Hi Redtail: My next step is just to see how this apparatus works in flight. I think it will be just fine. I believe that the Avenger, also built by the "Grumman Iron Works" also has a similar tailhook arrangement as the F6F Hellcat and maybe other planes too.

What we need, especially for the larger planes, is a reliable gearing device that can convert the rotary motion of a servo to a linear motion of a device attached to the tailhook. I was looking into a gear that looks sort of like a comb that would ride back and forth in some sort of frame. I'd have to work some more on that idea, but if anyone has other ideas, this is a great place to share with us as there might be a number of modelers who would like to do something like this on their planes. It is definitely doable.

davegee