FREE FILM SHOW - FIRST FLIGHT OF THE SPITFIRE, 90th ANNIVERSARY - Mitchell Arts Centre, Tuesday JUNE 15 11.00-12.00noon May 15 2026

In the early 1930s Reginald Mitchell was at the peak of his career - winning the famous Schneider Trophy with his superlative seaplanes and holding the world air speed record.

He was one of a group of engineers invited to submit plans for a revolutionary new fighter plane to the Government. With our chief airforce of fighter planes at that time being ageing biplanes with twin wings, his stunning, sleek monoplane design was outstanding - and he won the contract for Supermarine to develop it at Southampton.

Here we go through all stages of its evolution - in Reginald Mitchell's own words, taken from his diaries and correspondence. Actor Tim Churchill addresses us directly on screen and takes us through early designs on prototypes and changes to the ultimate, beautifully designed fighter plane which first flew in 1936. Sadly, Mitchell didn't live to see its ultimate successes during the war, as he died in 1937.

It spearheaded the defeated the enemy in the air in the pivotal Battle of Britain in 1940 and went through many improvements in design during World War II. It was the only British fighter plane to be produced before, during and after the 1939-1945 war and more Spitfires were built than any other fighter plane in the British Air Force.

Stoke-on-Trent's own Spitfire - RW388 - is on display in the Spitfire Gallery in the Potteries Museum and Arts Gallery in Hanley, and you can arrange a 'flying' session in the interactive Spitfire Cockpit created by Operation Spitfire.

No need to book for this free screening on Tuesday June 16th - just drop in. Park at Tesco, enter your car reg in the Mitchell Arts Centre foyer and you have free parking for the duration of your visit.

https://mitchellartscentre.co.uk/ray-johnson-film-archive

STAFFORDSHIRE'S HERITAGE IN MOVING PICTURES - 1900 TO TODAY - OVER 100 PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD OR BY POST December 18 2025

Our history and heritage in Moving Pictures - Staffordshire Film Archive.