Father of the Spitfire: The Untold Story of R.J. Mitchell by Paul Beaver

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The gripping biography of Reginald Mitchell, the pioneer behind the Spitfire.

From the author of Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot

‘A triumph of historical narrative.’ JAMES HOLLAND, author of Victory '45

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 fighter aircraft 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 Europe’s politics darkened in the 1930s, the work of Mitchell and his team at Supermarine 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.

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 Mitchell’s 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Drawing on new interviews, private archives and previously unpublished material, this is the story of a man who helped change the course of history – one of the great design leaders of the twentieth century.

‘Britain's leading aviation historian' Daily Mail

Praise for Winkle:

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

'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

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

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

PUBLISHED IN HARDBACK AS MITCHELL: FATHER OF THE SPITFIRE