BISHOP’S Waltham welcomed a true pioneer of aviation recently.

Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown gave a presentation on Britain’s abortive attempt to develop a 1,000mph jet – a topic he can speak on with authority, since he himself had been due to pilot the aircraft.

He was to be the test pilot for the aeroplane built by the Miles Aircraft Company but the project was cancelled in 1946, just months before it was due to make its maiden flight.

The talk, given to Bishop’s Waltham’s Aviation Group on May 13, was based on his recent book The Miles M.52: Gateway to Supersonic Flight.

The 94-year-old holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number of aircraft types flown: 487.

He is also the only man alive who has flown every major combat aircraft of the Second World War.

There was cause for celebration too.

Tony Dowland, of Bishop’s Waltham Aviation Group, said: “The opportunity was taken before the talk to ask Captain Brown to become the group’s patron, an honorary position he graciously accepted.”