Stoke-on-Trent's Spitfire

The largest and most popular exhibit in Stoke-on-Trent’s Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is a Mk XVI Spitfire, which was given to the city in 1969.  The gallery housing the Spitfire is named in his honour, and there is a statue of RJ Mitchell outside the building. In addition several local institutions, buildings and roads are named after him. Dr Gordon Mitchell, the son of the great inventor, has told members of our staff that he is very proud of his father's Potteries connections, and he provided a number of his family photographs for a display panel about RJ Mitchell, which are used in the gallery.

The City’s Spitfire RW388 was commissioned in 1945. It served with several RAF squadrons in Europe, but never saw active service. It was used in static gate display at several RAF bases. In 1968 it took part in the Royal Tournament, the Edinburgh Tattoo and the Battle of Britain display. It was formally presented to the City of Stoke-on-Trent in 1972.

Our Spitfire was designed as a piece of working machinery, to be flown, not to be part of a static museum display. It was recently discovered that the rivets on the fuselage had corroded and the Spitfire is currently undergoing a process of refurbishment. A local firm, Supermarine Aero Engineering Ltd, Mitchell Works, Burslem is undertaking the repairs, but it is a very expensive process.  Such is their dedication to the Spitfire, that on many occasions they have not charged the museum for labour, merely for the parts. The prohibitive costs of the programme, however, mean that it is being carried out in stages, as and when sufficient funds are secured. The Imperial War Museum (Duxford) and the RAF Museum at RAF Hendon have recently restored Spitfires in their care. They state that the expenditure is worthwhile in terms of the great public interest in this aeroplane. For the past two years, a fundraising event has been held at the museum, with the support of members of the Mitchell family, in particular two of the inventor’s nephews, who still live locally.

In 1940 Britain stood alone against an undefeated enemy. The German Luftwaffe was the most powerful air force the world had ever seen. Only the air battles known as The Battle of Britain could prevent the invasion of these islands. The Spitfire’s legend was instant, never again would a single aircraft type make so much difference to so many. The Spitfire is so valuable to twentieth-century history that we must, as custodians, do our very best to preserve and pass on its importance to future generations.

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery is Stoke-on-Trent’s flagship museum. As well as the Spitfire, it houses the finest collection of Staffordshire pottery in the world, together with displays that reflect the people, products and urban landscape of this distinctive area of Britain.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council regards the Spitfire as an important symbol of the creative spirit that characterises the area. It is important that this spirit is harnessed to promote civic pride and crucially to inspire the next generation to develop their own imaginative responses to the design challenges that face us. We believe that any celebration of Reginald Mitchell’s genius should provide a focus for learning and personal development, in order that young people should seek to emulate his work. We believe that this is the most effective and productive way of keeping the flame alive.

Originally housed in a glass house opposite the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, the Spitfire was moved indoors in 1986.  It was felt that extreme changes in temperatures, light and humidity would be harmful to the aircraft so a low loader and crane were brought in and the Spitfire was lowered into the museum.  The roof of the building was then built around it.  If you want to see the Spitfire for yourself please come and visit us.  Follow the links on the right for details of museum opening times and how to get there.