4 Mar 2026Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire @ Tangmere Talks

Date: 4 Mar 2026 - 4 Mar 2026
Location: Tangmere Aviation Museum

Join us at Tangmere on 7 March 2026 for a very special event.

Renowned aviation historian Paul Beaver will be giving an exclusive talk on his acclaimed biography Mitchell: Father of the Spitfire, celebrating the life and genius of Reginald Joseph Mitchell—the visionary engineer whose relentless pursuit of speed and innovation gave the world the legendary Spitfire.

JMitchell’s groundbreaking work at Supermarine, from his record‑breaking Schneider Trophy seaplanes to the revolutionary fighter that would help win the Battle of Britain, remains one of the great stories of British engineering. Beaver’s talk offers a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at Mitchell’s creative brilliance, his partnership with Rolls‑Royce, and the designs he never lived to see completed.

This event takes place just two days after the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight in 1936—and with Tangmere’s official full‑scale replica of that very aircraft on display, visitors will have a unique chance to hear the story and then stand before the machine that changed history.

A perfect occasion for aviation enthusiasts, history lovers, and anyone inspired by British ingenuity.