Thanks for the link Charlie. I'll read it all through later. Not sure I agree with the Unsung Hero part. I think most people with any interest in aviation (at least in the UK) know all about Mitchell & his beautiful Spitfire, even if they don't know about his other achievements.

I have no wish to start a lengthy discussion but I could name several less well-known aircraft designers who fit this description better. The great Sidney (or Sydney) Camm for one. Although I'm one of his greatest admirers I'm never sure of the correct way to spell his first name.

PS. Of course, there's no way of knowing what Mitchell might have achieved had he not died at a comparatively young age. To my way of thinking there could be no better tribute to the man than to see one of his Spitfires in the air.

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Ah OK. I'm a tad suspicious of rich people with "pet" causes. It might be controversial (almost blasphemy ) to suggest that the Spitfire was a one-off stroke of genius rather than a natural progression from any previous design. It's interesting to contemplate what Mitchell would be remembered for had it not been for WWII & the BoB. Possibly for designing the aircraft that won the Schneider Trophy outright.

Ask anyone at an air display who designed the Spitfire & it's quite likely they will tell you. I very much doubt the same can be said for the Hurricane, Lancaster or any other WWII aircraft.

Oh I don't know Doug, take a long hard look at the Spitfire and then the Walrus. Either it was a stroke of genius (as well as art), or someone had spiked RJs tea with something seriously psychadelic