A Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane Mk IA is launched from a CAM (Catapult Armed Merchant) Ship at Greenock, Scotland (UK). The first RAF trial CAM launch was from SS Empire Rainbow at Greenock on the River Clyde on 31 May 1941, the Hurricane landed at Abbotsinch. Then, on this day in 1941, the first operational success by a Hurricat fighter ship when Lt. Everett launched from HMS MAPLIN to destroy a German Focke Wulf attack. As the Hurricanes were single use, the pilot had to ditch after their mission, Lt.Everett just about escaped and was recovered.