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Aviation History
1936
1936 - 0404.PDF
FEBRUARY 13, 1936. FLIGHT. c The stern of the Gotland (left) is of somewhat unusual formation. This view shows the crane and the two folded Ospreys. In the lower picture the system of tracks leading to the catapult is visible. In the foreground are rails for the reception of the empty trolleys. The catapult is of German manufacture and is operated by compressed air. Flight photographs.) by a crane which is normally used for hoisting the machines inboard after catapulting. The crew seem immensely proud of its Ospreys, as well they might be. The initial order for Pegasus- Ospreys for Sweden was for four machines, but a repeat order was placed some six months back. The medium-supercharged Pegasus of about 600 h.p. is specified, being built in Sweden under licence. For operation from land, incidentally, the Swedish Air Force has adopted Pegasus-engined Harts, using them very extensively for dive bombing. Fifty machines of this type are actually in course of erection over there. The Gotland's Ospreys are in tended mainly for reconnaissance and fighting; wireless and cameras, but not bombs, are carried. It is the pilot's duty to fly his machine and use his front gun; the observer has complete charge of all the photographing and wireless operating. There are certain disadvantages which are readily apparent in the design of the Gotland. She has, for ex ample, a single catapult (although her original design provided for two—one port and one starboard)—and a well- placed shell would suspend flying operations indefinitely. Then, again, all the Ospreys are stored, folded, close together on an unprotected deck. But in answer to this, there is the argu ment that a shell of fairly large calibre dropped on the flight deck of a con ventional carrier would most likely prevent the operation of aeroplanes; those, at least, with wheel under carriages. But, in any case, the Gotland should prove a distinctly useful and versatile vessel, and we are glad to have seen her over here. Vice Admiral E. R. G. R. Evans, R.N., Commander-in-Chief of the Nore, with Commander Rudberg after being received on board the Gotland, which he inspected with considerable interest. Flight photograph.)
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