year-olds who managed to get a bomber crew over Europe at least 25 times during WW2.

Gets my vote.

No argument from me there.

Or any of those unnamed 20 to 23 year olds (or any age for that matter) who fought and survived the Battle of Britain!

How about John Derry and his battle with the sound barrier in the 1950s - which eventually got him?
mcdhu

The one who achieved that goal of #Landings = #takeoffs.

I forget his name. ;)

Which of these famous pilots was involved in the British clearing up Belsen?

4Greens, Eric "Winkle" Brown. Was asked by Brigadier Glynn Hughes (senior allied officer at Belsen) to interrogate the camp commandant Josef Kramer and his female assistant Irma Griese. His comment, "two more loathsome creatures it is hard to imagine".

Thanks Megan, just checking. He was nearby at the end of the war checking out German aircraft. He is by far number one in my book but then I am an ex carrier pilot.

He wasn't very impressed by Hanna Reitsch either.

I see that Captain Eric Melrose Brown was present when the Queen visited Belsen this week. No mention of the "Winkle" on that occasion.

Perhaps that will help his long overdue "K".

I'm sure he's done just about as much for his country as Sir Lenworth (Lenny) Henry ...... :rolleyes:

He (Winkle, not Lenny H) also debriefed Goering, and was I think one of the last people to speak to him before he - HG - anticipated the work of Albert Pierrepoint)

Was asked by Brigadier Glynn Hughes (senior allied officer at Belsen) to interrogate the camp commandant Josef Kramer and his female assistant Irma Griese.
FYI I think Glyn Hughes was a Senior Medical Officer who torched the buildings with a flame-thrower to arrest the spread of typhoid

I would like to nominate someone from the colonies if you would allow me.


Factsheets : Brig. Gen. Robin Olds: Combat Leader and Fighter Ace

A lot of totally worthy nominations, especially the nameless 25-year-old who completed a Bomber Command tour over Germany, but I concur with "Winkle" Brown. Served under him in the late 60's, a quiet hero.

The excellent BBC documentary about his life is on YouTube at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szten4iypCM

and the thumbnails beside give leads to many more bits & pieces.

His original book "Wings on my sleeve" is great, his 3 "Wings of..." later ones are excellent on Naval Aircraft, Luftwaffe aircraft and what he calls the Weird and Wonderful. First-hand experience, tech data and a human view of each. Strongly recommended!

Mike