Sarah HardingOn this day 90 years ago the first test flight of a Spitfire happened from Eastleigh Airfield (now Southampton Airport). This plane would go on to make a huge difference in the Battle of Britain and throughout WWII.
The Spitfire was designed by R.J. (Reginald Joseph) Mitchell who was working on improvements until his death from cancer in 1937. He didn't live to see his work in action during WWII, but his widow survived long enough to do so. They are buried in Swaythling in Stoneham Cemetery (I regularly walk there and stop by to say hello to them). R.J. Mitchell has been honoured by the University of Southampton who are keeping his legacy alive through their wind tunnel that is named after him.