Francis Ronald Swain

Air Commodore Francis Ronald Downs Swain, CB, CBE, AFC[1][2] (31 August 1903 – 28 September 1989), known as Ronald, was a British Royal Air Force pilot who held the World Altitude Record for airplanes from 1936 to 1938.

Francis Ronald Downs Swain
Swain in 1936
Born(1903-08-31)31 August 1903
Southsea, Hampshire, England
Died28 September 1989(1989-09-28) (aged 86)
Gainesville, Florida, United States
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1922–1954
RankAir Commodore
UnitNo. 2 Squadron RAF
No. 11 Squadron RAF
No. 23 Squadron RAF
No. 6 Squadron RAF
Commands heldNo. 28 Group RAF (1949–50)
No. 13 Base (1944–45)
RAF Kinloss (1943)
No. 1 Squadron RAF (1937)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Air Force Cross
Mentioned in Dispatches
Spouse(s)Sarah Mitchell LeFevre

Early life and career

Swain was born on 31 August 1903 and was the fourth and youngest child of Charles Swain and Rose Downs.[3] He grew up in Portsmouth[4] and joined the RAF in 1922, becoming a member of No. 2 Squadron RAF as a pilot. He was quickly transferred to No. 11 Squadron, subsequently spending time with No. 23 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron as a Flight Commander, commanding the Cairo-Rhodesia Flight in 1933.[1]

World altitude record

In 1935, now with the rank of squadron leader, Swain became a test pilot in the experimental section at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) where he was involved in high-altitude experiments. Departing from Farnborough, Hampshire at 07:30 on 28 September 1936, Swain achieved a fixed-wing aircraft's world altitude record with a height of 49,967 ft in a modified Bristol Type 138A.[4] During his descent, his pressure suit failed causing him to lose visibility through his visor and find it difficult to breathe. He was forced to cut his visor open with his knife in order to maintain consciousness, eventually landing safely at Netheravon, Wiltshire at 10:30.[5]

Later career

In 1937, Swain left the RAE to command No. 1 Squadron.[1] He then attended the RAF Staff College in 1938, and spent the Second World War and his remaining career in various staff positions. His last appointment was SASO/Deputy Head of the Air Staff, British Joint Services Mission, Washington, D.C., retiring from the RAF in 1954 with the rank of Air Commodore.

Personal life

Swain married American Sarah Mitchell Le Fevre in Portsmouth on 5 November 1938, going on to have three children together.[3] He died in Gainesville, Florida on 28 September 1989.

References
  1. "Air Commodore F R D Swain". Air of Authority. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  2. "CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHOOD" (PDF). London Gazette. 1 January 1954. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  3. "Francis Ronald Downs Swain Family Tree". Ancestry. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  4. "Britain Highest!". Flight. 1 October 1936. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  5. "Altitude Record". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 October 1936. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
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