Problems with the cooling system, combined with its disappointing performance during trials, led to the Type 224 being rejected by the Air Ministry, a contract for production aircraft eventually going to the Gloster Gladiator.

The type is nevertheless notable because Mitchell learnt lessons from its design that were to contribute to his success with the Supermarine Spitfire.

Air Ministry Specification F.7/30, which developed from O.R.1,[1] was formally issued to the British aircraft industry in October 1931,[2] called for an all-metal day and night fighter aircraft armed with four machine guns, a high maximum speed and rate of climb, and a landing speed of less than 60 miles per hour (97 km/h).

[5] Mitchell's design for the Type 224 included an inverted gull-wing,[6] chosen in order to shorten the undercarriage legs and so reduce drag.

The engine cooling system's condensers formed the wing's entire leading edge,[8] the combination of the two producing a 'D-box' spar that had a high torsional stiffness.

[7] Wind-tunnel tests were carried out on a full-size model of the open cockpit area to ensure that the pilot would not be subjected to undue buffeting due to the design of the windscreen.

Mitchell was disappointed in the Type 224’s under-performance, and came to doubt the reliability of the data produced by wind-tunnel tests.

[14] The failure of the Type 224, coming soon after the Schneider racer successes, did not cause Mitchell to lose faith in his ability to design a fighter.

He completely redesigned the type, producing a new design with straight wings and a thinner airfoil shape.