Ornithopter

Here's how to make an ornithopter powered by a rubber band.


You will need the following: (All my measurements are in inches.)

Wood: (Balsa works well, but i used coffee stirring sticks)

2 x 1 in.
2 x 1 1/2 in.
1x 2 1/2 in.
3 x 3 1/2 in.
1 x 4 1/2 in.
2x 5 in.

Wire: (paper clips work well)

1 x 2 1/4
2 x 2
1 x 1 1/4

Other Stuff:

Rubber Band
Super glue
Needle nosed plyers
beads
glue gun
Tissue paper (Other light materials work.)

First, cut out all of your wood and wire, Then start Gluing together.
Take your 4 1/2 in. stick and glue on the 1 in. sticks as shown in the picture. Then glue the 2 1/2 stick across the top.

Then glue your three 3 1/2 pieces together in a triangle.

After that, bend your wire as shown in the picture above.

Now you can glue your beads on and put the wire pieces on (don't glue the wire! they should turn freely.)

Glue the tail wire piece on.

You'll need to glue the 5 in. sticks to the wire pieces. then take the 1 1/2 pieces and punch two holes in the end and slip the ends through as seen in the picture.

Here's the wings you'll need to hot glue them to the spars. As for the tail just trace it and cut it out.

Just attach a rubber band, wind it and give it a toss!


Ask me for any questions

Enjoy!