 Both the general research programme and preparations for the first record altitude flight, were undertaken under the immediate direction of Mr H. E. Wimperis, the Director of Scientific Research at the Air Ministry.On 28 September 1936, Swain took off from Farnborough in the Type 138A; he climbed to an indicated altitude of 51,000 ft (15,440 m), during which he engaged the auxiliary supercharger at 35,000 ft ( m).Swain ran low on oxygen on the two-hour flight and had to break the window of his pressure helmet after descending to a safe height.