U.S. Navy Tailhook - Aircraft Carrier Arresting Gear

U.S. Navy Tailhook – Aircraft Carrier Arresting Gear

This Fine Item Has Been Sold! Thank you!

U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT
TAIL HOOK

Presented is an
authentic U.S.Navy arresting gear commonly referred to as a tail hook. This device allows an airplane to land safely
on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier by hooking a wire that is stretched across the flight deck. Though we can not be
certain, we believe it dates back to the Vietnam Era or even earlier and may have come from a plane with a big round engine.

WW II F4F Grumman Wildcat

In 2011, the Navy will be celebrating the centennial of the Birth of Naval Aviation and
tail hooks date back to the beginning. It is reported that aviation pioneer, Hugh Robinson was the one who had
invented the tail hook that Eugene Ely used, when he landed his Curtiss Model D biplane on the deck of the “USS Pennsylvania”,
on January 18, 1911.

SELLER’S MEMBERSHIPS INCLUDE THE TAILHOOK ASSOCIATION, ASSOCIATION
OF NAVAL AVIATION, SILVER WINGS, AND THE NAVAL HISTORICAL FOUNDATION.

Photo of Vietnam Era A6
HOW THEY WORK: Prior to making an “arrested landing”, the pilot lowers the hook so that it will
contact the deck as the aircraft wheels touch down. The hook then drags along the surface until an arresting cable which
is stretched across the landing area is captured. The cable lets out, transferring the force of the landing aircraft
to the arresting gear through the cable to large dampeners below deck. A “trap” is often-used slang for an arrested landing.
An aircraft which lands beyond the arresting cables is said to have “boltered” Occasionally, the tail hook bounces over one
or more of the wires, resulting in a “hook skip bolter.”

CRITICAL DIMENSIONS:

LOA 25” Shaft 18” L
x 1 1/8^th OD Hook 7” L x 3 7/8^th Max width 7 pounds.

MARKS:

On
starboard side of hook a large “P”.

On
the flange joining shaft to hook a small “P L”

On
the back side of the hook there are numbers and letters on a straight line, but some are upside down.

Arrow points to Part Number

As best we can read the stamps: “LEOEI” then upside down 7097 then right
side up USA then a large “H” with I O above on their side, then right side up some numbers which look like 1911
A.

Arrow
point to large “P“

Arrow points to small “PL“

CONDITION: The tube has been cutoff
at the point the collar attaches to the hinge on the aircraft. It is otherwise complete and in the condition of last use.

Buy this rare relic of Naval Aviation! It will make a great addition to your office,
den or family room.

Current Era FA-18 Hornet trapping a wire

Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.