Richard Frewen Martin

Richard Frewen Martin, OBE DFC & Bar AFC (26 July 1918 – 1 September 2006) was a British test pilot. He was born in Bournemouth.

Richard Frewen Martin
Born(1918-07-26)26 July 1918
Bournemouth, England
Died1 September 2006(2006-09-01) (aged 88)
Gloucester, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1939-1954
RankWing Commander
Service number33439
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsOfficer of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force Cross
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air
Other workTest pilot

"Dickie" Martin served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and won a Distinguished Flying Cross and bar. After the war, he tested the early experimental jets that led to the development of the Hunter, Swift and Sea Vixen fighter aircraft.

He left the RAF in 1953 with the rank of Wing Commander to become a test pilot at Gloster Aircraft Company, where he was appointed chief test pilot the following year and led development of the delta-wing Javelin fighter. He amassed 19,000 flying hours, and flew 240 different types of aircraft.

Honours and awards

References

  1. "No. 34986". The London Gazette. 5 November 1940. p. 6393.
  2. "No. 35254". The London Gazette. 22 August 1941. p. 4864.
  3. "No. 38493". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1949. p. 31.
  4. "No. 42870". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1963. p. 31.
  5. "No. 44210". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1967. p. 13.
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