how did the Navy launch an aircraft as large as a C-47 from an Essex class aircraft carrier?

Subdeacon Joe · January 9

Navy General Board

nStreodopslu2i0f0ft4113h2i3chl7439l851t0g5483c0106lct5u708a7 ·

The Essex class aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) passing through the Panama Canal In 1947. She is carrying an carrying an unusual airgroup for an aircraft carrier, six Douglas R4D-5L transports. These aircraft, variants of the famous Douglas C-47 Skytrain, were destined for the Antarctic where they would take part in Operation High Jump.

Operation Highjump was Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd's scientific expedition to the frozen continent in 1947 for exploration and mapping purposes. Once Philippine Sea arrived in Antarctica, she launched these aircraft to support the expedition ashore.

Navy General Board ·

Follow

eSnsorpodt6mf2f28cah6m08mg0f1g63a7081lt34u04uc01g3mh0312u9ut ·

After the last post with USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), I figured I would address the Elephant in the room before I was inevitably asked.

Specifically, how did the Navy launch an aircraft as large as a C-47 from an Essex class aircraft carrier?

You might be drawing some parallels between this and the Doolittle Raid. USS USS Hornet launched a batch of B-25 bombers. USS Philippine Sea probably did it in the same manner right?

Not quite. The C-47 was a much larger aircraft compared to a B-25. Where a B-25 was 52' in length and with a wingspan of 67', the C-47 was 63' in length and 95' from wingtip to wingtip.

Okay, but the Essex class were bigger than USS Hornet was. Surely that made up for it?

Again, not quite!

The Douglas R4D-5Ls were just a bit too big to safely launch conventionally. The wingspan was just large enough that there was a very real possibility that the wingtip could strike the island as the aircraft rumbled down the flightdeck.

For this reason, the aircraft could only take off from the forward half of the carrier's flightdeck, leaving them about 400' of usable flight deck.

How did they take off?

Rockets!

JATO (Jet-Assisted Take-Off) Rockets were strapped to the underside of each R4D, allowing them to get up to speed so they can safely take off.

The rockets worked well, allowing all of the R4Ds to safely take-off without mishap. They would go on to be instrumental in Operation Highjump, allowing the expedition to map out hundreds of thousands of miles of new territory.