<P> The first DH 108 prototype , serial number TG283 , utilising the Vampire fuselage and a 43 ° swept wing , flew on 15 May 1946 at RAF Woodbridge . Designed to investigate low - speed handling , it was capable of only 280 mph ( 450 km / h ) . The de Havilland Chief Test Pilot Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. , son of de Havilland company owner - designer Geoffrey de Havilland , gave a display flight in the DH 108 during the 1946 Society of British Aircraft Constructors ( SBAC ) airshow at Radlett . In later low - speed testing designed to clear the rear fuselage at high angles of attack , the first prototype was fitted with longer Sea Vampire landing gear . </P>
<P> The first DH 108 prototype , serial number TG283 , utilising the Vampire fuselage and a 43 ° swept wing , flew on 15 May 1946 at RAF Woodbridge . Designed to investigate low - speed handling , it was capable of only 280 mph ( 450 km / h ) . The de Havilland Chief Test Pilot Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. , son of de Havilland company owner - designer Geoffrey de Havilland , gave a display flight in the DH 108 during the 1946 Society of British Aircraft Constructors ( SBAC ) airshow at Radlett . In later low - speed testing designed to clear the rear fuselage at high angles of attack , the first prototype was fitted with longer Sea Vampire landing gear . </P>
british pilot crashed and was killed while trying to break the sound barrier on september 27th 1946
british pilot crashed and was killed while trying to break the sound barrier on september 27th 1946
Geoffrey de Havilland
Geoffrey de Havilland