Well, I did an operational test of the tailhook this morning with the magnet, but unfortunately I still don't have a permanent solution to the airloads blowing the tailhook almost straight back during flight. That magnet is powerful, and on the ground you would swear it would hold the tailhook fast to the back of the fuse at a 90 degree angle, but I think the airloads keep it from getting close enough to snap onto the magnet as the hook pays out. I am going to try a small flexible plastic tab that will put a little pressure on the hook to stay close and snap onto the hook; see if that works.

The actual deployment/retraction of the tailhook is perfect. There are absolutely no issues there. I just need to be able to get the tailhook to stay down during flight.

On other warbirds, say, like a Corsair or some versions of the Avenger where the hook is outside the fuse, it is easy. I have already done this on an ESM 85" Corsair that was a display model only, but I wanted to look into the idea for a flying model tailhook in the future. Just having a fulcrum attached to a servo will lever the tailhook down into position without any problems because the tailhook is anchored to a lever arm that keeps it in place.

I still think the tailhook idea is cool, and I will pursue a fix for the Hellcat tailhook.

cheers

davegee