R.J. Mitchell

1 aircraft·Supermarine·1936-1963

The genius behind the Spitfire died at 42, a year before his creation flew. R.J. Mitchell's background in Schneider Trophy racing seaplanes directly informed the Spitfire's aerodynamic excellence -- its elliptical wing was designed for minimum drag at high speed while maximizing internal volume. The Southampton S.6B, which won the Schneider Trophy outright in 1931, was the direct ancestor of the fighter that saved Britain.

1930sSupermarine