"IT'S not good enough to follow conventional methods of design. It is essential to invent and involve new methods and new ideas."

The words of the great R J Mitchell, the man largely responsible for the wonderful and very useful aeroplane that we in Southampton, in our different ways, are trying to commemorate - the Spitfire.

I, too, have my own idea of what would best suit this great air and sea conquering city. I think the city should have a full size Supermarine S6B Spitfire in gleaming stainless steel placed near to the waterfront where people from all over the world on the massive ships that regularly visit our city can see it.

The S6B nicknamed the "flying radiator" is, I think, the best choice as it is easily recognisable as the peacetime predecessor to the great war plane the Spitfire.

It was one of the Schneider Trophy winning float planes and therefore links Southampton to the sea and the skies and would be a perfect centrepiece to the annual and very lucrative Boat Show.

Please take time to look at this stunning plane designed by R J Mitchell and built by Supermarine here in Southampton at www.supermarine.co.uk, picture this fantastic aircraft recreated in mirror finished stainless steel gleaming in the summer sunshine for everyone to see that is a proper tribute to one of this city's greatest achievements.

NIGEL LARIMORE, Sarisbury Green.