Tailhook - used on carrier based aircraft as a means to slow or halt the plane.
The airframe was also prone to corrosion, a serious problem in a carrier based aircraft.
France and Italy also used their carrier based aircraft over Afghanistan.
Finally, modern land based aircraft were now so heavy that they required longer runways than even Habakkuk could provide.
The airport has over 120 based aircraft that belong to business and general aviation operators.
The UK based aircraft were sent out to work all over the world.
This service started on 19 February 2009 with 20 of their Dublin based aircraft.
Other armament configurations could also be found on similar C-47 based aircraft around the world.
However, carriers have been called upon to be first responders even when conventional land based aircraft were employed.
Carrier based aircraft were lighter in design, and had not been shown to be as lethal.
