With a totally clear deck and no external stores and next to zero internal fuel a Hornet might not end up in the drink if you let it lose from the very rear of the ship. Maybe ad in a good strong headwind plus the carrier going as fast as possible. It is certainly not practical.
Harriers are not stressed for conventional carrier operations (ie, with catapults and arrestor wires). They have no launch bar and the nose gear would not be designed to handle such loads.
Last edited by dat581; 10th Jul 2009 at 07:20.