AEROPLANE CATAPULTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 307, 27 December 1924, Page 4

AEROPLANE CATAPULTS.

Among the new features in the American cruisers of the Omaha class —now entering service—is the provision of cataputs for launching aeroplanes. For some years the United States authorities have been trying out euch a device, and from its adoption in their newest vessels it is fair to infer that they are satisfied with its utility. The cataputs are of the revolving type, and manifestly the efficient use of them in cruisers and battleships reduces the requirements in aircraft-carriers, of which, according to the British Parliamentary Return of Fleets, the United States has only two, as compared with six in the Royal Navy. Two more, however, the ex-battle cruisers Lexington and Saratoga, are being converted. As the latter vessels of the Omaha class have made extensive "shakedown" cruises overseas, no doubt many British naval officers must have seen these interesting devices on board them for launching already into flight.