TOYS THAT TEACH - WORKING WOODEN MODEL KITS

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

Making History come to Life with Hobbies - Leonardo Da Vinci Part 1

Leonardo's Airscrew Helicopter

Leonardo da Vinci's aerial screw is arguably one of his greatest designs. Working similarly to a modern helicopter, this flying machine looks a lot like a giant whirling pinwheel. 

In his notebook Da Vinci wrote next to his sketches the following description: "If this instrument made with a screw be well made – that is to say, made of linen of which the pores are stopped up with starch and be turned swiftly, the said screw will make its spiral in the air and it will rise high." 

Also known as the "Helical Air Screw" or simply the "airscrew", the device was designed to compress air to obtain flight – similar to today’s helicopters. 

Da Vinci’s helicopter measured more than 15 feet in diameter and was made from reed, linen and wire. It was to be powered by four men standing on a central platform turning cranks to rotate the shaft. With enough rotation, Da Vinci believed the invention would lift off the ground. 

Unfortunately, due to weight constrictions, modern scientists do not believe da Vinci’s invention would have been able to take flight. However, his theory for "compressing" the air to obtain lift was substantially similiar to that for today’s helicopters.

This wooden model kit made by Revell allows hobbyists and students the opportunity to build a 1/48th scale replica of Da Vinci's inspired design.