Edward Donaldson (RAF officer): Difference between revisions
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===Airspeed record=== |
===Airspeed record=== |
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During WW2, most of the pre-war airspeed records had been broken. The RAF decided to recapture the World Speed record with its new generation of jet aircraft, and set up a new High Speed Flight squadron. [[Group Captain]] Donaldson was selected to command the Air Speed Flight, established at the start of 1946. On [[September 7]], 1946, he established a new World Record of {{convert|615.78|mph|km/h}} in a Meteor, the first man to break the 1000 kmph barrier.<ref name="RAFWeb"/> |
During WW2, most of the pre-war airspeed records had been broken. The RAF decided to recapture the World Speed record with its new generation of jet aircraft, and set up a new High Speed Flight squadron. [[Group Captain]] Donaldson was selected to command the Air Speed Flight, established at the start of 1946. On [[September 7]], 1946, he established a new World Record of {{convert|615.78|mph|km/h}} in a Meteor, the first man to break the 1000 kmph barrier.<ref name="RAFWeb"/> As a result, he was awarded a bar to his Air Force Cross.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:WlmF34ut0-kJ:www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37977/supplements/2603/page.pdf+Edward+Mortlock+Donaldson&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-a|title=SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 12 JUNE, 1947|publisher=London Gazette|date=1947-06-12|accessdate=2009-07-13}}</ref> |
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===After the RAF=== |
===After the RAF=== |
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Revision as of 00:00, 14 July 2009
Edward "Teddy" Mortlock Donaldson | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Teddy" |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1931–1961 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held | No 151(F) Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar CB CBE LoM (USA) |
| Other work | Air Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph |
Air Commodore Edward "Teddy" Mortlock Donaldson CB CBE DSO AFC* LoM (USA) was an RAF World War 2 Ace, the first pilot to break the 1,000 kilometres per hour (620 mph) barrier.
Biography
Born in British Malaya, his father was a judge. One of three brothers, all would serve as fighter pilots with the RAF, and gain the DSO. Educated in England, he then studied at McGill University in Canada.[1]
RAF Career
Donaldson joined his two brothers in the RAF in 1931, granted a short service commission his first posting being to No 3 Squadron flying Bristol Bulldogs.[1]
In 1933 the crack-shot won the RAF's Gunnery Trophy One, known as the Brooke-Popham Air Firing Trophy. He won it again in 1935, the year he became a stunt pilot and became a member of the No 3 Squadron aerobatic team of five Bulldogs, which he eventually lead.[1]
When WW2 broke out, Squadron Leader Donaldson was commanding No 151(F) Squadron flying the Hawker Hurricane. In their first engagement over France, they destroyed six enemy aircraft, shooting down many more in the following months. For his leadership of the squadron during the battle and his personal tally of eleven kills, plus ten probable destructions, Donaldson was awarded the DSO.[1]
In desperate need for pilots, the RAF choose to transfer Donaldson to the gunnery instructor school initially in Canada and then after America entered the war the United States, where he taught US Air Force instructors, and helped set up new gunnery schools. On his return to England in 1944, he converted to jet aircraft and commanded the first operational Gloster Meteor squadron, at RAF Colerne.[1]
Airspeed record
During WW2, most of the pre-war airspeed records had been broken. The RAF decided to recapture the World Speed record with its new generation of jet aircraft, and set up a new High Speed Flight squadron. Group Captain Donaldson was selected to command the Air Speed Flight, established at the start of 1946. On September 7, 1946, he established a new World Record of 615.78 miles per hour (991.00 km/h) in a Meteor, the first man to break the 1000 kmph barrier.[1] As a result, he was awarded a bar to his Air Force Cross.[2]
After the RAF
Donaldson retired as an Air Commodore in 1961, and became the Air Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, until 1979.[1] He died at his home in Selsey in 1992.
Service history
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| June 26, 1931 | Appointed to a Short Service Commission. Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot |
| July 11, 1931 | U/T Pilot, No 2 FTS |
| June 20, 1932 | Pilot, No 3 Sqn. |
| April 23, 1936 | Supernumerary, RAF Depot. |
| March 22, 1937 | Act Officer Commanding, No 72 Sqn. |
| July 26, 1937 | Flight Commander, No 1 Sqn. |
| March 29, 1938 | Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant |
| May 5, 1938 | Attended Instructor's Course, Central Flying School. (graded B) |
| Aug 1938 | QFI, No 7 FTS. |
| November 14, 1938 | Officer Commanding, No 151 Sqn. |
| August 5, 1940 | CFI, No 5 FTS. |
| Unknown | Officer Commanding, ? School |
| 1941 | Liaison Officer, USAAF (USA) |
| Unknown | Supernumerary, Polish Wing, RAF Northolt |
| Unknown | Group Captain, Fighter Control Unit, 2nd TAF. |
| 1944 | Attended Empire Central Flying School |
| Unknown | Officer Commanding, RAF Colerne |
| Unknown | Officer Commanding RAF Millfield |
| Jul 1946 | Officer Commanding, RAF High Speed Flight |
| 1947 | SASO, HQ No 12 Group |
| 1951 | Officer Commanding, RAF Fassberg |
| Unknown | Officer Commanding, RAF Wunsdorf |
| April 16, 1954 | Director of Operational Training |
| December 11, 1956 | Deputy Commander, HQ British Forces, Arabian Peninsula |
| November 12, 1958 | AOC/Commandant, RAF Flying College |
| March 21, 1961 | Retired |
References
- Nick Thomas. RAF Top Gun: The Story of Battle of Britain Ace and World Air Speed Record Holder Air Cdre E.M. 'Teddy' Donaldson CB,CBE,DSO, AFC*. LoM (USA). Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 9781844156856.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Edward Mortlock Donaldson". rafweb.org. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ "SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 12 JUNE, 1947". London Gazette. 1947-06-12. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
{{subst:#if:Donaldson|}} [[Category:{{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:1912}}
|| UNKNOWN | MISSING = Year of birth missing {{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:1992}}||LIVING=(living people)}}
| #default = 1912 births
}}]] {{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:1992}}
|| LIVING = | MISSING = | UNKNOWN = | #default =
}}