Fleet Defence

100 years ago today, on 2 August 1917, Squadron Commander Dunning landed a Sopwith Pup bi-plane on HMS Furious in Scapa Flow. It was the first time an aircraft had touched down on the deck of a moving ship and marked the dawn of aviation from aircraft carriers. Tragically, Dunning died a week later when, attempting the feat for a second time, his aircraft lost power, made a hard landing and was swept overboard by strong winds. Having landed on an aircraft carrier, it's not the easiest thing to do!