[dis.kevin]

I never saw a cable snap, but once saw an f-14 loose its tailhook after catching a wire. The aircraft rolled off the end of the angle deck and settled below the flight deck before the burners were lit and they flew out of it. The LSO was calling for the crew to eject but they both stayed with it and safely diverted. Was a real impressive save.

[Pukin Dog]

Thats a little easier save in a Tomcat, which has a lot of low speed lift with the wings forward and a high AOA making the fuselage a lifting body as well. You would still have to be whipping the ponies really hard looking for 125knots before putting any G on the jet. But even those gutless TF-30's could get a Cat going pretty well off the deck.

[oyez]

An F-4 blowing full afterburners is an impressive sight, especially up close. The J birds had a unique sound as well.