Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire

(Paperback, New edition)

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Reginald Mitchell is one of the greatest names in aviation history. A visionary engineer with a passion for speed, his legacy is the most iconic fighteraircraft of all time: the Spitfire.
During the uneasy peace of the 1920s, he was a trailblazing innovator working at the cutting edge of technology. As Europes politics darkened in the 1930s, the work of Mitchell and his team became crucial to a nation preparing for war. Though he did not live to see the Spitfire in action, his work led to triumph at the Battle of Britain and to a legendary aircraft that still inspires awe to this day.
This is the first time Mitchells full story has been told. In this exhilarating biography, Paul Beaver takes us behind the scenes, exploring the creative genius of a man devoted to pushing the boundaries of technology. We see his flair for leadership and collaboration with Rolls-Royce, the pinnacle of British engineering; we learn of Mitchells other innovative designs that could have changed the course of the war, had he not died in 1937; and, at last, we hear the real story behind the Spitfire.
Drawing on new interviews, private archives and previously unpublished material, this is the definitive biography of a man who helped change the course of history one of the great design leaders of the twentieth century.

Reviews

Paul Beaver has combined in-depth researchwith wonderfulwriting to produce a thrilling, fast-paced account of an extraordinary man. The Spitfire is one of the most iconic and important aircraft in the historyof aviation and warfare. Now, thanks to this definitive account, Reginald Mitchell's vital contribution to the Second World War can be fully recognised. Will Iredale, author of The Pathfinders: The Elite RAF Force that Turned the Tide of WWII

In this meticulously researched and vividly written biography, Paul Beaver breathes life into the man behind Britains most iconic fighter aircraft.Mitchellis far more than a tale of technical brilliance its a portrait of a visionary engineer whose influence reshaped aerial warfare. Like all the best history, this book combines deep archival insight with a storytellers flair. Beaver peels away the myth to reveal the man, the machine, and the moment and in doing so, reminds us just how close we came to never having the Spitfire at all. A triumph of historical narrative. James Holland, author of Victory '45: The End of the War in Eight Surrenders

An outstanding piece of research. Paul Beaver offers us a hymn of love for Supermarine and its favourite son, R.J. Mitchell. In this long overdue study, the warbird inventor emerges as less a lonely genius and more the leader of a gifted team who battled the odds to create many iconic aircraft, culminating in the Spitfire. Peter Caddick-Adams, author of 1945: Victory in the West

Praise for Winkle:

'[A] thumping great biography by Britain's leading aviation historian' Daily Mail, Book of the Week

'Compelling, fascinating and frequently jaw-dropping. A brilliant and revelatory biography' James Holland

'Winkle Brown's astonishing adventures make for fascinating reading' Sunday Times

'Beaver recounts the story of a man he regarded as a mentor in unshowy but fascinating detail, and restores a British hero to his rightful place' Observer

'An excellent biography' Patrick Bishop, Daily Telegraph

'The extraordinary story [of] a fearless pilot and decorated war hero. Epic' The Herald

'A thrilling new biography' Daily Express

'Riveting ... one of those must-read books, compelling and full of incidents that leave you gasping with surprise ... an incredible story' Flyer

'An incredible life ... Brown took a secret to the grave that makes his story all the more remarkable' The Sun

Author Bio

Paul Beaver is a leading aviation historian, broadcaster and author, as well as an historic airplane pilot who has been flying the Spitfire since 2011. He has written more than forty books including Spitfire People, Spitfire Evolution and Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britains Greatest Pilot. As well as being an author, Paul has been a television war reporter, journalist with Janes, a parliamentary advisor and served twenty-seven years in the Territorial Army, rising to the rank of Colonel in the Army Air Corps. He lives near Salisbury.