I didn't know an aircraft carrier could do this
Discussion
Mars said:
I've always wondered what causes the lean. Is it simply where the CoG is relative to the waterline?
Nearly. Centre of Gravity and Centre of Buoyancy.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacentric_height#:...
HMS Invincible lost a Sea Harrier over the side during the Falklands War during a high speed turn.
From Sea Harrier over the Falklands by Sharkey Ward:
“Mike was sitting on deck behind Paul’s Jet down aft. Both were burning and turning, on the centre-line and ready for launch - so the deck chains had been taken off. It’s wet on the deck and you know how slippery it has become recently - like a bloody ice-rink. The ship was in a hard turn to starboard at a fairly high speed and so she was heeling to port quite markedly. There was also a 40-knot wind over the deck from starboard, and the deck was heaving up and down badly in the heavy sea. The ship lurched strongly against the sea when without warning the nose of Mike’s aircraft swung to the left through 90 degrees, and in spite of the brakes she slid gracefully over the side. He could do absolutely nothing about it and ejected as the nose dropped. He was picked up by the SAR helicopter in less than two minutes!”
Later that day:
“When the briefing was over, we invited JJ [CO HMS Invincible] to the wardroom for a quick drink with the boys and he accepted with pleasure. Robin Kent, Ralph Wykes-Snead and others welcomed the Captain and we all relaxed and discussed the events of the day. JJ was obviously enjoying his short break from the bridge and the Ops Rooms when Dave Braithwaite sauntered over from the bar. At that moment we were chatting about the SHAR going over the side. Suddenly Dave came out with one of the classic lines of the war. Without a by your leave, he looked JJ square in the eye and, in totally inappropriate AWI [Air Warfare Instructor - think TOPGUN] fashion, bullishly said, ‘That’ll teach you to treat this ship like a ****ing speedboat, eh, Sir?’ He was rapidly removed by the Senior Pilot, and when he had gone the Captain had a good laugh.”
From Sea Harrier over the Falklands by Sharkey Ward:
“Mike was sitting on deck behind Paul’s Jet down aft. Both were burning and turning, on the centre-line and ready for launch - so the deck chains had been taken off. It’s wet on the deck and you know how slippery it has become recently - like a bloody ice-rink. The ship was in a hard turn to starboard at a fairly high speed and so she was heeling to port quite markedly. There was also a 40-knot wind over the deck from starboard, and the deck was heaving up and down badly in the heavy sea. The ship lurched strongly against the sea when without warning the nose of Mike’s aircraft swung to the left through 90 degrees, and in spite of the brakes she slid gracefully over the side. He could do absolutely nothing about it and ejected as the nose dropped. He was picked up by the SAR helicopter in less than two minutes!”
Later that day:
“When the briefing was over, we invited JJ [CO HMS Invincible] to the wardroom for a quick drink with the boys and he accepted with pleasure. Robin Kent, Ralph Wykes-Snead and others welcomed the Captain and we all relaxed and discussed the events of the day. JJ was obviously enjoying his short break from the bridge and the Ops Rooms when Dave Braithwaite sauntered over from the bar. At that moment we were chatting about the SHAR going over the side. Suddenly Dave came out with one of the classic lines of the war. Without a by your leave, he looked JJ square in the eye and, in totally inappropriate AWI [Air Warfare Instructor - think TOPGUN] fashion, bullishly said, ‘That’ll teach you to treat this ship like a ****ing speedboat, eh, Sir?’ He was rapidly removed by the Senior Pilot, and when he had gone the Captain had a good laugh.”
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