Hollywood got it wrong: The Spitfire was not the work of one man.

Aviation historian Paul Beaver dismantles the myths created by the Hollywood film, First of the Few. He reveals that while Mitchell was a brilliant engineer, the idea of him single-handedly designing the Spitfire is a fantasy. Instead, the aircraft was the result of a collaborative, unsung team at Supermarine.

Discover how films distort historical truths and why figures like Mitchell and Alan Turing are often misrepresented to create a more dramatic narrative. Paul Beaver exposes a compelling, untold story of engineering genius, collaboration, and a team of unsung heroes who truly built the Spitfire.

A Team, Not a Single Hero

While Mitchell was a brilliant engineer and a visionary team leader, the Spitfire was the product of a dedicated team at Supermarine. Beaver highlights key figures who deserve recognition:

Alf Faddy: The head of the design team, who sketched the initial plans with Mitchell.
Beverly Shenstone: An engineer who contributed his expertise in wing design, leading to the aircraft's famous elliptical wing.
Joe Smith: The man who later became Supermarine's chief designer in 1941.
George Pickering and Geoffrey Quill: The crucial test pilots who risked their lives to develop the aircraft.

A More Nuanced Legacy

Paul argues for a more truthful understanding of Mitchell's legacy. Mitchell, who died at the age of 42 in 1937, was a prolific engineer with 24 different aircraft types to his name. His work extended far beyond the Spitfire, including designs for bombers and seaplanes. He even famously redesigned a colostomy bag after his surgery, showing his relentless engineering mindset.

Ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about the Spitfire? Listen now and get the full story.

Follow Paul on X @BeaverWestminst and on Instagram/Threads @pilotbeaver
Order the Book: To dive deeper into the real history, order Paul Beaver’s book, Father of the Spitfire, from your local independent bookstore via https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781783969036.
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258. Not Just Mitchell: Paul Beaver on the Spitfire Team

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