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Lot Essay
This unique and impressive film artefact was constructed in the mid 1980s for the Steven Spielberg film production 'The Young Sherlock Holmes' released in 1985. The sequence featuring the ornithopter shows the inventor Rupert T. Waxflatter (Nigel Stock) developing the model and when finally the design is perfected the Young Sherlock (Nicholas Rowe) is seen flying to the rescue of Elizabeth Hardy (Sophie Ward) from the clutches of Professor Rathe (Anthony Higgins).
As the brief required the ornithopter to be operational: efficiently flapping its wings, driven by pedal power from the actor or stunt artist whilst safely suspended on wires, Bianchi Aviation Film Services not only had to ensure that it was aesthetically accurate but technically correct too. Well-respected specialists in their field they sought inspiration from the designs of late 19th century pioneers of hand gliders Otto Lilienthal and Percy Pilcher, and also from Clement Ader's Eole the first steam powered craft to take off in 1890.
In conjunction with Elstree Film Studios 2500 man hours were spent designing and constructing this wonderful example of artistry, film production talent and engineering in the years preceeding digitalization when the computer generated image (CGI) then took hold.
As the brief required the ornithopter to be operational: efficiently flapping its wings, driven by pedal power from the actor or stunt artist whilst safely suspended on wires, Bianchi Aviation Film Services not only had to ensure that it was aesthetically accurate but technically correct too. Well-respected specialists in their field they sought inspiration from the designs of late 19th century pioneers of hand gliders Otto Lilienthal and Percy Pilcher, and also from Clement Ader's Eole the first steam powered craft to take off in 1890.
In conjunction with Elstree Film Studios 2500 man hours were spent designing and constructing this wonderful example of artistry, film production talent and engineering in the years preceeding digitalization when the computer generated image (CGI) then took hold.