The Tricyclist

This is one of the oldest wire monsters. It was created at the same stage as the dragon on a 3-wheel penny farthing monsters were created.  This one is not a typical dragon though as there are no spines on her back (although it would be difficult to achieve as the back is left open).

For this monster there are no external cranks or levers. The pedals/cranks are formed from the axle between the wheels. Her feet are placed on the pedals, and drive her legs. Her one thigh is extended to form the lever which drives her wings and neck via suitable push rods. There is not an excessive amount of movement, largely due to trying to keep the mechanism within her body space, and partly due to not planning it as well as I could have. Anyway there should be a place for subtle in kinetic models.

Detail of pedals driving the legs

 The back of the monster carries the push-rods for the neck and wings. They are all driven from a single point, so the mechanism is simple. The back of the monster is painted red, to show that it is the inside of the body. In this monster the coloured bits are canvas, which are sewn onto a wire frame, and then painted in bright primary (mostly) colours. To add texture to the body and wings the canvas has been covered with texture paste and slightly modelled. This was the only time that I tried this. I prefer the thin silk covering with a few patterns these days.

Back view of monster showing the moving mechanisms

The overall shape of the model, with ample thighs and tapered top, was not as popular in the 80's as it is now. It suited the model well, as there is ample space for the moving bits, and it also gives the monster a very stable rounded feel.  

The frame of the monster was made of thick copper wire. This wire was sourced next to the road on the way to Elands Bay, where new power lines were being installed. This definitely dates the model as these days copper is stolen off the poles, and no one waits for off-cuts. Also power lines now favor aluminium in stead of the heavier more expensive (and desirable) copper wires.

The rear wheel was moulded out of modeling clay with a copper pipe for a bearing. This was a once-off and has not appeared in later models. 

Side view of monster showing strange rear wheel