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Air Commodore F R D Swain


(Francis) Ronald Downs Swain(Francis) Ronald Downs            b: 31 Aug 1903                r: 14 Jul 1954            d: 28 Sep 1989

CB - 1 Jan 1954, CBE - 1 Jan 1946 (OBE - 17 Mar 1941), AFC - 1 Feb 1937, MiD - 1 Jan 1941.

Plt Off (P): 21 Aug 1922, Plt Off: 21 Feb 1923, Fg Off: 21 Feb 1924, Flt Lt: 1 Jul 1928, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jun 1936, Wg Cdr: 1 Apr 1939, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1941, Act A/Cdre: 17 May 1944, Gp Capt (WS): 17 Nov 1944, Act A/Cdre: 1 Mar 1946?, Gp Capt: 1 Oct 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1949.

(Francis) Ronald Downs Swain

by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 24 February 1937
NPG x85429

© National Portrait Gallery, London

xx xxx xxxx:           Officer, 55th Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force)

21 Aug 1922:           Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot? 

 2 Sep 1922:            U/T Pilot, No 5 FTS.

20 Aug 1923:           Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

22 Oct 1923:           Pilot, No 2 Sqn.

 9 Jun 1924:             Pilot, No 11 Sqn.

 1 Mar 1926:            QFI, No 2 FTS.

11 Aug 1927:           Staff, Home Aircraft Depot

 1 Mar 1929:            Flight Commander, No 23 Sqn.

13 Nov 1929:           Flight Commander, No 6 Sqn.

28 Mar - 20 Jun 1933:        Leader, Cairo-Rhodesian Flight (No 6 Sqn)

12 Sep 1933:            Adjutant, No 208 Sqn (Atlas - Heliopolis)

30 Dec 1934:            Posted to Home Establishment

15 Feb 1935:            Pilot, Experimental Section, RAE.

xx xxx 1936:              Officer Commanding, Advanced Training Squadron, RAF College Cranwell

 8 Apr 1937:             Officer Commanding, No 1 Sqn. (Fury I/Hurricane I)

24 Jan 1938:             Attended RAF Staff College.

31 Dec 1938:            Air Staff, HQ No 6 (Auxiliary) Group.

xx xxx xxxx:              SASO, HQ No 6 (Bomber) Group

xx xxx xxxx:              Officer Commanding, RAF Bottesford

 6 May 1943:            Officer Commanding, No 19 OTU/RAF Kinloss

11 Oct 1943:            SOA, HQ No 8 (PFF) Group.

17 May 1944:           Base Commander, No 13 Base

15 Dec 1945:           Staff Officer/Supernumerary, HQ Bomber Command

 1 Mar 1946:            AOA, No 219 Group.

 1 Dec 1946:              AOA, No 205 Group

21 Feb 1949:            AOC, No 28 Group.

16 Aug 1950:            SASO/Deputy Head of Air Force Staff, British Joint Services Mission, Washington.

During 1933 he commanded the Cairo-Rhodesia Flight and in 1936 he was involved in high altitude experiments conducted at RAE and on 28 September 1936 he set a new World Altitude Record of 49,967ft in Bristol 138A, K4879.

Recommendation for the award of the Air Force Cross

"SWAIN, Francis Ronald Downs, S/L

Squadron Leader Swain has carried out a number of experimental flights at very high altitudes, terminating in the recent successful attack on the World’s Altitude Record.  These flights have called for skill, determination and courage.  His life has depended on the correct functioning of an experimental pressure suit he has worn."

On 15 October 1936, A.H. Hall (Superintendent, Royal Aeronautical Establishment) added his remarks:

"Squadron Leader Swain’s recent exploit is so well known as to require no further comment from me.  He is a very good pilot, admirably fitted for the very arduous record he successfully made."

(Source - Air 2/2348)

This page was last updated on 08/12/23

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