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John Cunningham

Second World War Night Fighter Ace and Test Pilot
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John Cunningham started his illustrious aviation career with the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School, at the same time learning to fly with 614 Squadron at Hendon. On completing his apprenticeship he helped test fly the Moth Minor with Geoffrey de Havilland Jnr. When WW2 was declared, he was mobilized and started his RAF combat career pioneering the use of AI radar flying Beaufighters and Mosquitos. He completed his service as one of the youngest group captains, with 20 confirmed successes at night or in bad weather. Not wishing a desk job, he returned to his friends at de Havilland, initially as chief test pilot of the de Havilland Engine Company, where his combat experience was invaluable in selling aircraft to overseas air forces. On the death of his close friend Geoffrey de Havilland Jnr, John was appointed chief test pilot of the Aircraft Company and led the flight development of the Comet, the world's first jet airliner, and later the Trident, completing some 35 years of test flying. He died in 2002.
Philip Birtles was personal assistant to John Cunningham from 1962, during the flight development programmes of the Tridents and DH 125s. They became good friends and were both trustees of the de Havilland Aircraft Museum. Like Cunningham, Birtles started an engineering apprenticeship with the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School, and followed time as Cunningham's PA by working in aerospace marketing until the closure of Hatfield Aerodrome in 1993. Birtles have had published some 45 books on aerospace subjects, often illustrating with his own photographs.
Foreword; Acknowledgements; Early Years; Combat in the Second World War; Rest Tour and Mosquito Operations; Return to de Havilland; Comets; Comet 4; Trident; Testing Moments; Appendix I: Deep-Stall Postscript; Appendix II: Sir Geoffrey's Chief Test Pilot; Appendix III: German Aircraft Destroyed/Probably Destroyed/Damaged by John Cunningham (1940-1944).
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