How to Make Model Bird Wings?
The trick to crafting a successful model bird wing is to give each model the three major sections associated with a bird wing. Although they are covered in feathers, a bird's wing is very similar in bone structure to a human beings' arm, according to Northern Virginia Community College. Giving each bird wing a humerus (upper wing bone), ulna (middle wing bone) and carpometacarpus (lower wing bone) will add a sense of authenticity.
Things You'll Need
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors
- 3-inch-by-4-inch cardboard upper wing bone
- Protractor
- 5-inch-by-5-inch cardboard middle wing bone
- 3-by-5-inch lower wing bone
- Permanent epoxy
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup flour
- Pot
- Medium size bowl
- 1-by-3-inch newspaper strips
- 1-by-3-inch white paper towel strips
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brush
Instructions
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1
Draw a 3-by-4 inch cardboard upper wing bone in the shape of a 90 degree triangle. Cut out the upper wing bone.
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2
Draw a 5-by-5 inch cardboard upper wing bone in the shape of a parallelogram. Make two of the angles 35 degrees and the remaining two 145 degrees using a protractor. Cut out the parallelogram.
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3
Draw a 3-by-5 inch cardboard lower wing bone in the shape of a 90 degree triangle. Cut out the triangle. The lower wing portion also includes the four phalanxes and is commensurate in length to the other two major portions.
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4
Fit the three major wing portions together. Lay the upper wing bone on a flat surface in front of you so the right angle is to the lower left. Press one of the angled sides of the middle wing bone against the 45 degree side of the upper wing bone. Press the 45 degree side of the lower wing bone against the opposite angled side of the middle wing bone. Bond the pieces together in this fashion with permanent epoxy.
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5
Pour the water and flour into a pot to make a papier mache mix. Boil the mix for three minutes. Allow the mix to cool for five minutes. Dump the mix into a medium size bowl.
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6
Soak one of the newspaper strips in the mix. Press the strip into the wing. Continue until both sides of the wing are covered in one layer of newspaper-papier mache.
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7
Soak one of the white paper towel strips in the mix. Press the strip into the wing. Continue until both sides of the wing are covered in one layer of white paper towel-papier mache. Paper towel provides an ideal surface for acrylic paint. Allow four hours for the craft to dry.
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8
Coat the wing with acrylic paint. Paint long and short feathers onto the top side of the craft at different points on the wing. Allow two hours for the wing to dry. Flip the wing over and repeat this step. Repeat steps one through eight to complete your second bird wing.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
