fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) What do you get when you combine two of the most efficient and successful machines? A failure for many decades with some degree of accomplishment (in a rather different guise) at the end (the known gossamer machines and similar "pedaling apparatus"). The remains of Flying Bicycles have littered for years the paths of aviation history. Whatever they managed to get airborne (or not), you can't deny their charm. A friend showed my a photo and I replicated it for him combining a modified photo-etched kit of a bicycle and some scratched elements. The completed model is here: As simple as they may sound, I guarantee you it wasn't. The P.E. bicycle lacked a bit rigidity (too thin gauge) and the spokes -the only real let down of the "kit"- detached at the least provocation not being properly secured to the rim, making things not particularly cheerful. A couple of very delicate parts (wheel mudguards) were already bent in the pouch, possible done while sliding the fret in at factory. Still, here it is: Now it only needs priming and painting before final assembly and the addition of a couple details: Edited February 9, 2019 by Moa 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 "Oh Icarus wherefore art thou Icarus". A step too far Moa, this one has to be a chicken among eagles. 🙄 John 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Where’s Mary Poppins? 😀 AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 ... nutter. There's quite a choice of bicyles in 1/35, which while not traditionally an aircraft scale at least makes for something visible. Nice work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoshenko Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Although not technically a flying bicycle, the Gossamer Albatross was technically peddle powered and successfully crossed the English Channel in 1979. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 38 minutes ago, Tomoshenko said: Although not technically a flying bicycle, the Gossamer Albatross was technically peddle powered and successfully crossed the English Channel in 1979. As I said above 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 This is deliciously bonkers, unsurprisingly, I'm in! Martian 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 The base tone is airbrushed: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 OK Moa, I've seen it all, now! How 'bout doing Professor Fate's bicycle/dirigible thingie from the Great Race as your next project? Push the button, Max! Mike http://www.the-solute.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/GR.zeppelin.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Forgive me, but I've got the impression to this flying machine something's missing... like this it would fly just down a hill!!! But I don't understand what is missing.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 10 hours ago, Massimo said: Forgive me, but I've got the impression to this flying machine something's missing... like this it would fly just down a hill!!! But I don't understand what is missing.... Massimo, Massimo... It flies with its imagination, which is invisible to others. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Great work Moa and the standard of lunacy is up there with BM's finest. You hereby qualify to take part in my SM.79 thread, I can do you no greater honour. Martian 👽 PS: How did you go about the wings? I really like the translucent effect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 3 minutes ago, Martian Hale said: Great work Moa and the standard of lunacy is up there with BM's finest. You hereby qualify to take part in my SM.79 thread, I can do you no greater honour. Martian 👽 PS: How did you go about the wings? I really like the translucent effect. Oh, Martian, I salute you! may you live long and prosper, may your number of eyes never decrease. I am surprised you are not familiar with that material, simple condensed light sheet from planet K-Pax. Quite pliable.* Regarding the invitation, who could refuse such great honour! I have built 3 civil of them, I think I have already posted 2 here, may have another somewhere to contribute. Where is the link to such magnificent gathering of creatures from all corners of the galaxy? *Here on Earth translucent Polyshrink (a bakeable plastic sheet used to make trinkets) will do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235048734-savoia-marchetti-sm79-lebanese-style/& Martian 👽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Martian Hale said: Here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235048734-savoia-marchetti-sm79-lebanese-style/& Martian 👽 Martian from the planet Mars (named after the god of war): I would have preferred your planet to be named Marsh, in honor of the god Marshmallow. Your build is nothing less than spectacular and it's a pleasure to see your very fine work, let me be if not the the first, at least not the last to congratulate you in such extraordinary build, for which no praise is enough. But I encourage you to divert the extraordinary dexterity and sinisterity of your tentacles to more civilized endeavors given that, alas, I do not partake in bellicose enterprises; you see, in the Shaolin Modeling Monastery we all make a vote to be peaceful. That does not detract at all for the utter magnificence of your work, nor from the witty and educated participation of your distinguished audience. I thought you were referring to some group build or information request thread. Some S.79 were racers and passenger carriers. But I have sinned plenty in my rather unhinged youth, so I understand. When you reach maturity (I believe that for the average Martian that is around two millennia) and you become a more understanding adult, you may see the error of your ways. I salute you with the mandatory flapping of the wings we avians grant as a great honor. Cheers Edited February 6, 2019 by Moa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 (edited) Some paint and some parts are added: Edited February 7, 2019 by Moa 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I too thought that this was bonkers - but equally good fun. Simply marvellous and shows a very high degree of skill. More please! P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 Well, it may fly after all: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 Tiny little thing: Painting a figure and preparing its hangar by recycling a toy's box: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 We will see if tomorrow there is good light for the post of the completed model. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Aero Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 At about 42 Sq feet of wing area and an estimated all up weight of 150 lb's, gives a wing loading of approx 3,5 lb's per sq foot . That's going down hill to Hell in a wheel barrow! 😱 Still fantastic work. John 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Looks fabulous. E.T eat your heart out. Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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