Academy Models 18146 Da Vinci Flying Machine

Da Vinci developed a number of designs that were well before their time. His vision of vertical flight with his spiral helicopter, paddle wheel-powered vessels, and the early armored car may have been laughable in his day, but were the stepping stones for today's MV-22 Osprey, turbine-powered Ticonderoga-class cruisers, and the M1 Abrams tank. With Da Vinci's flying machine, he developed a mechanical model to mimic the movements and structure of a bird. Like the bird, his machine uses movement (flapping) of the wings for propulsion. Of course, man achieved powered flight though no designs to date have used flapping for propulsion. Suitable for ages 14 and up.