Assisting take-off and alighting of 1940

[hesham]

Hi,

here is the assisting take-off and alighting hydroplane launching gear for
stepless flying stepless flying boats.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%201907.html
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%201908.html

 

[Jemiba]

Interesting find, but I have some doubts ...
"Water is a shock-absorber which has not to be carried in flight"
Maybe that's true for absolutely calm waters, but even if the sea is
just a little bit choppy, it is PRODUCING, not absorbing shocks to the
aircrafts structure. The planing bottom of a flying boat has to be
constructed more sturdy and so more heavy, no matter if with or
without step.
And a flying boat, which absolutely need such a take-off assistance,
would take away just the advantage which normaly is inherent in this
type of aircraft : The flexibility, to use any strip of water, which is long
(and calm !) enough, without further preparation.
Well, with hindsight, it seems clear, that this patent was a non-starter,
but it's always interesting to read about such ideas,

thank you Hesham