Flt. Lt. G.H. Stainforth was one of the 1931 RAF High Speed Flight Team for the Schneider Trophy and on 13th September he captured the World Absolute Air Speed Record in a S.6B S1596 at 379.05mph securing the cup for Britain. This was to be the last Schneider Trophy contest when the Air Ministry decided to close down the High Speed Flight. George Stainforth on 29th September broke the record yet again in a S.6B at 407.5mph.