The
Madras College Magazine
for June 1937 reported:
Maurice J. Adam, Flight-Lieutenant in the R.A.F. was selected last Autumn by the
R.A.F. for special high altitude
duties. He is now undergoing training for an attempt to beat the existing
altitude record of Squadron-Leader Swain (49,944 feet), and a new
stratosphere plane is being constructed for him. In ground tests he has
already been subjected to the atmospheric conditions prevailing at a
height of 79.000 feet.
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NASA reported the following in 2012 in the
publication "Dressing for Altitude"
On June 30, 1937, Flight Lieutenant Maurice
James Adam wore a modified suit to set a record of 53,937 feet in the
Bristol 138a. On this flight, the canopy failed and the Haldane-Davis
pressure suit likely saved the pilot’s life.
BAE Systems website reports:
Italy moved quickly to recapture the record with a flight to 51,364 ft
in early 1937 and so on 30th June 1937, the Bristol 138A increased the
record yet again to 53,937 ft.
A number of issues occurred during the flight (which took 2˝ hours)
including a major crack appearing in the canopy with Flt Lt Adams only
surviving due to the major development work that had been carried out on
his pressure suit and helmet.
After this no further record flights were made although it is rightly
acknowledged that the increase in knowledge regarding pressurisation
during these early flights was immense.
A Pathé video of this flight is available at
https://youtu.be/WDc3GI72mIA
The
Madras College Magazine
for June 1938 reported:
Flight-Lieutenant Maurice J. Adam, to whom
reference was made in last year's Magazine, has regained for Britain the
world altitude record, reaching a height of 53,937 feet—over ten miles.
This exceeds the recent Italian altitude record by 2575 feet. In the
recent King's Birthday Honours List, he was awarded the Air Force Cross.
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