Studies for a flying-machine wing and its rods
Construction notes for a bird-wing frame, bound canes and a beating tie-rod
An inserted leaf covered with studies for the wing of a flying machine, drawn in several orientations: a jointed bird-like wing frame, bundles of rods (canes) bound together, and a wing fitted with a tie-rod. A note directs Gianni Antonio di Mariolo to build the wing in one piece rather than with hinged flaps, while another labels the down-stroke of the wing. Further faint drawings and mirror-script beyond the transcribed blocks remain on the sheet.
On this page
Instruction: build the wing whole, not with flaps
Marked n – f – a, this note is addressed to Gianni Antonio di Mariolo, telling him not to make the wing with sportelli (little shutters or flaps) but as a single united surface. It fixes a design decision for the wing membrane of the flying machine.
Bound canes with a leather eye at points a, b, c
At points labelled a – b – c, the sheet describes bundles of canes lashed together. Points a and c are to receive at their front an eye made of four folds of tanned leather, arranged so as to hold the pole of the last knot as shown in the drawing.
Wing with tie-rod: 'this beats downward'
A wing fitted with a tie-rod is annotated to indicate its action: this element beats downward. The note identifies the down-stroke direction of the wing mechanism.