Monday, April 22, 2013

Dragon Copter


(Video linkFesto has built a working model ornithopter called a BionicOpter. Like the dragonfly it is based on, it can fly in all directions, hover in mid-air, and glide. 

I have always been fascinated by the idea of dragonfly ornithopters. Here is Arthur Denison's steam-powered dragoncopter from Dinotopia: The World Beneath (1995). Even though the dragonfly is a very ancient design, it's one of the most agile fliers among insects.

(link to video) The aerodynamics are suggested in this computer simulation from Wright State University.
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Thanks, Luke Davis 
Previously on GJ: 

6 comments:

RobNonStop said...

Amazing Slow Motion video of Damselfly accidentally recorded: http://youtu.be/dOyc98tV5kA

They are similar to Dragonflies but have somewhat different eyes and wings.

P.T. Waugh said...

This made me think of The World Beneath. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sRlFQLwg3w

James Gurney said...

Awesome! Thanks for these cool links.

jeff jordan said...

That's GREAT! Now if he could just adapt it to steam power............

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

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