Da Vinci Helicopter Kit

An inventive kit to make a fascinating historical wooden model, inspired by a pioneering pen-and-ink design by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) for a helicopter-like machine, which he called an aerial screw. The flying machine-design was made in the late 15th century when da Vinci was employed by the Duke of Milan as a military engineer. While the sketched design would not have flown, it demonstrates the inventive imagination of the polymath artist and inventor and his awareness that air had mass. With step-by-step instructions, the kit includes pre-cut, pre-drilled pieces to peg and glue together. The model utilises a bevel gear, also taken from da Vinci’s drawings, to spin the canopy and support structure.

Makes a model c.38cm tall x 23cm dia
Over 70 pre-cut pieces in pine, plywood, plastic, cotton, and brass
Sustainably sourced pine and plywood
Includes water-based glue and small piece of sandpaper
Detailed instructions
Required but not included: ruler, scissors
25.5 x 19 x 5.5cm box
Age 9+
Estimated build time: 1+ hours
Card and paper can be recycled
Cello wrap – widely recycled with soft plastics