Draken,
Thanks a lot for the steer to the 'Innovation' paperback - I'll be placing an order tonight! (And glad you appreciated the post)
Like you, I've been puzzled as to why the ski jump hasn't been taken up by the USMC, but I guess it was to do with the fact that their main AV-8B operating base was ashore, coupled with their requirement for a number of spots on the L class ships for a helo assault. (I was told by a senior USMC officer that they wouldn't sacrifice a single spot for the Harriers)
That may be changing - the MV-22 will be using rolling takeoffs as standard, and I would be intrigued to see if they could get a single ramp to give both the F-35B and the V-22 decent increases in launch load. This naval aviation stuff can be interesting, can't it?
Best Regards as ever to all those who ARE interested,
Engines