Vanvlak BSC2017 entry: V.I. Seahorse Ornithopter - UNDERCOATED - LAST PIC

[Silent Invader]

The addition of the wings, with the big 'eyes', really does shout 'bird'. 

[AKULA]

The addition of the wings, with the big 'eyes', really does shout 'bird'. 

I agree completely - maybe add some panelling on the sides to reinforce the impression of feathers ?

[Overlord]

The addition of the wings, with the big 'eyes', really does shout 'bird'. 

Definitely owl-like


Looking good so far, an interesting take on an ornithopter that has me thinking again.

[Silent Invader]

Great comparison shot 

[Vanvlak]

It certainly does look like that owl - but it won't for long, I'm afraid!
Am I the only one who sees a seahorse?  

Progress today - probably no more pics as I'm doing a few* shallow holes to represent joint dimples**.

*>100
** the lazy man's sci fi answer to rivets.

[Vanvlak]

No time for photos, but I assembled the whole thingy, and it still doesn't topple over.

Some statistics:
Total parts and bits of plasticard - 115ish and counting. I still have more detail bits to add and a couple of fairings.
Height - 31cm, excluding the highest antenna (which adds 3 or 4 more cm).
Span - 46cm (if I had modeled it with the wings at the horizontal position it would've been even wider.

It's not enormous, but will be a problem  to store.
I also realised that the pilots can only enter the cockpit from an access door which is some three storeys above ground....so I'll need a mobile tower thingy too!

[Andym]

I wouldn't worry about the height of the door mate! Look at modern planes. They all require stairs on wheels!

I thought my entry was big, but I think you might be bigger! Obviously Akula's take the biscuit for size, but I think we might be second!

I had trouble photographing mine because of size! In the end, I just used a big black table cloth as a background and (I think ) it worked out well!

[Silent Invader]

Great stats! 

46cm wing span 

[Vanvlak]

Phew! I just realised I won't be home on the last weekend of the contest, so I had to speed things up.
Yesterday I had no time to post these first two pics showing the assembled beasty and some detailing done:





Today a hectic couple of hours saw the addition of the last bits, mostly plasticard and square section plastic - around 63 more mostly fiddly bits, for a total of 174 (probably more) parts. But it's now done - except for the painting of course!

[Mason]

Brilliant!
 

And I still think that 'wing' design is one of the most ingenius things in the BSC this year.
Very clever.
 

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Brilliant!
 

And I still think that 'wing' design is one of the most ingenius things in the BSC this year.
Very clever.
 

I agree - certainly the most unusual design of this years contest.

Tony

[AWOL]

Been catching up here, good stuff Vanvlak.

The finished build looks right at home on that desert surface, I think.

[Vanvlak]

Been catching up here, good stuff Vanvlak.

The finished build looks right at home on that desert surface, I think.

Thanks guys, you're making me blush. 
AWOL - I am in fact thinking of a desert sand scheme too for the beastie. The surface used here is fairly irregular, but the splayed landing pads of the ornithopter manage it easily - although I'm also planning a landing pad and a boarding tower for it.
The surface I am using for the pics is one of those aquarium backing surfaces - 2' x 2' (I had bought 4).

[Argonor]

I cannot help thinking of the animated series 'Skyland' when looking at this. 

[Dr Mathias]

What an unusual build, very interesting!