Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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ft .! . Nw' t,.sy.:.mrm.,.uA...mv-fw.Xf.r+fsaQA.. f.mw.t....1xv.mmm.AM.,LWi.M.v,. . v-v . . -. I BRIDLE CATCHERS IN ACTION DURING LAUNCH AT PIER THE MEN The men of V2 make the adjustments and settings for each launch or landing that mean safety or disaster for the pilot and his aircraft they hook up bridles and holdbacks and they disengage arresting wires within inches of searing jet blast and whirling prop spin they clean and lubricate repair and maintain check and re check to keep the Lex keep em flying, and flying safely. STANDING BY, READY T0 PUSH THE BUTTON THAT LAUNCHES. THE LAUNCH- THE RECOVERY PURPOSE-The value of today's carrier lies mainly in the range and striking power of the aircraft she carries. An indication of her readiness is her ability to put those planes into action and retrieve them-the function of her catapults and arresting gear. The speed, efficiency and safety with which this is accomplished is the measure of her crew: the Lex consistently attained the 20 second launching interval and the 25 second landing interval throughout the cruise, and as this book went to press, approximately 5,000 launches and 6,500 landings had been completed without serious malfunction. The Lex is fitted with the most powerful and modern catapults and arresting gear of any comparable carrier in the world today. THE CATAPULTS-Performance figures for the type C-11 Mod. 1 steam catapults are still classified, but it can be said that they are capable of launching far heavier aircraft, at higher airspeed requirements, than the planes being developed for carrier use today. The tremendous capabilities of the catapults was dramatically demonstrated when the Lex, under calm wind conditions, nonchalantly tossed its entire air group into the air-from AT to AD- while tied to the pier at Yokosuka. THE ARRESTTNG GEAR-What catapults can launch, the Mark 7 Mod. 3 arresting engines can stop. They are designed to bring a 60,000 pound aircraft, with a deck speed of 105 knots, to a safe, smooth stop in approximately 70 yards. This is the equivalent of stopping a 3,000 pound automobile which is travelling at 540 mph.

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FLATTENED TO THE DECK, THEIR BRIDLE HOOKED, V-2 MEN GRIT TEETH AGAINST ROARING, REVOLVING JET. O I The splll' second before the . . . STOIC CONTROLMAN ARCS HAND TOWARD BUTTON AT MOMENT CATAPULT OFFICER WAVES PLANE DOWN DECK