{
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  "title": "Father of the Spitfire",
  "subtitle": null,
  "slug": "father-of-the-spitfire",
  "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com/paul-beaver/father-of-the-spitfire",
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  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Paul Beaver",
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  "first_published": "2026-09-03",
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  "cover": "https://quivercdn.com/covers/elliott-and-thompson/paul-beaver/father-of-the-spitfire_978-17-8396-853-4-9c97c6bf.webp?v=2026-10-31%2003%3A34%3A00",
  "description": "*The gripping biography of Reginald Mitchell, the pioneer behind the Spitfire. From the author of Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot‘A triumph of historical narrative.’ JAMES HOLLAND, author of Victory '45 Reginald Mitchell is one of the greatest names in aviation history. A visionary engineer with a passion for speed, his legacy is the most iconic fighter aircraft of all time: the Spitfire. During the uneasy peace of the 1920s, he was a trailblazing innovator working at the cutting edge of technology. As Europe’s politics darkened in the 1930s, the work of Mitchell and his team at Supermarine became crucial to a nation preparing for war. Though he did not live to see the Spitfire in action, his work led to triumph at the Battle of Britain – and to a legendary aircraft that still inspires awe to this day. In this exhilarating biography, Paul Beaver takes us behind the scenes, exploring the creative genius of a man devoted to pushing the boundaries of technology. We see his flair for leadership and collaboration with Rolls-Royce, the pinnacle of British engineering; we learn of Mitchell’s other innovative designs that could have changed the course of the war, had he not died in 1937; and, at last, we hear the real story behind the Spitfire. Drawing on new interviews, private archives and previously unpublished material, this is the story of a man who helped change the course of history – one of the great design leaders of the twentieth century. ‘Britain's leading aviation historian' Daily Mail Praise for Winkle:'[A] thumping great biography by Britain's leading aviation historian' Daily Mail, ‘Book of the Week’'Winkle Brown's astonishing adventures make for fascinating reading' Sunday Times'Beaver recounts the story of a man he regarded as a mentor in unshowy but fascinating detail, and restores a British hero to his rightful place' Observer'The extraordinary story [of] a fearless pilot and decorated war hero. Epic' The Herald'An incredible life ... Brown took a secret to the grave that makes his story all the more remarkable' The Sun PUBLISHED IN HARDBACK AS MITCHELL: FATHER OF THE SPITFIRE",
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      "title": "Father of the Spitfire",
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      "url": "https://www.bookquiver.com/paul-beaver/father-of-the-spitfire/9781783968534",
      "publisher": "Elliott and Thompson",
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      "isbn": "978-17-8396-853-4",
      "pages": 300,
      "published": "2026-09-03",
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