Geoffrey de Havilland and John Cunningham at Hatfield on July 27, 1946, with J1001, the first of four Swiss Air Force Vampire F.1s delivered to Geneva. Cunningham subsequently lost the rather fetching hat while flying a Vampire over Sweden!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Vampire / D.H.100 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

The Comet prototype, with Cunningham at the helm, arriving at the 1949 SBAC show at Farnborough on September 6. In the foreground is G-5-2, the Vampire NF.10 prototype (???) in which Geoffrey Pike had made the maiden flight less than a fortnight earlier.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949De Havilland Vampire / D.H.100 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Hatfield on July 27, 1949; John Cunningham’s 32nd birthday and a milestone in his flying career. There on the Hatfield apron is G-5-1, the prototype Comet, awaiting its maiden flight. Later that day, at 1817hr, Cunningham and his crew of four took off from Hatfield and completed a trouble-free 35min first flight away from the eyes of the press.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

John Cunningham, Sir Frank Whittle and Maj F.B. Halford gathered beneath the tail of the prototype Comet airliner at Hatfield.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.106 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

In order to check visibility from the Comet airliner in torrential rain, a Comet nose profile was grafted on to an Airspeed Horsa troop glider. Cunningham flew the Horsa under tow from a Halifax.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airspeed Horsa / AS.51 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

John Cunningham flying D.H.108 VW120 at Hatfield on its first flight on July 24, 1947.
VW120 survived until February 15, 1950, when it was lost during a flight from RAE Farnborough, killing pilot Sqn Ldr J. S. R. Muller-Rowland DSO DFC.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Swallow / D.H.108 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1946

John Cunningham in the cockpit of D.H.108 VW120 on July 24, 1947, the day of the tailless jet’s first flight. Cunningham succeeded Geoffrey de Havilland as chief test pilot following the latter’s death in D.H.108 TG306 on September 27, 1946.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Swallow / D.H.108 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1946

VM703, the Ghost Lancastrian, in which the outboard Merlins were replaced with two de Havilland Ghost turbojets rated at 5,000lb static thrust.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Lancastrian / Type 691 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945