Midships or stern: where should a cruiser catapult go?

Was a midships or stern-mounted catapult superior?

Midships improved stability in pitch, while stern mounting offered cleaner separation from the guns and more flexible launch angles.

A midships catapult benefits from reduced vertical motion near the ship's center. That stability can ease handling when the bow and stern are pitching heavily. A stern arrangement creates a clearer aviation working area separated from forward guns. It can also allow launches across more headings without demanding an immediate turn from the aircraft.