description
Object description
Steam catapult trials carried out by the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm in the mid-1950s.
Full description
I. Trials filmed in Devonport: objects of increasing bulk and size are catapulted off a ramp built onto the forward flight deck of a Glory/Majestic Class carrier (?) and fall into the sea several hundred yards away.
Full description
II. Pilotless late-type Supermarine Seafire aircraft (the first few minus a substantial portion of their wings) being catapulted off the raised ramp of the same carrier as in item I, now safely out to sea. Later, piloted Grumman Avenger and Fairey Firefly aircraft are launched from the catapult, followed by a twin-engined Blackburn aircraft with contra-rotating propellers, a De Havilland Sea Venom (?) and a De Havilland Hornet and finally a prototype Supermarine Attacker. All of these launches are without incident.
Physical description
35mm
