gregs@meaddata.com (Greg Smith) (12/22/90)
From: gregs@meaddata.com (Greg Smith) The British did first experiment with angled deck carriers in the late 1940's or early 1950's. I believe the strongest reason for angled deck carriers was aid to takeoff and not helping landings at all. WWII carriers (I don't think) did not have to have catapults. The advent of heavier jet aircraft necessitated catapults. The angled flight deck enabled carriers to launch 4 aircraft at once. Greg [mod.note: I don't think all WWII carriers had catapults, but they were quite commonly fitted. - Bill ]
swilliam@dtoa1.dt.navy.mil (Williams) (12/28/90)
From: swilliam@dtoa1.dt.navy.mil (Williams) > WWII carriers (I don't think) did not have to have catapults. I wrote a lengthy response to this subject, but this message got killed because of incorrect newsgroup. I'll write an article on this and post it later (Catapults on WWII Carriers). > The angled flight deck enabled carriers to launch 4 aircraft at once. Actually, not simultaneously, but in sequence.
ron@hpfcso.fc.hp.com (Ron Miller) (01/07/91)
From: ron@hpfcso.fc.hp.com (Ron Miller) > From: gregs@meaddata.com (Greg Smith) > > to have catapults. The advent of heavier jet aircraft > necessitated catapults. The angled flight deck enabled > carriers to launch 4 aircraft at once. > > Greg > > > [mod.note: I don't think all WWII carriers had catapults, but they > were quite commonly fitted. - Bill ] Correct Mr. Moderator. The WWII cat was hydraulic and was kept quiet as a "secret weapon" Indeed it's hard to see catapaults in operation from the period because they weren't filmed often. The British gave us the angled deck and the mirror. My father (Navy wings in '55) thanks them :-) His opinion was that there were 3 great inventions for jets. 1. Angled deck 2. Mirror landing system 3. Angle of attack indication Now his opinion of carrier aviation is that it's too safe! Multiple engines, MLS, radar, transistor radios, harumph! :-) (He flew F-3H Demons and F-4 Phantoms ) Ron