7055 CAM SHIP, EMPIRE B WITH HURRICANE

In the period 1941-1943, the British Royal Navy served about 30-35 merchant ships equipped with a launch catapult known as Catapult Aircraft Merchant or "CAM ship" for short. The ships of this type were typical commercial ships included in the Atlantic convoys, but were able to launch from their catapult a properly adapted Hawker Hurricane Mk.I. Units of this type were to provide at least a minimal air protection of convoys against German reconnaissance and bomber planes - especially the Focke Wulf Fw-200 Condor. Interestingly, the plane launched from the CAM Ship was not able to land on it, and thus the pilot either tried to return to land or jumped on a parachute hoping to be lifted from the water by his own ship. It is assumed that CAM ships made approximately 340 voyages. Over time, they began to be replaced in the air cover of convoys by escort aircraft carriers.