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Product Description
Product Description
This is the first book to give a comprehensive account of the entire design career of legendary aircraft designer Reginald J. Mitchell. Renowned as the creator of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire fighter, Mitchell was also responsible for the sleek record-breaking seaplane aircraft that won outright the Schneider Trophy in 1931, and other classic designs such as the Stranraer and Southampton flying boats. John Shelton examines Mitchell's 28 designs and recounts how each of his aircraft emerged in response to contemporary requirements and to prevailing design philosophies.
About the Author
John K. Shelton MA, PhD, has a special interest in industrial archaeology and aviation history. Until his retirement he was head of Humanities at Staffordshire University. He was involved in setting up the 'Spitfire Room' at Stoke-on-Trent Museum. He lives in Staffordshire.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
RJ Mitchells life as one of the prime aircraft designers of the `Golden Age of Aviation` is presented here and the designs are mentioned in the order in which they were created. Dr. Shelton has a very easy style of writing and he is to be commended on the depth of his research in producing this book. Every page contains large library photos of Mitchell`s seaplanes and three views of several of them. Apart from his writing Dr.Shelton is also an accomplished painter and several of his paintings of Mitchells seaplanes are presented here. This is one book which I will pick up again and again as, due to the great detail given of special incidents during designing and flight testing, there will always be some small detail which was missed the last time araound. Congratulations for a nicely produced book which will find a place in many aviation enthusiasts library.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A comprehensive review of Supermarine Aviation and the aircraft it produced from 1913 to WW2. The many illustrations and photographs add greatly to this superb insight into the Southampton company and it's very talented Chief Designer. It was a tragedy that he died at such a young age just when he was at his most creative. However, I felt that the book was rather 'padded out' in places and there are a number of repetitions in the text. It is recommended for both entertaining reading and as a reference book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the gripping story of a man who could think beyond convention but yet maintain close attention to fine detail.The engineering drawings and many photographs clearly illustrate the diversity of his designs and are complimented by a selection of excellent paintings by the author.
I enjoyed the way that Dr Shelton describes R J Mitchell's life, from a fantastic array of Supermarine seaplanes and amphibian aircraft to the world-beating Schneider Trophy machines.
This book also shows what happens when a great engine (The Merlin) is teamed with a great Engineer(Mitchell)resulting in the legend that is the Spitfire.
All to soon, I had reached chapter 9; Epilogue, only to be delighted to find four very interesting and informative appendices.
I enjoyed the way that Dr Shelton describes R J Mitchell's life, from a fantastic array of Supermarine seaplanes and amphibian aircraft to the world-beating Schneider Trophy machines.
This book also shows what happens when a great engine (The Merlin) is teamed with a great Engineer(Mitchell)resulting in the legend that is the Spitfire.
All to soon, I had reached chapter 9; Epilogue, only to be delighted to find four very interesting and informative appendices.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant - except for the paintings
A great idea for a book (for Spitfire and R J Mitchell fans) - chapters on each of the amazing aircraft that our hero designed, some original drawings and aircraft diagrams, lots... Read more
Published 17 months ago by M. R. N. Shackelford
Mitchell the Genius
He lived a productive but sadly very short life. One wonders what more he may have acheived had he lived another twenty or thirty years. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Michael S. Stewart
"FIRST OF THE FEW"
Reginald Mitchell created revolutionary new aircraft, first for the Schneider Trophy contests and then for a battle he anticipated, but did not live to see. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Julian Lewis
A 'Haynes' manual on R J Mitchell and his designs
I should have purchased this book earlier; R J Mitchell deserves to be remembered more than just as a name for a restaurant in Eastleigh Airport! Read more
Published on 25 April 2010 by Mikemarknine
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