On 9/13/2012 9:29 AM, a425couple wrote:
Question #1, under non-combat conditions could
the bi-plane generally land safely on that platform?
(Hey, ISTM, if the battle fleet is engaged & firing,
the least important concern is aircraft recovery,
when out of gas, ditch near a DD & hitch hike home.)

A normal approach to the front platform is quite impossible since there
is superstructure behind it. (Though theoretically possible if the ship
quartered into a headwind and aligned the turret with the apparent wind.
It would take a super-pilot, and any error would douse the ship with
burning gasoline. Therefore, I just don't think it happened.)

The rear platform also doesn't seem to be designed for a landing. For
half it's length, there is no place for the tail wheel! Imagine how
turbulent the air would be behind the ship from the superstructure and
the stack-gasses.

My guess is that the planes normally landed on an airstrip for exercises
and were intended to be sacrificed in case of actual combat.

Also, note that the Captain wouldn't want that gasoline-filled plane on
his deck during combat. Those flammable platforms also look like a danger.