Duxford 090907
Hawker Hurricane XII G-HURR BD707 AE-C (cn 52024) . Owned by Tom Blair. Tragically less than a week later this aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, Brian Brown killed at Shoreham on 15th September 2007.
Brian Brown 1957 -2007. Born and bred in Doncaster, Brian (49) was a pilot of many years experience on a number of different types of aircraft and Manager of Breighton airfield, near Selby in North Yorkshire. Alongside colleague and friend Tony Smith, he regularly flew the RACo aircraft at airshows, including some 350 hours on Hawker Hurricane XII G-HURR alone, which he displayed several times at Shoreham in the past. As well as flying displays both in the UK and Europe, Brian flew as a stunt pilot in the films 'Fly Boys' and 'Tomorrow never Dies'. Fellow pilot David 'Rats' Ratcliffe, who took part in the dogfight prior to the crash said: "Brian was a good pilot, a great friend and he will be dearly missed. Like any job you have to be pragmatic about these things - it does happen from time to time but then statistically the biggest danger to me is driving to the airfield. A crash can happen anywhere. It will not put us off flying, that is what we do. I fly on my days off. I fly in the wind and rain - it doesn't matter." Our thoughts and condolences go to Brian's partner Eileen, family, friends and the team at the Real Aeroplane Company, Breighton.
Duxford 090907
Hawker Hurricane XII G-HURR BD707 AE-C (cn 52024) . Owned by Tom Blair. Tragically less than a week later this aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, Brian Brown killed at Shoreham on 15th September 2007.
Brian Brown 1957 -2007. Born and bred in Doncaster, Brian (49) was a pilot of many years experience on a number of different types of aircraft and Manager of Breighton airfield, near Selby in North Yorkshire. Alongside colleague and friend Tony Smith, he regularly flew the RACo aircraft at airshows, including some 350 hours on Hawker Hurricane XII G-HURR alone, which he displayed several times at Shoreham in the past. As well as flying displays both in the UK and Europe, Brian flew as a stunt pilot in the films 'Fly Boys' and 'Tomorrow never Dies'. Fellow pilot David 'Rats' Ratcliffe, who took part in the dogfight prior to the crash said: "Brian was a good pilot, a great friend and he will be dearly missed. Like any job you have to be pragmatic about these things - it does happen from time to time but then statistically the biggest danger to me is driving to the airfield. A crash can happen anywhere. It will not put us off flying, that is what we do. I fly on my days off. I fly in the wind and rain - it doesn't matter." Our thoughts and condolences go to Brian's partner Eileen, family, friends and the team at the Real Aeroplane Company, Breighton.