Curious Catapulting

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Tomg44
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Joined: 12 Dec 2008, 12:10

Curious Catapulting

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Post by Tomg44 » 21 Feb 2015, 11:37

Attached are links to two YouTube films which show some British aircraft taking off and landing on carriers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jejklYHkelQ
This one includes experiments in which a Swordfish (0:00), Barracuda (1:55) and Firefly (8:38) use a cradle to lift the fuselage into a horizontal position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znl9m60tlGc
The technique appears to have been used operationally (3:43) with Barracudas in SE Asia in 1944

I have a few questions.

Did the apparatus/technique have a name?
Was it used only with Fairey aircraft?
Was it available on all British aircraft carriers?
Is there more information/film of its use?

Regards,
Tomg44
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