Right,
I've been contemplating trying to catapult an electric powered Walrus off a 1:36 HMS Penelope but I was in the National Ralway Museum in York the other day and there is a model of the seaplane carrier HMS Eglantine which set me thinking on an easier project for combining ship and plane. The type of seaplane used, the Short 184, has a substantially bigger wing area and is less limited as far as the prop is concerned by being a 'puller' rather than a 'pusher' - more power - more lift.
I would need to be able to lift the plane off the deck, onto the water and release it and then lift off the water and re-stow. The 7oz is based on my Mk1 Walrus, plus a bit for the suction effect of the water when lifted but a bit more would be useful in helping the 'hook' to centre on the metal insert lifting point on the plane.
I reckon I could get away with a cylindrical magnet about 1/2" diameter by the same in length, or possibly slightly bigger, without it looking out of place BUT have no idea whether it is feasible or not in principle.
Thanks
Tony
As an aside, I've also been looking at docking a working 'blimp' on the same type of vessel and that would also use a similar setup.