Thanks as always 'Engines' and as 'Not_a_boffin' suggests it looks like the main wheels are a tad below the hook point at Optimum Angle of Attack approach attitude. The two aircraft did not catapult because of aircraft test sensor issues according to a Break Dat Fence report (
F-35C To Navy: Note My Lovely USS Nimitz Landings « Breaking Defense - Defense industry news, analysis and commentary ) so that would indicate that the hook up touch and goes (with a wave off for whatever reason) seen in the video here:
http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...ml#post8726985 were performed before the actual arrests of the two test aircraft.
From the same video again posted below we can see the aircraft filmed from a 'looking up the flight path' viewpoint. Steady orange (at Opt AoA) for first arrest with the second chap having a millisecond or two green for slow but back to orange ASAP.
How the hook is designed is up to the aircraft designers. If that design is a good wire catcher then end of story. One day we will perhaps have some statistics from the comprehensive initial 'Shake Rattle and Roll' testing (mostly at PaxRiver). These are multiple arrests simulating all kinds of challenging approach and ship movement (by having the aircraft in odd situations) for multiple arrests - all most likely successful. As mentioned - the aircraft would not go to sea if they were not likely to arrest.
For 'RetiredF4' both aircraft had no. 3 (target) wire arrests from all reports (from the 4 available). IF the camera is at no.2 wire then all is good. No?
