SBD Dauntless - Arrestor Hook Handle Assembly

The SBD's original arrestor hook handle and mounting box.

This is the original arrestor hook handle and mounting box from B-22. It is still fixed in the "hook extended" position, a vivid reminder of the aircraft’s ditching in Lake Michigan on January 20, 1944. Lt. Charles L. Ford III had deployed the B-22’s tail hook as he prepared to land aboard the training carrier USS Wolverine, but stalled into the water after a missed approach. After spending half a century underwater, and another three decades following recovery in the salty air around the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, corrosion fused the handle, locking sector and mounting box together, forcing Pioneer Aero to remove the entire assembly as a unit. For reference this component mounts to the cockpit floor (upper skin of the SBD’s center section), against the rear diaphragm and to the left of the pilot's seat. The right side of the image points toward the forward end of the aircraft. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

B-22's Arrestor Hook Handle Assembly:

Pioneer Aero’s Craig Cunha recently inspected B-22’s original arrestor hook handle and its associated mounting box and locking sector to determine their condition. Sadly, he found that each of these components was too badly corroded to refurbish for airworthy use. As a result, Cunha had to remanufacture most of the components, although he was able to salvage several useable items from donor handles which came with the project. The damaged parts also provided excellent templates for fabricating their replacements too.

Another view of the arrestor hook handle assembly. This image reveals how the locking sector passes through the handle. The handle sits in the lower part of the slot when it is in the "hook stowed" position. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A righthand closeup of the arrestor hook handle assembly from B-22 showing the mounting box and handle mechanism to good effect. It is clear that the mechanism is heavily encrusted in corrosion. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A lefthand closeup of the arrestor hook handle assembly from B-22 showing significant corrosion in both the handle mechanism and the mounting box itself. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Mounting Box Remanufacture:

The following images show the mounting box for the arrestor handle assembly during its remanufacture. Cunha was able to use the original parts from B-22 as a guide for manufacturing the necessary parts, while referring to the manufacturing drawings for technical details.

The remanufactured mounting box for the SBD's arrestor hook handle.

Craig Cunha refabricated the mounting box for the SBD’s arrestor hook handle assembly. This image shows some of its major components during trial-fitting, with Clecos holding the parts together. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Another view of the arrestor hook handle mounting box undergoing trial fitting during its remanufacture. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A left upper view of the arrestor hook handle mounting box undergoing trial fitting during its remanufacture. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A righthand view of the arrestor hook handle mounting box undergoing trial fitting during its remanufacture. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A topside view of the arrestor hook handle mounting box undergoing trial fitting during its remanufacture. This image looks into the slot where the arrestor gear handle will be located following reassembly. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A lower, aft view of the arrestor hook handle mounting box undergoing trial fitting during its remanufacture. Note the two sets of machined fittings; these will hold the locking sector in place following reassembly. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A view of the remanufactured arrestor hook handle mounting box after its components have been primer-painted and riveted together. An angle bracket will be riveted along the lower edge once it is mounted on the cockpit floor. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A righthand view of the remanufactured arrestor hook handle mounting box after its components have been primer-painted and riveted together. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A lefthand view of the remanufactured arrestor hook handle mounting box after its components have been primer-painted and riveted together. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

An aft, lower side view of the remanufactured arrestor hook handle mounting box after its components have been primer-painted and riveted together. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Donor Parts Salvage:

As the images below reveal, the lower portion and internal components from one of the donor handles were reusable. Cunha bead blasted them and used a chemical cleaner to remove residual corrosion. The locking pawl was also reusable after a minor welding repair. Cunha also prepared an original lower hinge point and other items for cadmium plating, but had to refabricate a new guide and push rod for the mechanism.

An original arrestor hook handle from a donor aircraft which has had the top portion cut off at some point. Despite the damage, there were some reusable internal components. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A close up of the lower hinge fitting the arrestor hook handle depicted in the previous image. The ‘wet’ look is from the penetrating oil used to help free the fitting from the handle’s tube. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Some of the parts seen here following their salvage from donor arrestor hook handles. This lower portion and some of the internal components are refurbishable. The steel components have since been cleaned up and sent away for cadmium plating. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Aluminum Handle & Locking Sector:

Cunha also remanufactured the upper aluminum handle section using factory drawings and a donor handle as a reference. He had to perform a similar task in refabricating the locking sector, as the original was too far gone for airworthy use. Cunha also machined new mounts for this component too.

This image shows the upper portion of an original, albeit non-airworthy arrestor hook handle from a donor aircraft (top) and its replacement (bottom) part way through the latter’s remanufacture. The new part is now ready for trial-fitting to the lower portion of the handle. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

A view of a corroded locking sector for the arrestor hook handle (from a donor aircraft) along with its replacement part way through the fabrication process. While this original component was damaged beyond airworthy repair, it did provide useful details (along with the factory drawing seen here) to help in the remanufacture of its replacement. (Image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Remaining Steps:

Cunha has fabricated all of the remaining arrestor hook handle parts, with the steel components undergoing cadmium plating at a third party's facility. Final reassembly will take place once these items return from the cad’ shop.