Catapults Collection

Black Agnes at the siege of Dunbar Castle, illustration from Cassell
STC385259 Black Agnes at the siege of Dunbar Castle, illustration from Cassells Illustrated History of England (engraving) (sepia photo) by Ricketts

United States Navy Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk
Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk, a ship-board float-plane scout, for operation from capital ships with catapults, or seaplane tenders with launch and recovery apparatus. Date: circa 1945

HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal)
Royal Navy - HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal) at A Spithead re in 1938. HMS Pegasus was re-named from the 1914 HMS Ark Royal seaplane carrier

The attack on Rhodes (litho)
STC416135 The attack on Rhodes (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Siege of Rhodes in 305-304 BC by Demetrius Poliorcetes)

HMS Pegasus - ex HMS Ark Royal
HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal) at A Spithead re in 1938. HMS Pegasus was re-named from the 1914 HMS Ark Royal seaplane carrier, which saw action in WWI and in the 1920s She was re-named in 1934

United States Navy - Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior 130356 (msn 9257), seen with JATO bottles fitted for trials. (Note: JATO became superfluous with development of the high-powered steam catapults in)

Focke-Wulf W. 4
Focke-Wulf W.4 D-1730 (msn 55), A reconnaissance floatplane, designed in 1927, stressed for catapults. Tested by the E-Stelle at Travemunde and withdrawn from use in January 1932. Date: circa 1929

British troops practising with new catapult
British troops practising with new bomb thrower catapult, for use in trenches Date: 1915

The Tatcho Bomb by Heath Robinson
In this Heath Robinson cartoon, the Germans fill large balls with Tatcho, a popular hair growth product, and hit the British lines with catapults. Chaos ensues, in the British forces. Date: 1915

Fleet air arm by G. H. Davis
The Fleet Air Arm -- cruisers as modified by aircraft equipment. A feature of the Navy represented in the Jubilee Review programme

2619053; out of copyright

The Crusaders War Machinery, illustration from Bibliotheque des Croisades by J-F
KW219455 The Crusaders War Machinery, illustration from Bibliotheque des Croisades by J-F. Michaud, 1877 (litho) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); Private Collection; (add.info)

Roman Siege Works
Roman batteries of ballistas and catapults

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"Catapults: From Ancient Warfare to Modern Aviation" From the mighty HMS Pegasus (ex HMS Ark Royal) to the sleek United States Navy Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk, they have played a pivotal role in military history. These powerful mechanisms have propelled aircraft into the skies and projectiles towards enemy lines. Dating back centuries, they were used by ancient civilizations such as during Black Agnes' siege of Dunbar Castle. The attack on Rhodes also witnessed their destructive force, depicted vividly in lithographs. As technology advanced, so did catapults. The HMS Pegasus - ex HMS Ark Royal showcased their importance in naval aviation, launching planes with precision and speed. Similarly, the United States Navy's Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior 130356 demonstrated their vital role in modern warfare. Not limited to military applications alone, catapults found use beyond battlefields. The Focke-Wulf W. 4 utilized them for experimental flight tests while British troops honed their skills with new models during training exercises. Even whimsical illustrations like "The Tatcho Bomb" by Heath Robinson highlight the creative potential of these devices outside traditional contexts. And let's not forget about Fleet Air Arm's captivating artwork by G. H Davis that immortalizes these mechanical wonders. Whether it be launching fighter jets or testing innovative ideas, catapults remain an integral part of our collective history and technological progress – forever reminding us of humanity's relentless pursuit of innovation and power through engineering marvels like no other.