THERE can be no more important figure in British inter-War aviation than the aircraft designer Reginald Joseph Mitchell (1895-1937).
Between 1920 and a career cut short by cancer in 1936, he held
the position of chief designer at the Supermarine Aviation Works in
Southampton, designing 24 different aeroplanes, ranging from light
aircraft and fighters to huge flying boats and bombers. This
remarkable output was crowned by his short-range high-performance
interceptor, better known as the Supermarine Spitfire.
The high regard in which the designer is held was amply
illustrated by the response to the sale of R.J. Mitchell's
possessions by Dominic Winter (17.5% buyer's
premium) of South Cerney near Cirencester on May 13.
The 22 lots, part of a special Battle of Britain 70th
anniversary sale, were offered by family members following the
death of Mitchell's son Gordon last year, so the provenance could
not be bettered.
The pre-sale estimate of £15,000 for the collection was trumped
by a single lot. This was Mitchell's own miniature version of the
famous Schneider Trophy - a great spur to aircraft development -
won by the Supermarine S.6.B at Lee-on-Solent in 1931.
The Schneider-winning seaplanes of 1927, 1929 and 1931 are
considered key to the development of the Spitfire prototype, which
made its first flight in March 1936. At a time of serious
belt-tightening following the stock market crash, the S.6.B was the
only British entry in 1931 (and funded only by a private benefactor
following the withdrawal of Government financial support), but it
clocked a new world speed record at 379mph. Two weeks later the
S.6.B raised the bar again to 407mph.
The original Schneider Trophy, kept in perpetuity by the British
team after three wins, is now on display at the Science Museum in
London. This 4 1/2in (11.5cm) miniature made in silverplate and
labelled with an ivorine disc for Skinner & Co, 35 Old Bond
Street, London, Aviation Silversmiths, was estimated at up to £6000
but fetched £27,000.
Other items relating to the Schneider Trophy 1931 win were
eagerly contested too. An engraved silver salver, also by Skinner,
with the inscription Presented to R. J. Mitchell Designer of
Supermarine Rolls-Royce S.6.B. by the members of the Royal Aero
Club fetched £11,000 (estimate £800-1200), while a set of
three privately-recorded 78rpm records, featuring the triumphant
team of Mitchell, Rolls-Royce engine designer Arthur Rowledge and
the pilot Flight Lieutenant John Boothman sharing their aviation
memories, sold for £5200 (estimate £800-1200).
A group of personal effects, including R.J. Mitchell's
monogrammed briefcase, his pocket diaries of 1936 and '37 annotated
with Spitfire-related meetings and his passport counter-signed in
ink by Anthony Eden authorising the holder To Pass without
Hindrance, sold collectively for £15,500 - more than 50 times
their modest estimate.
By Roland Arkell
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