Ever hear of a catapult shot sideways from the Hangar Deck?
Yep, Hangar Deck catapults were a thing on certain Essex-class carriers, as seen in this photo taken #OTD in 1944 of an F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-2 being shot from the USS Hornet (CV-12) during training in Chesapeake Bay. The idea was to be able to quickly launch a scout plane in an emergency if the deck was fouled. With a short cat shot and no headwind (in fact usually a crosswind), it was a wild ride for aircrews!
It was tried on the first six Essex-class carriers (except Essex itself which was being rushed into service as the design was being perfected). However, the advancement of radar technologies replacing the need for scout planes made the extra weight and hazardous procedure quickly obsolete. By 1944, they were removed from five of the ships, with only Hornet retaining hers.
An East German map of the area during the days of the Iron Wall.
