Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Saturday Talk
Mitchell – Father of the Spitfire by Paul Beaver
Reginald Mitchell is one of the greatest names in aviation history. A visionary engineer, he had a passion for speed, his legacy being the most iconic fighter aircraft of all time: the Spitfire.
During Europe's uneasy peace of the 1920s he was a trailblazing innovator working at the cutting edge of British aeronautical technology. As war clouds gathered in the 1930s the work of Mitchell and his team became a crucial part of the nation's plan for rearmament. Though he did not live to see the Spitfire or Seafire in action, his work led to triumph at the Battle of Britain in that summer of 1940 – and to a legendary aircraft that still inspires awe to this day.
Paul Beaver will explore the creative genius of a man devoted to pushing the boundaries of aircraft design and his flair for leadership and collaboration with Rolls-Royce.
Drawing on new interviews, private archives and previously unpublished material Paul will detail one of the great design leaders of the twentieth century.
Paul Beaver is a leading aviation historian, broadcaster and author, as well as an historic aircraft pilot who has been flying the Spitfire since 2011. He has written more than forty books including Spitfire People, Spitfire Evolution and Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot.
The cost to attend the talk is £6. Please see the SOFFAAM website for more information.
