All aboard Airship Aeouls ! Join the Explorers` Society on their voyage across the mysterious Skylands!

For ages, the marvelous floating islands of the Skylands have been a mystery that can`t be approached. No human could reach these landmasses above the clouds… until now.

Meet Junona Richardson and Wulf de Couberten , the mightiest adventurers of the Society. Use the star chart and telescopes to plot your courses, rev the engines using the handy cogs on the side and set off into the sky under steam power! Collect your findings in the crates or under the cabin and better not awake some ancient curse while researching these gems!

Turn the cogs back-and-forth for a satisfying propeller action. A flywheel-augmented mechanism keeps the propeller turning smooth during play with easy, ergonomic operation. It was physically tested and iterated on until the desired motion was achieved.

Inspiration and design

I wanted to model an aerial vehicle, something imaginative and unusual. Moreover, I wished to create a mechanical play feature that is fun to build and operate.

The build is inspired by a variety of Steampunk media as well as the history of geographical exploration of the past. Certain elements throw back to modern yachts and airplanes. Steampunk fits well with the mechanical feature of the build, including the exposed cogs on the sides that turn the propeller. The star charts and telescopes are not just crucial navigational tools, but also a reference to my fascination with astronomy.

The design relies heavily on symmetry and smooth, aerodynamically friendly pieces. These were crucial in making the balloon be both sturdy and aesthetically appealing. Despite the size, the build is stable thanks to the wings on the sides and the size of the boat.

The rear part of the boat houses the pilot`s seat with gauges and controls, while the compartment below is used for storage and houses rudder control machinery. In the middle there is a hatch in the floor for storage and balloon machinery overhead. Here you can pump in the lifting gas. The nose serves as a navigation station with telescopes and maps to plot the course. Above hangs the balloon full of gas, with the engines on the rear powering the huge wooden propeller.

The core fature of the model is thee propeller mechanism. Turning the cogs in one direction makes the propeller spin fast, while turning in another direction disengages the gears temporary, while the prop keeps spinning, sustained by the flywheel. You can turn the gears back-and-forth 10-30 degrees,and the mechanism turns your motion into consistent propeller rotation in one direction.
The mechanism remains operational even on high pitch angles and guarantees smooth propeller operation during play.

This model is built for both play and display. Put it on your desk or shelf as a stylish decoration, swoosh it around the bedroom, or both! Do you have what it takes to be a true explorer? Embark on the journey now!