Leonardo's fighting vehicle

Sketch

Leonardo da Vinci's fighting vehicle is one of the conceptualizations of the revered Italian polymath and artist Leonardo da Vinci.[1]

Design

.[2] Sometimes described as a prototype of modern Tanks, da Vinci's armored vehicle represented a conical cover inspired by a turtle’s shell. The covering was to be made of wood and reinforced with metal plates that add to thickness. Slanting angles would deflect enemy fire. The machine was powered by two large inside cranks operated by four strong men. The vehicle was equipped with an array of light cannons, placed around the perimeter.[3]

The gears of the design were located in a reversed order, making the vehicle unworkable. This is thought by some sources to have been a deliberate mistake by Da Vinci as a form of security, in case his design was stolen and used irresponsibly.[4]

The vehicle was designed to intimidate the enemy rather than to be used as a serious military weapon. Due to the vehicle's impressive size it would not be capable of moving on rugged terrain. The project could hardly be applied and realized in the 15th century.[5]

Around 2010, a group of engineers recreated Leonardo’s vehicle, based on the original design. The mistake in gearing was fixed.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Cynthia Phillips, Shana Priwer. Leonardo's Tank. Netplaces.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  2. 1 2 Leonardo da Vinci’s Tank. Leonardodavincisinventions.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  3. ↑ Da Vinci’s Tank: A War Machine for the Duke of Milan. Davincilife.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  4. ↑ Da Vinci Invention. Leonardo-da-vinci-biography.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
  5. ↑ Armoured Car. Da-vinci-inventions.com. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
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