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Yes, it was definitely a stopgap made in the early days of the Battle of the Atlantic. IIRC only 35 CAM launches were ever made in anger, and they managed to down several FW 200 Condor aircraft that were tracking convoys for the U-boats. 12 of the ships were lost to U-boats while serving with the convoys (again IIRC).

I believe the catapults and planes were removed from the surviving ships once the US was able to build enough escort carriers to supply the USN and Royal Navy (plus other Allied navies).
 
Carriers, etc.

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Fleet Air Arm Seafires and a lonesome Stringbag.

Grumman Tarpons (oh the fun the lower ranks would have had with that name)

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When I lived in NB back in 1980-82 the government was using a fleet of Avengers to spray against the Spruce Budworm infestation. Fredericton airport resembled a WW2 navy base every spring when they were tuning up and test flying those birds. AFAIK they were all surplus RCN Avengers.
 
Yes, it was definitely a stopgap made in the early days of the Battle of the Atlantic. IIRC only 35 CAM launches were ever made in anger, and they managed to down several FW 200 Condor aircraft that were tracking convoys for the U-boats. 12 of the ships were lost to U-boats while serving with the convoys (again IIRC).

I believe the catapults and planes were removed from the surviving ships once the US was able to build enough escort carriers to supply the USN and Royal Navy (plus other Allied navies).

Had to go look it up, because it struck me as a lot of effort put into very little use...

In fact, only 9 combat CAM launches occurred before the program was disbanded. Resulting in 8 air victories and 1 probable (damaged), for the loss of 8 CAM Aircraft, and 1 pilot lost to injuries.

1 of the CAM aircraft managed to make it to a Russian aerodrome after destroying 2 HE 111's (North Sea convoy).

Of 35 CAM ships, 12 were sunk by U-Boats, a staggering loss rate indicative of the dangers and losses to convoys during 1941-42, when the CAMs were operating.
 
Had to go look it up, because it struck me as a lot of effort put into very little use...

In fact, only 9 combat CAM launches occurred before the program was disbanded. Resulting in 8 air victories and 1 probable (damaged), for the loss of 8 CAM Aircraft, and 1 pilot lost to injuries.

1 of the CAM aircraft managed to make it to a Russian aerodrome after destroying 2 HE 111's (North Sea convoy).

Of 35 CAM ships, 12 were sunk by U-Boats, a staggering loss rate indicative of the dangers and losses to convoys during 1941-42, when the CAMs were operating.

Can you tell me your source(s)? Mine seem to be in error re: number of combat launches.
 
Merry Christmas.

Somewhere out there, in a place that isn't in the news, you can believe that there's an angel looking out for men willing to do the hard things to make us a bit safer.

 
Caption for that Battleship:
The battleship IJN Hyuga sunk at her mooring off of Nasake Shima Island. Note the camouflage scheme visible on the superstructure and main gun turrets and barbettes. The left side of the main superstructure has been badly damaged by direct bombs hits. Image courtesy of NARA and Fold3.
Image 1 of 4
http://www.wtj.com/articles/brehm/hyuga.htm
 
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“Gravel Gertie” (Z-Square 29)
Martin-Omaha B-29-15-MO Superfortress
s/n 42-65221
882nd BS, 500th BG, 20th AF
Show after suffering a landing gear collapse on August 6,1945.
 
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