Francis Ronald Swain
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Francis Ronald Downs Swain
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| File:Squadron Leader Francis Ronald Downs Swain.jpg
Swain describes his record-breaking flight in 1936
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| Born | 31 August 1903 Southsea, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 28 September 1989 (aged 86) Gainesville, Florida, US |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1922-1954 |
| Rank | 30px Air Commodore |
| Unit | No. 2 Squadron RAF No. 11 Squadron RAF No. 23 Squadron RAF No. 6 Squadron RAF No. 1 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Companion 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 |
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 from 1936 to 1938.
Contents
Early life and career
Swain was born on 31 August 1903 and was the fourth and youngest child of Charles S d P 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 RAF, subsequently spending time with No. 23 Squadron RAF and No. 6 Squadron RAF 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 the high-altitude experiments. Departing from Farnborough, Hampshire at 07:30 on 28 September 1936, Swain achieved the 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 in 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 World War II 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 and is buried alongside Sarah in Smyrna, Delaware.[6]
External links
References
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- Use British English from August 2014
- Use dmy dates from June 2014
- Pages with broken file links
- 1903 births
- 1989 deaths
- Royal Air Force officers
- English test pilots
- English aviators
- Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Flight altitude record holders
