Leonardo da Vinci Flyer

[mahjqa]

For Lego's Technic competition, you know the drill.

More pictures at Flickr

I was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's work with human-powered flight. Sadly, no human has enough strength to fly this way, but it's great to imagine. All of Da Vincis designs were purely mechanical, trying to replicate nature's designs through gears, levers and pulleys. What I tried to do here is to copy the movement of a bird's wings using nothing but simple mechanics. I think he would have approved.

[Tropy]

Awesome, also nice color combination, reminds me of the sopwith camel and the wright maiden flight sets.

[Milan]

If I were the judge, this would be the winner!

[Rick]

Geweldig! Great and very original idea Mahjqa and a really neat way of presentation. The movement of the wings looks very natural.

[deAraujo]

The legs movement is very natural!

Congratulations! Great work!

Edited February 16, 2010 by deAraujo

[sverre]

This one is a winner imo. Totally amazing!

[Tobbe Arnesson]

Well played!

[Darth Legolas]

Very, very good idea! The human is very articulated, and I love the moving legs and the fact that the arms can steer. Perhaps it's not an original design ( ) but this is a great representation of the idea! You did a really good job on the wings, I love the whole thing!

Good luck!

[Big Cam]

Wow, that's impressive. The flow of movement is well very smooth. I'm not much of a technic guy but I am impressed!

[mahjqa]

Perhaps it's not an original design ( ) but this is a great representation of the idea!

Don't worry, it's all original. As far as I can tell, he never used this wing design. If you want to know more about his work, this page can be very inspirational.

Heh. If the laws of physics had been a bit more stacked in our favour, we'd be flying these things to work since 1523.

[Blakbird]

Holt sh!+. That thing is beautiful. The motion of the wings and the pumping legs of the pilot look completely natural. The pull/pull cable system on the tail is wonderful as well. Combine that with the charming way you've chosen to present it in your "rustic" image and this is a real pleasure to see. I'm always drawn to a Technic subject I haven't seen before and this is certainly one. I must have one.

[allanp]

Very nice, love the movements and colour shceme. Very creative indeed! Love it!

[grepin]

Truly unique! This is definitively one of the favourites

[vmln8r]

Oh wow, this is wonderfully awesome. The flowing wing motion, legs, colours and presentation are all fantastic. I'm in awe of this, best of luck

[backbone]

Totally amazing, you have my vote if u get first ten

[CP5670]

This is a really original concept, and the wing movements look very smooth and natural.

[Enilder]

wow amazing!!!

[Anio]

Mahjqa, are you fan of Shadow of the Colossus ?

BTW, awesome MOC !

[mahjqa]

Anio: I am. Very much so.

And I'd like to thank everyone for their kind comments. It makes the engineering headaches worthwhile.

Edited February 18, 2010 by mahjqa

[Anio]

You should have reproduce Phalanx for the contest !!

Edited February 19, 2010 by Anio

[Ras 74]

Very nice design, also fun that you choosed Da Vincis work.

Like many said, nice movements and colour scheme.

Good luck in the competition