Editing Supermarine (section)

===Death of Mitchell===

Following the death of Mitchell, his deputy Harold Payn was appointed Chief Designer.<ref>Beaver, p. 32.</ref> However a security check in September 1939 identified that Payn had a German born wife. Concerns about the risk this posed to a major war programme saw Payn dismissed.<ref name=BeaverP33>Beaver, p. 33</ref> [[Joseph Smith (aircraft designer)|Joe Smith]] was promoted from Chief Draughtsman, at first to acting manager of the design department and finally to chief designer in 1941 following approval from the Ministry of Aircraft Production.<ref name=BeaverP33/>{{sfn|Pegram|2016|p=206}}