U.S. Navy Tailhook - Aircraft Carrier Arresting Gear

This Fine Relic 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

STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States, $20.00

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 included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.

International buyers welcome, but must inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nigeria, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

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