See The De Havilland Sea Vampire, The Experimental Fighter That Ushered Aircraft Carriers Into The Jet Age

The de Havilland Sea Vampire was the first jet-powered plane to land on an aircraft carrier. The Vampire Mk II aircraft model has been preserved at the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum.Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty ImagesThe Sea Vampire made history as the first jet-powered aircraft to land on a carrier in 1945.The UK and US navies developed fighter jets to operate aboard aircraft carriers after World War II.The de Havilland Vampire was adapted for naval use, becoming the aptly named Sea Vampire.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.Aircraft carriers carrying propeller planes proved to be one of the most valuable sea-based assets in World War II.