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[Patrick Henry]

I need to be able to simulate one or two puffs of steam from the forward deck to represent the puff of escaping steam from an aircraft catapult just after a plane has taken off, but I can't for the life of me come up with an idea as to how to do it. I've thought of a tyre air valve as the steam/smoke release valve, but any ideas as to how to store either steam/smoke, or to make it, would be appreciated...

Rich

[HS93 (RIP)]

air with a bit of talcum powder. a smoke unit may not start and stop quick enough, I don't think anyway.

Peter

[Corposant]

Would it be possible to momentarily trigger an aerosol spray (something like hair spray). The ideal thing would be a miniscule CO2 cylinder - if such a beast exists with a suitable valve.

Mike

[andyn]

Deodorant? You get a nice smelling boat then, too

[catengineman]

Get yourself a can of test smoke then fit it to a carrier that has a short servo horn just at the spray nozzle trigger this with a fast on off motion and there you have it
The smoke can be directed to where you want it to escape via a small tube, the sort that is on tins of WD 40

R

[catengineman]

You could even modify one of those auto spray things that have a small motorised drive system in them

R

[malcolmfrary]

Many years ago there was an article in one of the magazines about an aircraft carrier project with nearly everything working.  In among the other stuff, there was a home-made smoke unit that not only provided funnel smoke, but via a manifold and plumbing, could redirect the smoke for gunsmoke.  The same could probably be applied to the catapults.

[Patrick Henry]

Hmm...some interesting stuff there, thank you gents. The aerosol can/talcum powder seems reasonable...time to go play, methinks.

Thanks guys...

Rich

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Hmm...some interesting stuff there, thank you gents. The aerosol can/talcum powder seems reasonable...time to go play, methinks.

Thanks guys...

Rich

You'll have to watch where the powder goes.   

ken

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Any type of canned air propellent should do the job.
It should puff into a chamber that contains your talc, or corn starch, then a tube
should exit that chamber to where you want the effect to appear.


DO NOT use hair spray... that will glue all the talc to the inside of the chamber, and
should any actually exit at the effect point, then it will stick to where ever it lands.
Hair spray is essentially a water soluable spray glue.... 

[Den the tug]

The spray can to use is a Tescos automatic air freshener (smelly), ideal with servo.
 Single spray per push, then you will have to sort out the "steam".
Also this will freshen up your lake for your fellow boaters .
Den

[Patrick Henry]

Umi...Den...apologies for missing your replies. 

I've settled on a can of 'stuff' I found in the workshops at work, I haven't a clue what it is, but it works! I can get replacements as well, the storeman doesn't know what it's used for, but he's not worried as long as he gets his free coffee for it, so I'm busy building a holder for the can. I'll use talcum powder for the 'steam' effect, in a plastic box, and exhaust it through plastic tube up under the flight deck. The spray will be triggered by a brass rod linked to a servo, got that bit done.

Thanks all... 

Rich