The Pathfinder Working Wooden Models are a brilliant range of kits, some of which are based on Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawings. They are designed to teach and educate on the workings of things such as Catapults, Trebuchets, Helicopters, Robotics, Hydraulics and much more. Some of the kits have even won awards, such as the Creative Child Top Toy of the Year
Pathfinders are an environmentally friendly company and use recycleable materials, natural, untreated wood, and local resources & production as much as possible with these kits.
THE ORNITHOPTER
An iconic part of Leonardo’s legacy, the ornithopter, was designed in about 1505 and shows his desire to see humans fly under their own power as birds do.
THE HELICOPTER
Another of Leonardo's most iconic ideas, the Aerial Screw (also known as the Helicopter) illustrates the ingenuity of da Vinci, and indicates his obsession with flying.
While it is clear this helicopter-style flying machine didn’t work, it has sparked the imagination of many generations as one of his iconic inventions.
THE CATAPULT
Leonardo made two drawings of catapults in the codex Atlanticus, dated in the 1480’s. Gun powder had been invented well before his drawings, but he seemed to understand that it wasn’t always reliable and that catapults still had a place in warfare.
THE TREBUCHET
Considered by many to be the most powerful and destructive of all the siege engines, the trebuchet would hurl huge rocks, giant fireballs and even diseased animals at castles.
The Trebuchet model kit allows you to create a tabletop working replica of a trebuchet made in the 13th Century. Standing 26 inches tall by 18 inches wide this model will shoot balls of plasticine (which are supplied) over 20 feet!
ROBOTIC ARM
The robotic arm is an easy-to-build 3D model that grabs and lifts items horizontally, and can turn very close to 90 degrees
This model kit provides a great way to learn about Robotics, Levers and Simple Machines, Fluid dynamics, Engineering, and Invention, and Design and Technology - or just moving things around the house
