Francis Ronald Swain

Air Commodore Francis Ronald Downs Swain, (31 August 1903 – 28 September 1989) was a British Royal Air Force pilot who held the World Altitude Record for airplanes from 1936 to 1938.

Early life and career Swain was born on 31 August 1903 and was the fourth and youngest child of Charles Swain and Rose Downs. He grew up in Portsmouth 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.

Later career In 1937, Swain left the RAE to command No. 1 Squadron. 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. He died in Gainesville, Florida on 28 September 1989.