Wondering:How the catapult cables attach to the Avenger?How the cables are released from the Avenger after launch?What happens to the catapult shuttle at the end of its travel?

Wondering:How the catapult cables attach to the Avenger?How the cables are released from the Avenger after launch?What happens to the catapult shuttle at the end of its travel?

Hi Vaughn,Have you read the two manuals that came with the package? I ask because the first question is not only answered in the software manual, but illustrated as well. For part two, I'll give you a logical guess based on looking at the hooks: the cables simply fell free of the hooks as the shuttle reached the end of its travel and the plane over-ran it as it left the deck. The shape and angle of the hooks took care of that. Now I'm old - 63rd birthday yesterday, in fact, but not old enough to have witnessed carrier operations of this plane! ;-) Besides, I was an Infantry grunt, so I have no personal experience of watching any planes takeoff from flat-tops! ;-) What I know about catapult shuttle operation has been gained by watching the History Channel! ;-)Please keep in mind, this is strictly a support forum for the add-on products we produce and we have neither the time or inclination to get into operational matters of the real aircraft. I would suggest that this type of question would be better answered by forum members of the Warbird Information Exchange (WIX). That's certainly where I would go. Among the very knowledgeable folks over there are real Naval Aviators of vast experience who would be delighted to educate you. But I'll do you one better. I know it's a bit of a haul from the Detroit area, but if you come to our museum's unmatched World War II Weekend this June, you can not only examine our real TBM, but also meet the man who restored it, Jack Kosko. Jack knows a thing or two about the subject that interests you since he was the radio operator/bombardier on the original "Piece of Cake" on which his restoration is based. http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html You can undoubtedly learn the same thing at YAF's "Thunder Over Michigan" in your own neck of the woods. Plenty of Naval Aviator types and planes will be in attendance. (Our show is way cooler, though, unless your into jets.)

Hi Bill,"Have you read the two manuals that came with the package? I ask because the first question is not only answered in the software manual, but illustrated as well."Yes, I have read both manuals. I could not figure out the illustrations/cable routing/operation.There was only one sentence to describe the maam Sims Avenger/Langley catapult system in the manual.So I searched the internet and found a picture that used very "hefty" looking cables.http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a40/VMartell/TBM-3-cat-cables.jpgNow the internet picture and the manual picture were really different. Which confused me even more.So, I posted the question on maam AVSIM forum. I thought I would get a quick answer or possibly an internet link for more information on Avenger catapult system.**** Previously I had read on the maam internet web page ****OUTSTANDING PRODUCT SUPPORT The team has a five year history of support for its customers that is unsurpassed. If you need help or information, there are several channels open to you, as well - more than any other team offers:An active MAAM-SIM Support Forum, hosted by our friends at AVSIM Online, is the primary means by which tech support is delivered. There you can get answers from the MAAM-SIM design team, members of the "BTBT", (Briefing Time Beta Team) and experienced user's of MAAM-SIM products. E-mail and private message support is available at the forum, as well. You can call or fax the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Store at (610) 372-7333 with questions about your order. You can write us or order by mail at: MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM 11 Museum Drive, Reading, Pennsylvania 19605-9407 You can contact the design team by e-mail at [email protected] of all, you can visit the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum at Reading Regional Airport, Pennsylvania. There you can pick up your copy of a MAAM-SIM CD from the Museum Shop, then take the tour, walk into the hangar, or out on to the ramp and see the real aircraft from which it was modeled. Where else can you do that? *****************************************************************Well, in the past I have tried:Calling the museum ... I was told nobody was around and the quickest response would be an e-mail to Bill Rambow or the AVSIM forum.So, I tried e-mail .. no response .. later learned the e-mail went to the museum and not to Bill ... nobody read the e-mail.I did not try private message after that.Reading, Pennsylvania is too far to drive to.So I started posting on the forum from then on.***********************************************************Now, because the the museum web page said:If you need help or information, there are several channels open to you ...So, I needed more information on the catapult system for the Avenger.So I posted the question on the maam AVSIM forum.*************************************************"For part two, I'll give you a logical guess based on looking at the hooks: the cables simply fell free of the hooks as the shuttle reached the end of its travel and the plane over-ran it as it left the deck. The shape and angle of the hooks took care of that."Bill, sorry, but this exactly why I posted the question on the forum! because I found myself guessing "how it worked".I figured I would get an answer from a member who knew exactly how the Avenger catapult system works."Now I'm old - 63rd birthday yesterday, in fact, but not old enough to have witnessed carrier operations of this plane! ;-) Besides, I was an Infantry grunt, so I have no personal experience of watching any planes takeoff from flat-tops! ;-) What I know about catapult shuttle operation has been gained by watching the History Channel! ;-)"Again, Bill, I was not asking you personally to respond the my forum question."Please keep in mind, this is strictly a support forum for the add-on products we produce and we have neither the time or inclination to get into operational matters of the real aircraft."Well, this could easily be added to the maam museums website page. Nice to know anyway.But, as far as the AVSIM forum goes, in general, all types of "real aircraft operational" questions get asked and answered every day. I have had time to answer a few myself, on various forums, including maam's forum here.Now, quite possibly you, personally, "neither the time or inclination to get into operational matters of the real aircraft."If that is the case, then by all means do not answer the forum questions.I have several posts that have not been answered ... now I know why.But, possibly, other members that do have more time (and know the answer) will answer the posters questions."I would suggest that this type of question would be better answered by forum members of the Warbird Information Exchange (WIX). That's certainly where I would go. Among the very knowledgeable folks over there are real Naval Aviators of vast experience who would be delighted to educate you."Thanks for the information."But I'll do you one better. I know it's a bit of a haul from the Detroit area, but if you come to our museum's unmatched World War II Weekend this June, you can not only examine our real TBM, but also meet the man who restored it, Jack Kosko. Jack knows a thing or two about the subject that interests you since he was the radio operator/bombardier on the original "Piece of Cake" on which his restoration is based.http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.htmlYou can undoubtedly learn the same thing at YAF's "Thunder Over Michigan" in your own neck of the woods. Plenty of Naval Aviator types and planes will be in attendance. (Our show is way cooler, though, unless your into jets.)Bill RambowMAAM-SIMwww.maam.org"*************Thanks for the additional information.I will visit these sites for information on how the Avenger/Langley catapult system works.