Empire of the Clouds

In 1945, Britain was the world's leading aircraft designer and builder—a status that it achieved through innovation and extraordinary skill. The sleek Comet, the first jet airliner; the Vulcan, an intercontinental bomber that could be thrown about the sky like a fighter; and the Hawker Hunter, the most beautiful fighter-jet ever built: All these British aircraft were graceful feats of design and engineering. The Lightning, which could zoom 10 miles above the clouds in only a couple of minutes, was also part of this world-class achievement. Pilots rated flying it as better than sex. This moment in history was marvelous. What became of the great industry of de Havilland or Handley Page? And what was it like to be alive in that moment when innovative new British aircraft made their debut?