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Catapault

B

brass64

Member
Premium Member
catapault 004.jpgHave just acquired this case which, I think, is a cut down 6" coast gun case, 295mm
Were there other case calibres or lengths used. Any information about catapaults on ships etc. would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Brass64,

Nice find! :tinysmile_fatgrin_t

I believe this to be a catapult cart for launching seaplanes , like the Supermarine Walrus , etc. carried on/pre- up to WW2 warships.

cheers
Bob
 
Hi Brass64,

Very interesting item. Looks like it was originally made by King's Norton Metal Co in about 1900, then converted at Woolwich. Is the new date 1935? Can't quite make it out (probably need new glasses!).

Roger.
 
rim dia should give a clue to its origins, if 6in then the primer has been changed and the clip holes added.
 
Very interesting case. Length 295mm, base diameter 195mm if i remember correctly.
What is the mouth diameter please?
Thanks, Charley
 
As luck would have it, I visited HMS Belfast yesterday. Where the catapault used to be, there is a video showing amongst other items the Walrus be deployed. The attached is a screen shot of the catapault being loaded. (Aplogies for the poor quality).

TimG


catapault.jpg
 
Update, it is a shortened 6" coast gun case. I have seen a full length case with CATAPULT on the head stamp.
My case measures 169 x 295 x 195
 
As far as I can ascertain, there were two sizes of catapult cartridge; 6” and 8”. Although formerly of brass, they were replaced by steel cases being the No.1 Mark II (for a 6-inch cartridge) and No.3 Mark III (for an 8-inch cartridge). The cases are described as having two slots cut diametrically opposite near the mouth.

Unusually, the cases were supplied empty and they were to be made up on board on the ‘weather deck’.

TimG

PLATE 04.jpg
 
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