The Tail Hook Restoration

The tail hook is one of my early restorations. This is where I learned to remove rust, repair scratches, make small components, and polish. Most important: I learned that patience and lots of elbow grease are the most important ingredients of any aircraft restoration process. Figure 1 shows a rusted bolt and some spacers after the tail hook was completely disassembled.

Note: You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.

Figure 1 Rust is the Main Feature at This Point
Photo of a rusted tail hook bolt and washers. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Figure 2 shows one of the really useful rust removal tools. Evapo-Rust actually works, yet it's very easy on the hands and on the environment. Unlike some of the phosphorus-based rust removers, it seems to have no effect on bare skin or on clothes. (I spilled plenty of the stuff on my hands and frequently wiped my hands dry on my clothes ... no burns and no textile destruction.) I found that the best way to use this product is to soak the rusted parts overnight ... and then use a copper wire brush to remove the resulting residue.

Figure 2 Evapo-Rust is a Great Rust Removal Aid
Photograph of Super Sabre modeling supplies. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Figure 3 shows that elbow grease is still a big part of the restoration process. It's important to have lots of tools, but it takes time to master their use. One of the best finishing tools is also the simplest one ... ScotchBright pads are essential and bare hands still provide the best way to feel imperfections and to guide the seemingly endless scrubbing. Did I mention the value of patience?

Figure 3 Lots of Elbow Grease is a Main Ingredient
Polishing F-100 tail hook components. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Figure 4 shows the result of endless hours of cleaning and polishing. Compare the shiny bolt in this picture to the one shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 Shiny Parts Are the Reward
Cleaned tail hook parts. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Figure 5 shows the reassembled hook ... this one has a factory fresh look after an investment of nearly 30 hours. My work log shows that I invested just over 45 hours in this small restoration.

Figure 5 The Reassembled Hook
The completed and reassembled hook. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

After the tail hook restoration was completed, I still had to produce a display stand. Figure 6 shows the way the tail hook is displayed in the F-100 Building.

Figure 6 The Tail Hook on the Display Stand
Completed tail hook on display stand. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

While the rebuilding and restoring efforts are important, please remember that the main focus of the F-100 project is its database. If you can supply stories and pictures that reflect your experience with the Hun, please do so. (You can click on the Contact me link to send me an email.) The objective is to develop a very comprehensive personal history of the Hun and of the people who flew and maintained her. You and the Hun deserve to be remembered in your own words.

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