Mitchell, Reginald Joseph (1895-1937), was a British aeronautical engineer who designed the Spitfire, Britain’s leading fighter aircraft of World War II (1939-1945). He joined Vickers Aviation Ltd. in 1916. He became chief designer, and he developed the Vickers Supermarine seaplanes that won the Schneider Trophy, a prize awarded to the winner of a seaplane race during the early days of aviation, on three successive occasions between 1927 and 1931. The Supermarine S6, winner of the Schneider Trophy in 1931, was the first aircraft to exceed 400 miles (644 kilometers) per hour.
Mitchell was born on May 20, 1895, near Stoke-on-Trent, in Staffordshire, England. He died on June 11, 1937.
