Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Widewing on August 12, 2013, 10:28:46 AM

Title: CV Catapults
Post by: Widewing on August 12, 2013, 10:28:46 AM
Something we don't have is catapults. U.S. WWII vintage carriers had hydraulic catapults. With a full flight deck, there was not enough available flight deck to deck run aircraft. Thus, for a big Alpha Strike, the first 30 or so aircraft would be catapulted off the bow. Once there was adequate flight deck length, the balance would deck run.

I'd like the option to select catapult. This would spawn you near the bow, unable to move. To launch, go to max power and/or WEP and the cat shoots you off three seconds later.

This would eliminate the issue of players trying to counter the turning of the carrier with rudder.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Schen on August 12, 2013, 10:45:07 AM
Sounds like fun +1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Saxman on August 12, 2013, 10:46:21 AM
Would definitely be a neat feature to have. +1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: waystin2 on August 12, 2013, 10:58:41 AM
+1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Karnak on August 12, 2013, 10:58:49 AM
I like the idea.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: 100Coogn on August 12, 2013, 10:59:36 AM
Good idea, but how would it work when a bunch of folks launch at the same time?

Coogan
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Spikes on August 12, 2013, 11:01:41 AM
Good idea, but how would it work when a bunch of folks launch at the same time?

Coogan
I suppose like it does now...each player is provided with one, since there are no collisions.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: earl1937 on August 12, 2013, 11:09:54 AM
Something we don't have is catapults. U.S. WWII vintage carriers had hydraulic catapults. With a full flight deck, there was not enough available flight deck to deck run aircraft. Thus, for a big Alpha Strike, the first 30 or so aircraft would be catapulted off the bow. Once there was adequate flight deck length, the balance would deck run.

I'd like the option to select catapult. This would spawn you near the bow, unable to move. To launch, go to max power and/or WEP and the cat shoots you off three seconds later.

This would eliminate the issue of players trying to counter the turning of the carrier with rudder.
:airplane: Super Idea!! Plus 1,000 and 100 perks for you if they decided to implement that idea. I am not sure how many carriers had that catapult capability  in WW2. Do you have any idea how many were in use as late as 1945?
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Zacherof on August 12, 2013, 11:14:06 AM
Great idea!!!
Heavy D jabo runs might be easeir now :banana:
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Wiley on August 12, 2013, 11:21:48 AM
This would eliminate the issue of players trying to counter the turning of the carrier with rudder.

This alone is worth the price of admission.  +eleventy.

Wiley.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Widewing on August 12, 2013, 11:51:21 AM
:airplane: Super Idea!! Plus 1,000 and 100 perks for you if they decided to implement that idea. I am not sure how many carriers had that catapult capability  in WW2. Do you have any idea how many were in use as late as 1945?

Yorktown, Enterprise, Hornet (CV-5, CV-6 and CV-8), almost Essex class, all CVL and CVE (one cat, port side bow). Yorktown, Enterprise, Hornet were built with a stern cat as well. During sea trials, they were required to demonstrate a launch while steaming in reverse. These were later removed as they proved more a burden than an advantage. Yorktown, Enterprise, Hornet and early Essex class also had cross hanger deck cats. These were almost never used and were later removed.

Essex was initially built without any cats, but this was quickly found to be a liability and one was later installed during her early 1944 refit. After the war, Essex was upgraded to handle Jets and a second cat was installed. 8 of the Essex class were built with one cat, all of the rest had two.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: matt on August 12, 2013, 12:14:34 PM
+1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: tuba515 on August 12, 2013, 01:13:38 PM
+1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Tinkles on August 12, 2013, 01:28:25 PM
+1 eleventy-two :)  :aok

Tinkles

<<S>>
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 12, 2013, 01:29:47 PM
Catapult launches are already modeled .... only off the back of the deck, slung backwards.  ;)

But seriously .....

"In drawing up the preliminary design for Essex, particular attention was directed at the size of both her flight and hangar decks. Aircraft design had come a long way from the comparatively light planes used in carriers during the 1930s. Flight decks now required more takeoff space for the heavier aircraft being developed. Most of the first-line carriers of the pre-war years were equipped with flush deck catapults, but owing to the speed and size of these ships very little catapulting was done except for experimental purposes.

With the advent of war, airplane weights began to go up as armor and armament got heavier; aircrew complements also increased. By the war's end in 1945, catapult launches would become more common under these circumstances, with some carrier commanding officers reporting up to 40% of launches by catapult."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex_class_aircraft_carrier

If we're attempting to make the carrier experience in AHII 'complete' then I would vote yes to cat launches if:

1. Players had the option of spawning on deck at a 'cat' or spawning 'mid deck' for a non-cat take-off. Currently,
we spawn aft deck for launching. Granted, we also take off with a wind neutral environment on the deck. 'Heading
into the wind' was a take-off and landing necessity.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img821/964/5tif.png)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img819/8958/kkhf.png)

(I'd be interested in seeing the hydraulic catapult as a damageable object. Deck elevators, as well. If all the
deck elevators are damaged it would be equivalent to the fighter and bomber hangars down on a land base.)

(http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/hammerman_01/ESSEXCV-95F6FHellcatreadysforcatapu.jpg)
An F6F Hellcat ready for catapult take off from ESSEX, WWII

For additional optional carrier operation ideas:


Geez, Arlo .... take a simple idea and .....  ;)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Saxman on August 12, 2013, 01:42:44 PM
There's no reason to model folding wings, since we don't have to deal with limited storage space on the carriers, and the needs of moving and spotting aircraft. Keep in mind, you also wouldn't taxi on a carrier deck, you'd have deck crew manhandle aircraft to where they needed to be, though maybe something to simulate that instead.

I'd also already like to see multiple carrier types (Lexington, Yorktown, Essex, etc.) modeled for Special Events purposes, with the ability to use the "Country" decals to instead show hull numbers. This can be independent of the catapult idea.

ESPECIALLY like this for adding CVLs/CVEs, which could be used towards removing LVTs from the CV groups and creating separate, specialized "Invasion Groups."
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 12, 2013, 01:45:35 PM
There's no reason to model folding wings, since we don't have to deal with limited storage space on the carriers, and the needs of moving and spotting aircraft. Keep in mind, you also wouldn't taxi on a carrier deck, you'd have deck crew manhandle aircraft to where they needed to be, though maybe something to simulate that instead.

I'd also already like to see multiple carrier types (Lexington, Yorktown, Essex, etc.) modeled for Special Events purposes, with the ability to use the "Country" decals to instead show hull numbers. This can be independent of the catapult idea.

ESPECIALLY like this for adding CVLs/CVEs, which could be used towards removing LVTs from the CV groups and creating separate, specialized "Invasion Groups."

I'm of the opinion that this was never a wish of need but a wish of likes. The only potential need for cats, imo, is to assist those who currently have trouble taking off from an AHII carrier. But the like of it I can understand ... for immersive purpose.  As such, I added my short list of what would add a little immersion on AHII carriers. :D
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Zacherof on August 12, 2013, 01:54:57 PM
Real men fly the bird cage :neener:
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 12, 2013, 01:56:24 PM
Real men fly the bird cage :neener:

(http://haengineering.net/images/robin-williams-movies-birdcage-i12.jpg)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Zacherof on August 12, 2013, 02:47:26 PM
(http://haengineering.net/images/robin-williams-movies-birdcage-i12.jpg)
:rofl :rofl :rofl
Precisely!!! :aok
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Karnak on August 12, 2013, 03:22:34 PM
I'd also already like to see multiple carrier types (Lexington, Yorktown, Essex, etc.) modeled for Special Events purposes, with the ability to use the "Country" decals to instead show hull numbers. This can be independent of the catapult idea.
If it is for events wouldn't an Illustrious class and Hiryū class make more sense than more American classes?
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 12, 2013, 03:24:58 PM
If it is for events wouldn't an Illustrious class and Hiryū class make more sense than more American classes?

Yes. Amen yes. Except Akagi.  ;)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Saxman on August 12, 2013, 04:55:10 PM
If it is for events wouldn't an Illustrious class and Hiryū class make more sense than more American classes?

Those were under "Etc." because I didn't want to list about a dozen different classes. ;-P
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Karnak on August 12, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
Those were under "Etc." because I didn't want to list about a dozen different classes. ;-P
Ah.  I'd post the most significant ones that I thought were the highest priority by name and then leave the reader to ponder what the "Ect" might cover.  Listing a bunch more US carrier classes implies those are the needed ones in the writer's view.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 12, 2013, 06:06:08 PM
Meh, I like Sax. And I like the potential for modeling at least one flat-top each for the nations that used them significantly in this war.

(http://midway1942.org/img/ships/ijn_cv_akagi.png)

(http://warshippictures.webs.com/gallery/Illustrious.jpg)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Zacherof on August 12, 2013, 06:08:18 PM
Second pic isnt showing :O :neener:
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Karnak on August 12, 2013, 06:09:25 PM
Second pic isnt showing :O :neener:
Shows for me.  It is HMS Illustrious.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Dragon Tamer on August 12, 2013, 08:15:30 PM
+1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Zacherof on August 12, 2013, 08:23:17 PM
Shows for me.  It is HMS Illustrious.
That's funky logged on to my cp and didnt see but I can on an iphone :headscratch:

By the way arlo, good pics :aok
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Lone82 on August 16, 2013, 02:29:25 PM
+1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Mano on August 16, 2013, 03:06:34 PM
PULL !

+1

 :aok
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 16, 2013, 03:11:17 PM
PULL !

+1

 :aok

(http://gifs.gifbin.com/012010/1264091579_kirk_rofl.gif)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Tinkles on August 16, 2013, 03:52:58 PM
(http://gifs.gifbin.com/012010/1264091579_kirk_rofl.gif)

Flippin full of GIF's aren't ya Arlo?  :lol

Tinkles

<<S>>
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on August 17, 2013, 12:38:33 AM
Flippin full of GIF's aren't ya Arlo?  :lol

Tinkles

<<S>>

You can't sling a cat on the internet without hitting one (also the Trek one's appeal to my Trekkie-nerd side).

(http://i.imgur.com/RnD9h.gif)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Lone82 on December 07, 2013, 01:55:35 PM
Bumping to let guy with Jap Carrier wish check it out
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: XxDaSTaRxx on January 01, 2014, 09:40:12 PM
Wooooo! :aok +1
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Shifty on January 01, 2014, 10:01:22 PM
How about the hanger deck catapult?

(http://www.its.caltech.edu/~drmiles/images/cv-12_hanger_deck_cat.jpg)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: XxDaSTaRxx on January 01, 2014, 10:02:30 PM
How about the hanger deck catapult?

(http://www.its.caltech.edu/~drmiles/images/cv-12_hanger_deck_cat.jpg)
That.... I would not dare go on it.  :uhoh
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Mano on January 02, 2014, 12:35:24 PM
Ever try taking off heavy when someone turns the boat?

Would be cool if you had the catapult option and avoided colliding with the tower on takeoff.
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on January 02, 2014, 01:40:54 PM
Ever try taking off heavy when someone turns the boat?

Would be cool if you had the catapult option and avoided colliding with the tower on takeoff.

Not the reasoning I would use for catapults.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58k4te5WFLQ
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Volron on January 02, 2014, 02:26:29 PM
Not the reasoning I would use for catapults.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58k4te5WFLQ

Oh come on Arlo. :bhead  If you were in a 1D fully loaded with ords with 100% fuel, THEN I'd say you are on to something. :)

Also, you didn't post enough pictures of Japanese CV's. :(
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Delirium on January 02, 2014, 04:24:44 PM
I enjoy turning the carrier just as a bunch of people are taking off or landing on it. It makes for great comic relief!
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on January 02, 2014, 07:07:59 PM
I'd say you are on to something. :)

http://youtu.be/Wmj2eohfDsk

 ;)
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Volron on January 03, 2014, 10:48:35 AM
http://youtu.be/Wmj2eohfDsk

 ;)

 :lol
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: 49Boob on January 04, 2014, 06:18:43 PM
+1 I love the cat idea would really help hvy hogs and hellkittys don't have long enough legs to up heavy and be far enough out for the enemy to have to find the cv. I like upping 2 sectors or more away with SBDs and hogs
 ALSO IJN RN CVS  :O :O :O
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: HawkerMKII on January 05, 2014, 05:38:59 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx7Gto1zrrg
Title: Re: CV Catapults
Post by: Arlo on January 05, 2014, 04:24:44 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx7Gto1zrrg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzT8btfu1D8

(Alas, it's not practical to want every single thing that ever happened on
an aircraft carrier in WWII to be modeled - in our lifetime.) *ShruG*