Dragon Wings

Description: This project will include instructions on building wearable wings that will flap.

Materials required

Stiff cardboard with small repeated holes (sheet wood or similar will also work but will require a drill)

Bolts/Nuts

2 Pulleys

Rope

Thread/Needle

Step 1: Build the Wings

This step is essentially building 2 pantographs. Depending on the size of your wings, different arrangements will look natural when shifted. You can change the shape of the movement by adjusting variables including the lengths of each piece as well as the distance between linkages. We simply used bolts and were lucky to obtain a series of cardboard pieces that had regularly spaced holes. Adding washers will help, especially in trying to stabilize the wing though also in providing better spacing, but aren't necessary to build a working project. Other material, such as wood, will work as well but will require drilling holes for the bolts. The design is simple however remember that both of these wings will be attached to a center torso. Note that the second wing should be a reflection of the first across the center of the design.

Try to keep your bolts going from the front to the back to ensure smooth movement and a prevent the wearer from being poked in the back

Step 2: Build the Torso

While you can vary the particulars of this step a good deal the important point is to build a torso which can connect the wings to your body. We stayed simple by using string to provide arm attachments to a roughly back sized piece of cardboard.

Step 3: Attach Wings

Now mount the wings. The wings should have two fixed points which should be easily seen in the diagram above. Those points must be mounting to the torso while the rest of the wing should be loose. The wing should be able to swing well though it should probably (though not vitally) not be allowed to turn in a 360 degree turn

Step 4: Add Pulleys

Each of the wings must now be mounted to a pulley. "Shoulder blades" should be mounted above the wings extending from the torso in order to provide a place to mount the pulley. A rope should then be strung through the pulley and mounted to a suitable place on the wing. The rope should hang in front on the wearer allowing them to control the wing movements

Step 5: Add Covering Cloth

We simply used cloth, a sowing needle, and some thread in order to finish the wing. The cloth should be reasonably tight when the wing is completely out and be allowed slack. Be careful to prevent the cloth from catching while sowing it shut.

Step 6: Competed Project