WIX Archives

Re: Steam catapult trial airframes

Posted by Paul McMillan on Wed Jul 31, 2002 12:00:18 PM

In reply top Re: Steam catapult trial airframes posted by Cees on Wed Jul 31, 2002 06:13:30 AM

Found the paragraph..
"Another series of trials was concerned with the launch of dead weights from the advanced (steam) catapult then under development. Originally the dead weights were metal tanks loaded to specific values, and in order to make the trials more realistic it was decided to use surplus Seafire 45s.
The first aircraft had the outer wing panels from the cannon fold removed and was launched in the tail down position off the Isle of Wight from a carrier.
Instead of the Seafire ditching immediately ahead of the carrier it took off and flew in ever decreasing circles around the trials vessel. After five minutes the
decision was taken to 'shoot the Seafire down', but before action could be taken the aircraft entered the water to general relief."





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