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.
|