SECRETS OF THE SPITFIRE: The Story of Beverley Shenstone, The Man Who Perfected the Elliptical Wing
In his latest tome, Secrets of the Spitfire (Pen and Sword 19.99) Lance Cole tells the story of the Canadian aerodynamicist Beverley Shenstone. While Shenstone is not a household aviation name like RJ Mitchell or Sir Sydney Camm, the evidence in Cole's fascinating book suggests perhaps he should be. The Canadian, who trained as a pilot with his national air force briefly joined German aircraft manufacturer Junkers during the early 1930s before moving to Supermarine in Southampton where he oversaw design of the Spitfire's elegant elliptical wing. He was later offered the chief designer's role at Supermarine owner Vickers (a job that was ultimately taken by Sir George Edwards) and went on to serve as engineering boss with BOAC and BEA as well as being president of the Royal Aeronautical Society. This superbly written and researched book provides an excellent and entertaining insight to a hugely influential participant in the UK's 20thcentury aviation scene. - Flight International / Flight Global  A pleasure to read. This is one of those books that an aviation enthusiast cannot be without. - Firetrench  Anyone interested in seeing how talented engineers seek and find solutions toward flight characteristics...should find Secrets of the Spitfire a satisfying read. Aviation history