This post was a long time coming, as I completed this lovely build on March 13th. I received this set as a gift for my birthday from my family. I enjoyed this build and with 493 pieces it took a couple relaxing sessions to complete. Reading the nuggets of information throughout the build that LEGO included with this sets instruction added to the enjoyment as I found them fascinating, like how he famously wrote in backwards handwriting in his notebooks which could only be read correctly when reflected in a mirror. Leonardo da Vinci is known to have produced more than 35,000 words and 500 sketches on flight and flying machines. He even managed to convince his friend to test pilot his ornithopter from a low altitude, wasn’t entirely successful as the machine crashed and his friend broke a leg.
My first session was about getting organized and building the stand (bag 1). Over my next couple of building sessions I worked through bag 2, consisting of the main body and internal spring loaded mechanism.
Bag 3 consisted of building up the top and sides for the various components to support the wings and allow for movement. This also built out the tail section for the fabric pieces. Here we also build a support base to go under the Flying Machine to allow us to place it on top of the base. This then transitions to building out the trigger mechanism and getting that in place to make the wings and tail move.
In bag 4 you build out the wing structure and attach the pieces to the main body. Following this you build the ends onto the ‘rope’ that apply tension to the wings for movement. This gets attached to the craft and then you end by installing the fabric (paper) sheeting to both wings and the tail. Once in place you place caps to keep the sheeting in place.
Last but not least you build Leonardo himself with his quill and sketch. I like how they have a nice place for him to stand right in at the front.
Here’s a short video showing the completed model along with the mechanics of how the different pieces move using the lever/trigger built into the model. The model was designed so the trigger can be utilized in three different ways, while:
- Held in one hand
- Held in two hands, one holding the model the other the trigger
- On the stand