getting grass on high
October 6, 2005 7:50 PM Subscribe
Flying lawn mower (link to .wmv). Alas, FlyingThingz.com has won my vote for making the most inspired-yet-useless invention of the decade. I'd buy one, but I'm allergic to freshly cut sky. The witch might be cool for Halloween, tho.
As a melancholy sunset settles over the Western Front, the World War I Flying Ace returns to his base, keeping a watchful eye for the Hun in the Sun.
posted by planetkyoto at 8:17 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by planetkyoto at 8:17 PM on October 6, 2005
that's awesome, thanks. now they just need to make a flying pig and we'll be all set
posted by NGnerd at 8:31 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by NGnerd at 8:31 PM on October 6, 2005
Very cool Jeremy.
Also don't miss the Flying Millenium Falcon.
Personally, I prefer my flying machines small.
posted by Popular Ethics at 8:31 PM on October 6, 2005
Also don't miss the Flying Millenium Falcon.
Personally, I prefer my flying machines small.
posted by Popular Ethics at 8:31 PM on October 6, 2005
So how does it work exactly?
And... I hope the terrorists don't acquire this technology.
posted by fungible at 9:25 PM on October 6, 2005
And... I hope the terrorists don't acquire this technology.
posted by fungible at 9:25 PM on October 6, 2005
Now thats a clever use of a flying wing, heres a review that lets you see how it was put together.
posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 10:41 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 10:41 PM on October 6, 2005
fungible: well, kinda [see also]
I shudder to think of the defense assets available at the local hobby shop.
posted by dhartung at 11:06 PM on October 6, 2005
I shudder to think of the defense assets available at the local hobby shop.
posted by dhartung at 11:06 PM on October 6, 2005
Nice post, jeremy. And "Cotton Eye Joe" is my kid's new favorite song. You've made both of us very happy.
posted by maryh at 11:50 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by maryh at 11:50 PM on October 6, 2005
> And "Cotton Eye Joe" is my kid's new favorite song.
It's a snappy little number to be sure. If I'm not mistaken, we're hearing the Rednex rendition, from their 2002 single. I personally recommend it for all your lawn- and sky-mowing activities.
posted by SteelyDuran at 12:37 AM on October 7, 2005
It's a snappy little number to be sure. If I'm not mistaken, we're hearing the Rednex rendition, from their 2002 single. I personally recommend it for all your lawn- and sky-mowing activities.
posted by SteelyDuran at 12:37 AM on October 7, 2005
When I heard "Flying lawnmower" the first thing that came to mind was my Flymo Hover Mower. This one is cooler :)
posted by antifuse at 2:51 AM on October 7, 2005
posted by antifuse at 2:51 AM on October 7, 2005
The Yankees used to have a guy dance to that version of Cotton Eye Joe as a pre-seventh inning stretch. I haven't been to a game recently, so I dunno if they still have him. Now that ritual will seem incomplete without a lawnmower soaring over center field at the same time.
posted by danb at 6:36 AM on October 7, 2005
posted by danb at 6:36 AM on October 7, 2005
Awesome! Thank you very much. Suddenly I have the urge to go hang-gliding.
So I just looked up some info on flying wings, and I was disappointed to read that in order to get rid of the tail, the wings have to be much thicker, which is fine a low speeds, but causes too much drag as you approach the speed of sound. It looks like my plans for building a supersonic lawnmower of death won't be realized.
posted by Gamblor at 7:53 AM on October 7, 2005
So I just looked up some info on flying wings, and I was disappointed to read that in order to get rid of the tail, the wings have to be much thicker, which is fine a low speeds, but causes too much drag as you approach the speed of sound. It looks like my plans for building a supersonic lawnmower of death won't be realized.
posted by Gamblor at 7:53 AM on October 7, 2005
My siblings and I bought the kit of the lawnmower for my dad last Christmas. Kind of an expensive gag gift but he loved it, I still crack up whenever I think about it.
The best part is how for the first couple of seconds it just looks like a self-propelled lawnmower, so you kind of go "Huh, that's kind of WOAH!!" as it takes off into the sky. Completely unexpected and awesome.
(do be aware, if you decide to purchase something from FlyingThingz, they are just body kits. You need to know more than the basics of putting together a remote controlled airplane, like where to buy and how to assemble an engine)
posted by nelleish at 8:10 AM on October 7, 2005
The best part is how for the first couple of seconds it just looks like a self-propelled lawnmower, so you kind of go "Huh, that's kind of WOAH!!" as it takes off into the sky. Completely unexpected and awesome.
(do be aware, if you decide to purchase something from FlyingThingz, they are just body kits. You need to know more than the basics of putting together a remote controlled airplane, like where to buy and how to assemble an engine)
posted by nelleish at 8:10 AM on October 7, 2005
RC motors, both electric- and gas/nitro-powered, are so powerful nowadays that the airplane/flyingthing in question doesn't need lifting surfaces (airfoils) anymore. With a 2:1 thrust to weight ratios, control surfaces alone (elevator, ailerons, rudder) are adequate. I guess my point is that you can make anything "fly" if it's light enough and has enough power, because you can simply vector the power as needed to keep the thing airborne.
The first time I saw an RC airplane hovering, pointed straight up and hovering like a helicopter, I knew I *had* to build one.
Too bad I lack the skill to, you know, make it actually hover...
posted by LordSludge at 9:54 AM on October 7, 2005
The first time I saw an RC airplane hovering, pointed straight up and hovering like a helicopter, I knew I *had* to build one.
Too bad I lack the skill to, you know, make it actually hover...
posted by LordSludge at 9:54 AM on October 7, 2005
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posted by gurple at 7:59 PM on October 6, 2005