Winkle Brown's Wings of the Weird and Wonderful

The book covers the extraordinary variety of aircraft Brown flew through firsthand handling notes, technical pages, and photographs. A detailed water takeoff in the Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 illustrates the unusual demands of a jet flying boat, from its high-angle acceleration on the hump to the point when aerodynamic controls became effective. Brown's blunt verdicts on the P-61 Black Widow, Westland Welkin, and other experimental aircraft show the value of an experienced test pilot's comparative judgment. The stream questions whether the P-61's operational record fully supports Brown's harsh assessment, giving the recommendation a useful critical edge. The book also preserves enough cockpit and systems detail to make each aircraft's handling qualities intelligible rather than merely listing types.