Hi A4K: I would assume that to be the case. If I was flying them, I would have removed the tailhook, too. With the USMC, I think the majority of them removed the tailhooks when land based earlier in the war, although some period photographs show them still attached. I'm still debating whether I will remove the tailhook when it hangs in the museum in a couple of months. On one hand, I"d say that, yes, chances are Hanson removed his tailhook. On the other, I don't have irrefutable evidence that he did, and also the museum would like to honor all Corsair pilots, many of whom were later carrier based. Plus, it looks very cool and adds a dimension of discussion for the visitors when they see it, and realize that these planes also landed on tiny aircraft carriers.
I'll probably make the decision at the last moment as we hang it up
Thanks for the interest and input.
cheers
davegee