Reginald Mitchell is one of the greatest names in aviation history. A visionary engineer, he had a passion for speed with 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 at Supermarine 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 pioneering work led to triumph during the Battle of Britain in that summer of 1940 – and to a legendary aircraft that still inspires awe 85 years on.
In 1940 the Ministry for Aircraft Production started the Spitfire Fund, asking groups and individuals for £5000 to have a Spitfire named for them.
Paul will explore the creative genius of a man devoted to pushing the boundaries of aircraft design, as well as his flair for leadership and purposeful collaboration with Rolls-Royce. He designed and engineered the Southampton flying boat, which was so rugged and dependable that the Royal Air Force flew a formation of them to Hong Kong without mishap. He also designed and developed a series of six racing seaplane designs to win four Schneider Trophy heats and eventually capture the world speed record for Britain.
Drawing on new interviews, private archives and previously unpublished material this presentation will detail one of the great design leaders of the twentieth century.
Paul Beaver FRAeS 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.
He is Chairman of the National Spitfire Project.
Paul will be book signing afterwards: Publisher Elliott & Thompson; ISBN 9781783969036
Note: Non-members are welcome but must obtain a FAAM entrance ticket as well as a SOFFAAM talk ticket on the door to access this event.
This talk will be available Online via Zoom Live Streaming*. Our E-ticket link will only go live in mid October. *E-tickets need to be purchased in advance and before 13 November 2025.
You may also like the following events from Society of Friends Fleet Air Arm Museum:
- Next month, 2nd October, 06:00 pm, SOFFAAM Annual General Meeting Online in Yeovil, Somerset
- Next month, 30th October, 07:30 pm, Lecture Evening: In the Navy's Crosshairs - RAF Canberra Target Tugs by Sqn Ldr Joe Marsden (Retd) in Yeovil
- This November, 27th November, 07:30 pm, Lecture Evening: NATS Keeping our Airspace Safe by Kevin Morgan in Yeovil
Also check out other
Arts events in Yeovil,
Sports events in Yeovil,
Fine Arts events in Yeovil.
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