R. J. Mitchell supplied much of Supermarine's celebrated design energy, but Sir James Bird, a naval architect and aircraft engineer, ran the company from 1923. Bird managed the problems created by its star designer while Supermarine operated within the Vickers organization. When Barnes Wallis occupied Mitchell's office over Christmas, Bird warned that the arrangement risked losing Mitchell altogether and brokered a workable settlement. An efficiency engineer later reorganized production without taking over Bird's responsibility for the design team. Innovative aircraft depended on industrial leadership and conflict management as well as an individual designer's talent.
Chapter · 4:30-8:50
James Bird kept Mitchell's design team productive
Meet the naval architect and factory director who managed Mitchell's talent, mediated disputes, and kept Supermarine's design work functioning.