How much time between a 1/2 and a full Ironman?

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Lots of people do Eagleman prior to LP.  It works OK.  In my opinion, it is generally better to have the half a little further out if you want to do one.  Black Bear is a good option.  Kinetic is probably perfect.  Train for that, do a full taper, race hard and then take one-to-weeks of recovery while easing back into normal workouts for the final 'push' towards LP.  You will be thankful for having that time to recover both physically & mentally prior to your peak IM training.

I did Black Bear as my HIM before LP this year...not only did it fit in perfectly timing wise (i was following Don Fink's plan), but the hills in BB were great training for LP.

Either is fine, 7 weeks is a nice place to put a HIM as you can recover for 1 week and then get in 3 weeks build before a 3 week taper.

I say 7 is good, can race it, recover for a week, then start your last build.  I did one 5 weeks out and it was not ideal from a training plan approach

I did Eagleman before both IMLPs I raced.  I thought the timing worked perfectly and the recovery was quick both times.  Black Bear is a bit earlier (probably by only a week given when Memorial Day is in 2010), but the recovery time, so I've heard, can be much longer. 

I'm doing Augusta  HIM this year (September 27th), and the Great Floridian (October 24th).  The training program I'm following has my highest hours week the same week as Augusta, with a four week taper up to the IM.  What I'm doing is changing the plan slightly, and putting the peak week just prior to the HIM.  I plan on using Augusta as just a long workout where I get to practice my nutrition plan and transitions.  My total hours for that week will end up being around 10-12.  I really think the minimum space between a HIM and an IM entirely depends on how you plan on racing each.  The ironman is my A race, and I have no intention of going all out at the HIM.  I'm pretty comfortable with the closeness.  Had I just stuck to my original plan, the same day I'll be racing Augusta in about 5+ hours, I would have been doing a 6 hour ride with a 30 minute run.  Just keep in mind that you've got an ironman on the horizon and don't kill yourself at the half.