"Ed Rasimus" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 12:11:43 -0700, "Tex Houston"

The USAF (and Luftwaffe) F-4 tail hook is the same as the hook on USN
Phantoms. It was standard practice for a number of emergencies as well
as for heavy-weight recovery (such as with retained ordinance) to take
an approach end barrier. While BAK-12/13 and similar barriers run out
about three to four times as far as a carrier landing, the hook was
capable of doing a carrier arrestment as well.

Tail hooks on other USAF fighters are for departure end engagement
such as high speed aborts, blown tire on landing, long landing, low
RCR, etc. They aren't capable of surviving the stress of approach end
engagement. It should be noted, however, that current fighters don't
have the high take-off and landing speeds that the old Century series
had.

The USAF F-4 had different tires and didn't have the bridle assembly
on the nose gear for cat launches.



Ed Rasimus


Ed, thanks.

I knew about the tires but did not realize the hook was the same but was
never in an F-4 outfit, just F-104 and F-105. Did a fighter drag of an F-4C
squadron once but was with the tankers.

Regards,

Tex Houston