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Post by Baz on Aug 2, 2009 4:09:11 GMT 1
Hi Don I intend to have one of my planes half out of the side hanger, so that should make the internal modifications a little less bothersome. Also if I can, I also want to have the cockpit canopy in the open position. That might pose a bit of head scratching, and some very fine sawing or cutting. Might have to call in a neurosurgeon ..... He can check me out at the same time ......
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Post by mike on Aug 6, 2009 8:44:11 GMT 1
Anybody know if the catapult cradel that the arado aircraft sits on, was attachedto the catapult as a unit, or did the aircraft sit on it when stowed in the hanger, and wheeled out as a unit aand attached to the catapult for launching. mike
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Post by Robert on Aug 10, 2009 19:23:34 GMT 1
Hi Mike,
To answer your question, the "Warship Profile no. 33: German Battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau" says about aircraft, I quote: "The hangar could take two Arado 196, and was positioned between the funnel and the forward catapult. The aircraft were lifted by a crane... and placed on the forward catapult..." I'd assume this is how it worked on the Bismarck too. Just like with our modern carriers (well, obviously not for the ones carrying Harriers!) The plane comes to the position where the cradle (hook) is in the catapult, the cradle being lost at sea afterward once the aircraft is launched. How does it sound?
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Post by Daniel on Aug 10, 2009 21:43:44 GMT 1
Modern Aicraft cariers dont use cradles do they? I thought they were steam powered, they would hook on to the undercarriage of the aircraft and hurl them along, when the piston reaches the end then the hook slings the plane off the deck using its own undercariage, no need for a seperate cradle?
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Post by Robert on Aug 10, 2009 23:10:10 GMT 1
Close, Daniel. Yesterday's catapult system was composed of a rail and a sliding cradle from where the aircraft was hurled. Today, the cradle has been replaced with a hook, propelled by steam power in a channeling located inside the bridge. Several TV reports on the French carrier "Charles de Gaulle," show the catapulted hook and rope diving into the sea while at the same time the plane is taking off. Hope that hook isn't made of gold or I start a new professional diver career tomorrow! Here is a link showing a close-up of the catapult system on the Charles de Gaulle, and the rope when it goes into water. The hook being heavier comes next. www.netmarine.net/g/dossiers/catapultage/index.htmAnd a newly found Arado being hurled from the Scharnhorst to illustrate. Cheers. Maybe at that time the cradle was saved for further launches and just sliding back and forth?
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Post by Baz on Aug 11, 2009 1:34:58 GMT 1
Another great piccie
Thanks Robert
Baz
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Post by mike on Aug 12, 2009 14:08:52 GMT 1
Hi Robert looking at that picture , the cradle stays with the catapult after launch, so I reckon if you have an aircraft in the hanger the cradel will be sat on the catapult, correct me if im wrong. mike
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Post by Robert on Aug 12, 2009 17:27:52 GMT 1
Hi boys, Mike, looking at the pic. posted two days ago, I'd tend to believe the same thing as you! Last night I found another pic., taken from the German battleship 'Admiral Scheer' in '36. Well, I'm not an expert at hurling aircraft from catapults, you know, so I cannot be called a 'Batman'! ;D Here, the cradle does seem not to be willing to dive into waters. What do you think yourself, could it confirm our theory? Any suggestions are welcome, gents! Cheers!
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Post by swanrail on Aug 12, 2009 23:38:50 GMT 1
Makes sense that the cradle stays on the catapault after launch, else storage of spare cradles would be a major problem! Bismarck was credited with over a 100 launches, a lot of metalwork to lose!
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Post by mike on Aug 13, 2009 20:21:32 GMT 1
Hi Robert and Don thanks for the input, has anyone else have any ideas. mike
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Post by nm on Aug 14, 2009 0:30:01 GMT 1
Remember the stalling speed of these aircraft was very low compared to modern carrier aircraft. Four things (correct me if I'm wrong) contribute to the airflow: the speed of the ship, the boost from the catapult, the pull of the propeller and the blast effect of the propeller on the wings.
Fiesler (can't remember the model number, but they beat Arado in this competition) designed a torpedo-carrying biplane for the Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier that could fly so slowly it came from 9,800 feet (3,000m?) to below a thousand feet without moving forward (or diving vertically).
nm
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Post by Thymen on Aug 14, 2009 16:54:06 GMT 1
In my opinion the German designers couldn't have lived with a design in which the cradle went swimming (the French way so to say ) and the photo's posted above seem to confirm the cradle stayed on the catapult.
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Post by Robert on Aug 14, 2009 18:03:20 GMT 1
I agree with you, Thymen. The cradle had to remain on the catapult.
As for the catapult system on the Charles de Gaulle, the carrier was designed to receive for the first time in French naval history the American system, so U.S. aircraft can now land/take off from it. If "Big Charles" had known it, he'd still turn in his grave!
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Post by mike on Aug 15, 2009 20:31:04 GMT 1
Hi Robert I think we were right, after reading all the posts. So Im going to have one arado on the catapult ready to launch, and the other wings folded but hanging on the crane ready to lower on to the cradel. next question where were the attachment points on the aircraft for the crane.mike
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Post by Robert on Aug 16, 2009 10:33:18 GMT 1
Aaaarrgghhh, Mike! I'll see what I can find on that matter. Cheers
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