John Shelton’s book, Schneider Trophy to Spitfire; the
Design Career of R. J. Mitchell (Haynes Publishing), sold over 2000 copies
before being withdrawn following a decision to concentrate on their Manual
publications. The present work represents an expansion and extension of
previous concerns and is uniquely a comprehensive biographical study of the
famous designer. It includes the author’s three-view line drawings of
Mitchell’s 21 main aircraft types which flew, as well as 40 other drawings.
There are also 161 photographs, including 24 featuring or including Mitchell,
as befits the first fully detailed and definitive account of the man and his
work at Supermarine. In particular, the ‘human interest’ side of the Schneider
Trophy competitions is fully explored, the skill and courage of the RAF High
Speed Flight pilots, Mitchell’s concern for their safety, and the colourful
role of Lady Lucy Houston who bankrolled the final success of our designer’s
record breaking machines. Numerous anecdotes of Mitchell’s day-to-day
activities at Supermarine enliven the narrative, the result of extensive
research into accounts no longer easily available of fellow workers and test
pilots.
R. J. Mitchell at Supermarine gives a biographical account
of our designer, places him foremost in the context of aviation development, as
well as revealing the great importance of the Schneider Trophy competitions to
his development and, ultimately, to the Spitfire. It describes how a talented
young man, apprenticed to a local locomotive firm in the land-locked Potteries,
rose to become a successful designer of slow-flying seaplanes and, even more
surprisingly, the world famous designer of the iconic Spitfire. Whilst this book surveys the whole of
Mitchell’s career since 1916, the enthusiast for the Spitfire will not be
disappointed either, as there is a full account of the extraordinary
development of this aircraft after his death, including details and the
changing wartime requirements of every variant produced. Produced to exacting
standards, this is a quality book, enhanced by the inclusion of a Foreword by
Julian Mitchell. For the Spitfire and aviation history enthusiast this will be
a must-have title but the price of this hardback book has been deliberately
kept at a modest figure as the author wished to appeal to the widest audience
that the Mitchell story deserves.
Advanced sales are running at 150 and rising.
John Shelton has an MA from Miami and a PhD from Birmingham
University; he was Head of the Department of Humanities at what is now
Staffordshire University. His interest in industrial archaeology led to various
reviews and publications relating to R. J. Mitchell, including a paperback
title current with The History Press, From Nighthawk to Spitfire, and a blog at
http://www.johnkshelton.blogspot.co.uk.
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