Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Retired Engineer.

Have always been interested in carrier catapaults.

I have tried to find a good, relatively technical, description on the web
with some diagrams or pix of the aircraft hold-back mechanism that's used
immediately prior to launch that restrains the plane.

Doubt that they still use breakable (frangible) type of bolts, but perhaps ?
Do they ?

Anyone know of any good sources to learn more about how this is actually
done, and what
these mechanisms look like ?

Thanks,
B.


The tension bar contains a breakable link that looks like a piece of
2-1'2" diameter steel shafting about 3" long was chucked in a lathe and
parted in the middle except for the last 1/2" to 3/4". They are
color-coded by aircraft type.

http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation...s/14014_86.htm

(figure 4-16)

http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation...s/14018_27.htm

Rick