Looking at the photo closer, the “posts” attached near the wing joints are definitely static and need to be removed prior to firing. I’ll bet that the posts, along with the nose “post” and the radiator cover are all designed to provide heating so that the aircraft will actually start when called upon.

Perhaps this is a refined example of the catapult assembly? Be sure nice to see some drawings.

I think you’re onto something HurriRV7. Since you posted this I’ve been trying to recall if I read something to that effect, but memory fails so I’ll try to research it. I’ve definitely seen a few photo’s of the catapult with the ducting beneath and around the catapult arm as seen in your photo, (but none with the pipes to the aircraft) and many without it, so it does suggest a later or limited feature or modification.

Very interesting photo HurriRV7. The catapult and trolley look like the usual CAM ship variety, but the 5 upright posts attached to the Hurricane’s wings and nose and their related fittings are a mystery. Maybe Tim can enlighten us?

Very good – thanks Tim.

Corgi has done a nice model of JX-T P3169. One of my favorites. 🙂

Does a closeup of your “The Jeep” noseart exist?

No.
http://hobojeepers.tripod.com/eugene.htm. Supposedly magical. Fat lot of good it did me!!

= Tim

Judging by the date in your log Tim, The Jeep was applied just the day before your being shot down? The paint could barely have dried – maybe not enough time for the magic to take effect?? 😉 😉

Did you paint Jeep on the aircraft or did someone else (Erk?), and was it only on the one side?

I hope all these questions aren’t too tedious Tim – I’m certain I’m not the only one finding all this very intriguing! 🙂 Even your log pages are very interesting reading. I have an uncle’s log from his time with 428 Sqn as a Lanc rear gunner. In combination with his diary it is fascinating reading.

Who was the artist, and was The Jeep on both sides of the nose or just port?

Wouldn’t that be fantastic to find in an archives somewhere a general arrangement drawing for a catapult. The suggestion to look in the Imperial War Museum online archives sounds interesting.

That would be wonderful. I still believe the National Archives may have something, but it would take a physical visit and hours of sifting through some of the documents I’ve identified as possible sources. They’re simply too large and expensive to have copied whole or have an archivist review.

(As a funny aside, I read in another forum that a catapult from a CAM ship was removed and used for a walking bridge across a creek in Newcastle, Australia. A friend there investigated for me and was assured by the local museum that this was another “urban myth”. Oh well).

I’ve heard there is a catapult section that was removed from a CAM ship and is now with an Australian museum. Need to research that one. Never heard any rumor of it being a foot bridge! 🙂

not at all Tim. Questioned it myself as the tail looks to sit low so it will be fixed shortly. Do you have the AOA? One source says 5.25 degrees?

Hello HUrriRV7,

Other books I’d recommend are ‘The Catafighters’ and ‘Focke-Wulf Condor – Scourge of the Atlantic’, both by Kenneth Poolman. Also, FlyPast magazine (Key Publishing) recently produced their special ‘Hurricane Salute’ issue which has a 6 page article called ‘One Way Hurricanes’ with some info and photographs I’ve not found anywhere else.

As for catapult plans, I haven’t found any yet but I’ll bet they’re out there somewhere. I’ve researched records at the National Archives (UK) and going on the very brief descriptions of microfiched documents related to catapulting Hurricanes I’ve paid for some to be copied and mailed with fingers crossed there’d be some schematics or detailed photo’s involved. So far it’s yeilded some interesting communications and data, but not the plans I hoped for. Some of the document sets are very large so the reproduction costs are too prohibitive for my budget.

My catapult model has resulted from extensive research of many photo’s and I’d encourage you to look into the Imperial War Museum’s photo archives online. High quality digital copies like the one I posted above can be purchased and delivered via email for a reasonable price.
The most important tip I can offer on the catapult arm design is, don’t assume it is a standard Warren or Pratt style truss. It is Pratt in (most, not all) sections, but it changes directions. 😉 Most models I’ve seen made that assumption and I almost did myself.