Inland aircraft carrier found on "X"

[Weaver]

This isn't a What-If so much as a perfectly timed photo+photoshop, but it's still inspirational for post-apocalypse/dieselpunk what-ifs:

Posted by Think Defence here: https://x.com/thinkdefence/status/1851368501404946710
Think Defence is an excellent account and well worth following. Doesn't just do Twitter ("X" ), he also has a website where he posts long-form content: https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/

[Old Wombat]

A tractor-powered stern-drive paddle-wheeler barge/ferry launching an An-2 ... 

Well, at least you wouldn't need the cat (as depicted) to launch the Colt, just run the tractor up to full speed, rev up the Shvetsov ASh-62IR & you're away!

[kerick]

A barge driven by a paddle wheel powered by a tractor carrying an AN-2 about to launch?!!
 What's not to love!!!

We seem to think alike.... Oh God....

[zenrat]

Shades of the Smokers Meat Chopper barge in Waterworld.
Good pic.

[PR19_Kit]

That's going to need some SERIOUS flaps, and a good set of JATO bottles too!

Talk about a ZELL launch! 

[Weaver]

You could probably do that sort of thing for real with one of those Piper Cub bush planes that can land on a sixpence. "Just" get the barge up to full speed, fly alongside it, then sideslip over the deck and plonk it down, a bit like a helicopter landing on a warship. Not saying it'd be remotely safe, but it might be possible. Alternatively, design the barge so that it can be driven astern as the same speed it goes forwards, then land on it straight over the bow. Fit a turntable for turning the plane round for relaunch.

The An-2's stall speed is only 27kts, so if the barge can generate 10kts of wind-over-deck, you only have to give it another 17kts of airspeed to get it airborne. That seems doable with the kind of gunpowder/compressed air/flywheel catapult seen on non-carrier warships. By way of rough comparison, the very first catapult ever trialled in 1912 was 30 ft long and achieved an end-speed of 39kts, admittedly with an early aircraft that weighed very little.

If you're cobbling a catapult together from scrap, then a flywheel type seems most within the capabilities of ordinary auto/ship mechanics, as it needs neither a source of gunpowder, nor high-pressure precision cylinders & pistons. You could probably make it using something like a pair of truck clutches: one to connect the drive engine to the flywheel and one to connect the flywheel to the cable drum.

[Nick]

Some of the small ferries in Scotland have turntable ramps which could be adapted for aircraft launch. Or trail it off the back like the barge in the FAA collection (aka the world's oldest aircraft carrier).

I've been on the Glenelg Ferry to Skye which has been done the same way for 60 years. The only manual operated turntable. https://skyeferry.co.uk/

[PR19_Kit]

The old Severn Ferries, the Severn Queen & Severn Princess, which closed when they opened the Old Severn Bridge, had turntables too. The crews had the loading down to a fine art and as you drove onto the turntable from the beam of the ferry they'd swivel it round so you'd shoot off into the next clear space on the deck, all without you slowing down! 

[Spey_Phantom]

im following them now 

kinda makes me wish i found that Revell paddle steamer from a few years back, would make a nice aircraft carrier with some Po-2's or I-16's on it 

[Weaver]

im following them now 

kinda makes me wish i found that Revell paddle steamer from a few years back, would make a nice aircraft carrier with some Po-2's or I-16's on it 

And now I'm following you. Follow me back if you like ( @hws5mp ): I retweet loads of good defence/aircraft accounts.

[kerick]

That Colt is about the same green as the Mohawk chopper. Hmmmm.....