A comprehensive assessment of the complex personality and work of the self-taught designer of the iconic Spitfire, from tough railway apprenticeship to uncertain production of his ‘killer fighter’. Popular myths about the man and his work are re-examined particularly via colleagues’ recollections and new material from the Julian Mitchell archive.
Hardcover
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Summary
A comprehensive assessment of the complex personality and work of the self-taught designer of the iconic Spitfire, from tough railway apprenticeship to uncertain production of his ‘killer fighter’. Popular myths about the man and his work are re-examined particularly via colleagues’ recollections and new material from the Julian Mitchell archive.
Description
R. J. Mitchell at Supermarine is the definitive account of the life of Britain’s best-known aeronautical engineer. Shelton calls upon unpublished letters, extensive press accounts, and updated material from his previous publications, concentrating particularly on the harsh conditions of Mitchell’s apprentice years, the precarious state of the aircraft firm he joined, and moments of good fortune of which he took advantage. He was a ‘chancer’ as well as a methodical developer of, mainly, slow flying seaplanes. Mitchell’s progress from draughtsman, with no formal training in aeronautical design, to internationally known chief designer is charted through a chronological study of his designs, revealing a formidable work ethic with a complex personality that combined ‘dreams and common sense’. It will also be shown how the success of his high-speed Schneider Trophy designs propelled him reluctantly into public attention and how his anxiety for his pilots’ safety matched an equal concern that his designs should not let down an expectant nation. Later expectations on him to produce a ‘killer fighter’ were equally daunting, and the outcome was often uncertain, but details of colleagues’ accounts highlight the essential and unique contribution of R.J.’s experience and drive to the eventual appearance of the iconic Spitfire.
Critic Reviews
"The narrative flows smoothly, and Shelton is adept at distilling technical subject matter into comfortable text. His book offers an exceptional array of superbly curated photographs and drawings."-- "The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"
About the Author
John Shelton took a first degree at Hull University, an MA at Miami University, and a PhD at Birmingham. He eventually became head of humanities at a polytechnic incorporated into Staffordshire University, where he developed its first arts and social science degree courses. Meanwhile, his interest in industrial archaeology led to various publications on the locally born R. J. Mitchell. Having taken early retirement to concentrate more fully upon renovating an Elizabethan manor house, he learned to fly motor gliders and light aircraft. He currently lives near Eccleshall where he has continued his aviation research and aviation painting.
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