FS Hussain

Air Commodore Fuad Shahid Hussain SBt TPk (Urdu: ; 20 July 1924 – 9 April 1969) better known as FS Hussain, F.S., King of Fury, and the Prince of Pilots, was among the pioneering officers of the Pakistan Air Force, a fighter pilot, aerobatic pilot, and one-star rank air officer. During WWII, his squadron was part of the BCOF in Imperial Japan, stationed on an aircraft carrier. While there, FS as an aerial photographer, was tasked with capturing images of the bombed-out cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, unaware of the radiation exposure risks at that time, which eventually led to his death while in service, as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at the PAF Headquarters.

In his early days as a Flying Officer, Syed Masood Akhtar writes that FS' remarkable mastery of low-level aerobatics became legendary in the RPAF. “Whether he was flying a Hawker Fury just a few feet above the ground, kicking up dust on the runway with his propeller wash, or gracefully executing a B-point roll just above the treetops, he made it "all seem like child's play.” By the early 1950s, he was rapidly gaining fame throughout Pakistan and internationally as "F.S.", becoming a role model for fighter pilots in the RPAF.

Due to his remarkable flying skills, FS was selected for a course at the Central Gunnery School Leconfield where he topped the Pilot Attack Instructors’ Course as a Category "A" Pilot Attack Instructor in April 1949, setting a Commonwealth air-to-air and air-to-ground shooting record. The Commandant of the school lauded him, saying, ''“This officer who is a member of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, for combat flying, is outstanding in every way. He achieved the finest result in the air ever experienced in the Central Gunnery School, Leconfield England.”''

On 12 March 1950 at Risalpur, FS took off in a Hawker Sea Fury and performed an aerobatic display in honor of The Shah of Pahlavi Iran. The Shah who was an amateur pilot, was deeply impressed by Hussain's manoeuvres executed incredibly close to the ground, and requested for a personal meeting with FS and later ordered his court poet to write a poem in honor of FS.

FS left a lasting impression at the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, where his daredevil solo aerobatics enthralled the crowd. After the performance, former MRAF Arthur Tedder remarked, “A generation of pilots is yet to be born, who will try to achieve the standards already perfected by Flt Lt FS Hussain of the RPAF.”

FS Hussain rose to fame once more on 22 December 1956, captivating the Karachi crowd with his signature slow roll and inverted pull-up performed at low altitude, flying solo at 600 mph. In the audience was China's Premier Zhou Enlai, who was on his inaugural official visit to Pakistan. Witnessing Hussain's spectacular aerobatics, Premier Zhou Enlai was so impressed that he requested Prime Minister H. S. Suhrawardy, for a personal meeting with F. S. Hussain to commend him for his extraordinary performance.

Early life and education
Fuad Shahid Hussain was born on 20 July 1924 in Lucknow to a noble Muslim family of the Qidwai clan and was the youngest of six children, three sisters and three brothers. His father, Shaikh Shahid Hussain Qadwai (1878-1924) was a respected Taluqdar of Ghadia district in British India and died shortly before he was born. Fuad's mother was Nisar Fatima.

Fuad received his early education from La Martinière College, Lucknow.

Family history
Fuad's ancestors, the Qidwais, migrated from Rum in the 14th century and colonised 52 villages in Lucknow district and Barabanki districts.

Fuad's father, Shaikh Shahid Hussain Qadwai was a prominent figure in British India and was a close associate of Motilal Nehru. Shaikh Shahid came from one of the oldest Muslim families of Oudh and was the chief representative of the Kidwai clan. After completing his Intermediate Examination at Canning College, Lucknow, Shaikh pursued higher education at the University of Cambridge, earning a B.A. and LL.B. with honors in 1903, and was called to the Bar the same year. Upon returning to India, he established a legal practice.

In December 1904, he was involved in organizing the Muslim Educational Conference in Lucknow, for which he received a gold medal. By 1908, he was elected Honorary Joint Secretary of the British Indian Association, a position he held for years. Shaikh represented the Muslims of Oudh in the Local Legislative Council and was a member of various boards, including the Municipal Board of Lucknow, the Boards of Management of Canning College, Colvin Talukdars' School, and Medical College, as well as the Advisory Committee of the United Provinces. Additionally, he served as Director of the Upper India National Bank Limited, and the Baib & Wood Pulp Manufacturing Company, Limited, Lucknow. As a Taluqdar, he made improvements in his role as a Zamindar.

In 1919, Shaikh Shahid Hussain was among several individuals granted the honorary rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the British Indian Army by King George V. The same year, Shaikh Shahid was promoted to Lieutenant and was the 4,050th Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Personal life
Fuad married Zarina and they had two children, son Zahid Hussain and a daughter named Ambreen. Zahid is a businessman in Pakistan and founder of the organization, KOPAF, a support group for the kids of Pakistan Air Force personnel. Ambreen died in 2005.

Aviators from his time write that FS closely resembled Charles Elworthy, Baron Elworthy in handsomeness.

Royal Indian Air Force career
FS was commissioned into the RIAF on 4 September 1944 after graduating from the 26 Pilot Course of the Initial Training Wing in Poona.

In June 1945, FS Hussain was assigned to No. 4 Squadron RIAF. The squadron was attached to the BCOF in Japan, where they were deployed on an aircraft carrier. FS was tasked with photographing the aftermath of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Accidents
On 15 March 1945, FS took off in his Hurricane IID and did unauthorized low aerobatics in Peshawar, while doing so, his aircraft hit a tree leading to the propeller getting damaged.

On 23 May 1945, FS took off in a Spitfire VIII. After landing in Peshawar, he taxied into the Hurricane IIC of Fg Officer Bal Bhagwan Marathe at excessive speed from dispersal with extensive skin damage to the main plane and propeller.

Pakistan Air Force career
After the Partition of British India, FS was amongst the few Muslim officers who opted for Pakistan, ultimately joining the No. 5 Squadron PAF which formed on 15 August 1947 at Peshawar, where he equipped a Hawker Tempest aircraft and did his first solo flight.

On 21 March 1948, an air show in Lahore was displayed to help promote the RPAF amongst Pakistanis. F/L Abdul Naeem Aziz, F/L Abdur Rahim Khan, Fg Off Masroor Hosain, and Fg Off FS Hussain took part in the formation.

During the first Pakistan Day parade in Lahore in 1948, FS had a daring plan. Disguised as a mess hall attendant, he rushed towards an RPAF plane and pretended to hijack it in an attempt to impress the Quaid-e-Azam. The radio commentator, who was in on the plan, added suspense. FS played his role well, acting like a novice pilot, pulling off risky moves and pretending that he was about to crash into the ground several times. Near the end of the performance, FS flew close to Quaid-e-Azam, saluting him while he was inverted.

In April 1949, he won the first position in the Pilot Attack Instructors course at the Central Gunnery School Leconfield as a Category "A" Pilot Attack Instructor, while setting a commonwealth record in air-to-air shooting. The Commandant of the school remarked that FS achieved the finest result in the air ever experienced at the school.

In May 1949, No. 5 Squadron PAF and No. 9 Squadron PAF faced each other for the first Perry-Keene Trophy, an inter-squadron armament competition. The victorious team consisted of Sqn Ldr Aziz ur Rehman Khan, Flt Lt FS Hussain, Fg Off Imtiaz Hussain Agha, and Fg Off Stefan Tronczyński.

FS was a former member of the Karachi Flying Club at the Sind Club. In the book, Flight of the Falcon, Sajad Haider wrote: “FS Hussain, the greatest fighter pilot PAF ever had. He would loop an Attacker or F-86 inverted all the way, and at Karachi flying club we witnessed him do these very crazy manoeuvres in a Tiger Moth bi-plane, spin it from 2000 feet and scare the crap out of us. But every second and inch during manoeuvres, he was in total control. God bless his soul.”

In 1956, several RPAF officers including FS Hussain were sent to the German Air Force Officer Training School at NATO's Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base. FS was the first amongst them to go solo on a T-33 after two dual missions.

While there, he was once bored with elementary training and planned an aerobatic session with Sajad Haider. They rendezvoused near a lake, and FS directed Sajad through loops and rolls in formation. This unauthorized display caught the attention of the USAF's radar and frequency monitoring team. Major Smallen of the USAF summoned the 100 international students to a briefing room, where he also reprimanded FS, saying ''“Now there are some hot-rods around here that make me uncomfortable. Today, you Major Hoosain (FS Hussain) violated the basic tenet of flying safety; I can send you packing home and you can do all the low-level aerobatics you want and I know you are damned good at it, but it won’t work here. However, I will ground you for one week and you can cool your shins.”'' The incident became a talking point at the training base. He completed the course without further issues and was among 10 PAF pilots who were selected to proceed to the US for further training.

Notably while training in Canada, FS had flown through a hangar upside down in a Hawker Sea Fury.

Throughout his career, FS Hussain held several command and staff positions, including as Commander No. 5 Squadron PAF and No. 11 Squadron PAF, Officer Commanding Flying Wing Mauripur, Commander PAF Station Mauripur, Director of Operations at the AHQ (PAF), Chief Inspector of the PAF, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), Air Secretary AHQ (PAF), and lastly, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training), a role he held until his death.

Commander No. 5 Squadron & 11 Squadron
FS Hussain succeeded Julian Kazimierz Żuromski as the Commander of the No. 5 Squadron PAF in November 1951 and under his leadership, the squadron won the Perry Keene Inter Squadron Armament Trophy on 12 February 1952.

During his command, the RPAF began to acquire jet aircraft for the first time. FS was chosen by the air force to ferry fly Supermarine Attacker's from the United Kingdom to Pakistan. FS led the two other RPAF pilots along a lengthy route over Istres, Malta, Gulf of Aden, Nicosia, Baghdad, finally arriving in Karachi. Upon their successful arrival, the newly inducted attacker aircraft were commissioned into No. 11 Squadron, earning F.S. Hussain the accolade of being the pioneer of jet fighter flying in the PAF. FS handed over command to Sqn Ldr Salahuddin in April 1953.

FS was appointed as the commander of the No. 11 Squadron PAF in April 1953, the squadron was equipped with Attackers at RPAF Station Drigh Road and the station commander was Group Captain Cheema.

Additionally, he was appointed as Flight Commander of the squadron and was tasked with operationalizing the aircraft and training the crew. Under his command, the squadron formed the first jet aerobatic team, "Pay Bills," which showcased their remarkable skills in a performance at the end of 1952.

OC Flying Wing Mauripur
In 1956, FS was appointed as the commander of the Flying Wing stationed at PAF Station Mauripur. During this tenure, he showcased remarkable aerobatics in the presence of Premier Zhou Enlai on 21 December 1956.

Despite not having the chance to perform in the World record loop of 1958, he received appreciation from Asghar Khan for training the pilots who achieved the feat.

Commander PAF Station Mauripur
In December 1961, FS took over as the commander of PAF Station Mauripur and served in this position until January 1964.

Among his students were MM Alam, Alauddin Ahmed, Yunus Hussain, Muniruddin, Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, Saiful Azam, Nazir Latif, and many others.

1965 War
With the onset of the war, Gp Capt FS Hussain was now a senior commander at AHQ (PAF). The C-in-C of the PAF Nur Khan formed a committee led by FS to review and improve operational plans.

The committee was tasked with gaining local air superiority to support the Pakistan Army and prevent the IAF from aiding the Indian Army, recommending methods to neutralize the IAF's numerical superiority, planning for efficient defense of air bases and maximum support for the Army, proposing strategies for enemy harassment without compromising PAF effectiveness, and ensuring logistical plans supported operational goals.

After the committee's deliberations, Nur Khan made several key decisions. He concentrated the PAF around Sargodha and Peshawar, leaving one squadron for Karachi's air defense, and planned to fight the air superiority battle by defending Sargodha air base to maximize force economy and safeguard key assets. He ordered immediate attacks on Indian air bases after hostilities began to destroy IAF aircraft on the ground and provoke retaliatory attacks where the PAF's defenses were strongest. Airborne commandos were to be deployed to sabotage IAF bases on the first night of conflict, and the number of missions per aircraft per day was to be increased to reduce the disparity in air power.

Nur Khan also planned for combat air patrols using a combination of F-104 Starfighters and F-86 Sabres, both armed with Sidewinders, and ensured that air defense measures were fully operational in anticipation of hostilities. At least one squadron was to be maintained for close support of the Army. He ordered repeated single bomber raids on enemy air bases to keep them under constant alert, and directed the use of training and non-operational aircraft for night attacks on enemy logistics and troop concentrations.

The PAF's concern about its lack of nighttime air defense led Nur Khan to assign FS Hussain to Peshawar to develop night interception techniques using the F-86 Sabre. Success came with the integration of Sidewinder missiles on the F-86.

Though this was a temporary solution aimed more at deterring the IAF Canberra crews than ensuring their interception, it proved effective. Achieving visual contact at night was nearly impossible, and the missile's tone was not always a reliable lock-on indicator. Despite these limitations, the F-86's role as a night-fighter was validated by at least one confirmed victory against the IAF English Electric Canberras.

Flight Safety Institute
Following the war, C-in-C of the PAF Nur Khan assigned FS with the task of establishing a flight safety institute within the PAF. FS Hussain dedicated himself to this endeavor, working diligently to achieve it within a short timeframe. He visited the United States to undergo a course on Air Force flight safety and accident investigation. Upon his return, he spearheaded the establishment of the Flight Safety setup within PAF Headquarters. FS Hussain is credited with the current flight safety framework of the PAF as it stands today. Prior to his death, Air Commodore FS Hussain held the position of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at AHQ.

Illness and death
During World War II, FS Hussain's squadron was part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces to Japan, where they were deployed on an aircraft carrier. FS photographed all the wrecked areas but during those days, no one was aware of radiation. The Pakistan Army Medical Corps had no previous experience or knowledge of nuclear radiation or poisoning and as a result, this was not detected in his yearly flying medical test.

The test suggested he had diabetes but Air Marshal Asghar Khan overrode the reports. F.S. Hussain, afraid of being grounded from flying, hid his illness from his colleagues. FS passed away on 9 April 1969 at CMH Peshawar and was buried at the PAF Graveyard in Peshawar.

Years later, his family moved to the United Kingdom. Subsequently, a former PAF officer took FS Hussains blood samples to the United States, where it was determined he suffered from radiation poisoning, informing Hussains family during his visit to London.

Memorials
The yearly trophy awarded to the Best Flight Safety Officer in the Pakistan Air Force is named after FS Hussain.

Zafar Chaudhry in his book, Mosaic of Memory, wrote “FS was totally dedicated to his profession and had only one desire and ambition in life: to stay in the flying business. Thus, when he started developing a physical disorder rather early in life, his reaction was to conceal it and to ignore it so that it should not lead to his being removed from flying status- a situation he was simply not prepared to accept. His love for flying far exceeded his concern for his own well-being; he simply could not imagine a life without the thrill of flying and, therefore, continued to pretend that all was well. The insidious malady remained untreated and, tragically, by the time it became obvious, it had already passed the stage of treatment. The Prince of Pilots died when still short of 45-leaving the PAF and the world of flying so much the poorer.”