Carriers!

[colmbo]

The only catapults in operation during WWII were for seaplanes or light recon aircraft, where most returned to their ship after launching, landed in the water, and were then hoisted/fetched via crane out of the water and back aboard the ship.  (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bermuda_(52) )

Not true.  The Enterprise had a hangar deck catapult that launched the aircraft out of the side (there's a pic of a Wildcat being launched), it wasn't used much, just didn't work all that well.

There are several WWII era pics of Corsairs being catapult launched.

Their use on CVs was limited during WWII.

[MK-84]

A catapult might make me spill my beer -1

[Hamltnblue]

From what I see it looks like the catapults weren't in place to allow heavier aircraft launch, but to allow for shorter take-offs. This would free up a large portion of flight deck for storage, prep, and maybe even landing.
Having cataults in AH would slow things down. With long waiting lines since only 1 or 2 could launch at a time.

[Arlo]

From what I see it looks like the catapults weren't in place to allow heavier aircraft launch, but to allow for shorter take-offs. This would free up a large portion of flight deck for storage, prep, and maybe even landing.
Having cataults in AH would slow things down. With long waiting lines since only 1 or 2 could launch at a time.

Common sense has reported to this thread.

[321BAR]

From what I see it looks like the catapults weren't in place to allow heavier aircraft launch, but to allow for shorter take-offs. This would free up a large portion of flight deck for storage, prep, and maybe even landing.
Having cataults in AH would slow things down. With long waiting lines since only 1 or 2 could launch at a time.

so.... perfect for scenario use then?


and as said before 40% of launches were using catapults

[Arlo]

so.... perfect for scenario use then?

Are you thinking this through? Simulating launch and form up can be tried without the cat by spacing out the launches. I'm fairly certain that would go over like a lead balloon. 

[321BAR]

Are you thinking this through? Simulating launch and form up can be tried without the cat by spacing out the launches. I'm fairly certain that would go over like a lead balloon. 

lead balloons fly!!!