HMS Hermes 1960

[Harry Basset]

The splash is the steel wire bridle falling into the sea. It was a length of steel wire with loops at each end which were attached to aft facing hooks on the bottom of the aircraft, the centre of the bridle fitted over a hook on the catapult shuttle. When the aircraft was positioned on the catapult a hold back was attached, the bridle fitted onto the hooks then to the shuttle on the catapult was tensioned by admitting a little charge of steam. This prevented the bridle coming adrift, on the actual launch with a full charge of steam the hold back broke apart when sufficient force was generated, the shuttle shot forward and the bridle towed the aircraft. At the end of the catapult stroke the shuttle was stopped and the aircraft and bridle continued on their way with the bridle dropping off the hooks to fall into the sea. I believe Ark Royal in the Phantom era had bridle catchers fitted

[FlyTexas]

Thanks very much for the detailed information, Harry.

Brian

[SkippyBing]

Harry's right on the bridle information, modern US carriers do away with it completely having a hook on device mounted on the nose undercarriage. Not sure if there was a Skyraider, I'll have to watch it again, but some of the footage seems to be from the Victorious (the big V on the Scimitar's tail gave it away for me) and there are two carriers shown in formation . I'm afraid (glad?) to report we no longer dress quite so smartly for dinner every evening in fact sometimes Officers have been known to wear denim to go ashore for the evening.

[nazca_steve]

Check out this shot of a Sea Hawk launching where you can see the bridle falling just below it:

[steve p]

Great footage.

I saw the Skyraider too.

Best wishes
Steve P

[Filonian]

Great find and watch,

Many thanks.

Graham

[FlyTexas]

Check out this shot of a Sea Hawk launching where you can see the bridle falling just below it:

Yep, there it is. I wouldn't mind being employed by the company who manufactures the bridles. Talk about job security! Thanks for sharing the pic!

Brian

[steve p]

Yep, there it is. I wouldn't mind being employed by the company who manufactures the bridles. Talk about job security! Thanks for sharing the pic!

Blimey! for all these years I've been thinking that they used a huge, reusable elastic band.

Best wishes
Steve P