From Nighthawk to Spitfire

The Aircraft of R.J. Mitchell

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation, Biography & Memoir, Reference
Cover of the book From Nighthawk to Spitfire by John K. Shelton, The History Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John K. Shelton ISBN: 9780750965507
Publisher: The History Press Publication: July 6, 2015
Imprint: The History Press Language: English
Author: John K. Shelton
ISBN: 9780750965507
Publisher: The History Press
Publication: July 6, 2015
Imprint: The History Press
Language: English

R. J. Mitchell was virtually self-taught; surprisingly, almost all his other aircraft 24 aircraft were slow-flying seaplanes. How a lad from the land-locked Midlands, apprenticed to a locomotive works, came to be responsible for the Spitfire is a great tale in itself. This detailed book tells us how Mitchell learned his trade—from 1916, contributing to the production of the cumbersome Night Hawk, designed to combat the German Zeppelin threat, and gradually coming to produce record-breaking racing floatplanes which in 1931 won outright the prestigious international Schneider Trophy. Mitchell was thus well placed to design a high speed aircraft when war began to threaten, but Dr. Shelton reveals the production of the famous fighter was by no means a certainty and how, indeed, its vital contribution to winning the Battle of Britain was "a very close run thing."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

R. J. Mitchell was virtually self-taught; surprisingly, almost all his other aircraft 24 aircraft were slow-flying seaplanes. How a lad from the land-locked Midlands, apprenticed to a locomotive works, came to be responsible for the Spitfire is a great tale in itself. This detailed book tells us how Mitchell learned his trade—from 1916, contributing to the production of the cumbersome Night Hawk, designed to combat the German Zeppelin threat, and gradually coming to produce record-breaking racing floatplanes which in 1931 won outright the prestigious international Schneider Trophy. Mitchell was thus well placed to design a high speed aircraft when war began to threaten, but Dr. Shelton reveals the production of the famous fighter was by no means a certainty and how, indeed, its vital contribution to winning the Battle of Britain was "a very close run thing."

More books from The History Press

Cover of the book Black Cab Story by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book The Blue Badge Guide's Liverpool Quiz Book by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Shot at Dawn by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book A History of Burley Tobacco in East Tennessee & Western North Carolina by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Welsh Wars of Independence by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Loyal to Empire by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Lockerbie by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Venom, De Havilland Venom & Sea Venom by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book The Little Book of Blackrock by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Motherland Calls by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Emily Brontë by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Plain Clothes & Sleuths by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Bloody British History: Camden by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Young Elizabeth by John K. Shelton
Cover of the book Devon Ghost Tales by John K. Shelton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy