Flutterbee

This is the next one in the numbered series that I still have (no. 3 was "borrowed" and never returned). Firstly I have to apologize for mixing languages in the you tube video (the hazard/benefit  of living in a multilingual environment). This is inspired by butterflies (wings) and bees (body). Actually if I have to be honest the "Flutterby" name came from a sketch that I did some years ago to document the elements which make up the movement of the monster, but on reflection is should be Flutterbee.

This monster uses a similar construction technique as developed for the previous examples. There is a wire frame which is covered by a weaved wire cover or painted material. In keeping with the sketch theme not everything is filled in, and the holes in the wire grid helps to display the internal mechanism. A little character is added with the crab claw head.

This monster experimented with the use of copper and silver solder to construct the abdomen of the flying insect. The shape is inspired by bee bodies. The external form is generated with brass wires threaded through the copper ribs of the body. The ribs are attached to the former using an egg-box technique, which I learnt from my father when building model aircraft. This makes it easy to keep in position while silver soldering the components (self-jigging).

This is similar to the technique used by the 3D wooden puzzles built by slotting various pieces into each other. The following image shows an example of a wooden bee which inspired the monsters abdomen's . The paint work is strongly influenced by Ndebele art patterns. A very relaxing way to spend some evenings and a good way to test patience.

The final image shows the shape and colour scheme of the wings. It is definitely more butterfly than bee, therefore the flutterbee. The movement (in the video) of the monster could be smoother, but it is only a sketch. Maybe in the future I will get around to refining the movement, but it is always a good idea to have some unplanned features.