CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[Intrepid]

A successful ship design lasts half a century and more. But there are also ship designs that were only good for a short period of service. For example, the Invincible-class aircraft carriers were in service from 1980 to 2014. The South Dakota class battleships were only in service from 1942 to 1947.

Remember: nobody knows what aircraft will look like 20 years from now.

 

[j818cm]

 

[Intrepid]

But only two catapults on the forecastle?

 

[KampfAlwin]

But only two catapults on the forecastle?

Isn‘t that normal? Having 2 catapults at the front?

 

[KampfAlwin]

But only two catapults on the forecastle?

Ah, sorry I think I know what you mean, it’s the third catapult right? In this tweet, 2nd picture, it appears the 3rd catapult module hasn‘t been mounted as you can see the gap between the flight deck and the area where it’s supposed to be.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1401448990630051843

 

[Kejora]

The ship's bridge


The front end of the flight deck, you could see the catapult rails

 

[Intrepid]

Two catapult tracks on the foredeck are clearly visible. I can't identify the third catapult track on the angled deck.

 

[Mirabo]

A different angle on the waist catapult module dockside.

 

[Kejora]

A different angle on the waist catapult module dockside.

That's the forecastle, you could see two catapult rails

 

[Mirabo]

That's the forecastle, you could see two catapult rails

I can't make out too clearly if the modules have a straight or angled edge. My first impression was that, being so long and straight, it should be for the waist catapult. Maybe the dockside module is actually two separate modules which are supposed to go on the bow.

EDIT: On closer inspection, I think you're right. They are actually two separate modules and the one further away has a taper, indicating it should be the forwardmost module.

Maybe this could be a better candidate for the waist catapult?