On September 20, 1943-82 years ago today-the de Havilland Vampire took to the skies for the first time. The DH.100 prototype (s/n LZ548/G) was piloted by Geoffrey de Havilland Jr., chief test pilot ...
When the British experimental jet fighter touched down on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Ocean nearly eight decades ago, it wasn't just a historic landing — it was a giant leap in naval aviation.