Whitney Straight Talk

Whitney Straight led an extraordinarily accomplished life. He first came to prominence in motorsport when, as a teenager, he smashed the Brooklands Mountain Circuit lap record in the Maserati which had held the existing record, driven by Tim Birkin. Much success at Brooklands, Shelsey Walsh and continental circuits followed, until Whitney switched from a motorsport career to civil aviation. He conceived and commissioned an advanced monoplane with a closed cockpit, rendering obsolete the open cockpit biplanes still common at the time. On the outbreak of World War II, Whitney joined the RAF and served with distinction, rising from Pilot Officer to Air Commodore, in just four years. He was shot down over France and spent a period as a POW, before escaping. Post-war, he became BEA's first MD and went on to become chief executive of BOAC.

Our speaker is Paul Kenny, the author of Whitney Straight: Racing Driver, War Hero, Businessman.

In person tickets are available until 9am on the day of the talk, Livestream tickets are available until midday on the day of the talk. Livestream links are sent out after midday on the day of the talk.

This event will be in person in the Clubhouse and broadcast on BM.tv Livestream.

The Members' Bar will be open from 6pm and hot food will be available. Please pre-book your food for the evening when purchasing your tickets.