Regarding the firing of cars from catapults...

[Truckosaurus]

I assume no-one was in the car being launched from the catapult, or was it some wheeze to get a good 0-60 time like being launched from an aircraft carrier?

[Riley Blue]

Sometime in the '50s or '60s a Riley RM was launched from a RN aircraft carrier catapult. Memory tells me the ship was on its way back to Blighty from the Far East and the car was sent to its watery grave somewhere in the Indian Ocean to cheers from the ship's company.

[tapkaJohnD]

The Royal, and other Navys, may have a passing and amateur interest in catapulting cars, but the world-recognised professionals have to be the Top Gear Clowns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i-op1aceUg&ab...

[shed driver]

It was HMS Victorious and a Ford Prefect.
https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/seavixen/...

My father was part of the SAR (Search and Rescue) Flight in the first commission back in the 1950's and catapulting cars was a regular occurance - just off Malta was a favourite place. He seems to remember there were competitions between the squadrons as to how far they could launch the cars.

SD.

[Touring442]

The Ford 'Prefect' is in fact a Consul/Zephyr Mark 1.






Soz.

[randomeddy]

Before somebody spoils the moment by saying, Ah yes but £7950 these days is £xxx,xxx.

Just let us dream.

[Lily the Pink]

JPvanRossem said:

He was writing in response to something that had appeared in the March issue, which I don't have. Can anyone help?

It will be up in my loft, which I might well be raiding within the next few days; if so I shall hunt it out. I have the complete run from issue no 1 to the mid 80s or thereabouts.

[DB4DM]

Back to catapults, as I recall the final shot over the bow by the old Ark Royal before decommissioning in 1979 was the wardroom upright piano

[Blib]

DB4DM said:

Back to catapults, as I recall the final shot over the bow by the old Ark Royal before decommissioning in 1979 was the wardroom upright piano

One of my neighbours was a captain of the Ark Royal. This may have happened under his command? I'll ask when I see him next.

[DB4DM]

If so, he'll be in his 90s now so interesting to hear his recollections

[Blib]

DB4DM said:

If so, he'll be in his 90s now so interesting to hear his recollections

He's a lovely chap. I think he's in his 80s. He got to Vice Admiral. He writes a column in our monthly village magazine, detailing his exploits in the navy.

[DB4DM]

Is it possible we're referring to different Ark Royals? Or should that be Arks Royal. As the 1984-2011 vessel had no catapults, and the last surviving CO of the 1955-1979 vessel is now 96

[texaxile]

DB4DM said:

Is it possible we're referring to different Ark Royals? Or should that be Arks Royal. As the 1984-2011 vessel had no catapults, and the last surviving CO of the 1955-1979 vessel is now 96

My dad served on the Ark from 70-74, I’ve got a book with deployment details and crew list somewhere. He’s in touch with a few of his (ageing) oppo’s from then, along with some who were on her when she was decommissioned. We’re having a Chinese meal this evening, I’ll ask him if he heard anything about the fate of the piano he often tells me about the “goofing deck” where crew could watch the comings and going’s on the flight deck from a position of relative safety.

[Blib]

DB4DM said:

Is it possible we're referring to different Ark Royals? Or should that be Arks Royal. As the 1984-2011 vessel had no catapults, and the last surviving CO of the 1955-1979 vessel is now 96

Ah! That would be it.

[tapkaJohnD]

JPvanRossem said:

Solicitors acting for an American writer called Ken Purdy wrote to complain of criticism levelled at their client by DSJ and WB, suggesting that legal action may be avoided if Motorsport's writers, "prefer to ignore our client, a fate he would welcome." To which the editor replies, "We are glad to comply with his request to be ignored. No further reference to this gentleman will ever again appear in the columns of Motor Sport - not even an obituary."

Interesting story! Tell us more? Ken Purdy was a writer so revered in the US that the International Motor Press Association has an annual Ken Purdy Award!

[tapkaJohnD]

Thanks, JP!

Gosh, handbags at dawn! Quote "we hate over-dramatisation and too much emphasis on accidents in this context. We see that Ken Purdy is at it again, in the January edition of Esquire"

JOhn

[hairy v]

JPvanRossem said:

Michael Westover of Putney submitted a letter of about 700 words discussing the relative merits of owning a Bentley or a Dachsund, and concludes, "a Dachsund may not be perfect, but if it does give you trouble one can at least pick it up and carry it home."

Edited by JPvanRossem on Monday 21st December 17:04

More on that please.

[Lily the Pink]

And did Bentleymen and/or the illustrious BDC reply in a future issue ?

[Dogwatch]

A most entertaining thread for one who owns neither a Classic, a Bentley or a Dachs!

[tobinen]

Great thread, more please!