Mountbatten lecture goes live

A lecture from the world’s most decorated pilot is now available to watch online.

Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown - who holds the world record for flying the greatest number of different aircraft - delivered the University’s Mountbatten Lecture in February 2015.

During his talk, Captain Brown draws on his wealth of experience to discuss the UK’s current defence strategy and predict what might happen in the near future.

Video

Watch Captain Brown’s Mountbatten Lecture, Britain’s Defence in the Near Future:

Real life hero

Captain Brown was a languages student at the University of Edinburgh, and was on an exchange course in Germany when the Gestapo arrested in 1939. He subsequently joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.

He was one of only two men to survive an attack on HMS Audacity, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat in December 1941.

His aptitude for flight deck landings - acknowledged as one of the most difficult maneuvers a pilot can make - led him to test aircraft carriers before they were brought into service.

He has tested 487 aircrafts, including experimental Nazi jets, and for more than 65 years has held the world record for most flight deck landings.

Honoured aviator

Captain Brown is one of the few pilots to receive the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross for acts of courage throughout his career, as well as his numerous campaign medals.

He was also awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2008.

Mountbatten Lecture

The Mountbatten Lecture is an annual event at the University.

Each year, an expert on defence-related matters is invited to speak to staff, students and the wider public.

Previous speakers include astronaut Neil Armstrong, broadcaster Kate Adie, former Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson.