bill@utastro.UUCP (William H. Jefferys) (09/08/85)
I noticed with some interest in this morning's paper that Paul
MacCready (who built the Gossamer Condor and the Gossamer
Albatross - the first successful human-powered flying machines)
is now building a full-scale, flying replica of *Quetzalcoatlus
northropi*, the largest of the pterosaurs. The replica is
intended to be accurate as to size and weight and power, and
will operate in a fashion similar to the original creature.
They are being assisted in this by a team of paleontologists
headed by Professor Wann Langston, Jr., of the University of
Texas. According to the article [1],
"Flight was possible for the giant pterosaur
because it was very light. The lightness resulted
from thin-walled, hollow bones, which Langston
compared to a mailing tube with Styrofoam plugs
on each end."
The fact that Paul MacCready, probably the world's foremost expert
in the field of lightweight muscle-powered aircraft, thinks that it
possible to build a full-scale flying replica of this creature,
is strong evidence to me that Ted Holden has been talking through
his hat.
[1] Austin American-Statesman, September 8, 1985. B-1.
--
Glend. I can call spirits from the vasty deep.
Hot. Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you
do call them? -- Henry IV Pt. I, III, i, 53
Bill Jefferys 8-%
Astronomy Dept, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 (USnail)
{allegra,ihnp4}!{ut-sally,noao}!utastro!bill (UUCP)
bill@astro.UTEXAS.EDU. (Internet)