What do you think?
Rate this book
Wings on My Sleeve: The fascinating autobiography of one of the world’s greatest test pilots
Eric Brown was on a University of Edinburgh exchange course in Germany in 1939, and the first he knew of the war was when the Gestapo came to arrest him. They released him, not realizing 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. Today, at 87, he is in great demand for interviews on history TV documentaries (twelve in 2005!). He is the only man alive who has flown every major (and most minor) combat aircraft of the Second World War as well as all the early jets. Speaking perfect German, 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. He would have been the first man to break the sound barrier, except that the British government cancelled the programme and gave the technology to America. His naval career continues to this day, as he advises on the new aircraft carrier design for the Royal Navy. A living legend among aviation enthusiasts, his amazing life story deserves to be told in full -- from crashing in front of Winston Churchill to unmasking a Neo-Nazi ring in the 1950s to his terrifying flights in primitive jets and rockets.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1961
120 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 5, 2016
Captain Eric Brown died 21 February 2016 at the age of 97 in Surry, England. Brown was born in Leth, Scotland in 1919. This renewed the interest in his memoir and various biographies about Brown. This memoir was originally published in 1961. It has recently been reprinted but also is now an e-book and audiobook.
The book starts in 1939 when Brown was on an exchange course in German from the University of Edinburgh. The Gestapo escorted him from Germany stating the two counties were now at war. Brown briefly covers his early life but most of the book is about his flying career. Brown was the most decorated flyer of WWII in RN history. He is the only man to have flown every type of plane flown or experimented with during WWII not only British but planes from the United States, Italy, Japan and Germany. Brown had more carrier take offs and landings than any other RN pilot. Early in the War he was stationed aboard the carrier HMS Audacity. During the war he was moved from flying combat missions to that of a test pilot. He tested the early British jets and even flew the Nazi jets. After the War he interviewed many Nazi leaders including Hermann Goering and Hanna Reitsch.
I particularly enjoyed the section where he crashed his plane in front of Winston S. Churchill. Earlier Churchill learned to fly planes and survived a crash after which Clementine suggested he stop flying planes. Brown also tells about uncovering a neo-Nazi ring in the 1950’s. During the Korean War Brown flew Panther’s off the carrier HMS Peruses. Brown served in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1970.
The book is well written and understated in the true English fashion. The book also had a quite understated humor to it. I found the memoir absolutely fascinating and I learned so much more about the air war during WWII but also the various types of planes. If you are interested in airplanes and WWII you will find this a must read book. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Cameron Stewart did a good job narrating the book. Stewart is an American film and Television actor who also narrates audiobooks.
The book starts in 1939 when Brown was on an exchange course in German from the University of Edinburgh. The Gestapo escorted him from Germany stating the two counties were now at war. Brown briefly covers his early life but most of the book is about his flying career. Brown was the most decorated flyer of WWII in RN history. He is the only man to have flown every type of plane flown or experimented with during WWII not only British but planes from the United States, Italy, Japan and Germany. Brown had more carrier take offs and landings than any other RN pilot. Early in the War he was stationed aboard the carrier HMS Audacity. During the war he was moved from flying combat missions to that of a test pilot. He tested the early British jets and even flew the Nazi jets. After the War he interviewed many Nazi leaders including Hermann Goering and Hanna Reitsch.
I particularly enjoyed the section where he crashed his plane in front of Winston S. Churchill. Earlier Churchill learned to fly planes and survived a crash after which Clementine suggested he stop flying planes. Brown also tells about uncovering a neo-Nazi ring in the 1950’s. During the Korean War Brown flew Panther’s off the carrier HMS Peruses. Brown served in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1970.
The book is well written and understated in the true English fashion. The book also had a quite understated humor to it. I found the memoir absolutely fascinating and I learned so much more about the air war during WWII but also the various types of planes. If you are interested in airplanes and WWII you will find this a must read book. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Cameron Stewart did a good job narrating the book. Stewart is an American film and Television actor who also narrates audiobooks.
March 6, 2016
Captain Brown was an amazing pilot, test pilot, aeronaut, driver of change and development, but sadly not a great writer.
The book starts with a brief reference to his early life and after a brief description of life before the war we are taken into an endless "listing" of his flying experiences.
The book left me feeling that Brown was obsessive about, even addicted to flying. Something he admits briefly.
Overall it does little to tell us anything about the man and his extraordinary life and personality. It is sad that obituaries, interviews in his twilight years, and documentaries have given us tantalisingly brief insights into the humour, and character of a truly exceptional man.
Sadly the chance for capturing more of his spirit, his anecdotes, and his recollections about what and how he lived, and the characters along the way has been lost.
An insight but, like the man, a self effacing book, which unlike the man I have listened to speaking of his life, rather staid, over factual, and boring. So many great stories are glossed over in a stiff upper lip style, which lacks emotional attachment.
If only one of our more emotive writers had been given the opportunity to interview and write of what he could have told them....
The book starts with a brief reference to his early life and after a brief description of life before the war we are taken into an endless "listing" of his flying experiences.
The book left me feeling that Brown was obsessive about, even addicted to flying. Something he admits briefly.
Overall it does little to tell us anything about the man and his extraordinary life and personality. It is sad that obituaries, interviews in his twilight years, and documentaries have given us tantalisingly brief insights into the humour, and character of a truly exceptional man.
Sadly the chance for capturing more of his spirit, his anecdotes, and his recollections about what and how he lived, and the characters along the way has been lost.
An insight but, like the man, a self effacing book, which unlike the man I have listened to speaking of his life, rather staid, over factual, and boring. So many great stories are glossed over in a stiff upper lip style, which lacks emotional attachment.
If only one of our more emotive writers had been given the opportunity to interview and write of what he could have told them....
August 22, 2018
Eric Brown had an amazing life, full of daring adventures and a lot of flying hundreds of different aircraft. You can see the survivor bias at work: dozens of narrow escapes from death, while many a friend is killed in the line of duty. It makes for good stories.
The book, however, sometimes feels like a mere list of what happened, with little context or interpretation. I didn't really get an impression of Eric Brown as a person at all, or what it must have been like to live his life.
The book, however, sometimes feels like a mere list of what happened, with little context or interpretation. I didn't really get an impression of Eric Brown as a person at all, or what it must have been like to live his life.
February 12, 2014
This guy has had a life that most can only dream of. Obviously of good breeding and from the right family, Eric Brown becomes a naval aviator during the early days of World War Two and after a brief combat career becomes a test pilot. He is absorbed into the fascinating and intense world of developing aircraft for use in the war and also evaluating captured enemy machines. Later, because of his earlier pre-war experiences in Germany, he becomes involved in the testing and evaluation of surrendered German aircraft including the jets and rocket powered examples that he is particularly interested in. He also has the opportunity to question prominent German aviation personalities like Goering and various scientists and designers to obtain useful information about wartime German aircraft developments.
Brown was obviously a supremely gifted flyer who could learn an aircraft very quickly and evaluate it to the edges of its envelope as few could. Okay, we're getting Brown's own appraisal of his work, but I've no reason to suspect that he may be overstating anything, and in actual fact comes across like quite a humble man for the most part. Even later as he becomes quite a high ranking member of the British Admiralty he continues to fly operationally with his people as much as he can, and to continue improve how things are done.
To sum up, this is an excellent memoir that tells us much about Brown's working career and the various trials and tribulations of that work. However, he manages to keep his personal life completely out of it apart from a few vague references to his wife and children. It would have been nice to get more of a glimpse into this side of his life, but possibly his life outside of work was hopelessly dull, or he didn't have one. Maybe, but he does appear to be a remarkable man. My only other complaint is that Brown seems to stick to a chronological telling of his story for most of the book whereas I think that categorized chapters may be a better way to tell the various stories. A good book that most people interested in aviation, aircraft and machines will enjoy.
Brown was obviously a supremely gifted flyer who could learn an aircraft very quickly and evaluate it to the edges of its envelope as few could. Okay, we're getting Brown's own appraisal of his work, but I've no reason to suspect that he may be overstating anything, and in actual fact comes across like quite a humble man for the most part. Even later as he becomes quite a high ranking member of the British Admiralty he continues to fly operationally with his people as much as he can, and to continue improve how things are done.
To sum up, this is an excellent memoir that tells us much about Brown's working career and the various trials and tribulations of that work. However, he manages to keep his personal life completely out of it apart from a few vague references to his wife and children. It would have been nice to get more of a glimpse into this side of his life, but possibly his life outside of work was hopelessly dull, or he didn't have one. Maybe, but he does appear to be a remarkable man. My only other complaint is that Brown seems to stick to a chronological telling of his story for most of the book whereas I think that categorized chapters may be a better way to tell the various stories. A good book that most people interested in aviation, aircraft and machines will enjoy.
January 10, 2021
If you have a good background in aviation this is a thoroughly interesting read. However it is very matter of fact and you learn very little about the author as a result.
February 26, 2022
This is the autobiographic career of Eric Brown, one of the most experienced test pilots in the world. This daring person spoke German fluently and was in Germany when they and Britain went to war against each other in WWII. He survived the Gestapo arrest, a sinking ship, and multiple airplanes crashes. He has tested almost every plane type during WWII not only British but American, German, Japanese, and Italian. He interrogated important German figures in the aviation industry after the fall of Berlin. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that this guy had a high admiration for his German enemies. He always tried to understand them and he even worked with a lot of them after the war showing high respect to them.
This chap simply lived his life on the verge of death due to his high-risk taking. Although I was not very interested in the technicality of the aviation industry, I still enjoyed this book as a read.
This chap simply lived his life on the verge of death due to his high-risk taking. Although I was not very interested in the technicality of the aviation industry, I still enjoyed this book as a read.
December 11, 2018
Eric Brown had a lucky life in many ways, flying more different types of aircraft than anyone before or since (he holds the Guinness world record) and living to tell the tale. Politely escorted out of Germany at the start of the Second World War, he helped advance the development of carrier takeoffs and landings at huge personal risk as well as flying captured German aircraft with unknown characteristics. After the war he returned to Germany to seek out abandoned aircraft, and later still helped train the West German air force with its mixture of new pilots and old wartime hands. A fascinating, nerve-wracking tale from start to finish.
January 27, 2021
Great account, well told.
Understated, interesting and funny - a well-told account of an astounding time to be in the flight test ‘business’, and the author certainly has to have the most varied and interesting log book of anyone, ever. A good read.
Understated, interesting and funny - a well-told account of an astounding time to be in the flight test ‘business’, and the author certainly has to have the most varied and interesting log book of anyone, ever. A good read.
December 17, 2017
A flying book - and I met the author in May.
Already a legend, he went higher in my estimation as I read the book.
Already a legend, he went higher in my estimation as I read the book.
September 19, 2025
I had owned a copy of this edition years ago. For some reason I didn't read it, or had only scan-read it at-the-time, and my copy was subsequently gifted to a charity shop. Big mistake.
I found it again in a 'remainder' bookshop - the High Peak Bookshop & Cafe in Derbyshire, and didn't miss the chance to pick it up. By then I knew a lot more about Eric 'Winkle' Brown, and after reading his biography I knew a lot more.
Although a bit stiff, likely from writing so many test & operational reports, Wings on My Sleeve is a thrilling, fast-paced read, with Brown flying everything and anything - prop-driven, jet, turboprop, glider/sailplane, rocket-powered Nazi interceptors and a surprising number of rotor (helicopter) craft. There's a listing of the vehicles flown near-the-end, and although the text covers a lot, and best-of-all, has lots of photos with Winkel flying them, only a small proportion are covered.
How the guy stayed alive is a mystery. At the Dawn of The Jet Age, test-flying was hideously dangerous, and we know from Tom Wolfes The Right Stuff that test-pilots in the US had high attrition rates. Likewise I'm sure France and Russia.
Yet Winkle, through skill and sometimes the assistance of others (like being saved from drowning in The Thames after a jet-powered seaplane ended-up upside-down after a landing mishap) got through those years, having flown in combat with The Fleet Air Arm in WWII flying the Grumman Wildcat (Martlet in FAA parlance). He went on to help form the infant post-War German Marineflieger with its (beautiful) Seahawks, and maintained a lengthy liaison with the FDR as it sought to distance itself from any Nazi influence. In addition he commanded operations squadrons, including aircraft carrier deployments flying the Sea Fury.
Winkle was (and is) the greatest test pilot in history, with a record that no-one will ver surpass. The 2,407 deck landings for sure will never be beaten, even by the fictional LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) who in real life would be a mere amateur against Winkle!
I found it again in a 'remainder' bookshop - the High Peak Bookshop & Cafe in Derbyshire, and didn't miss the chance to pick it up. By then I knew a lot more about Eric 'Winkle' Brown, and after reading his biography I knew a lot more.
Although a bit stiff, likely from writing so many test & operational reports, Wings on My Sleeve is a thrilling, fast-paced read, with Brown flying everything and anything - prop-driven, jet, turboprop, glider/sailplane, rocket-powered Nazi interceptors and a surprising number of rotor (helicopter) craft. There's a listing of the vehicles flown near-the-end, and although the text covers a lot, and best-of-all, has lots of photos with Winkel flying them, only a small proportion are covered.
How the guy stayed alive is a mystery. At the Dawn of The Jet Age, test-flying was hideously dangerous, and we know from Tom Wolfes The Right Stuff that test-pilots in the US had high attrition rates. Likewise I'm sure France and Russia.
Yet Winkle, through skill and sometimes the assistance of others (like being saved from drowning in The Thames after a jet-powered seaplane ended-up upside-down after a landing mishap) got through those years, having flown in combat with The Fleet Air Arm in WWII flying the Grumman Wildcat (Martlet in FAA parlance). He went on to help form the infant post-War German Marineflieger with its (beautiful) Seahawks, and maintained a lengthy liaison with the FDR as it sought to distance itself from any Nazi influence. In addition he commanded operations squadrons, including aircraft carrier deployments flying the Sea Fury.
Winkle was (and is) the greatest test pilot in history, with a record that no-one will ver surpass. The 2,407 deck landings for sure will never be beaten, even by the fictional LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) who in real life would be a mere amateur against Winkle!
August 2, 2024
I don't want to be too harsh on this book as, at the end of the day, the man was a pilot first and not a writer. As a record of the rigorous testing Eric Brown performed during and after the second World War it is a great read and if you're looking for an insight into the world of wartime R&D it's something I'd recommend. But if you're expecting anything impactful or any emotive writing you may find yourself disappointed. Potentially great anecdotes, confronting conversations with former enemies, and interactions with other amazing pilots are glossed over in favour of meticulous retellings of exactly what Eric was doing and where he was goingbat any given moment.
I just have to defer to my gut feeling and sat that despite Eric living an incredible life and breaking records that will stand for all time, I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I thought I would. What stopped me from maybe giving it 3 stars is the fact that I know I probably won't feel compelled to read it again.
If anyone knows if the deserting German South African pilot who crashed his JU88 in Ireland has a book, please let me know.
I just have to defer to my gut feeling and sat that despite Eric living an incredible life and breaking records that will stand for all time, I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I thought I would. What stopped me from maybe giving it 3 stars is the fact that I know I probably won't feel compelled to read it again.
If anyone knows if the deserting German South African pilot who crashed his JU88 in Ireland has a book, please let me know.
November 19, 2018
I was lucky enough to meet the author of this book in April 2014 when he was doing a talk in Cambridge University on flying captured German aircraft at the end of World War 2 and what an experience it was! They say you should never meet your heroes but that was certainly an exception to the rule... A real gentleman: modest, humble, charismatic and very intelligent.
The book itself is an autobiography up to the point of about 1970 when he retired from the Royal Navy. Briefly he had a truly remarkable life as a Navy pilot in World War 2 progressing to a test pilot position and then after the war holding senior ranking positions in the Royal Navy. He also helped to rebuild the West German Marineflieger among other achievements.
So the book is really a fascinating read. However I do suspect it was edited somewhat for length at times and to the non aviation enthusiast it could be a bit dry. But read it and see an amazing life lived that crossed paths with many key figures from 20th Century history.
The book itself is an autobiography up to the point of about 1970 when he retired from the Royal Navy. Briefly he had a truly remarkable life as a Navy pilot in World War 2 progressing to a test pilot position and then after the war holding senior ranking positions in the Royal Navy. He also helped to rebuild the West German Marineflieger among other achievements.
So the book is really a fascinating read. However I do suspect it was edited somewhat for length at times and to the non aviation enthusiast it could be a bit dry. But read it and see an amazing life lived that crossed paths with many key figures from 20th Century history.
March 16, 2022
Wow. What a pilot? A man who flew more aircraft types (487) than any other, a record which is unlikely to ever be beaten. Eric Brown started as a humble RNVR volunteer, a University student from Scotland at the start of World War 2 and retired at the top of the British Fleet Air Arm. For an aircraft buff, like me, his comments on the flying qualities of a diverse list of aircraft ranging from the British World War 2 and German classic fighters and bombers to Japanese fighters like the Zero. is gold. He is very relaxed about the long period he spent as a test pilot and shrugs the obvious risk at a time when many of his colleagues were falling out of the sky during the test flying of the first jet aircraft and the first encounters with the sound barrier. This may be one for the aviation buffs, but its also a story of great expertise and courage.
June 26, 2018
Eric Brown has lead a fascinating career in aviation and this book does it justice. Some incredibly informative and unbelievable stories from a charming and humble individual who genuinely seems to love aviation in all its forms. To recount any of them here would be a disservice to the man, so if you have any interest in WW2 or aviation then make this a top priority read. The language isn't complex and it can be a little too dry in places (there's never any prolonged discussion about the comrades Brown loses; it's all just passing mentions), but thankfully Brown's life story is consistently engaging. Well worth a look.
March 31, 2025
A genuinely interesting book written in a genuinely uninteresting way, but I suppose that is how the British function. Brown was an outstanding pilot who operated in a tumultuous wartime where rapid technological advancement influenced almost every aspect of his everyday life. The life of a pilot was often dangerous, but Brown had enough skill and luck to bless us with his account of WW2 and post-WW2 aviation work in Europe and the USA. Again, the writing is profoundly dry, but not without its charm. However, it might be a bit too technical for the uninitiated.
November 29, 2017
Really enjoyed this book, knew quite a bit about him anyway as he is a hero of mine. They really don’t make them like him anymore . Maybe if you aren’t as familiar with aircraft and ww2 as I am you may have to refer to the glossary but I think this is a book aimed at a niche group of people.
I do lament though that if he was American , I’m absolutely sure that there would have been a biopic made about him already.
I do lament though that if he was American , I’m absolutely sure that there would have been a biopic made about him already.
April 6, 2021
I tried to read this book after a lady at work recommended it. However, this kind of book is not for me. It is an auto-biography, and although his life and the events are probably very interesting, he is writing the book and he is not a writer, so this style of writing does not grab me and make me want to read more.
I did not finish the book which is a shame, as I’m sure I would have enjoyed it if I had liked the style more.
I did not finish the book which is a shame, as I’m sure I would have enjoyed it if I had liked the style more.
October 10, 2021
Eric Brown is, possibly, one of the greatest pilots who ever flew. He has a great combat record in WWII but is now mostly remembered for being the only pilot trusted to test-fly virtually any aircraft. he flew all the Allied and Axis planes of WWII and continued to fly jets after the war. This is an understated and witty book with a laconic view of the air war, human foibles, the nature of courage and being (somewhat within safe boundaries) fearless. A great book.
March 14, 2024
This was a re-read after a few years. It is a enjoyable book for anyone, like me, with an interest in aviation and in particular the development of aircraft through WW2 and into the jet age. Winkle Brown had a truly fascinating life/career and throughout the book his love of flying shines through.
It is perhaps not the best written book with repetition and some typos and stuff but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment.
It is perhaps not the best written book with repetition and some typos and stuff but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment.
January 5, 2026
This is an absolutely fascinating book written by Eric Brown - who has flown more different types of aircraft than anyone else ever. It’s his story and is mind-blowing. Imagine doing thousands of carrier landings, flying captured German planes after WWII, interviewing Goering, Messerschmidt and Henkel and being told to test one plane “to destruction”…
January 14, 2018
Gripping account of the career of Britain's finest ever pilot. If you like flying, you'll love this book. Even the list of types Eric Winkle Brown flew in his career (more than any other pilot) had me drooling!
October 22, 2018
Remarkable
The guy had a passion for all things flying and had the opportunity to indulge this. Don't forget however he had to survive a war and years and years as a test pilot which is not the safest job in the world. Well done sir i thoroughly enjoyed the read.
The guy had a passion for all things flying and had the opportunity to indulge this. Don't forget however he had to survive a war and years and years as a test pilot which is not the safest job in the world. Well done sir i thoroughly enjoyed the read.
February 8, 2020
This is a really well told story of a man who has enjoyed a distinguished War and post-War aviation career. An interesting insight into the military aviation activities in Germany following the end of WWII.
November 30, 2020
A thrilling read giving a first hand account from the greatest pilot who ever lived.
A fighter pilot in WW2, a pioneer of deck landings at sea, a test pilot in the UK, the US and Germany, Eric Brown lived through the period of most rapid evolution of flying.
A fighter pilot in WW2, a pioneer of deck landings at sea, a test pilot in the UK, the US and Germany, Eric Brown lived through the period of most rapid evolution of flying.
February 13, 2022
A fascinating history of perhaps the most accomplished pilot ever. He flew more different types and did more carrier landings than anyone else, because he was in the right place at the right time and had the requisite skill set. It's unlikely anyone will ever beat his record now!
May 8, 2022
OutStanding Account of a dedicated Aviator
Nice flow of events Leading up to the jet age. With over 100 night traps I could identify with the author's knowledge and understanding of carrier operations. G R Bailey Cdr, USN Ret
Nice flow of events Leading up to the jet age. With over 100 night traps I could identify with the author's knowledge and understanding of carrier operations. G R Bailey Cdr, USN Ret
September 15, 2022
A good read, pointing out that the author was an outstanding, brave and daring pilot. It also points out his many moves and promotions to various establishments. He’s certainly had a full and busy life!
July 15, 2023
Surprisingly well written for someone who was both a technical expert & military: he tells his story well, with only a couple of passages which descend too far into technical detail for a lay person to follow. A little off put by the party political stuff towards the end
March 28, 2024
Would have liked it to be a little more personal, very little mention of life outside of planes and seemed to rush through each stage. Although still an interesting read and and an exciting life lived.
February 23, 2025
A fascinating man but this lacks depth, immersion and wonder. Felt more like a listing of achievements and aeroplanes. The man was an astounding airman and pioneering in his field. Unfortunately not a great writer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews