Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 1006 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 18

A Unusual Second War 1942 ´R.A.E. Test Pilot´s´ A.F.C., and King´s Commendation For Valuable Service in the Air Group of Four Attributed to Squadron Leader J.R. Tobin, Royal Air Force, Killed When the Firebrand Aircraft He Was Testing ´Disintegrated in the Air´, 16.3.1945 a) Air Force Cross, G.V.I.R., reverse officially dated ´1942´ b) 1939-1945 Star (39909 Squadron Leader J.R. Tobin AFC.) c) Air Crew Europe Star (39909 Squadron Leader J.R. Tobin AFC.) d) War Medal, M.I.D. Oakleaf (39909 Squadron Leader J.R. Tobin AFC.), campaign awards engraved ´Boots´ style, good very fine, mounted as originally worn (4) Estimate £ 800-1,000 A.F.C. London Gazette 11.6.1942 Flight Lieutenant James Richard Tobin, Experimental Section, R.A.E. The Recomendation states: ´This officer has been in the Aerodynamic Flight for 18 months and is an exceptionally fine pilot having proved to be a splendid research test pilot. He has done a considerable number of tests on German aircraft. On Beaufighters, in order to try to establish the reason for the large number of unexplained accidents, he undertook a series of tests involving the sudden cutting out of one engine. He has also performed a great deal of flying in carrying out the physiological research into the effect of high ´g´ on air crews which had required great skill and determination. He has maintained the highest standards of keenness and courage, and the experimental flying he has done has contributed information of great value.´ King´s Commendation For Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 14.6.1945 Squadron Leader J.R. Tobin, A.F.C. (39909) (deceased), Messrs. Blackburn Aircraft Limited The Recommendation states: ´This officer was posted for test flying duty at Messrs. Blackburn Aircraft Limited on 21st January, 1944, having previously served as a test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. He was an extremely experienced test pilot, with a knowledge of aerodynamic problems far above average. He was engaged at Blackburn´s solely on development work, and had performed a total of 107 hours testing up to 16th March, 1945. He was posted to the firm at a time when the handling qualities of the Firebrand left a very great deal to be desired, and it was mainly through the work carried out by this officer that this aircraft has been brought to its present day efficiency of performance. Squadron Leader Tobin was killed whilst test flying on 16th March, 1945, owing to a Firebrand disintegrating in the air through causes which are as yet undetermined. As a result of this accident the country lost a test pilot of far above the average quality.´ Squadron Leader James Richard ´Toby´ Tobin, A.F.C., is buried in Carlisle (Dalston Road) Cemetery.

Sold for
£1,000