U.S. Navy and Carrier Aviation
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An F-4B is launched from one of the waist catapults of the USS Independence
(CVA-62) during the Vietnam War. The aircraft is carring two 1,000lb bombs
(MK-83) and air-to-air missiles. The top photo shows the aircraft as the
catapult is fired. The second shows the aircraft halfway down the catapult
track, and the third show the aircraft after it is released from the catapult.
On the Independence, the catapult pulls the aircraft for less than 300ft and
accelerates it from zero to more than 170mph. The entire sequence from the
first photo to the last takes less that two seconds.
Carrier pilots say that there is nothing as good as sex, but that a heavy weight cat shot is a close second. |