Hurricane down sadly
Extremely sad news, and especially poignant on Battle of Britain day. Very well done, the Spitfire guys, for a particularly appropriate tribute under what must have been very difficult circumstances.
I’m dreading hearing who the pilot was - but I do know a bit about the aeroplane, so perhaps this is an appropriate place to share that.
The Hurricane that became G-HURR was built as a Mk12 in Montreal by the Canadian Car & Foundry Co in 1942. Most of the 1451 Hurricanes built by the company went to the UK or Russia, but this was one of 75 that stayed in Canada. She served with a Coastal Defence Sqn, helping prevent rising losses of allied shipping in Canadian coastal waters. She was decommissioned in 1945, and eventually arrived at Autokraft at Brooklands (in Britain) in 1988, where she was painstakingly rebuilt over seven years, using authentic Hurricane methods. She was rolled out at Brooklands in November 1995, exactly 60 years after the prototype had its maiden flight - from Brooklands. I believe that was when she got her civil reg G-HURR.
In 1997 Rob Fleming bought her and moved her to Breighton, home of Taff Smith’s Real Aeroplane Co. She flew until recently as A-LK in the black colour scheme of 87 Sqn.
I’m afraid I’m not sure when Tom Blair acquired her, or when she got her BD707 AE-C colours.
In sadness
airsound
I’m dreading hearing who the pilot was - but I do know a bit about the aeroplane, so perhaps this is an appropriate place to share that.
The Hurricane that became G-HURR was built as a Mk12 in Montreal by the Canadian Car & Foundry Co in 1942. Most of the 1451 Hurricanes built by the company went to the UK or Russia, but this was one of 75 that stayed in Canada. She served with a Coastal Defence Sqn, helping prevent rising losses of allied shipping in Canadian coastal waters. She was decommissioned in 1945, and eventually arrived at Autokraft at Brooklands (in Britain) in 1988, where she was painstakingly rebuilt over seven years, using authentic Hurricane methods. She was rolled out at Brooklands in November 1995, exactly 60 years after the prototype had its maiden flight - from Brooklands. I believe that was when she got her civil reg G-HURR.
In 1997 Rob Fleming bought her and moved her to Breighton, home of Taff Smith’s Real Aeroplane Co. She flew until recently as A-LK in the black colour scheme of 87 Sqn.
I’m afraid I’m not sure when Tom Blair acquired her, or when she got her BD707 AE-C colours.
In sadness
airsound
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deepest sympathy to all family, friends, colleagues and thoughts extended to all involved. how terrible.
here's hoping that he's enjoying a cold beer in the great bar in the sky.#
RIP
here's hoping that he's enjoying a cold beer in the great bar in the sky.#
RIP
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Somehow, before you know the name, you can almost convince yourself that it isn’t going to be one of those fantastic warbird pilots that we all know. Then you hear that it was, after all, the most likely person to have been flying G-HURR, Brian Brown. My slight acquaintance with him suggested an entirely lovely man, who had more than 80 types in his logbook, and whose modesty was exemplified by his telling me that his day job was ‘cutting the grass at Breighton’. He meant that he was the aerodrome operator.
He also told me his most memorable flight was flying G-HURR as one of three Hurricanes in the magnificent 26-ship formation over Duxford to celebrate the Battle of Britain 60th anniversary in 2000.
So he will, undoubtedly, be sorely missed professionally. I can’t even begin to imagine what his loss will mean privately.
But one thing I am sure of. Like many another warbird pilot, Brian’s death will surely have been quick and clean, and it happened in the course of the job that he loved most in all the world.
I salute you Brian - and I thank you for the immense pleasure that you have given over the years. Perhaps you too would have found the coincidence of your final flight and Battle of Britain Day significant. Rest in peace.
airsound
He also told me his most memorable flight was flying G-HURR as one of three Hurricanes in the magnificent 26-ship formation over Duxford to celebrate the Battle of Britain 60th anniversary in 2000.
So he will, undoubtedly, be sorely missed professionally. I can’t even begin to imagine what his loss will mean privately.
But one thing I am sure of. Like many another warbird pilot, Brian’s death will surely have been quick and clean, and it happened in the course of the job that he loved most in all the world.
I salute you Brian - and I thank you for the immense pleasure that you have given over the years. Perhaps you too would have found the coincidence of your final flight and Battle of Britain Day significant. Rest in peace.
airsound
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Thank you for your show
After living within 30 minutes of Duxford, from the age of two months, my now 5-year-old AMERICAN son recognizes a Hurricane from a Spitfire even though he hasn't seen one for a year (we're back in the US). His love of all things aviation has come, not from me, but from watching these magnificent pilots and planes tear around East Anglia.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this pilot. He is missed.
Brian
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this pilot. He is missed.
Brian
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Brian Brown
Marilyn and I have only just spotted the news about Brian on BBC News 24, wer'e gutted, we knew Brian from Breighton after passing through a few times. We were always in awe of his presence and very pleasant personality. He made a great cuppa too! Breighton will not be the same the next time we visit, we shall always remember him with great fondness.
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Brian Brown
We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God's own hand to be with him on High.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven's very door.
As we fly among them there, we're sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before. From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven's very door.
As we fly among them there, we're sure to head their plea. To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.
— Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968
Brian was an inspiration to so many. Always willing to help those less able and less experienced than himself. A first class gentleman and a first class aviator. He will be so sorely missed.
RIP Brian.
RIP Brian.
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I didn't know Brian, but as he flew from Breighton it is certain that he knew Paul Morris - to whom we said goodbye exactly 3 years ago yesterday.
Deepest sympathies to family, friends and all at Breighton.
Deepest sympathies to family, friends and all at Breighton.
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Brian Brown was a stand in by all accounts, which (as if it were ever needed) gives the whole thing an especially tragic dimension.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/6998863.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...re/6998863.stm
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Thats really sad what happened, i was at the airshow with my dad and left just before the crash (because the eurofighter was late) i noticed them all in formation and watched a bit of the fantastic display, im glad i wasn't there to witness it. Thats three aircrashes this weekend not a good time for aviation.
R.I.P Brian.
R.I.P Brian.
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Roy Fordham. " Tiger Swinger " Joined September 2007.
It's taken more than a week, for me to even try to find the words to convey my condolences, to the family and close friends of a man, so clearly loved and respected in every way.
My own feelings may be judged, in that this tragedy occured on the 15th of September, the day we commemorate a very special event in our history,the Battle of Britain.
This date is of some significance personaly, to me, as I celebrate my own birthday on this day, and having served in the RAF, do so with pride.
Little was I to know, as now living in Ausralia, this tragic event was to occur, almost at the time that I would be laying a wreath, at our local Cenotaph in Cairns, on behalf of the RAFA, in tribute to "The Few".
This is my first contribution to PPRuNE Forums, and is sent with a very heavy heart, I hope my prayers ,among the many others I'm sure, may have found their way to all, hurting so very much at this time.
Sincerely,
Roy Fordham, Cairns North Queensland, Australia.
My own feelings may be judged, in that this tragedy occured on the 15th of September, the day we commemorate a very special event in our history,the Battle of Britain.
This date is of some significance personaly, to me, as I celebrate my own birthday on this day, and having served in the RAF, do so with pride.
Little was I to know, as now living in Ausralia, this tragic event was to occur, almost at the time that I would be laying a wreath, at our local Cenotaph in Cairns, on behalf of the RAFA, in tribute to "The Few".
This is my first contribution to PPRuNE Forums, and is sent with a very heavy heart, I hope my prayers ,among the many others I'm sure, may have found their way to all, hurting so very much at this time.
Sincerely,
Roy Fordham, Cairns North Queensland, Australia.
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I had the pleasure of meeting Brian at Breighton one year. Even now, I can see his 'tache aquiver with laughter. A nicer, more enthusiastic man you could not have met. He was a joy to talk to and humble about his achievements that left me in awe.
G-HURR will be missed, but not nearly as much as Brian.
RIP, Browny.
G-HURR will be missed, but not nearly as much as Brian.
RIP, Browny.
