Fw: Pterosaur wing membranes

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

> Me, I think.  I discussed it (and launch technique) at the 1999 SSA 
> conference, in an hour long talk that I gave about Quetzalcoatlus flight 
> mechanics, biomechanics, and the MacCready QN replica.  They would not be 
> extended quite as wide as John's illustrations.  The included angle 
> between the right and left tibia would be about 127 degrees for minimum 
> drag, but since the uropagagium contributes to flight control, they would 
> be in almost constant motion, and would often be in asymmetric positions 
> (even, sometimes the position in which they are usually illustrated).  I 
> believe John deliberately overextended them to call attention to the 
> posibilities of the position.  A skeleton has been assembled in the 127 
> degree positioning and the skeletal articulations work, with the load 
> bearing members in appropriate locations.  When legs are extended, the 
> feet would serve as trim servos.
> Jim
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Habib" <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>
> To: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
> Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 12:01 PM
> Subject: Re: Pterosaur wing membranes
>
>
> > I forgot to mention that great examples of this concept are illustrated 
> > by John Conway; take a look at his illustration website to see what I 
> > mean (he certainly thought of it long before I ever did).  Jim (or others 
> > familiar with this model): do you know who first proposed the idea?
> >
> > --Mike