Tow bars on board USN Carriers

[Hajo L.]

Topic says it all: Are the typical tow bars that are used on board US carriers always of that "forked" type or are there also single ones?

HAJO

[Spongebob]

In my experience, always "forked". The only differences are the ones for the H-60's which are about twice as long as the regular towbars.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Spongebob

[Hajo L.]

Thanks! Now I can start to work on my hangardeck...

HAJO

[Bulldog 09]

Hey HAJO,

On all modern Aircraft Carrier the ALBAR or (Adjustable Length Towbar) is the primary tow bar used. They come in 4 different lengths, and depending on the aircraft one of the four will be used. I have attached the chart used in the Aviation Boatswain's Mate H NAVEDTRA 14311 manual and a photo of one. Shoot me a PM with your email address and I will shoot you over the schematics and diagrams for the ALBAR. They will be perfect for your project.

Table 2-8.—Leading Particulars and ALBAR Selection Table

Model Number - 8 ALBAR

Part Number - 1479AS100-1

Length - 108 inches

Width - 14 inches

Height - 10 inches

Weight - 128 lbs.

Model Number - 15 ALBAR

Part Number - 1479AS200-1

Length - 180 inches

Width - 14 inches

Height - 10 inches

Weight - 170 lbs.

Model Number - 20 ALBAR

Part Number - 1479AS300-1

Length - 240 inches

Width - 14 inches

Height - 10 inches

Weight - 218 lbs.

Model Number - 24 ALBAR

Part Number - 1479AS400-1

Length - 300 inches

Width - 14 inches

Height - 10 inches

Weight - 255 lbs.

AIRCRAFT 8 ALBAR 15 ALBAR 20 ALBAR 24 ALBAR

AV-8, 15 ALBAR Shipboard, 20 ALBAR Land Based

TAV-8, 20 ALBAR

C-2, 15 ALBAR

E-2, EA-6B, 15 ALBAR

F-14, 15 ALBAR

F/A-18, 15 ALBAR Shipboard, 20 ALBAR Land Based

UH-1, AH-1, 15 ALBAR See Note 1

H-2, H-3, 15 ALBAR

H-46 , 8 ALBAR Shipboard, 15 ALBAR Land Based

H-53, CH-53E, 8 ALBAR See Note 2, 15 ALBAR See Note 3, 20 ALBAR See Note 4

SH-60, 24 ALBAR

S-3, 15 ALBAR

T-2, T-34, T-44, 15 ALBAR

TH-57, 15 ALBAR See Note 1

UC-12, 15 ALBAR

V-22, 8 ALBAR See Note 5, 15 ALBAR See Note 5

NOTES:

1. Exchange aircraft attachment fittings, P/N 1479AS103-1 & 2 to mate hooks to helicopter skid rings. See paragraph 19, page 8, (WP-00300) NAVAIR 19-1-137.

2. For shipboard use when not equipped with in-flight refueling probe.

3. For land based use when not equipped with in-flight refueling probe.

4. For shipboard/land based use when equipped with in-flight refueling probe.

5. Use 15 ALBAR when gun pod is installed ashore/afloat, 8 ALBAR may be used otherwise.

Hope this helps.

Dave Fassett

Edited June 5, 2010 by Bulldog 09

[Phantom ordie]

Older carries used a single one because most A/C were taildraggers or had a single nose wheel.

[Phantom ordie]

Older carries used a single one because most A/C were taildraggers or had a single nose wheel. But then again they were pushed around by hand.

[Hajo L.]

Thanks a lot, guys!

Bulldog, no diagrams and more necessary, I will model them in 1/700 scale, so any more small details are more or less invisible/impossible.

HAJO

[FAR148]

I will model them in 1/700 scale

[Hajo L.]

Double post...

Edited June 7, 2010 by Hajo L.

[Hajo L.]

OK, first results look veeeery good in my eyes:

Especially when "in action"... Hope you like it!

HAJO