Wow, I never played the SNES version. Compared to the PC version, that launch sequence was horrible. What happened to the frantic dashing of pilots, the pilot putting his helmet on as techs frantically readied his ship, the thrill of the shooting down the catapult tube (borrowed from Battlestar Galactica, but none the worse for wear), and, of course, Atomic Batteries to Power and Turbines to Speed? Instead, you get some lame shot of a Hornet coming up an elevator and then maneuvering off a flight deck...
Also, did I imagine it, or did the conversation with Bossman imply that the Gwenhyvar was a VENTURE class ship? That certainly would have made the Gwenhyvar mission much easier! Ventures don't carry Rapiers!
Speaking of which, I've never understood why Halcyon puts you in a Hornet because he wants you in "our fastest ship". Didn't the Claw have a Rapier squadron by then? Is the Hornet's cruise velocity higher than the Rapier's? Or with this just an oversight by the game designers who wanted to force us to fly at least a couple of missions in the little Hornet?