Murder Mayhem UK

Murder Mayhem UK

History

The Catapult That Ended Up in Hollywood

The history of launching planes into the air.

Sam H Arnold's avatar
Sam H Arnold
Oct 25, 2023
∙ Paid
2
3
Share

Anyone who has ever seen Top Gun or its sequel, Maverick, knows the catapult that became a standard piece of equipment on aircraft carriers. Few will know that it has its origins in the English countryside. 

Archaeologists have recently found the remains of a World War II-era catapult designed to launch bomber planes into the air. This discovery was made in Oxfordshire, England. 

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Sam H Arnold
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture