Further quote from Cdr Hefford which may be of interest regarding the Phantom launch technique:
"We devised a stick restraining device for use during a catapult launch. The idea was to set a tailplane angle while holding the stick against a wire strap which was under tension and retracted into the instrument panel when not needed. The tension was such that, should the pilot need more aft stick, he could overcome the restraining device. We completed tests at RAE Bedford before embarking and established that very consistent safe launching were possible, whereas USN launches showed very large variations in the rate and angle of rotation off the catapult. We could not use the "hands free" launch which was designed into, and was so successful, in the Buccaneer, because the control system balance was such as to cause the stick to rotate aft during launch, but we felt this was the next best thing. The disadvantage was that it had to be unclipped during the climb."