Catapult Aircraft: Seaplanes That Flew From Ships Without Flight Decks

A concise history of this specialty aircraft used during World Wars I and II.

During World War I, the navies of the opposing forces discovered the value of aerial reconnaissance, and many experiments were made to allow larger warships to carry one or sometimes two aircraft aboard. In the early days these were float planes that were lowered by crane into the sea and then lifted back aboard upon their return. This was a lengthy affair and when a speedy departure was necessary, time was of th...