"Gordon" wrote in message
ps.com...


Doubt that they still use breakable (frangible) type of bolts, but
perhaps ?
Do they ?

Anyone know of any good sources to learn more about how this is
actually
done, and what
these mechanisms look like ?


I have one in front of me, from my first S-3 launch. My half (other
half stays in the shuttle until the deck crew discards it) looks like
half of a palm-sized purple yo-yo. Each a/c type used a different
color as each a/c had a slightly different holdback fitting.

Agreed. And they are NOT interchangeable deliberately so Sailors don't screw
up and put the wrong one in.

If the wrong holdback fitting *could* be installed (with the associated
incorrect release pressure), the results could be disastrous. The cat could
either release without enough steam pressure to get the aircraft fully
airborne or the 'live cat' could just sit there without enough pressure to
break the holdback (instead of actually launching the aircraft) until the
steam pressure is bled off (aborting the cat shot).