After the war, he tested the early experimental jets that led to the development of the Hunter, Swift and Sea Vixen fighter aircraft. He left the Royal Air Force in 1953 with the rank of Wing Commander to become a test pilot at Gloster Aircraft Company, where he was appointed chief test pilot the following year and led development of the delta-wing Javelin fighter. He amassed 19,000 flying hours, and flew 240 different types of aircraft.
5 November 1940 - Flying Officer Richard Frewen Martin (33439) of Number.
5 November 1940 - Flying Officer Richard Frewen Martin (33439) of Number. 73 Squadron Royal Air Force is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Distinguished Flying Cross). 22 August 1941 - Acting Flight Lieutenant Richard Frewen Martin, Distinguished Flying Cross, (33439) of Number. 250 Squadron Royal Air Force is awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. 1 January 1949 - Squadron Leader Richard Frewen Martin, Distinguished Flying Cross, (33439) Royal Air Force is awarded the Air Force Cross. 1 January 1963 - Wing Commander Richard Frewen Martin, Distinguished Flying Cross, AFC, Royal Air Force (retired), test pilot A.V.Roe and Company is awarded the Queen"s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. 1 January 1967 - Wing Commander Reichard Frewen Martin, Distinguished Flying Cross, AFC, lately test pilot Hawker Siddeley Aviation Limited is appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) In 2003, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
