Yes, it's certainly the most logical option and the drawing and photo that Les (TailUK) put on earlier in the thread follow the same line in that the rig could be carried up to deck level as or if required.
It's just that a quick measurement of the fitting from the photo gives what appears to be a pipe that could easily be as much as 9" diameter, or even more, with fittings of similar bulk.
There is a line that appears to be running from the lower end into the water, so could it just be happenstance that there is a second application and that the line runs behind the fitting, rather than through it.
For example, sonobuoys and dipping sonar were being developed by us just at that time. They were trialed in 1942 as anti-mine sonar under the code name High Tea (At least according to Wiki
)
A drop pipe would be feasible, since they would enter the water at the point where the rolling of the ship would have least effect?
Anyhow, whatever the reason, they're going to have to be incorporated in the model!!!!
Cheers
Tony