John Shelton took a first degree at Hull University, an MA at Miami University, and a PhD at Birmingham. He eventually became head of humanities at a polytechnic incorporated into Staffordshire University, where he developed its first arts and social science degree courses. Meanwhile, his interest in industrial archaeology led to various publications on the locally born R. J. Mitchell. Having taken early retirement to concentrate more fully upon renovating an Elizabethan manor house, he learned to fly motor gliders and light aircraft. He currently lives near Eccleshall where he has continued his aviation research and aviation painting.
Description
Introduction - No Ordinary Engineer; Normacot to Woolston; Establishing Himself; Early Designs and the Schneider Trophy; Early Military Designs and a Racer; Mixed Fortunes; Large, Medium, and Small Designs; A Turning Point; Becoming 'R.J.'; Consolidation and International Success; Schneider Trophy Domination; A Gamble with Rolls-Royce; The Air Yacht and the Giant; Winning the Schneider Trophy Outright; His Last Flying Boats; His First Spitfire; The Real Spitfire Emerges; K5054; 'It's All Over'; After Mitchell.