The Evolution of Flight and Cardboard

We're having a bit of an airplane obsession going on at our house.
See what I mean? (I promised you'd see more of Isaac's journal).
We've also had quite an influx of cardboard boxes recently due to the addition of baby Lydia (i.e. another crib - yes, now we have two!, and a double-stroller).
And cardboard + my boys + way too much time on their hands (I really need to get them out more) + a little imagination + a whole lot of duct tape = magic.

And now I am going to take you on a tour through the amazing history of flight of life at our house. Starting with the Wright brothers.

THE WRIGHT FLYER

A while back Isaac and Clayton constructed the "Wright Flyer" in their room and then pestered me all day to video-document their (three-hour-long) re-enactment of Wilber and Orville's trail to success entire lives. And I'm so glad I finally did.

Isaac narrated the whole thing. While Clayton did most of the engineering, change of scenery, and sound effects. They both should win Oscars for their superb acting, including some quick costume changes and their patience with Eliza who was in and out of the documentary and constantly badgering (wrecking) their makeshift flying contraption.

WWI BRISTOL FIGHTER

Shortly after the Wright brothers achieved flying success, my three boys started the construction (using a cardboard box that had previously been a one-man rocket ship for months) of a WWI biplane with real wings and a propeller. Here they are testing out the machinery before the upper wings are attached.Eliza takes the finished biplane for a test flight.

And of course no Bristol Fighter is complete without a gunman.


WWI GLEN MARTIN BOMBER


With a coat of paint, the RAF fighter is transformed into a WWI American bomber.



And tested by pilot Briggs.

Let the dog-fighting begin!


WWII B-51 MUSTANG


Aircraft technology improved by the time WWII rolled around and biplanes had become a thing of the past. And since the Martin Bomber had been shot down too many times anyway and the bulky double-wings were beyond repair, with a little jimmy-rigging, the boys transformed their cardboard aircraft (yet again) into Isaac's favorite WWII airplane, the B-51 Mustang. Which to this day (amazingly) is still in working order and having adventure after adventure. . .

after adventure.

"Once you have tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards."
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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