Da Vinci Ornithopter

Flying has always been a dream of humans, and Leonardo’s fascination with birds and flight was evident in his studies of birds and different human powered flying machines. His ornithopter design has captured the imagination of people for generations, and we have combined his cool flying machine with one of his bevel gear designs to make a neat working model with flapping wings and a pilot with moving arms and legs.

While it remains a mystery if his ornithopter design was ever fully made or tested at the time, there are many ideas (hanging in museums around the world!) of what it might have looked like, and we have added our ideas as well.

Age Rating: 9+ While this kit can be made by youngsters starting around 9 years old (and younger), we like that it is both interesting and compelling for kids of all ages – right up to those in their 90’s! They can be made by beginner model makers, but having some skills in model making would be good.