Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 31 text:

VVHILE CREWMEN attach bridle, critical director insures plane is correctly positioned on track. AWAITING SIGNAL from Catapult Officer, deck-edge control operator prepares to fire port cat. EAR-SPLITTING shriek rends air as Demon applies power, is hurled forward in cloud of escaping steam. .

Page 30 text:

WM? ff! ff V 2 Front Row. G.R. Haught, J.W. Dzwonczyk, R.E. Wright, J.lVI. Grissom, G.A. Warner, J.H. Featherstone, DJ. Whitzel, A.G. Choiniere C E. Brintnall. Second Row: AJ. Caliri, Hodges, W.G.E. Hurley, D.W. McCormack, L.R. Martino, A. Mercier, N.M. Garrett E J. White, J.C. Welch, M.L. Callahan, R.L. Nordquist, G.K. Begbie. Third Row: G.F. Hedge, D.G. Fennell, G.B. Henderson, EJ Green LT G.E. RUSSELL ' LT W.A. RUBEY Getting the LEX's potent striking force of aircraft quickly and safely airborne is the function of her power- ful steam catapults, kept gleaming and ready by V-2's skilled catapult crewsg From the forward end of the catapults, where the bridle-arrestor men balance precariously on protruding booms retrieving the spent bridles, to the after end where the hook-up men attach bridles and holdbacks inches from whirling propellers and searing tailpipesg from the flight deck, whereideck-edge men coordinate the operation, to the below-deck console and retracting-engine rooms where crews swelter at steam-heated 1300 temperat- ures amid a maze of dials, valves, and switches-each man is aware that the safety of pilot and plane, and the life of his friend laboring alongside him, may depend on the skill and thoroughness with which he performs his duties. The LEX,s over 9,000 successful launches attest to the diligence with which these men have met their responsibility. L R D. Spencer, C.R. Holloway, j.E. Franks, PJ. Anible, R.A. Olsen, L.D. Winter, Wuitschicli. Th Bricll and The Wire ,CATAPULT CONSOLE operator keeps close watch on secondhand to achieve perfect timing

Page 32 text:

CREWMEN MAKING FINAL ADJUSTMENTS WILL ROLL FROM UNDER PLANE SPLIT-SECOND BEFORE LAUNCH. FLAPS AND TAIL-HOOK LOWERED, DEMON HURTLES ABOARD FOR TRAP LANDING. 'IT I I I E ra L4 ,, I L. If c 9 I I I r 1 .L I I I 5-