Q&A · 2:37:16-2:37:26

Why CAM-ship Hurricanes retained landing gear

A nominally expendable catapult fighter retained the ability to land ashore.

Convoy Warfare Hawker Sea Hurricane Merchant Navy Naval Aviation

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Question

Did CAM-ship Hurricanes really need landing gear if they could not return to the launching ship?

Short answer

Yes. The undercarriage was not much of a problem, and a fighter launched near land could still land ashore.

Notes

Landing gear preserved the option of using an airfield when a CAM-ship Hurricane was launched near land. Its presence was not considered much of a problem. Retaining it allowed a flight to end ashore even though the merchant ship could not recover the fighter.