The idea of constructing wings in order to imitate the flight of birds dates to the ancient Greek legend of Daedalus and Icarus. The first attempt at mechanical flight is attributed to Abbas Ibn Firnas, who launched a rudimentary ornithopter from the Mount of the Bride (Jabal al-'Arus) in the Rusafa Area, near Crdoba, Spain in 875 AD. Roger Bacon, writing in 1260, was among the first to consider a technological means of flight. Around 1490, Leonardo da Vinci began to study the flight of birds. He grasped that humans are too heavy, and not strong enough, to fly using wings simply attached to the arms. Therefore he proposed a device in which the aviator lies down on a plank and works two large, membranous wings using hand levers, foot pedals, and a system of pulleys.
The first ornithopters capable of flight were constructed in France in the 1870s. Gustave Trouv's 1870 model flew a distance of 70 meters in a demonstration for the French Academy of Sciences. The wings were flapped by gunpowder charges activating a bourdon tube. Jobert in 1871 used a rubber band to power a small model bird. Alphonse Penaud, Hureau de Villeneuve, Victor Tatin, and others soon followed with their own designs.
Around 1890, Lawrence Hargrave built several ornithopters powered by steam or compressed air. He introduced the use of small flapping wings providing the thrust for a larger fixed wing. This eliminated the need for gear reduction, thereby simplifying the construction. To achieve a more birdlike appearance, this approach is not generally favored today.[citation needed]
In the 1930s, Erich von Holst carried the rubber band powered bird model to a high state of development and great realism. Also in the 1930s, Alexander Lippisch and other researchers in Germany harnessed the piston internal combustion engine.
Manned flight
Schmid 1942 Ornithopter
The UTIAS Ornithopter No.1
Perhaps because the prevailing technology is fixed-wing aircraft, people are mainly aware of the failed attempts at flapping-wing flight. In 1929, a man-powered ornithopter designed by Alexander Lippisch flew a distance of 250 to 300 meters after tow launch. The flight duration was necessarily short due to the limitations of human muscle power. Since a tow launch was used, some have questioned whether the aircraft was capable of sustained flight, however brief. Lippisch asserted that the aircraft was actually flying, not making an extended glide. Later tow-launched flights include Bedford Maule (1942), Emil Hartmann (1959), and Vladimir Toporov (1993). All faced similar limitations due to the reliance on human muscle power.
In 1942, Adalbert Schmid flew a motorized, manned ornithopter at Munich-Laim. It was driven by small flapping wings mounted at the sides of the fuselage, behind a larger fixed wing. Fitted with a 3 hp Sachs motorcycle engine, it made flights up to 15 minutes in duration. Schmid later constructed a 10 hp ornithopter based on the Grunau-Baby IIa sailplane, which was flown in 1947. The second aircraft had flapping outer wing panels.
In 2005, Yves Rousseau was given the Paul Tissandier Diploma, awarded by the FAI for contributions to the field of aviation. Rousseau attempted his first human-muscle-powered flight with flapping wings in 1995. On 20 April 2006, at his 212th attempt, he succeeded in flying a distance of 64 metres, observed by officials of the Aero Club de France. Unfortunately, on his 213th flight attempt, a gust of wind led to a wing breaking up, causing the pilot to be gravely injured and rendered paraplegic.
A team at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, headed by Professor James DeLaurier, worked for several years on an engine-powered, piloted ornithopter. In July 2006, at the Bombardier Airfield at Downsview Park in Toronto, Professor DeLaurier's machine, the UTIAS Ornithopter No.1 made a jet-assisted takeoff and 14-second flight. According to DeLaurier, the jet was necessary for sustained flight, but the flapping wings did most of the work.
Recent developments
Practical applications capitalize on the resemblance to birds or insects. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has used these machines to help save the endangered Gunnison Sage Grouse. An artificial hawk under the control of an operator causes the grouse to remain on the ground so they can be captured for study.
Because ornithopters resemble birds or insects, they could be used for military applications, such as spying without alerting the enemies that they are under surveillance. AeroVironment, Inc., led by Paul B. MacCready (Gossamer Albatross), has developed a remotely piloted ornithopter the size of a large insect for possible spy missions.
MacCready also developed in the mid-1980s, for the Smithsonian Institution, a half-scale radio controlled replica of the giant pterosaur, Quetzalcoatlus northropi. It was built to star in the IMAX movie On the Wing. The model had a wingspan of 5.5 meters (18 feet) and featured a complex, computerized autopilot control system, just as the full-size pterosaur relied on its neuromuscular system to make constant adjustments in flight.
Researchers hope to eliminate the motors and gears of current designs by more closely imitating animal flight muscles. Georgia Tech scientist Robert C. Michelson is developing a Reciprocating Chemical Muscle for use in micro-scale flapping-wing aircraft. Michelson uses the term "entomopter" for this type of ornithopter. SRI International is developing polymer artificial muscles which may also be used for flapping-wing flight.
In 2002, Krister Wolff and Peter Nordin of Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, built a flapping wing robot that learned flight techniques. The balsa wood design was driven by machine learning software technology known as a steady state linear evolutionary algorithm. Inspired by natural evolution, the software volves in response to feedback on how well it performs a given task. Although confined to a laboratory apparatus, their ornithopter evolved behavior for maximum sustained lift force and horizontal movement.
Since 2002, Prof. Theo Van Holten has been working on an ornithopter which is constructed like a helicopter. The device is called the ornicopter and was made by constructing the main rotor so that it would have no reaction torque at all.
In 2008, Schiphol Airport started using a real looking mechanical hawk designed by falconer Robert Musters. The radio controlled robot bird is used to scare away birds that could damage the engines of airplanes.
Ornithopters as a hobby
The Dragonfly is a toy made by Wow-Wee.
Hobbyists can build and fly their own ornithopters. These range from light-weight models powered by rubber band, to larger models with radio control.
The rubber-band-powered model can be fairly simple in design and construction. Hobbyists compete for the longest flight times with these models. An introductory model can be fairly simple in design and construction, but the advanced competition designs are extremely delicate and challenging to build. Roy White holds the US national record for indoor rubber-powered, with his flight time of 21 minutes, 44 seconds.
Commercial free-flight rubber-band powered toy ornithopters have long been available. The first of these was sold under the name Tim Bird in Paris in 1879. Later models were also sold as Tim Bird (made by G de Ruymbeke, France, since 1969).
Commercial radio controlled designs stem from Percival Spencer's engine-powered Seagulls, developed circa 1958, and Sean Kinkade's work in the late 1990s to present day. The wings are usually driven by an electric motor. Many hobbyists enjoy experimenting with their own new wing designs and mechanisms. The opportunity to interact with real birds in their own domain also adds great enjoyment to this hobby. Birds are often curious and will follow or investigate the model while it is flying. In a few cases, RC birds have been attacked by birds of prey, crows, and even cats. More recent cheaper models such as the Dragonfly from WowWee have extended the market from dedicated hobbyists to the general toy market,
Some helpful resources for hobbyists include The Ornithopter Design Manual, book written by Nathan Chronister, and The Ornithopter Zone web site, which includes a large amount of information about building and flying these models.
Aerodynamics
Main article: Aerodynamics
As demonstrated by birds, flapping wings offer potential advantages in maneuverability and energy savings compared with fixed-wing aircraft, as well as potentially vertical take-off and landing. It has been suggested that these advantages are greatest at small sizes and low flying speeds.[citation needed]
Unlike airplanes and helicopters, the driving airfoils of the ornithopter have a flapping or oscillating motion, instead of rotary. As with helicopters, the wings usually have a combined function of providing both lift and thrust. Theoretically, the flapping wing can be set to zero angle of attack on the upstroke, so it passes easily through the air. Since typically the flapping airfoils produce both lift and thrust, drag-inducing structures are minimized. These two advantages potentially allow a high degree of efficiency.
Notable popular culture
Robert Altman's 1970 movie, Brewster McCloud, centers around a young man and his project to build a manned ornithopter.
Frank Herbert's Dune universe features ornithopters (colloquially called 'thopters) as one of the primary modes of transportation on the desert planet Arrakis.
In the Bioware game Jade Empire, ornithopters are used by the characters to travel over long distances and are pivotal to many of the games sidequests.
In Michael Moorcock's Hawkmoon series the evil empire of Granbretan uses ornithopters.
Many of the movies made by Hayao Miyazaki feature ornithopters, many featuring wings like insects.
The Star Wars film Revenge of the Sith depicts a dragonfly-like vehicle being operated by the Wookiees during battle on their home planet of Kashyyyk.
In the movie Chicken Run, the "crate" that the chickens build to escape from Mrs. Tweedy's Farm closely resembles the design of an ornithopter. However, it also utilizes a propeller and a tail fin like that of an airplane.
In the Airborn trilogy written by Kenneth Oppel, ornithopters are a major form of transportation.
The Novel "Soft Target: The Air" (2007) by Joel Narlock has as a central feature the use of the Entomopter in a spy plot.
In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering there is a card named Ornithopter. The card artwork depicts a flying machine. There is also a large group of Ornithopter like machines, called Thopters. Ornithopters play a large role in the game's plot as well.
In Madagascar 2, the penguins build an ornithopter-like airplane powered by chimps.
In the book Freak the Mighty, Freak owns a ornithopter.
In the Ubisoft game Assassin's Creed II, Leonardo Da Vinci builds a proto-type Ornithopter for the game's main character for use in two missions. However, in use the machine seems to owe more to the hang glider and is dependent on thermal updraughts to keep it airborne.
In Chip n' Dale's Rescue Rangers an ornithopter and half blimp is used as the Ranger plane.
In the PC game of OBSIDIAN, the player gets to operate a moth-like ornithopter which, in a dreamy rendering, is powered via a zoetrope driven by robotic pillbugs.
See also
Rotary-wing aircraft
Gyroplane
Human-powered aircraft
Helicopter
STOL/VTOL/STOVL/VSTOL
Micromechanical Flying Insect
FlyTech Dragonfly
References
^ Bruno Lange, Typenhandbuch der deutschen Luftfahrttechnik, Koblenz, 1986.
^ FAI web site.
^ Dr. James DeLaurier's report on the Flapper's Flight July 8, 2006
^ University of Toronto ornithopter takes off July 31, 2006
^ Winged robot learns to fly New Scientist, August 2002
^ Creation of a learning, flying robot by means of Evolution In Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference, GECCO 2002 (pp. 1279-1285). New York, 9-13 July 2002. Morgan Kaufmann. Awarded "Best Paper in Evolutionary Robotics" at GECCO 2002.
^ Ornicopter project
^ Article in Dutch newspaper Trouw, partial translation:..."The so-called 'Horck', an electrical controllable bird is the newest means to scare birds. Because they can cause much damage to airplanes. (...) ...it is a design by Robert Musters, a falconer from Enschede"
^ Narlock, Joel (2007-07-20). "Soft Target: The Air". Dan River Press/Conservatory of American Letters, ISBN 0897542274, ISBN 978-0897542272, 304 pages. http://www.joelnarlock.com/media.html. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
^ Magic: The Gathering Card database | Ornithopter card
Further reading
Chronister, Nathan. (1999). The Ornithopter Design Manual. Published by The Ornithopter Zone.
Mueller, Thomas J. (2001). "Fixed and flapping wing aerodynamics for micro air vehicle applications". Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ISBN 1-56347-517-0
Hallion, Richard P. (2003). Taking Flight: Inventing the Aerial Age from Antiquity through the First World War. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516035-5.
Azuma, Akira (2006). "The Biokinetics of Flying and Swimming". Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2nd Edition. ISBN 1-56347-781-5.
David E. Alexander (2009) Why Don't Jumbo Jets Flap Their Wings?, Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-4479-3
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ornithopters
Creation of a learning, flying robot by means of Evolution
University of Toronto ornithopter project
University of Arizona ornithopter-Video
Valentin Kiselev: russian researches
University of Florida ornithopter project Recent Research Efforts for Ornithopters
Design Engineering article about UTIAS project
Photographs from 1927 From the State Library& Archives of Florida
The French Ornithopter web site
BYU students fly tiny, birdlike 'ornithopter' at competition
Lawrence Hargrave's ornithopters - State Library of NSW
DelFly - an MAV ornithopter by a team of Delft University of Technology and Wageningen University
Categories: Aircraft configurationsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from May 2008 | Articles with unsourced statements from October 2009 About the Author
Model hobbies are things that children or adults can do which can be educational and have a lasting impact. One model that I had when I was younger was the skeleton of a dinosaur. I had to put the skeleton together myself. I also had model cars and model airplanes. The model cars and planes were not self assembled though, we purchased them already completed. After building my dinosaur, I played with it like a regular toy, making it viciously attack and kill the other toys. Later my dinosaur skeleton sat on the book shelf in my bedroom for many years.
A model toy or build it yourself model kit can be both and exciting toy to play with, along with giving someone a sense of accomplishment. Everyone likes to build things, and when you are done your model hobby makes you feel like you have done something constructive. It makes you feel good to know that you have built something or created something. You have made a difference in the world. You are an inventor, a scientist, whatever you want to be.
There are many different types of models that you can build. I have seen model airplanes, model houses, model cars, model animals and dinosaurs, model helicopters, and model shuttles. Whatever you are interested in there is probably a model for it somewhere. If not, you could design your own model from scratch. That would be a good hobby too. Just get some wood and start carving, get some glue and start pasting everything together. Soon you will have your invention, and feel just like the people who first invented the products you are making a model of.
There are also radio control models that you can purchase at the store. Some of these you have to assemble yourself as well. I received a radio control model airplane for Christmas one year, and had to assemble it myself. It made me feel good to assemble it. I felt intelligent, like I was building my own plane or flying machine. I have had radio control cars that I did not have to assemble. Once, however, I did try to make my own changes to a radio control car. I had just recently seen the movie "Back to the Future," how the car hit the wire at 88 miles and hour when the lightning struck the tower and it sent the car traveling through time. I decided to try it with my radio control car. I plugged the antenna of my control into a plug socket, and drove my car toward the antenna, so that the antenna from the car would hit the controls antenna, just like in "Back to Future," the car's antenna hit the wire across the road. Well, my car did not travel through time. There was a little bit of a shock when the antennas touched, and then my radio control car never really worked the same again. It started doing weird things like turning in the wrong direction from where I was turning it. It was like it got a mind of its own. It became a little stubborn to, and sometimes would only go a little bit and then stop. Like Frankenstein, I made my car come to life with an electrical shock.
The point is that everyone should get a model hobby. It is completely natural and healthy for humans to experiment, try new things, and invent things. Satisfy your curiosity or your children's curiosity with things that are constructive and educational rather than satisfying your curiosity with things that might not be as helpful to one's long term health and happiness.
Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, visit VarietyAccess.com.
Model aircraft materials?
As a boy I used to design and build my own, diesel-powered model airplanes (sometimes using plans from "The Aeromodeller").. That was half a century ago! What are free-flight or R/C models made from today? Surely not from balsa wood and tissue-paper? Can anyone give me any tips? Thanks.
Yes Balsa wood is still used... Tissue not so much... Various heat shrink plastics are used Solar Film. Wings can be Foam vaneered with wood...
A hand carved Wood Model Airplane from Gift of Wings
If you're looking for someone to impress your Significant Other then consider a trip from Seattle to Victoria by Kenmore Air float plane -- a trip made memorable not only by the very British city of Victoria, B.C. but by the spectacular scenery you enjoyed just getting there.
The city of Victoria is one of the most interesting in the Northwest - and one of the easiest to see because hotels, shopping and attractions are all clustered around the Inner Harbour. You can get to Victoria by car ferry, by passenger ferry, by high-speed catamaran, by commercial air to Victoria's international airport and - our absolute favorite - by Kenmore Air float plane.
We parked our car at Kenmore's Lake Union terminal and checked into their small lobby area about a half hour early. Just one little thing we need to tell you about when traveling by float plane - you have to tell them how much you weigh. Each plane carries just a few passengers so watching weight is important in ensuring the plane flies safely and efficiently. But that's the only painful part of this trip, and the rest of your adventure will likely have you raving to friends about your unforgettable experience.
Kenmore Air has been flying float planes from its Seattle-area base since 1946 and today has 20 planes that carry between six and 10 passengers each. It's not uncommon to see a Kenmore plane in a movie filmed in Seattle, or on a football game telecast from the region. It's a Northwest company with a Northwest flavor - an icon every bit as familiar as Ivar's or the Space Needle. This wasn't our first trip on Kenmore and, in fact, we've enjoyed many trips to more remote locations such as Big Bay or other island fishing areas along the British Columbia coast. Flying with Kenmore is always a special treat.
The trip to Victoria took just a little over a half-hour as the plane climbed out of Lake Union and flew just a couple thousand feet above the city and Puget Sound, traveling a scenic route that gives passengers a birds-eye view of many popular islands and tourist destinations scattered through the sound. It's fascinating to see how many houses are built in secluded spots only visible from the air. It's fun to look down on the Victoria Clipper or other boat traffic plying the waters in this gorgeous part of Washington State.
The last few minutes are spent crossing the 20-mile-wide Strait of Juan de Fuca - the closest thing Puget Sound has to open sea, and the pathway for major shipping leaving Seattle for Asia and other ports of call around the world. Soon we were swooping down toward the Inner Harbour where our pilot skillfully found an open stretch of water for a quick and smooth landing. After a short taxi to the dock, we had arrived smack in the middle of the city's vibrant tourist center where we quickly observed postcard views of the Empress Hotel, Parliament, double-decker buses, flower displays and charming historic buildings that all combine to give Victoria the feel of a far-off visit to Great Britain.
The hotels are so close to the Inner Harbour that it seemed silly to get a taxi, so we walked the four or five blocks to our hotel, dragging our suitcases along the wide sidewalks. In just a few minutes we arrived at the Dalton Hotel and Suites, our choice for this getaway because of its historic charm. The Dalton, you see, is the oldest hotel in British Columbia and retains much of the original architecture. After a recent management change, there has been a major effort to put money into the hotel to brighten its interior while, at the same time, retain the character that you only find with authentic historic buildings. Even more improvements are said to be coming.
The Dalton was built in 1867 in a location close to the harbour. The brick exterior of the building is as the building was when it was first built. Entering the hotel, visitors notice that the lobby features oak paneling, brass and marble that combine for a rich historic texture that you might see in an old downtown San Francisco hotel, or one of the other cities of the Old West.
Our large suite at the Dalton also retained the historical charm of its 19th Century origins. The suite had walls of rich oak paneling and patterned wallpaper, a couch and living room area with an ornate fireplace, a wet bar, refrigerator and oak shelving to give guests plenty of space to prepare drinks, coffee or light snacks. The separate bedroom area, with its desk and work area, had a French country décor with a valance-style headboard treatment for the king-size bed. Double French doors looked out on an inner courtyard, while our bedroom view was of the historic St. Andrews Cathedral. The overall unit felt updated, yet still retaining a lot of historic charm.
One thing we particularly liked about the Dalton was that the hotel treats guests to breakfast as part of your stay - in this case big fresh-made waffles, cereals, muffins and fruit. It's a great way to start the day.
If you're doing a quick up-and-back as we did, you'll likely arrive in Victoria mid-day and leave for Seattle mid-day the next day. That 24-hour period in Victoria will give you a good taste of the many tourist attractions the city has to offer. We've enjoyed many trips to Victoria and still rate the Royal BC Museum as our favorite tourist attraction, with its elaborate re-construction of street and historical scenes and its easy-to-follow story of British Columbia history.
It's also fun to stroll through the Fairmont Empress Hotel, clearly the most picturesque of all hotels in the inner harbour area. Visitors enjoy taking high tea at the Empress, a truly British experience. But there is also excellent shopping in the hotel - and, of course, throughout the several blocks near the Inner Harbour. Dining options are plentiful in this part of Victoria and it's like Christmas for anyone who likes to sample a variety of cuisines, all within a short walk of your hotel. Just like the flight up to Victoria, the flight back to Seattle was quick and easy and offers 30 to 45 minutes to just decompress and savor the time you just had with your Significant Other. We'll bet nobody else at your Monday morning office cooler has a float plane trip to Victoria to talk about.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Victoria, B.C. is about 85 miles from Seattle but, because of Puget Sound, the most direct ways to get from Seattle to Victoria are by boat or plane. It's also possible to drive to Victoria by taking a ferry from Port Angeles, WA or Vancouver B.C. but most attractions are within easy walking distance and a vehicle may be a needless extra expense.
WHAT: Victoria, B.C. is a taste of Great Britain because of its British culture, traditions and architecture. Over the years, many tourist attractions have been added to the Inner Harbour area that offer excellent options for kids as well as adults. It's also one of the most scenic cities in all of British Columbia. WHEN: A visit to Victoria, B.C. is possible anytime of year as most attractions are indoor and year-round. There is a distinct difference in the weather, however - a summer visit to Victoria is likely to be drenched with sunshine; a winter visit can be gray with chilly winds - but also is likely to cost less because of seasonal rate adjustments. But even in winter, Victoria offers a temperate climate with virtually no snow and a better chance of sunshine than Seattle.
WHY: A float plane trip to Victoria, B.C. is the ultimate adventure for someone who loves new experiences, great scenery and a lot of convenience. While it will cost more than travel by boat, the float plane experience is completely unique and eliminates considerable hassle in getting to and from Victoria.
HOW: For more information on a float plane visit to Victoria B.C., contact Kenmore Air at 425-486-1257 or visit www.kenmoreair.com. For information on the Dalton Hotel, call 1-888-830-3420 or visit www.daltonhotel.ca.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , which will help you travel California, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering NW beach vacations and other travel destinations in the Pacific Northwest .
Howard Hughes flying boat?
You know how Howard Hughes made a boat the flies or plane that floats? Well since he made one, why don't we use those now?
It only flew once- for 1.7 miles. It is now a museum piece in Mc Minnville Oregon. Making a huge, prop-driven wooden flying boat is extremely expensive, and impractical today.
The Mott's Miniatures Museum began as a collection of work by The Mott Family in Des Moines, Iowa in 1911. Allegra Mott (then Allegra Mitchell) was just 8 years old when she purchased her first box and fell in love with her first miniature. She would later transfer her interests to her husband, De Witt Mott, who also picked a carving knife and went on to deal in miniatures.
The Motts Miniatures Museum has an array of various miniature exhibits derived from the Mott Family Collection. The museum has two main categories in the exhibit: History of American Life and History of the American business. The American life sequence is constituted of six American episode abodes from the prehistoric Pilgrim cottage through to the contemporary home with an operational miniature television. Interestingly, three of the abodes in this series are exact models of homes that once belonged to the Mott Family, which include a civil conflict epoch home of around 1865; a Victorian epoch dwelling of approximately 1900; and the famous Des Moines cottage where the couple, Allegra and DeWitt brought up their three children in the 1930s. By analyzing the American business series, one can get a broad idea of the improvement of free business venture in America right from the time of first Indian merchants to the growth of the contemporary supermarket.
So dedicated were the Motts that by the 1940's, they already had several miniature displays set up in their living room in Des Moines, Iowa. No sooner had the Motts accomplished this than the local Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) learned of the makeshift museum and asked the local schoolchildren to study the history of America from it. However, some notoriety was later realized, causing on and off closure of the museum. For instance, subsequent to an instance of a long period of closure (from 1992), the museum was reopened in 1996.
The museum contains inter alia, storybook displays, flights of fancy trips that give phenomenal flashbacks in history. In addition, it has exhibits of miniatures that are so tiny that they must be observed under magnifying lenses. It is also important to note that some of these miniatures are highlighted under the Guinness Records. Among the memorable miniatures are preserved fleas, hand-painted pictures of United States presidents made on pinheads, ivory hand carvings made on bean shells, carvings on rice grains, the world's tiniest foldable pocketknife and so on. For one to perceive the uniqueness of this collection, one has to actually see it to accept it as true.
Apart from the tiny miniatures, other items that have elevated Motts Miniature Museum to fame include dolls made of resin, porcelain German dollhouse dolls and dollhouse scale furniture. From this point, it is worth noting that even though the Motts may not have intentionally required a museum to be named after them, the Motts Miniature Museum is a name that will forever persist in history as a model in the preservation of American artifacts, particularly miniatures.
About the Author
There are as many hobbies as there are people who enjoy them. Learn more about the popular hobby of building and collecting dollhouses and miniatures. Visit our large selection of doll house furniture kits
today at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com.
How to more efficiently clean a concrete floor?
I live in a ~100 year old house, and I'd like to clean up our very large, very dirty unfinished basement. I started sweeping out one of the rooms with a flat broom, but after an hour, I had made it about 3 feet from the wall I started from. Is there a quicker, more efficient way to get all the dirt out? I feel like I need a miniature street sweeper down there. Is there some kind of machine that will sweep and collect dirt (that I can rent and get down a narrow flight of stairs)?
nope but they do sell a green compound that you sprinkle on the floor to keep the dust down also helps with the sweeping it kida grabs stuff and keeps it in clumps..search green sweep... or kleen sweep...or sweeping compounds
Columbia Top Flight, Miniature Horse Stallion, * For Sale *
US $68.00
