Some land-based fighter jets were redesigned to achieve that purpose — for the Royal Navy, it was the de Havilland Vampire, the second jet-powered aircraft to be produced and flown by Britain.

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.

The 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 ...