Edward Powles
| Born | 19 April 1921 Hereford, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 23 February 2008 (aged 86) Arden, North Carolina |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  Royal Air Force |
| Battles / wars | Malayan Emergency |
| Awards | Air Force Cross |
Edward Cyril Powles was a Royal Air Force pilot who attained two notable records while flying Supermarine Spitfire photo-reconnaissance (PR) aeroplanes over the Peoples' Republic of China.
Early life
Edward Ted C. Powles was born in Hereford, England, on the 19 April 1921, to George and Louise Tillam Powles.
Despite his height of 6 feet, 4 inches, Powles joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice during the Second World War and trained as a photo-reconnaissance pilot, remaining in service after the cessation of hostilities. On the 21 October 1945, he was confirmed in his appointments and promoted from the rank of Pilot Officer (probationary) to Flying Officer (war substantive rank), which was gazetted on the 7 December.[1] He was gazetted on the 11 February 1949, as a Flight Lieutenant, short service (A.M.O. A899/47) with effect from the 13th October, 1949 (and with seniority from the 21st October, 1948).[2]
Having previously flown twin-engined aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Powles was ordered to RAF Finningley in January, 1950, to complete a refresher course on the Supermarine Spitfire PR14, then to RAF Leuchars for familiarisation training on the Spitfire PR19. Following this, he was posted in August to RAF Tengah in Singapore during the Malayan emergency, carrying out photo-reconnaissance and ground attack missions in the Spitfire FR18 in Operation Firedog. He transferred to 81 (PR) Squadron at RAF Seletar in 1950, and continued to fly operationally over Malaya until he was detached as part of a two Spitfire PR.XIX flight (Spitfires PS852 and PS854) deployed to RAF Kai Tak in Hong Kong on 1 January 1951. The other pilot was Flight Sergeant Padden. The two flew photo-reconnaissance flights over Communist China beginning on the 16 January, when Powles overflew nearby islands in PS852. Powles would fly 63 sorties over Chinese territory during the course on 1951. Padden was replaced in turn by Flight Sergeants Mutch, Hood and Walker. By September, 1952, the flight had photographed sites along the Chinese coastline up to 400 nautical miles to the south-west of Hong Kong, and up to 160 nautical miles to the north-east, as well as sites up to 100 nautical miles from the coast. During the course of these flights, Powles was to set two notable records.[3]
During a meteorological test flight on the 5 February 1952, Powles reached 51,550 feet in in PS852, the highest altitude ever recorded for a piston-engined aircraft.[4] During the descent, the aircraft dived uncontrollably, attaining 690 mph (Mach 0.96) before he regained control, the highest speed ever recorded for a piston-engined aircraft.[5]
Edward Powles was awarded the Air Force Cross in June, 1952. Part of his citation read: This officer, even when flying at altitude, often over the sea, alone in a single-seater aircraft, has always shown the greatest determination to complete his mission although this entailed returning to base with his fuel almost exhausted; he has repeatedly earned high praise for his skill, courage and high standard of airmanship.
Family
Powles married in 1947 to Dr. Marie Antoinette Powles, and the couple lived in Arden, North Carolina. Their son, David E. Powles, is also a doctor.
Death
Powles died in Arden on the 23 February 2008.[6]