Re: Here is your chance to buy a really, really big boat
The British version if you look at the Bow it has a ramp..no kidding look closely they actually jump off the bow of the ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd9ufMoXMBI, In this video you can see there is no catapult and no arresting wires, its completely all in the hands of the pilot. In the US only the marines used Harriers(and I don't think the marines do anymore either) mostly for close air support of ground troops and do not have an aircraft carrier designed for them that I have seen.
Why the Brits are selling off the Harrier Aircraft Carriers (HMS Invincible and Ark Royal more recently)is in dispute some say its a cost cutting measure but most feel its because the British are moving towards the Joint Strike Fighter with VSTOL capabilities and a larger more capable Aircraft Carrier similar to the US CVN Aircraft Carriers which are also much larger and are scheduled to come into service in 2014.