In the description of the changes in the new update to be released today, I saw that tail hooks can onlt be lowered when the gear are down. Does this apply only to the F4Us?
I ask because the SBD, SB2C, TBM, F4F-4, FM-2 and F6F-5 tail hooks were completely independent of the landing gear, with separate controls. All could lower the hook with the gear up. In fact, lowering the hook with the gear up was a Navy requirement. It was needed in the event that a plane was unable to lower its landing gear and would make a belly landing on the flight deck. They preferred to catch a wire and keep the plane out of the barrier, and thus reduce the possibility of getting through the barrier and into the planes parked forward. While the F4U's hook was attached to the tail wheel assembly, it did have its own actuator and dashpot. I do not know if the hook could be lowered with the tailwheel up, but I would think the Navy would have insisted that it must.
My regards,
Widewing