Aviation Historian · Author · Pilot

PaulBeaver

Keeper of Britain's aerial heritage. War reporter. Colonel. Spitfire pilot. Author of over fifty books on the history that shaped the skies.

Explore the Books
50+
Books Written
27
Years in Army
2011
First Spitfire Flight
Paul Beaver — Aviation Historian and Author
Col. Army Air Corps

About

The Man Who
Flies History

Paul Beaver is not merely an observer of aviation history — he is a living part of it. A leading historian, broadcaster, and author, Paul has dedicated his life to preserving and communicating the extraordinary stories of the men and machines that defined twentieth-century warfare.

His books go beyond the technical. They humanise history — drawing on decades of personal relationships with veterans, pilots, and eyewitnesses to bring scenes of war, courage, and engineering brilliance to vivid life.

When Paul writes about the Spitfire, he does so as a man who has flown one. When he chronicles the life of Eric "Winkle" Brown, he writes as a man who knew him personally for nearly forty years.

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Jane's Defence Weekly
War Correspondent — Sky News, BBC, CNN International
Colonel, Army Air Corps (Territorial Army, 27 years)
Parliamentary Advisor on Defence
Historic Spitfire & Mustang Pilot
Owner, Monty's Messenger Ltd — vintage aircraft company

Bibliography

Selected Works

Winkle by Paul Beaver
2019
Winkle
The definitive biography of Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown — the most decorated pilot in British naval history.
Spitfire People by Paul Beaver
2015
Spitfire People
50 key figures — from Churchill to test pilots — whose lives were woven into the story of the world's most beloved aircraft.
Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire by Paul Beaver
2025
Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire
A major new biography of Reginald Mitchell — the brilliant designer whose masterpiece changed the course of history.
Winkle by Paul Beaver — featured book

Featured Title

Winkle: The Definitive Biography

"Paul Beaver knew Eric Brown for nearly forty years. This is not merely a biography — it is a testament to a friendship forged in history."

Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown held the world record for the most aircraft types flown by any single pilot — 487 in total. He landed jets on aircraft carriers when it had never been done. He interviewed Hermann Göring and witnessed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen.

Drawing on Brown's personal papers and decades of friendship, Paul Beaver's biography uncovers new truths about one of the twentieth century's most remarkable men.

Order a Signed Copy

Career

A Life at the
Sharp End of History

1970s
The Beginning
Paul begins his research career writing about aircraft carriers and naval aviation. His first book, Ark Royal, is shaped by advice from test pilot Eric Brown.
1980s
Jane's Defence Weekly
Paul joins Jane's Information Group, rising to Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the world's most authoritative defence publication.
1990
Gulf War Broadcasting
The liberation of Kuwait makes Paul a household name as a defence analyst. His authoritative commentary reaches a global audience across Sky News, BBC, and CNN.
1994
D-Day & VE-Day Coverage
Paul co-presents CNN's 50th anniversary coverage of D-Day from Normandy and VE-Day from Moscow — living history at its most vivid.
1997–99
War Correspondent
Front-line reporting in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone for Sky News. Paul directs documentaries on Cold War history for British audiences.
2011
First Spitfire Flight
Paul takes to the skies in a historic Spitfire — becoming not just its historian, but its pilot. He founds Monty's Messenger Ltd to preserve vintage aircraft.
2015 – 25
A Decade of Major Works
Spitfire People (2015), Winkle (2019), Spitfire Evolution, and Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire (2025) cement Paul's legacy as Britain's foremost aviation historian.

Media & Appearances

The Voice of
Aviation History

Television
BBC News & CNN International
Studio defence expert for decades of major international news coverage, from the Gulf War to the Balkans conflicts and beyond.
Broadcasting
Sky News War Reporting
Freelance war correspondent covering Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone, and director of Sky News documentary productions on Cold War history.
Live Events
Talks & Lectures
Paul speaks regularly at aviation museums, literary festivals, and defence institutions — combining scholarly depth with first-person flying experience.
Publishing
Jane's Defence Weekly
As Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Paul shaped the world's most respected defence intelligence publication through fifteen pivotal years.

Recognition & Roles

A Career Built on
Distinction

Spitfire & Mustang Pilot
One of a tiny number of civilian historians to hold a Spitfire type rating. Flying since 2011, Paul brings unmatched first-hand authority to Britain's most iconic aircraft.
Since 2011
Bestselling Author — Over 50 Books
Published by Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Michael Collins and Elliott & Thompson. His biography of Eric Brown, Winkle, became an instant bestseller on publication.
1970s – Present
Colonel, Army Air Corps (retd.)
Retired in 2013 as the most senior Army Aviation reservist in the UK, having served 27 years in the Territorial Army. Formerly Chairman of No 1010 (City of Salisbury) Squadron, Air Cadet Organisation.
Retired 2013
Founding Ace — National Spitfire Memorial
Trustee and chair of the Development Committee for the National Spitfire Memorial at Southampton — the birthplace of the Spitfire. A pivotal figure in securing its future.
Ongoing
D-Day & VE-Day Broadcaster, CNN
Jointly presented CNN's landmark 50th anniversary coverage of D-Day from Normandy and VE-Day from Moscow — reaching an audience of tens of millions worldwide.
1994 – 1995
Chairman, Royal Aeronautical Society Heritage
Served as Chairman of Aeronautical Heritage for the Royal Aeronautical Society from 2018 to 2022. Also Vice-President of the Spitfire Society and Vice-Chairman of the Billy Fiske Foundation.
2018 – 2022
War Correspondent — Sky News
Front-line reporting from Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone. Produced and presented documentaries on the Cold War, Battle of Britain, and the conflicts of the 1990s for Sky News.
1997 – 2000
Editor-in-Chief, Jane's Defence Weekly
Transformed Jane's Defence Weekly into a global household name during the 1990 Gulf War. His analysis was sought by governments, militaries, and broadcasters worldwide.
1985 – 2000
Director, Army Flying Museum
Director and Trustee of the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop — one of Britain's finest collections of military aviation heritage. Also a former Trustee of the Barnes Wallis Foundation.
Ongoing

In the Press

Press & Appearances

Sep 2025
Aspects of History
Paul Beaver on Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire
In-depth author interview discussing Reginald Mitchell's genius, the Supermarine design team, and the Schneider Trophy's role in shaping the Spitfire.
Interview
Jun 2025
Waterstones Salisbury
Paul Beaver in Conversation
An evening with Paul Beaver at Waterstones Salisbury — discussing his career, his books, and what drives him to keep flying and writing history.
In Person
2023
Hoare's Bank
Cold War Double Agents — A Talk
Paul delivered a sold-out lecture on Cold War espionage, exploring the motivations of double agents and the human intelligence methods of the era.
Lecture
Ongoing
Navy Wings
History Tour Guide — Fleet Air Arm Heritage
Paul serves as an official history tour guide for Navy Wings, sharing the story of the Fleet Air Arm with enthusiasts and veterans.
Role
More interviews and features to be added — contact us to submit a mention
Jun 2024
Chalke History Festival
Speaker — Aviation & Special Forces History
Invited speaker at the 2024 Chalke History Festival, one of Britain's premier history events. Paul has been a regular fixture at Chalke Valley since 2014.
Festival
2023
Chalke History Festival
Air Show Commentator & Panel Speaker
Returned as Air Show commentator and panellist, discussing naval aviation and the Battle of Britain with fellow historians.
Festival
2021
Hoare's Bank, London
WWII Double Agents — Private Lecture
An acclaimed private lecture series on wartime espionage, intelligence tradecraft, and the stories behind history's most significant double agents.
Lecture
2019
Chalke Valley History Festival
The Hawker Typhoon — An Unsung Hero
Panel discussion with John Buckley and Paul Stoddart on the rocket-firing Hawker Typhoon and its decisive role in the Normandy campaign.
Panel
2014
Chalke Valley History Festival
Sell-Out Lecture — People, Places & Politics of the Spitfire
Paul's debut Chalke Valley lecture sold out — covering the full human story behind the Spitfire from design through to legacy.
Sold Out
Ongoing
Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop
Regular Talks & Discussions
As Trustee and Director, Paul contributes regular talks and discussion programmes to the Museum's public events calendar.
Regular
Upcoming speaking engagements will be updated here accordingly
1994 – 95
CNN International
Co-Presenter — D-Day 50th Anniversary (Normandy)
Jointly presented CNN's landmark live coverage from Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, broadcast to tens of millions globally.
Television
1995
CNN International
Co-Presenter — VE-Day 50th Anniversary (Moscow)
Travelled to Moscow to co-present CNN's VE-Day anniversary broadcast — one of the most watched news events of 1995.
Television
1990
BBC News / Sky News / CNN
Gulf War Defence Analyst
Paul became a household name during the liberation of Kuwait, providing expert defence analysis across BBC, Sky News, and CNN simultaneously.
Television
2000
Sky News
Documentary — Battle of Britain
Researched, wrote, and presented a Sky News documentary on the Battle of Britain featuring new interviews with veterans, now archived with the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.
Documentary
1997 – 99
Sky News
Documentaries — Bosnia, Kosovo & Cold War
Series of documentary films covering the conflicts in Bosnia (1997), Kosovo (1999), and the Cold War (1999) for Sky News audiences.
Documentary
Recent TV,radio and lecture appearances will be added accordingly

Get in Touch

Speaking, Events
& Signed Copies

For speaking enquiries, media requests, signed book orders, or general correspondence, reach out directly.

Send an Email @pilotbeaver on Instagram