Oliver Swann
Sir Oliver Swann | |
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Born | Commander of the Order of the British Empire | 18 November 1878
Early years
Schwann joined the
In 1910 Schwann was selected to assist Captain Murray Sueter who was conducting pioneering naval aviation work with airships.[3] Later, Schwann bought an Avro Type D landplane (at his own expense with support from friends) for £700 and fitted floats to it.[3] Despite not having qualified as a pilot, Schwann managed to fly it off the water.[3] Although Schwann crashed the aircraft, this was the first aircraft take off by a British pilot from salt water.[3]
In November 1912, after Schwann had qualified as a pilot, he was appointed assistant director of the Air Department at the Admiralty,[4] making him deputy to Murray Sueter.[3] Over the next two years Sueter and Schwann worked to establish the Royal Naval Air Service.[3]
First World War
In 1914, just prior to the outbreak of the
Inter-war years
In April 1919 Swann was appointed
Second World War
During the
References
- ^ Britannia Royal Naval College, Cadet Open List 1894-1906
- ^ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36812. London. 5 July 1902. p. 9.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sir Oliver Swann at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Vice-Marshal Sir Oliver Swann