More sad news - Tragic death of Brian Brown - aviator
September 15, 2007 – 10:00 pmI had intended earlier on to blog about the great things that have happened over the past few weeks. I have not the stomach to do this as late this evening I received a telephone call from my father informing me that a family friend has been tragically killed in a plane crash. We are all devastated at the loss of Brian Brown who died this afternoon whilst piloting a Hawker Hurricane in West Sussex. More news of the accident is here.
Brian was a great friend of my family’s. He was one of the few who ’stepped up to the plate’ to help my family during the 1980’s when my father was given only five months to live due to cancer. He was a regular visitor to my mum’s kitchen as was his beautiful partner Eileen. My brother and I have just visited her.
Brian was a talented pilot and only days away from his fiftieth birthday. His job was every red blooded male’s dream flying vintage WWII aircraft at airshows or having film parts flying various aircraft in Flyboys and Tomorrow Never Dies. He lived for flying and it was touching to hear from the early reports that the other pilots in the re-enactment formed up into the ‘man missing in action’ formation.
The only shred of consolation that comes to mind is that ‘Browny’ died doing what he loved (with a passion). I had the privilege to fly with Brian on more than one occasion as did other members of my family. Brian had very little family but a huge number of good and valued friends.
God bless you Brian - Cloud and Visibility unlimited - Never forgotten.
Brian Brown - 1957 - 2007
Photograph courtesy of The Argus
THE LIFE OF BRIAN - RECOLLECTIONS OF A FAMILY FRIEND
I first met Brian when I was eight years old. My Dad knew him and he sold us our first motorbike. We met Brian from that point onwards when we visited Doncaster Aero Club (now covered by the Dome Leisure Complex). At weekends and whenever possible Brian would try and build his flying hours in order to get his Pilot’s licence. Brian had a love of flying that went back to his childhood as his father used to be in RAF Coastal Command where he flew in Catalina and Sunderland flying boats during WWII.
Brian has been a good friend to our family especially back in the 1980’s when my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Brian made numerous journeys down to London where dad was receiving treatment. Dad defied all the doctors forecasts and has fought off cancer at least three times since then. It is at times like that you appreciate the support of friends.
Brian’s love of aviation brought him into contact with Breighton Airfield. This ex-bomber base was privately owned and made any visitors very welcome. This informal, friendly approach has built a large, diverse community of people with a love of aviation. Breighton has also become a magnet for wealthy, antique, ‘warbird’ owners. There are aircraft hangared there from World War I, World War II and at one stage the cold war. Weekend visitors would fly in, fuel up and chew the fat with Brian in his cafe there which he ran with his cousin Dawn. The food and coffee were welcome ’stomach lining’ served in an old crew hut, the walls coated with aviation memorabilia. The roar of a Spitfire or Hurricane would draw admiring glances.
Breighton Airfield’s collection of classic aircraft and no shortage of pilot’s willing to fly them also brought about exciting work on the international airshow circuit and the media. Brian never boasted about this to us, he just did it and acknowledged that he was lucky to be doing so. Dad recalls a conversation with Brian when he described flying back across the channel in a Hurricane/Spitfire whilst returning from a continental airshow. Brian talked of feeling a real shudder up his spine as he crossed over the white cliffs of Dover. This area had been the scene of vicious battles with the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and Brian’s unique circumstances made him feel like he was in a time warp.
Brian Brown (pictured below - on the right - flying with me in 1995) will be remembered as an aviator rather than as a Doncaster Rovers fan. the man who encouraged me through my own journey to becoming a pilot and the gent who tried to talk us out of a parking ticket from the Spanish police when we parked a huge removal van in a no parking zone. I also believe, to this day, that he had a hand in the perfectly timed flyover by the Red Arrows at my wedding in July 2000.
As winter approaches we get days with big blue skies. no wind, cold air and bright sun. We can see the ’straight-up smoke’ of the power station cooling towers that make excellent navigation and weather aids for pilots in this area. To me the ten smoking towers of Drax power station mean many things - Brian Brown, Breighton and a good cup of coffee.
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15 Responses to “More sad news - Tragic death of Brian Brown - aviator”
I never had the privilege of knowing Brian - just a 10 minute chat on the airport building steps on Friday afternoon, relating the pros and cons of Spits & Hurris, why the 109 has such an ungainly landing gear set up etc. Patient, amusing, all the time for starstruck would-be’s like me and no doubt many others over the years(I’m 59, no spring chicken!)What a delightful man on such short acquaintance, the only consolation, if there can be any, is that he was lost 24 hourslater doing what so many of us yearn to be skilled enough to do, on a most glorious flying day. Thank you Brian and all of you who give so much pleasure to us R.I.P.
By andy elliot on Sep 16, 2007
What a pleasure it was to read a little more about Brian and his life. We were at Shoreham yesterday and although I was looking at other aircraft, my son caught Brian’s war bird crash. There were some very moving moments afterwards like the missing man formation, flown twice and the applause by around 20000 people who showed their respect in a way that seemed fitting. There was eleven aircraft in the sky at that time and trying to keep an eye on all of them was something else. Very sad even a day later it seems like a nightmare that I might awake from, but alas it will never happen. RIP and condolence’s to his family..
By Cameron on Sep 16, 2007
I’d like to offer my condolences to all who knew Brian.
I was at Saturday’s air show, covering the event for the local newspaper, the Shoreham Herald.
We would like to tell our readers down here what sort of man Brian was, so they can know a little more about someone who clearly gave so much to something he was evidently hugely passionate about.
If anyone would like to pay tribute, or would like to say something about Brian, please send me an email to sam.woodman@worthingtoday.co.uk
I appreciate this is a difficult time, and I’d again like to say how sorry I am about Saturday’s accident.
By Sam Woodman on Sep 17, 2007
I was at the airshow on Saturday and I cried and cried when I saw the hurricane had crashed - i held on to every bit of hope that the pilot might of been saved but it wasnt to be. God obviously has a job for Brian Brown, he needs him upstairs with the angels, such a tragic loss of a very experienced display pilot.
Brian waved and smiled at the crowd as he taxied along the runway for what would be his final take off, this is how we should remember him.
My heartfelt sympathy to his partner, friends and family.
Thank you for all the great shows you’ve put on for us brian.
I hope Shireham airport consider a memorial for Brian in due course, I’d happily donate towards this
with love from west sussex
xx
By Kelly on Sep 17, 2007
I was also at the Airshow on Saturday with my wife. I enjoyed immensely watching Brian fly in his hurricane during the display and was in total shock when I saw the accident. All I can remember is thinking please let him be OK.
I didn’t see him waving at the crowd, but I do remember the precision he showed during his final flight.
My condolences to everyone who knew him and my thoughts are with you all.
By Rick Padwick on Sep 17, 2007
I was also at the airshow on saturday and had just trained my binoculars at the approaching aircraft,it was Brians aircraft that I picked out first and unfortunatley followed it down until it disappered behind the trees, I couldnt believe when it didnt reappear over the top and feared the worst. God bless Brian and all those like him, who bring such pleasure to us ground types.I for one will never forget.
By Des Collings on Sep 17, 2007
I was at Shoreham Airshow on Saturday with my husband and saw Brian’s plane go down. It was a very sad time and my sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends.
I’ve set up a group on facebook where people can leave tributes in memory of Brian so if you want to join the group go to facebook and type into groups - tributes for Brian Brown
By Michelle Padwick on Sep 18, 2007
Ironically I was at Shoreham Airport watching the planes outside the terminal on the Friday, the day before the accident. A B25 aircrew member came over to a guy standing a few feet away from me and asked what he was flying, ‘Hurricane’ came the reply. Sadly later on I found out it was Brian who was stood there. I was like an 8 year old kid thinking ‘wow I’m standing next to a Hurricane pilot’, he seemed really laid back and looked just like a member of the public as he was not dressed in the usual flying suit stuff, I thought my, he could have been getting attention but instead he must be really confident and humble, like he didnt need the admiration. I was very sad to hear it was him especially as for that short moment I felt I kind of knew him a bit, like a friend even.
By Sean on Sep 19, 2007
Hello Shaun and the Holts it was nice to read the contents of the blog from yourself and from the spectators at the Air Show.I knew Brian from the building trade and working with your dad John, also from the days when the nightclubs were part of our lives In Doncaster.Although I have not seen him for a few years when we did meet up it was like the old days.I can recall also him telling me about flying that he was going to get into.I will be at the funeral next week to pay my respects and have beer for a lovely man. RegardsPaul
By Paul Curzon on Sep 19, 2007
Hello, Shaun a lovely, warm and moving tribute to Brian.
I have been involved in the editing of a programme about the Shoreham airshow this year and this programme has been dedicated to the memory of Brian, if you wish to view please visit http://www.absolutebrighton.tv. I was filming at the show and witnessed the tragic incident. My prayers are with Brian and his family. God bless.
By jai on Sep 25, 2007
Shaun
Just to say that it was a wonderful tribute that you wrote for Brian.
I was privileged to know Brian from being a teenager and later when I helped to look after his lovely mother Ellen, before she passed away earlier this year.
Brian was a relative of my husband (his mother and my husband’s father were cousins). Brian never boasted about his exploits or his worldwide flying experiences, but was always a down to earth sort of guy, who would do anything to help out if he could.
I recall a conversation when Brian and myself were at his mothers home, waiting for an ambulance to take her to hospital. Brian said to me that should he walk out of the door and be killed by a bus, he would have done more in his life-time than most people could even dream of. What prophetic words they are now!
Brian was a good friend to all and an exceptional son to his late mother who adored him.
Please pass on my condolences to Eileen and the rest of the family at their sad, sad loss.
Please remember me too, to your father, who I have known since I was a little girl when I used to play in your grandmother’s garden with your numerous cousins. What a small world we live in!
Ann Hird
By Ann Hird (nee Burnyeat) on Sep 25, 2007
As one of the founders of Shoreham Airshow I am deeply saddened by the loss of Brian as he displayed at our show. I watched his Hurricane go down and was devastated at the thought of losing one of our pilots. Brian was helping the RAFA raise money, as do all the pilots who display for us. He will be remembered by us all at Shoreham and we are eternally grateful to him and all the pilots who give their time and expertise to entertain and educate our visitors. Brian Thank You from us all. Fly high amongst the clouds and in the bright blue.
By Allan Fowler on Sep 27, 2007
Hi Shaun! A lovely tribute to Brian. My dad was a friend of his from back in the days of Doncaster aero club. We would make regular visits to breighton and we were always given a really warm welcome by Brian. My little brother and i would regularly hassle him to let us sit in the aircraft and he always (carefully) allowed us. I hope he realised what a real thrill it was for us to actually sit in the cockpit of a spitfire and a hurricane…a dream come true. Thanks Brian
By Chris on Oct 12, 2007
BB was in our team every weekend when we where kids started flying with me Newby Rog Wills Twistgrip Robin G Terry G and lots more at Doncaster it was our club we learned to fly and raised hell.
We had lots of fun Bri was the safest pilot I knew and he lived life to the full its hard to beleve he is no longer at Breighton I still think of him every day like I know others do.
Eddie
By Eddie Todd on Nov 5, 2007
Just chanced upon this website - wonderfully well written tribute to Brian. As RAC webmaster I knew Brian (and the Hurricane) - I flew in the back seat of Tony Smith’s Mustang on one of the sorties across the Channel with the Hurricane in tow… the stuff of dreams. Tragic loss.
By David Butler on Dec 4, 2007