Owen Baldwin
| Owen Morgan Baldwin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
21 February 1893 Twyford, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 12 January 1942 (aged 48) Berkshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 73 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar Legion d'Honneur (France) Croix de Guerre with palm (France) |
| Other work | Motorcycle racer |
Captain Owen Morgan Baldwin DFC* was a British World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. Post-war he was a successful professional motorcycle racer, and for a time holder of the official motorcycle land-speed record.
Baldwin was a mechanical engineer in civilian life. He joined No. 73 Squadron RAF, which was tasked with ground support missions, and became a flight leader as well as the squadron's leading ace. His most notable day in action was 15 September 1918, when he scored five victories by destroying two German Fokker D.VIIs and an observation plane, and driving down two more D.VIIs out of control. His victory roll is notable for having only three "soft" victories scored by driving an enemy down instead of destroying him.
Baldwin was confirmed in rank as a Flying Officer, effective 7 March 1925. He was also in service during World War II; he was commissioned a Flying Officer in the RAF Reserve on 12 December 1939.
Post-war Baldwin became one of the first professional motorcycle racers. He competed twice in the Isle of Man TT Senior Race, riding a Martin in 1921, but failing to finish, and riding a Rudge in 1922 and coming 14th. He eventually found fame riding a Zenith V twin at Brooklands, competing in solo and sidecar races ranging from a single lap to 500 miles. He also competed in hillclimbing events, setting a record time at the Kop Hill event in Princes Risborough on a Matchless-MAG in 1923, and coming second in 1925. He was awarded the Brooklands Gold Star Medal for completing a lap at an average speed over 100 mph (160 km/h) in 1927, and competed in the Brooklands 200 mile race four times between 1925 and 1929, winning once, and coming third three times. Baldwin's greatest achievement came at Arpajon in 1928 when riding his Zenith-JAP he became the first man to ride a measured kilometre at an average speed of over 200 km/h (120 mph), taking the official motorcycle land-speed record.
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