[Bearcat]

I've posted a beta Carrier Catapult mod here: CarrierCatapult_b2.rar (The link is inoperative)

Inside the rar file is a folder named 'CarrierCatapult_b2'. Copy or extract this folder to the MODS folder in your IL-2 game folder.

The way it works (for now anyway) is that you release your chocks and taxi up to the start of the catapult track. When you're close, within about 10 meters or so, stop and put your chocks back in. If you're close enough when you put your chocks in, you'll get automatically moved into position on the catapult. Then power up, full flaps, etc. When you're ready, release chocks and the catapult will fire you off the end of the deck. Don't do any control movements til you're clear of the deck. Then raise gear, flaps, etc.

NOTES:

The catapult should work on the CVL's, CVE's, Essex/Intrepid (both catapults), Illustrious, and the Graf Zeppelin (both catapults). From what I could see, none of the Japanese carriers in the game have catapults.

The AI don't know about the catapults yet, so they still take off the old-fashioned way. I'll try to teach them to use the catapult in the next CarrierTakeoff mod release.

Also when I do the next BombbayDoors/Hotkeys version I may use some other key than the Chocks key to lock and launch the catapult. One problem with using the Chocks key is that once you've locked yourself into the catapult, there's no way out other than launching. You can't just power back, release your chocks and taxi away. Another issue is that you have to be careful where you park after landing. If you stop too near the catapult and put your chocks in, you'll get snapped over to the catapult track.

Many thanks to the guys at Air Group 51 for testing this out over the past couple weeks!

Fireball

How about using the up or down arrow key... or whatever key is used for attach/detach aircraft.. since you wouldnt be using both functions at the same time anyway.. I think it was American who originally suggested this in his proposal for this mod here.