BRITAIN'S greatest pilot will be the topic of conversation at a special evening at the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop. 

In the next of its series of special events, the Test Valley museum will tell the story of Eric 'Winkle' Brown, Britain's greatest pilot.

This evening will be presented by author and historian, Paul Beaver in the stunning surroundings of Hayward Hall.

The presentation will tell of Winkle Brown’s extraordinary flying career which saw him fight in the Battle of Britain, narrowly escape death on a torpedoed aircraft carrier, achieve a litany of new records and firsts as a test pilot, and fly more kinds of aircraft than any other pilot in history.

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With a life as remarkable as his flying, Brown faced imprisonment in Germany at the outbreak of the Second World War, and after the Allied victory his fluent German saw him interviewing senior Nazi officials and participating in the liberation of Belsen - an experience that haunted him for the rest of his life.

A rival to Chuck Yeager and a hero to astronaut Neil Armstrong, by the time of his death in 2016 Brown had become a legend in his own lifetime and a national treasure.

Drawing on Brown's previously unseen own papers and with unfettered access to Brown's own personal archive, Paul Beaver uncovers surprising new truths and incredible achievements in the definitive account of a complex and enigmatic man who was revered around the world. 

Paul said: “His journey from lost boy to a national treasure is amazing, this evening is about the man, not the machines."

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This special event at the Army Flying Museum will also be live-streamed on the museum’s website. A live Q&A session will take place following the talk with both museum and online audience members able to participate. 

Paul will also be available for a book signing following the event.

To buy tickets to attend the event in the museum on Thursday, July 20 at 7pm or for further information visit armyflying.com.

The talk will also be recorded for catch-up viewing after the event through the museum's website.