I am building the USS Essex at the moment .
I made some big progress last weeks, but before painting I started wondering about the arresting gear. I did not know what it was, but now I do.

In my PE set arresting gear is included, but I wondered how to build them?
are they always 'up' or only when the planes are incoming for landing?
and the steel cable? does it lay on the deck all the time? or is it only tensioned when planes land, and otherwise left of deck?

hope you guys can clearify this for me so I can continue progress.

thanks!

does anyone have a clue on this?