Maxwell Findlay
| Maxwell Hutcheon Findlay | |
|---|---|
| Born |
17 February 1898 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Died | 1 October 1936 (aged 38) Abercorn, Northern Rhodesia |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1920 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) No. 6 Squadron RNAS No. 1 Squadron RNAS/No. 201 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I Third Anglo-Afghan War Waziristan campaign |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Other work | Aviation sales manager and instructor; air racer |
Captain Maxwell Hutcheon Findlay DSC, DFC (17 February 1898 – 1 October 1936) was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories. He remained in the RAF postwar for several years before going on to a civilian aviation career that ended with his death in the Johannesburg Air Race of 1936.
Findlay was a Scotsman living in Canada when World War I began. He returned to the British Isles to enlist in the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). He later transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service, being promoted from probationary temporary flight officer to temporary flight sub-lieutenant on 16 April 1917. His first duty assignment, to No. 6 Naval Squadron, brought him two "out of control" victories over Albatros D.Vs in July and August 1917. He transferred to No. 1 Naval Squadron, and used a Sopwith Camel to score three more "out of control" wins on 15 November and 4 December 1917, as well as on 8 March 1918, to become an ace. On 10 March, he destroyed an Albatros D.V. On the 16th, his second win was shared with Hazel LeRoy Wallace. By 30 May, his score was 14, including a shared win with Wallace, Charles Dawson Booker, Samuel Kinkead, James Henry Forman, Robert McLaughlin, Reginald Brading, R. Hemmens, and R. S. S. Orr. On 25 April 1918 he was appointed a temporary captain in the Royal Air Force.
On 1 August 1919 Findley was granted a permanent commission as a lieutenant in the RAF, and served in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and the Waziristan campaign. On 1 October 1920, Flying Officer Findlay resigned his commission and was permitted to retain the rank of flight lieutenant.
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