Carrier catapult space, lifts, and aircraft flow

How close can a steam catapult be to a carrier hangar lift?

Allow at least two aircraft lengths between the lift and catapult, with additional consideration for jet-blast deflectors.

For a hypothetical Malta-class conversion operating F-4s, the suggested clearance is at least two aircraft lengths between the retained forward lift and the catapult. Jet-blast deflectors need space to rise from the deck and manage engine heat. A redesign might instead remove the centreline lifts. One proposed arrangement would retain two deck-edge lifts and add a third, although the exact layout is uncertain.