Winkle. The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot: Paul Beaver

Discover the daring life story and astonishing adventures of Captain Eric `Winkle` Brown - Britain`s greatest-ever pilot

Small in stature but immense in reputation and talent, there was more to Eric `Winkle` Brown than met the eye.

From shooting down Luftwaffe bombers from the deck of a carrier in the Battle of the Atlantic and narrowly escaping death when his ship was torpedoed, to accumulating a never-to-be repeated litany of world records and firsts as a test pilot, his unparalleled flying career saw him take the controls of over four hundred different kinds of aircraft - more than any other pilot in history.

A rival to Chuck Yeager and hero to Neil Armstrong, by the time of his appearance on Desert Island Discs` 1000th episode Winkle had become a legend in his own lifetime, and by his death, a national treasure.

But despite his enormous fame, there have always been mysteries at the heart of Winkle`s story.

Now, drawing on previously unseen documents and unfettered access to Winkle`s own personal archive, Paul Beaver uncovers the complex and enigmatic man behind the legend - the real story of Britain`s greatest pilot.

A story Winkle insisted could only be told after his death . . .