USS Hornet CV-8

according to this link, the hornet had a hanger catapult. http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/08.htm

Could someone answer a question I have pertaining to this subject?? I have heard (and read somewhere) that there were OS2Us' onboard the Hornet during the Doolittle raid. If there was, why?? Wouldn't the planes on the cruisers be enough or were they there as a backup?? I have the Hornet in my stash and I have been giving this some thought. Also did the Hornet have the hangar bay catapult?? I can't seem to locate a yea or a nay on this. When I get around to building her, I would like to do her as she would've appeared in July of 1941.

Thanks guys.  Natuarally, I don't have any of those laying around in my small stockpile. :(

So, I guess I will have to sacrifice historical accuracy for aesthetics.

The paint scheme for the F4F Wildcats and the SBD Dauntless a/c would have been the '41 Navy blue-gray over light gray scheme. The a/c US insigna would have included the red disk in the center of the white star.

Prior to the launching the B-25s, there were several Wildcats parked at the Hornet's bow.



Mike

Cprsairs and Hellcats did not yet exist in the fleet and the Devastators had been landed prior to the cruise. Hornet had Wildcats and Dauntlesses in her hangar.