On 2 August 1917, Squadron Commander Dunning landed a Sopwith Pup biplane on HMS Furious in Scapa Flow. It was the first time an aircraft had touched down on the deck of a moving ship and marked the dawn of aviation from aircraft carriers. Tragically, Dunning died a week later when, attempting the feat for a second time, his aircraft lost power, made a hard landing and was swept overboard by strong winds.