The advent of jet aircraft led to the invention of the angled deck and mirror landing sight, but batsmen could just about cope with the first-generation jets. This sequence shows Lt-Cdr E.M. “Winkle” Brown making the first pure-jet deck landing on HMS Ocean in December 1945, flying the converted de Havilland Vampire I third prototype, LZ551. The batsman is the RN’s best, Cdr R.N. Everett.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Vampire / D.H.100 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

A yellow-waistcoated batsman in tropical kit tells an approaching Grumman Martlet (later Wildcat) pilot he is too high on finals. Note the perforated bats to lessen wind resistance.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F4F Wildcat - СШАUSA - 1937

A dramatic moment as a Grumman Wildcat hits the barrier and flips over on to its back aboard an escort carrier, possibly HMS Atheling, in the Far East during the later war years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F4F Wildcat - СШАUSA - 1937

The batsman was rendered obsolete by the mirror landing sight. Here, a de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.22 of 891 Sqn is reflected in the mirror of HMS Ark Royal in the mid-1950s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Venom / D.H.112 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

A pre-war study of Fairey Swordfish K8440 of 811 Sqn, Fleet Air Arm, about to take a wire on HMS Courageous in 1939. The batsman may been seen on the extreme right, observing the results of his labours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Swordfish being "batted in" to a landing, probably on MV Rapana in 1943.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Another responsibility of the DLCO was ranging aircraft on deck; "... you wait for the roll and pitch and take care that they don’t run away from you”.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Barracuda - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1940

A Fairey Barracuda pilot gets the “wings level” signal from the batsman as he lands aboard HMS Illustrious during exercises in the Atlantic in December 1948.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Barracuda - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1940

“We learnt how to move wrecks.” A crane prepares to lift a battered Barracuda out of the way after an unhappy landing during exercises in the late 1940s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Barracuda - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1940