Colin Brown (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colin Peter Brown
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| Born | 20 December 1898 Langside, Scotland |
| Died | 19 October 1965 (aged 66) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy (1917–18) Royal Air Force (1918–54) |
| Years of service | 1917–1954 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Commands held | RAF Catterick (1937–38) No. 26 Squadron (1935–37) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Croix de guerre (France) |
Air Vice Marshal Colin Peter Brown (20 December 1898 – 19 October 1965) was a brave Scottish officer. He started his flying career during the First World War in the Royal Naval Air Service. Later, he moved to the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down 14 enemy aircraft. Colin Peter Brown stayed in the RAF and served through the Second World War, retiring in 1954.
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Colin Peter Brown's Early Life and Flying Career
Colin Peter Brown was born in Langside, a part of Glasgow, Scotland. He went to school at Dulwich College in London.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 28 January 1917 as a flight officer. This meant he was training to be a pilot. By June, he was officially a flight sub-lieutenant. He was sent to the Seaplane Defence Flight, a special unit that protected seaplanes flying from Dunkirk. He flew a type of plane called the Sopwith Camel.
His first victory in the air happened on 13 November 1917. He destroyed an Albatros D.V enemy plane near Nieuport. Five months later, on 27 April 1918, he forced another Albatros D.V to land. During this time, his unit changed its name. First, it became No. 13 (Naval) Squadron, and then on 1 April 1918, it was renamed No. 213 Squadron RAF.
Colin Peter Brown officially joined the new Royal Air Force as a second lieutenant on 3 July 1918. He quickly became a lieutenant. On 9 August, he was made an acting-captain, leading a group of planes as a flight commander.
He was known for being very brave and always ready to fight. He attacked targets on land and at sea, not just enemy planes. He even flew a night attack to shoot at the Zeebrugge harbor. He kept winning battles in the air. His most impressive day was 4 October 1918, when he single-handedly destroyed three Fokker D.VII planes. In total, Colin Peter Brown was credited with destroying eight enemy aircraft and forcing six others to land out of control. He flew for 374 hours during these missions. Most of his victories were against top German fighter planes like the Albatros D.Vs and Fokker D.VIIs. He shared two of his victories over observation planes with other pilots, including David Ingalls, an American pilot.
Because of his amazing combat record, Colin Peter Brown received the Distinguished Flying Cross twice. He got the first one on 21 September 1918 and a second one (called a Bar) on 29 November. He also received the Croix de Guerre from France on 1 November for his brave actions in Flanders.
His awards recognized his courage. For example, he once bombed an enemy base at night from a low height, causing lots of damage. Another time, he bombed an airfield in daylight and then flew even lower to destroy an enemy plane. His own plane had 59 bullet holes when he landed! He was praised for being a brave and clever leader.
Colin Peter Brown's Career Between the Wars
After the First World War, the RAF created its own rank system. On 1 August 1919, Colin Peter Brown changed from a lieutenant to a flying officer. He served on the aircraft carrier HMS Argus starting 25 November. On 31 May 1920, he became an instructor at a school that taught naval cooperation and aerial navigation.
He was then posted to different squadrons, including No. 205 Squadron and No. 3 Squadron, where he flew the Airco DH.9A plane. On 6 September 1922, he had to make an emergency landing in the Moray Firth (a sea inlet) after his engine failed, and he was injured.
In September 1923, he took a special course on signals (communication) at the Electrical and Wireless School. The next year, he became a staff officer in the Signals Branch at the Air Ministry. He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1925. He also attended the RAF Staff College to further his training.
Later, he was posted to squadrons in Iraq, like No. 30 Squadron and No. 84 Squadron, where he served as a flight commander. He also worked at the Headquarters of Iraq Command.
Back in England, he continued to work as a signals officer for different squadrons and groups. He was promoted to squadron leader on 1 October 1934. On 5 October 1935, he became the commander of No. 26 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at RAF Catterick. He then became the leader of the entire RAF Catterick station on 30 August 1937. On 1 January 1938, he was promoted to wing commander.
Colin Peter Brown in the Second World War
As the Second World War began, Colin Peter Brown's career continued to advance. On 1 March 1940, he was promoted to acting group captain. He became the Senior Air Staff Officer in No. 60 (Signals) Group, Fighter Command. This group was very important because it was in charge of the RAF's radar network, which helped detect enemy planes.
On 24 April, he moved to the RAF's Technical Branch, dealing with the technical side of air force operations. He was promoted to temporary group captain on 1 September. In September 1941, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award recognized his excellent service in the RAF's operational commands.
He was appointed acting-air commodore on 19 August 1942, becoming the Director of Radar at the Air Ministry. This role meant he was in charge of all radar developments for the RAF. He was promoted to group captain on 1 December. From 1945 to December 1947, he worked in the Directorate of Operational Requirements at the Air Ministry. On 14 June 1945, he received another high honor, becoming a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
Colin Peter Brown's Post-War Career and Retirement
After the Second World War, Colin Peter Brown continued to serve. He was promoted to air commodore on 1 July 1947. From 1949, he served as the Chief Signals Officer for the Middle East Air Force.
On 7 April 1950, he was appointed acting air vice-marshal. He worked as the Assistant Controller of Supplies (Air) at the Ministry of Supply. He was officially promoted to air vice-marshal on 1 January 1952. Sadly, Colin Peter Brown had to leave his post in early 1953 due to health problems. He officially retired from the RAF on 15 March 1954.
Air Vice Marshal Colin Peter Brown passed away on 19 October 1965.
