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Reginald Joseph Mitchell



Reginald Joseph Mitchell

Reginald Joseph Mitchell
Reginald Joseph Mitchell
Eminent British Aircraft Designer
Born at Stoke-on-Trent, 20 May 1895, Mitchell's early interest in aviation was manifested as a schoolboy in successful model aircraft designs. In 1916 Mitchell joined the Supermarine Aviation Works at Southhampton. Thereafter, his fame and theirs would be inextricably linked. In less than three years, Mitchell's talents were rewarded with promotion to Chief Designer and Chief Engineer -- at age twenty-five.

After World War I, Supermarine set for itself the goal of winning the Schneider seaplane trophy for Great Britain. In succeeding years, their Mitchell-led design team produced consistent winners culminating in the beautiful S.6B which retired the trophy in 1931 and in the same year became the world's fastest airplane at a speed of 407.5 mph.

Without question, Mitchell's crowning achievement was the marriage of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine with the elegant airframe of the Spitfire. Sadly, he was not to live to see his beautiful Spitfire save his beloved nation. His most impressive epitaph was written in England's skies during the Battle of Britain by his Spitfire. Died 11 June 1937.
Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1986