WWII 40th Anniversary of First Shooting Down of Enemy Aircraft from Catapult Ship Maplin by Hurricane Fighter 3rd August 1940 Signed Commemorative Cover Autographed by Cdr. M.A. Birrell - 3rd August 1981. 5x7 inches Fighter catapult ships also known as Catapult Armed Ships were an attempt by the Royal Navy to provide air cover at sea. Five ships were acquired and commissioned as Naval vessels early in the Second World War and these were used to accompany convoys.