Wing studies for a flying machine, with materials
A central membrane wing and detail sketches, annotated with the fabrics and framing to build it
The sheet is filled with studies for the wing of a flying machine: a large membrane wing spans the centre, surrounded by smaller detail drawings and mechanical fittings. Notes list the materials from which the wing is to be built, including cane, netting, paper, a fir plank sinewed underneath, fustian, taffeta and thread, and advise trying it first with sheets of chancellery paper. A small lower-left sketch is dimensioned in braccia. Further faint annotations appear on the sheet beyond those transcribed.
On this page
Materials for building the wing
A note beside the central wing lists the materials for its construction and recommends testing first with sheets of chancellery paper, then a fir plank sinewed underneath, fustian, taffeta, thread and paper. These give the ribbing and the stretched covering of the wing membrane.
Detail of the wing: cane, net and paper
A wing detail is annotated with cane, netting and paper, indicating the light lattice framework over which the covering is laid.
Mechanical fittings and joints
Along the lower edge are small studies of hinged fittings, pivots and threaded parts, apparently the articulated joints and hardware that would connect and actuate the wing.
Dimensions in braccia
A drawing in the lower left corner is marked with measurements of 2 braccia and 1 braccio, setting the scale of the element shown.