The First Unassisted Aircraft Carrier Landing

Edwin Dunning lands his Sopwith Pup on HMS Furious on August 2, 1917, as members of the deck crew rush to grab loops fitted to its wings and tailplane (Imperial War Museums)
Edwin Dunning lands his Sopwith Pup on HMS Furious on August 2, 1917, as members of the deck crew rush to grab loops fitted to its wings and tailplane (Imperial War Museums)

The first successful landing on an aircraft carrier was performed without the aid of arresting wires for stopping the plane. Instead, crew members on deck grabbed ropes tied to the plane. The concept of the aircraft carrier was pioneered in 1917 by 25-year-old Edwin Dunning, who attempted the seemingly impossible task...

Read More