We're channeling some more old photos today, this time of Ideal's Floating Mechanical Seaplane, the USMC version. These came in several color variants and markings and appears to be modeled after a Cessna 172 Skyhawk floatplane although I suppose there could be several other contenders. The plane measures 10" (25.4cm) long with a nearly 10" wingspan and has a robust propeller and wind-up mechanism although my toy's mechanism slips. I don't know if the thing would actually glide over the water when wound-up and released but it sure looks capable of it. The photos were taken back in 2010, months before I started the blog and back then I was toying (pun intended) with the idea of making a diorama using Marx soldiers. The plane was to sit on a jungle river next to a pier with medics bringing out the wounded on a stretcher. Like so many other projects on my 'to-do' list this one never saw the light of day, but a few proof-of-concept were taken. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina
