Tri-ang Battlespace R562 Catapult Plane Launching Car

Nosing through some boxes of secondhand stock in my local model shop (Buxton Railworks) I came across a Tri-ang Battlespace aircraft launcher. At the time I ignored it, but on a return visit a few weeks later I asked if it was still there. It was, and the shop owner gave it to me. For free. It was missing its plane and the elastic band that fires it, all of the buffers, both couplings, and one wheel. It did however still have the operating mechanism for the launcher.

This is what I brought home;

These were made between 1966 and 1971, and considering its age the overall condition is pretty good, and it's cleaned up nicely under the tap.

Luckily I have a few bits of knackered Tri-ang knocking about, including a 31 which donated a wheelset. I also have the chassis of a R127 crane, bought for 50p, which donated its couplings and the screws to hold them in place. So, now I had a wagon that could move and be moved;

It still needed a plane. There are new reproduction spares available on eBay, so I ordered a replacement, in yellow as that was the colour of the original planes (I almost went for a typical Cold War grey or silver);

The fuselage is 3d printed and the wings card, printed on both sides.

An elastic band is used to launch the plane, which should fit through a slot in the top of the framework and loop around a U shaped slot at the front. To do this you need to remove the frame from the chassis, held in place with 4 tabs which can easily be damaged. As mine is in good condition and because I'd like to keep it that way I'm using a shorter elastic band, fitted into the top slot and held there with a blob of blu-tack; 

From above, note the overhang!;

Ready for launch;

The firing band just fits into a slot in the fuselage, and pushing the firing lever backwards or forwards releases the plane by means of a cam. It works well, the plane taking off and scooting along the ground, I'm sure it could fly higher and further with a stronger band.

This has been a fun little project, there's been little to do except clean it under the tap, rummage around for some spares and order a plane off eBay. I still need to source buffer heads although I could turn some if I fail to find any. I have to say that I am impressed by the simplicity of the thing, and I'm sure it must have been well received by its original owner.

Paul.