Flappers.......

[CapnHarlock]

Please pardon my small attempt at anachronistic jocularity .. I don't mean the young ladies of the 1920's......

I have recently discovered a source for (non-steam-powered, alas) working models of my second-favorite aerial device (after dirigible airships) - The Ornithopter

An Moving Difference Engine Daguerrotype (a YouTube video - what SHALL we call these things....) of a model's flight  may be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T67n7tAOmQY

Model kits may be obtained, at quite reasonable cost, from this Worthy Vendor http://www.ornithopter.org/

(I am not associated in any way with either, other than as a customer, I simply love Ornithopters )

Enjoy, my Friends...

[Jake of All Trades]

This is by far one of the most beautiful and fascinating things I have ever had the pleasure of beholding.  Rather simple too!  I've never seen a 4-winged one before, but it certainly seems to be the way to go...

*curses the fact that he can't start another project right now*

[CapnHarlock]

A Note: the models from the above-listed source are NOT identical to the ornithopter in the moving picture. they are considerably smaller and appear to lack the gearwork in the video, using cranks instead.  Still a good introduction to the art, but I do not wish to mislead anyone. (the kits arrived today)

[Jake of All Trades]

Right--have you ever seen another bi-winged model?

[CapnHarlock]

The "Luna" model from Ornithopters.org is a bi-wing (or quad-wing) flapper - it simply is much smaller than the video version ("standard" balsa-glider sized - approximately 8 inches) and appears to use bent-wire cranks vs the lovely, simple gearing shown.

I shall attempt a screen-capture to see if the drive mechanism can be diagrammed easily

(in addition to wanting to build one, I envision a similar setup as a steam-powered backpack mount, driving a set of gossamer silk and brass damselfly wings on a Steampunk "faerie" - I do wish I was a better artist..)

[Jake of All Trades]

Be sure to file that wing-pack idea at the Ministry of Fictional Patents in the "Textual" section of the forum--it sounds great!

[CapnHarlock]

A wonderful HOWTO from the folks at Instructables:

http://www.instructables.com/id/E6HII1H1JREZIXCMII