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Wings on My Sleeve
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
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Wings on My Sleeve
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Summary
'When you read through his life story, it makes James Bond seem like a bit of a slacker'
Kirsty Young, Desert Island Discs
'The greatest test pilot who ever lived. A true inspiration'
Tim Peake, astronaut and former regular British Army Air Corps officer
'The stories beggar belief'
Guardian
'Fascinating reading . . . His amazing life story is quite literally "stranger than fiction"'
Today's Pilot
In 1939, Eric Brown was on a University of Edinburgh exchange course in Germany, and the first he knew of the war was when the Gestapo came to arrest him. They released him, not realising he was a pilot in the RAF volunteer reserve: and the rest is history. Eric Brown joined the Fleet Air Arm and went on to be the greatest test pilot in history, flying more different aircraft types than anyone else.
During his lifetime he made a record-breaking 2,407 aircraft carrier landings and survived eleven plane crashes. One of Britain's few German-speaking airmen, he went to Germany in 1945 to test the Nazi jets, interviewing (among others) Hermann Goering and Hanna Reitsch. He flew the suicidally dangerous Me 163 rocket plane, and tested the first British jets.
Wings on My Sleeve is 'Winkle' Brown's incredible story.
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What listeners say about Wings on My Sleeve
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DFB
- 24-07-16
An exceptional story
The story of an incredible man that covers a vast range of aviation situations and aircraft types. I can never understand why Winkle Brown is not better known for his record breaking achievements.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Matt Simpson
- 24-11-18
This excellent memoir is his only underachiement.
Spectacular in his place in time ,a flight introduction with Udet in pre ww2 Germany.The low health and safety of the birth of the jet age . His obvious gifts as a naturally outstanding pilot the book leaves a nagging doubt ,that with better advise and a little teasing in interview, you could be reading an absolute barn stormer.
The remarkable achievements of this man in aviation are beyond comparison by a clear distance.... worth the price to hear his opinions on virtually all the machines flown in ww2 by all sides.
Just can't help thinking there was so much more in entertainment to winkle out of the Winkle.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Sd Peak
- 13-10-17
Stunning book!
Its a shame I never got to meet the guy for real, what an amazing man, amazing talent and amazing life!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-04-18
Brilliant!
Absolutely fantastic story, I couldnt stop listening to this. Anybody who has an interest in aviation will be bowled over at the shear experience 'Winkle' accrued, the types from all countries and the 'firsts' that he completed is mind boggling. An awesome life lived by an outstanding character.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jay Grady
- 02-07-16
A great read!
I found this a real turner. The story of a truly unique flying career, never to be repeated.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Jason Clayton
- 25-06-19
One of the best aviation bio's ever written.
One of the best aviation bio's ever written. A must read for any aviation enthusiast.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- PhilChurch
- 09-07-18
The story of one of histories most remarkable men.
Eric Brown is quite simply one of the most remarkable men in history, if Hollywood made his life into a film those who didn't know his story would think it a little far fetched.
Starting out flying rag and tube biplanes and finishing up on Mach 2 interceptors, plus just about every incremental change in between. Numerous aviation firsts and world records unlikely to be broken, this is the story of a truly great man who lived a full life and made a real difference.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nigel Hynes
- 08-09-16
Essential reading for air enthusiasts
This book narrates the career of the greatest pilot ever to have served in any armed forces of any nation. There is no false bravado and give an insight into the world of test flying and the development of carrier aircraft during the Second World War and the rubber deck concept developed for carrier jets. Eric winkle Brown led a life that most of us can only dream about, he was paid to do something he loved, and did it astoundingly well. Cameron Stewert narrates this book with his usual impeccable style. All in all a must read for anyone with an interest in aviation or world war 2.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Cryptochimp
- 22-09-17
A very interesting autobiography of a great test pilot
“Wings on My Sleeve” will be enjoyed by aviation enthusiasts.
Brown began his test-pilot career early in WW2. At the end of the war he was given the task of assessing the performance characteristics of captured German aircraft, including the Me 262, the He 162, the Arado 234, the Me 163 and the Dornier 335. He also flew the Zero and other Japanese planes. His expert appraisal of these aircraft is very interesting.
Post-war he was involved in the development of the angled deck, the flexible deck, and the steam catapult for aircraft-carriers.
When not working as a test pilot Brown engaged in air combat (he scored two kills), survived the torpedoing of his escort carrier, and assisted in the interrogation of Herman Goering and Josef Kramer, the commandant of Belsen.
The book is very well read by Cameron Stewart.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John Fuller
- 19-10-21
amazing tale of an amazing man
A beautifully written and narrated tale of a truly amazing human being, a world record holder and also the master of understated self efacing modesty.
brilliant, fascinating and riveting, it should have been 4 times as long!!
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