F6F launch technique

[mthrockmor]

I have been reading a book titled "The encyclopedia of Aircraft of WW II." I would not imagine that this book is the end all of discussion for combat aircraft though it certainly raises questions that deserve thoughtful answers.

As an example, something I think we should add to our carriers: It notes under the F6F Hellcat ascendancy section, page 208 that a catapult system was created that allowed for the F6F to be launched from the maintenance deck on the carriers USS Yorktown, Enterprise, Wasp and Hornet. It was designed to reduce maindeck congestion during launch operations. It was noted that plans to add this to six more Essex class CVs were scrapped.

On occassion launching from a CV in-game becomes a vulch-fest. The ability to catapult launch a CV from the lower deck, protected from vulching, etc would be a benefit to the action. It would only be for Hellcats, maybe a perked launch. Admitted it was not installed on the remaining Essex CVs, which certainly implies it was not entirely valued or necessary though something we should consider.

Thoughts?

Boo

[Delirium]

Vulching CVs sounds pretty dangerous, I can't see that happening too many times.

The reason the catapult was there was to be able to launch multiple aircraft, since there isn't any friendly collisions, imho it isn't needed in AH.

[Butcher]

Think planes can take off from carriers just fine in Aces high using the deck.

[Lusche]

On occassion launching from a CV in-game becomes a vulch-fest.

This occasion is extremely rare. In the hundreds, maybe thousands of CV fights I've been in over the years, I have seen vulch fests of the CV deck like two or three times. When the CV has lost so much ack that this could happen, it's usually dead.

[Butcher]

This occasion is extremely rare. In the hundreds, maybe thousands of CV fights I've been in over the years, I have seen vulch fests of the CV deck like two or three times. When the CV has lost so much ack that this could happen, it's usually dead.

I've seen it 4-5 times in the past year, it depends on the map and whether there are escort ships - can't remember name of the map but it has carrier groups that have no escorts, take a few B-25H's over to knock out the ack on the ship and wait until someone uses it.

[Larokkit]

To me where this seems to have more benefit to is when you try to get into a heated fight and the cv is zigging and zagging.I tear up a lot of planes taking off from a turning cv.

[Slate]

As an example, something I think we should add to our carriers: It notes under the F6F Hellcat ascendancy section, page 208 that a catapult system was created that allowed for the F6F to be launched from the maintenance deck on the carriers USS Yorktown, Enterprise, Wasp and Hornet. It was designed to reduce maindeck congestion during launch operations. It was noted that plans to add this to six more Essex class CVs were scrapped.

Boo

   It looks like it was tested and the plans were scrapped for further deployment of the system due to problems they encountered with it interfering with topside operations perhaps. The maintenance deck is quite busy I imagine with rearming planes below deck and bringing them back topside for a quick launch. 

[Shifty]

It would be a fun ride though. 

[SmokinLoon]

It would be a fun ride though. 

(Image removed from quote.)

Yeah sure.  You go first.   

[Widewing]

The Yorktown, Enterprise and Hornet were fitted with hanger deck catapults. Enterprise had hers removed during a refit. The other two didn't survive long enough to have them removed. To my understanding, no Essex class had them installed, and we have an Essex class.....