Catapult Launch - The Story Behind Holdback

The story behind mechanical Repeatable Release Holdback Bar. There's also a hydraulic version which will be covered in future video
All models and animations done in Blender 3.0
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References:
- "The History and Development of the Repeatable Release Catapult Holdback Bar" by James D. Helm and Huntley H. Perry
- US Patent No 3,813,065
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3rd party video/photos clips used:
www.dowtyheritage.org.uk
TH-cam:
F-14 Tomcat Scenes from The Final Countdown HD Part1
10 Minutes of Aircraft Carrier Operations - USS Ronald Reagan
Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Crew
Carrier Air Wing Five Fly-Off F-18 Aircraft Launch From The Flight Deck Of USS Ronald Reagan
VIOLENT Super Hornets Carrier Catapult Takeoffs - Flight Deck Ops USS Theodore Roosevelt
Super Carrier - Flight Deck Launch & Land
FA-18 Super Hornets Launch From USS Theodore Roosevelt
F-4 Phantom IIs of VF-111 Launch from USS Coral Sea (1972)
USS Kitty Hawk Action - Color 1971 - F-4 A-7 RA-5 A-3 launch recovery arming Vietnam Viet Nam
Face Of A Nation (1967)
VA-164 USS Hancock 1972
Early Carrier Jets - A-4 Skyhawk F-4 Phantom A-5 Vigilante
F-14A Tomcats of VF-1 Wolfpack aboard USS Enterprise (March 1975)
Working On An Aircraft Carrier - Catapult 3 Topside Petty Officer
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Flight Deck • USN Aircraft Carrier
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier • Strike Aircraft Launch
FA-18 Super Hornets Launch From USS Theodore Roosevelt
Aircraft Carrier Launches E-2C Hawkeye & F_A-18 Hornets
T-45 Goshawk • USS Gerald R. Ford Flight Deck Operations
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Music:
Documentary TV Cinematic by Infraction
Epic Background Music by Infraction
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contact: [e-mail]

[@x-planed]

If you would like to learn the principle of operation of another device or procedure related to aviation - let me know in the comment

[@macieksoft]

I'd like to see procedures for loading GPS encryption, COMSEC, MIDS and IFF keys as well as frequency hopping stuff (synchronizing TOD without use of GPS TOD, loading WOD etc.).

[@Mike88Actual]

Could you do a throwback to the entirety of the “meatball” or fresnel lens system?

[@larryhutchens7593]

Thanks for the info. I worked on the flight deck during Vietnam when they were using the dog bones. They were color coded for the different aircraft. I have been watching U-tube videos on modern carrier activities & wondered how the new hold back devices worked. You might cover the nose tow system vs the old bridle system. Nose tow was a big advancement.

[@x-planed]

@@Mike88Actual that's gonna be the next one bro:)

[@x-planed]

​@@macieksoft ten temat zainteresuje chyba mniej osób niż kwestia dogrywania ITS-u na Sikorskiego w Tychach😂

[@bobbycv64]

ABOUT TIME, SERIOUSLY. I was USN on CV64 Constellation and would always try and explain how the holdback bar worked. This video was more then descriptive and clear. EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, MOST EXCELLENT. Everything described was 100% accurate, including the colors of the holdbacks. Thank you so much. Bobby (cv64 AIMD 77-81)

[@x-planed]

Wow thank You sir for the feedback. I very much appreciate it. Good to hear such words from someone who served on the boat

[@dre3951]

Hey, I was on CV64 for a few months too, on a WESTPAC in 94-95. I have here on my desk right now a purple dog bone, fully intact, that I found on a FOD walkdown. Since they did not know where it came from they told me to keep it as a souvenir. Great times back then.

[@privatepilot4064]

I was on the Connie with VA-146 in 1977. I worked as an AD in AIMD with Chief James Spitler.

[@bobbycv64]

@@privatepilot4064 I was on the following cruise (78/79) and 1980. I went back to Jet Shop around 1980. The IM-2 Division Chief was Senior Chief Spitler, LOL. I worked for him directly. I was the AZ and eventually did the wrench turning. The ADs called me ADZ Estey. I did some of the Gas Turbine Trimming on the Test Cell, sometimes ran operations in the Test Cell. Look at the 1978-79 and 1980 cruisebooks at the Jet Shop and you might know others who I knew. Especially look at the 1980 Jet Shop picture. SO HILARILOUS, everyone else is just standing, that was picture 1 of 3. They could not print 2 or 3, we were a crazy. Bobby Estey - I have stories and one with Spitler, was so funny.

[@Chris_at_Home]

My son tried to explain this to me and I didn’t get it. I do now. He was a green shirt on the bow of the GW.

[@StephenButterworth]

This is a great explanation of a part no one would give more than a passing glance to. Thanks!

[@briansonnenfelt7125]

Pretty incredible that a “simple” piece of equipment can hold back that much thrust and steam pressure. Engineering at its finest

[@michaelmappin4425]

Great video. E2 and EA6B were still using dog bones at least through the end of the Prowler service life. I can't speak to the new Hawkeye variants as I retired in 2012.

[@x-planed]

You bet. And they’re still using holdbacks other than F-18 but I couldn’t find anything about them

[@alexvogel5681]

Absolutely right. E-2s and C-2s are still using "dog bone" holdback fittings to this day.

[@Rhinozherous]

This is the best explaination of the holdbackbar I found on YT! Very detailed! Thank you very much!

[@x-planed]

Wow thank You Mate

[@jonb4209]

Clearly you didn't go through ABE A school.

[@busch6062]

I used to recalibrate/verify release load on these. It nice to actually see how they work. Great video

[@masanoritakeuchi8322]

I thought the holdback bar was a simple mechanism, but after watching this video I realized that there is actually a complex mechanism built into its head.
Thank you very much!

[@x-planed]

You’re welcome😉

[@x-planed]

Thank You😉

[@airwalwer]

I was always curious about that bar on the back of the front wheel on aircraft carrier planes. Thank you for explaining it so well!

[@x-planed]

Thank You!

[@raybieze]

Would you believe I have almost 500 traps and 2000 hours in Rhinos and 2000 hours in T-45s and I actually didn’t know exactly how the holdback worked? That was super cool!

[@x-planed]

Thank You. Appreciate it😉

[@Marty2047]

This is a great video. Never really knew how these simple pieces of tech actually worked and it's quite amazing to see how the engineering behind it goes together. Didn't even know the bars were color-coded according to the aircraft being catapulted off the deck. Thank you for the excellent video.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. Appreciate it😉

[@jonb4209]

Orange = F18 E/G
Yellow = F18 A/BC
White = EA6B/C2
Trust me, I'm in the video. ABE3 Benoit.

[@Simjack2021]

Awesome use of 3d pictorials of the inner workings of the holdback bar. Much thanks😎

[@x-planed]

Thanks. Stay tuned, another video coming very soon😉

[@michaelgeary5451]

Awesome explanation of hold back bar, I was CAT ONE petty officer on USS KITTY HAWK in Vietnam, 71-72. Had bridle and nose tow system back then. Much more physical work than this system,I had 4 crew under planes for bridle launch. Big improvement from 50yrs ago. We were launching. About 240 birds a day during flight ops. Balls to the wall

[@MorDarek]

Another great explanation of interesting military things! Thanks mate! You doing great work here! Can't wait what you teach as in next video. 😀

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate!😉

[@alandopowell7623]

Great video I am now teaching class to E4 for catapult test since iam now a retired 04 in Japan on the uss Ronald Regan making sure these kids pass there ABE test

[@x-planed]

EMALS or steam cats?

[@sannyassi73]

Kinda crazy how complicated things need to be when fine control over immense forces are needed! Great explanation!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate

[@GEM555]

VERY interesting! Always wanted to know how it works exactly:)
Thanks!

[@x-planed]

You’re welcome😉

[@adamr9720]

Wow yes that’s interesting. Some people are just really clever to come up with that. Amazing.

[@MCMXI1]

Amazing piece of engineering and history. Thanks!

[@x-planed]

Thank U

[@Mythilt]

I have half of a dogbone from one of my brothers cat shots during his first deployment in the late 90's. Is a good conversation piece.

[@dlmsarge8329]

Thanks for making these excellent videos, suddenly I've become fascinated with all things related to naval aviation and flight deck operations!

[@x-planed]

Thanks You. Hope You subscribed😉

[@draaken8]

Been waiting for this explination for a long time. Thank you

[@kadopi]

30年来の疑問がやっと解けました、ありがとうございます！！！！！！

[@GOHSTRIDER1978]

私も長年の気になる問題でした。こういう構造になっていることを知りとても感動しました！　ありがとう☆

[@alandowney6961]

I've always wondered what those were, ever since seeing them in the Top Gun movies. Thanks!!

[@jgdogg441]

I never knew how it worked until watching your video. You made an excellent video about it. Thank you!

[@t.k.4752]

以前から持っていた疑問がスッキリ解消した素晴しいビデオでした！　自分の想像では射出タイミングは空母のコントロール側またはパイロットが決定していると思っていたので、必要とする推力ごとに色分けされたデバイスを選択して使っているとは軽い驚きでした。　感謝します！

[@simflier8298]

Great explanation! Always wondered how it worked. That saved the Navy lots of money. Thanks a bunch!

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉

[@markadog]

Thank you. I have been super interested for many years how the holdback bar functions. Your excellent video is the first actual and complete explanation of the device that I have seen. Good job; very nice presentation.

[@x-planed]

Thank You. Hope U subscribed😉

[@user-lc3ip4vd9e]

I was always curious about this part of a launch. Great video and explanation. Thank you!

[@x-planed]

Thank You. Appreciate Your feedback. Hope U subscribed😉

[@gregwilliamson3001]

Thank you for making this video. I've been wondering how these systems worked, for a long time. 👍🏻

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate

[@techdiverpratt5899]

I’ve needed this video, as I have always wondered.

[@harshmedhavi2509]

By far the best explanation I have seen on youtube regarding this concept! Thanks

[@x-planed]

Thanks You. Hope You subscribed for further videos😉

[@bigfefu]

you deserve a billion subscribers, thank you for your work

[@x-planed]

Wow thank You very much🙏

[@BeechSportBill]

Finally! Best info… I have been waiting for this example! Thanks…

[@x-planed]

Hey, thanks Mate😉

[@Sickrepellent]

Finally a full breakdown hold back bar mechanism... thank you 👍🏻

[@x-planed]

You’re welcome😉 hope You subscribed

[@jamesdunlop8704]

very interesting and well explained. I always wondered how these worked.

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉

[@thomaslongshore1295]

Fascinating, I had no idea. Thanks for the excellent video.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@lucaviggiani2189]

Excellent. I’ve been trying to find out exactly how these work but only came across engineering drawings or vague descriptions, which weren’t useful.
This was precisely explained. Thank you.

[@x-planed]

Thanks for Your comment. Appreciate it😉

[@saltyseadawg4768]

@x-planed . Thanks for the video and accuracy as confirmed by others in the comments. I've always understood the principle but have never seen such a clear and comprehensive presentation. I hope your subscriber base continues to grow.

[@mikejohnson5900]

That was fascinating! Great job at making the complex easy to understand.

[@x-planed]

Thanks mate😉

[@David_Owsnett]

Wow! What a great piece of equipment.

[@Nangoku_Guts]

Very interesting and this is what I want to know for a long time. Thank you very much.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@dennisk5818]

That was a fantastic explanation of this. I wondered how the aircraft was held from moving forward once it throttled up. Saw the holdback bar, but didn't quite know how it worked. Great graphics.

[@JonHuhnMedical]

Excellent presentation! Perfect use of 3d graphics as well!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@rgj8044]

Excellent presentation! Thank you.

[@nikedoesthings]

I always wondered how this worked! thank you

[@eston8660]

Wow, it's pretty cool to see this after so many years! I was catapult 2 crew on the E in the mid 70's. Did weightboard, bow safety, water brakes, end speed and this holdback bar hook-up job. Back then we also still had some bridle planes which the hook-up person would also handle. Interesting times!

[@chrisneumann4202]

This is the best description I've run into, even better than the training videos we had at that time. We used dog bones on the A-6E Intruder back in the late '80's early 90's and I can't tell you how many of them I threw over the side. I regret that, I wish I would have kept one.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. I wish i had one too😉

[@dB-hy6lh]

Did my service years in a West Coast E-2 squadron based back then in San Diego. When on cruise, the squadron would recognize their sailor of the month, quarter, or year with a mission flight in the squadron's E-2. The CO also allowed airborne re-enlistments during a mission flight, if requested by the sailor, and on rare occasions a non-aircrew Navy "guest", e.g., an air wing flight surgeon, could be allowed to go on a flight. Whatever the reason, the squadron line crew made it a point to keep both ends of the hold back for the skipper to present to the individual on his return along with a certificate documenting the flight and subsequent trap back aboard the carrier.

[@dannn5090]

Great video! It solve my doubts and benefited me a lot.Thanks you!!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. You’re welcome😉

[@ZoeSummers1701A]

Brilliantly explained and clearly animated. Fascinating and interesting thank you.

[@x-planed]

Thank You. Hope You subscribed😉

[@damienhill6383]

Thank you for this, I knew about the older version, though not about the way they installed it, this is brilliant ..

[@TheRealCFF]

From an engineering perspective that is a very innocuous yet indispensable piece of flight deck hardware and an ingenious design.

[@x-planed]

I agree

[@fsj197811]

Excellent explanation, thank you!

[@alexchanyf]

great video and great explanations, thank you

[@x-planed]

Thanks, You’re welcome😉

[@vindicator54]

Fascinating. Good explanation, thanks.

[@alsecen5674]

These videos are fantastic! Keep up the great work

[@x-planed]

Hey thanks Mate. Hope U subscribed😉

[@tolson57]

Damn!! I worked Tomcats for 20 years, made 6 cruises, but never worked the flight deck. I retired in 97. I thought we still used the dogbone. Thank you for the education!

[@Spacegoat92]

Never even gave this a thought, yet so satisfied to have seen this explained haha

[@Scrapy-ih7ob]

Nice, detailed facts of the "Holdback" one of my JOBS during my last few months in NAVY was to TEST check the Holod back in the HYD shop, one of the few things I got to do that was a learn as you go skill,

[@x-planed]

Thanks for the comment😉

[@Ratlins9]

Superb video, your animation, narration, explanations and camerawork made for a comprehensive and easy to understand video. Great job

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. I was worried that my animations were not clear enough😉

[@Ratlins9]

@@x-planed Clear as glass.

[@erikjohannes]

Excellent explanation. Great graphics! Thank you very much.

[@x-planed]

Thank You😉

[@amartinjoe]

amazing. attention to detail. great graphics!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. Hope You subscribed😉

[@romeoramos6650]

I always wondered how it works. Thanks

[@ladislavmalak444]

Simple, informative.... good job, thumbs up!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. Leave a sub if You can😉

[@larryrussell4905]

Great info!!! Thanks!

[@richardwells4370]

Great video , always wondered how this bit of kit worked

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉

[@zhanggodfather8053]

This is well-made! keep up the good work!

[@x-planed]

Thank You. Hope You subscribed😉

[@user-qp1cj7ox5f]

Very-very-very interesting! Keep rollin'! 👍

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉

[@olddanb1]

Technical heaven.
A beautiful presentation.
Thank you.

[@x-planed]

Thank You😉

[@danapeck5382]

Great explanation and graphics, thanks!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@jaritikkanen3958]

Wow. Nice video about holdback 👀💖

[@tomcat514]

Thank you for this! A treasure of knowledge

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉

[@CalvinMaclure]

Damn! Nicely done!

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@kayakutah]

Wow, nice explanation!

[@Fran_SG]

Great explanation!!!!!

[@Emlizardo]

Extraordinary video. Great content.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. Hope U subscribed😉

[@Sammy-nw3zk]

Beautiful explanations and illustrations. Well done my friend.

[@x-planed]

Thanks You Mate. Hope You subscribed😉

[@edwardhugus2772]

Thank you for a very wonderful explanation. The graphics made it so clear and easy to understand.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Edward. Appreciate it. Hope You subscribed😉

[@edwardhugus2772]

@@x-planed Yes I did, you did such a nice job on this, your others should be good too!

[@anatoliymytko9649]

Thanks!

[@docbrown7916]

Always wondered how that thing worked, thanks !

[@x-planed]

You're welcome

[@franklinhadick2866]

That was very interesting, thankyou. Such a simple design that does such complicated work.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. I encourage You to subscribe😉

[@grugbug4313]

Solid!
Top KEK!

[@snoobeagle]

Great tutorial!

[@nigelappleton2963]

Fascinating, very much enjoyed that.

[@x-planed]

Thanks You

[@santiagomichelena7763]

THIS IS VIDEO IS INCREDIBLEEEE!!!!! THANK YOUUU

[@x-planed]

Wow thanks Mate. Hope You subscribed😉

[@Muuhammad1905]

Thank you, this is really good and well explanation.

[@adamstone3433]

Thank you . Nice Jpb.

[@davidmartin8275]

RRHB’s Loved working with them, understanding the break away pressures is mind blowing. 100 cycles then off to pull test. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇱🇨🇱

[@brutonano9521]

Very cool. 👍Thanks

[@thomaslincoln401]

Awesome video. Thanks for teaching me something new!

[@x-planed]

You’re welcome🙂

[@glynnjacobs9602]

Very good explanation of an ingenious design!

[@x-planed]

Thanks You

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

That's interesting. I had only seen the break design.
It's fun to see the videos from the 60's and 70's where the crew lie on the deck as the plane moves into position above them to lock in the rear hold back.

[@Reachforitify]

Well done mate great video.

[@x-planed]

Thanks😉 Hope You subscribed

[@railroad9000]

Excellent presentation!

[@x-planed]

Hey thanks Mate🙏

[@thetomschaeffer]

Awesome video! Thanks

[@x-planed]

You’re welcome🙂

[@AwesomeNinja1027]

Who would have thought that a simple device is full of complicated parts.

[@koori3085]

Excellent explanation and graphic illustration, thanks! 👌

[@x-planed]

Thanks. Hope You subscribed😉

[@eugenenelson1992]

Great video Brother. Truly awesome level of research and presentation!!!!

[@x-planed]

Hey thanks Mate. Appreciate Your feedback. Hope You subscribed😉

[@eugenenelson1992]

I did indeed!!!!

[@BeechSportBill]

Waited a LONG time for this! Thanks! There must be a PM shop to clean and test/calibrate these.

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate😉

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Busch6062 posted here that he used to calibrate them

[@boakyeduan563]

Very awesome animation explaination! Love it

[@x-planed]

Thanks Mate. Hope You subscribed😉