Interesting item on ebay

[Sooty655]

Lightning Arrestor Hook

Comments, anyone ??

[RLN]

Both of the Lightning Preservation Group's Lightnings have hooks fitted. They were for using the RHAG (Rotary Hydraulic Arrestor Gear) system in emergencies.

[Sooty655]

Both of the Lightning Preservation Group's Lightnings have hooks fitted. They were for using the RHAG (Rotary Hydraulic Arrestor Gear) system in emergencies.

Indeed, but the item offered looks very light-weight for the purpose to me, more like a support strap for something.

However, maybe it is right.............

[RLN]

This is the one on 904. As you say, they look flimsy, but they were only deployed when the Lightning was on the deck and then it hopefully engaged the cable. If they deployed early while the 'plane was in the air, it had a tendency to bounce on the runway and miss the cable altogether. Conversely, if deployed too early when on the ground, it was known for the hook to be ground away completely before it reached the cable.

[Sooty655]

Hard to judge the width of the strap section and the size of the single mounting hole from the pics, and presumably the strap is a high strength material. but the thought of your last resort depending on putting a thin strip of steel in combined tension and shear is definitely "Frightning".

[Ramshornvortex]

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/363394-ee-lightning-question-re-cable-engagements.html

See the above thread on PPRuNe, it's fascinating how two well known (in their own field) former Lightning pilots have very different answers on the use of the F6 arrestor hook. I do think both agree that use of it lives up to the aircrafts' nickname.....

I love WIWOL stories.....