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John de Havilland

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Edgware, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Death: August 23, 1943 (24)
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom (Crash during a test flight of de Havilland Mosquito Mark VI)
Place of Burial: Tewin, Hertfordshire, England
Immediate Family:

Son of Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland and Lady Louie de Havilland
Brother of Geoffrey Raoul de Havilland, Jnr, O.B.E. and Peter Jason de Havilland

Occupation: test pilot.
Managed by: Private User
Last Updated:

About John de Havilland

John de Havilland (17 October 1918 – 23 August 1943) was a British test pilot.

John and his brothers, Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. and Peter, were sons of Geoffrey de Havilland, the famous designer and manufacturer. All three brothers were pilots and flew as test pilots for the de Havilland company. John had been a sergeant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) prior to the Second World War. Due to the demands for pilots in the de Havilland company, he was released from service and joined his father's firm.

During a test flight of a de Havilland Mosquito Mark VI, flying with flight test observer John H. F. Scrope, he collided in the vicinity of St Albans with another Mosquito Mark VI flown by pilot George Gibbins. Both aircraft disintegrated in the air, killing all four occupants aboard. Godfrey J. Carter was flying as an observer in Gibbins's aircraft.

The John de Havilland Scholarship Fund was set up by Geoffrey de Havilland after his son's death. The award is associated with the aviation industry and its purpose is to develop the industry by recognising exceptional young people who will enter the profession.

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John de Havilland's Timeline

1918
October 17, 1918
Edgware, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
1943
August 23, 1943
Age 24
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
????
St Peter Churchyard, Tewin, Hertfordshire, England (United Kingdom)