It is not sad. At 97, he has had an amazing life, he is great man and perhaps the the best pilot Britain has ever produced. Instead, we should celebrate the life of a truly inspirational man. For all of us our time will come, and he is the best!!

A remarkable life indeed... RIP sir.

A unique man who led a unique life and who will be sadly missed by all who were ever graced by his presence

His evening performance at WLAC just a few months ago was as sparkling as ever

I shall read a chapter of Wings On My Sleeve tonight

What an amazing man! The phrase "they broke the mold after he was born" was never truer than in his case. Should by rights have been first to Mach 1 but such was the calibre of the man that there wasn't a trace of bitterness over that sad affair.

He should of course have been decorated, but I don't suppose it bothered him for one moment that he wasn't.

I don't think we'll ever see his like again. I raise a glass....

He was due to give the de Havilland Memorial Lecture at Hatfield in April this year and of course we knew we'd have as good an evening as we had had on his previous visits.
When asked what a DH Mosquito was like to fly, he said "It was a pilot's aeroplane - in fact I never flew a de Havilland product that was not a pilot's aeroplane" which comment is only a lasting memory now.


Whether that really included the DH 108 in not clear. He told us that his lack of height enabled him to survive his investigation of the DH 108 after Geoffrey de Havilland's fatal accident, as it was concluded that during the rapid pitching oscillation that occurred Geoffrey (who was not short) had his neck broken when his head was hit by the cockpit canopy. Not having been killed thus, EMB was able to regain control and report the details.

From his writings he does seem to be the initiator of the myth that the X-1 had to be modified to use the M.52 "flying tail" in order to break the barrier. Always wondered why.

Nevertheless, a man who had a deep and abiding pride and love of his country, and served his nation impeccably, and with immense distinction in his chosen field.

God speed Captain.

Sorry to hear that. His book, like his life, was inspiring.

Laurence

Quote from Allan Lupton:
"When asked what a DH Mosquito was like to fly, he said "It was a pilot's aeroplane - in fact I never flew a de Havilland product that was not a pilot's aeroplane" which comment is only a lasting memory now.
Whether that really included the DH 108 in not clear."

According to the Telegraph obituary writer, he described the Swallow as "a killer."

Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown - obituary - Telegraph