Picture of an A-7 Corsair II Catapult Shot on the USS Oriskany CV-34.

Click Here is a A-7 Corsair II picture of a catapult assisted takeoff on the USS Oriskany.

The Catapults on the Aircraft Carrier rely on steam for their energy.  The catapult is located below the deck with a guide track that allows the airplane to hook to the catapult via a shuttle, cables and a torque link.   In the launch control area the catapult captain dials in the weight of the airplane then a man hooks the airplane up to the catapult with the cables and a torque link.  This torque link is designed to break when there is enough pressure on it ensuring that the catapult has enough pressure and the airplane is producing enough thrust.  If either force is not enough, when the catapult launch is initiated, the torque link will not break ensuring that there is never a cold catapult launch.  The picture of the catapult below is of a leading catapult design.

Gordon Doody 
VA-125, VA-215

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