Now Available: Historic Airship Replica Santos-Dumont No. 9

Alberto Santos-Dumont, son of a rich plantation-owner developed early a fascination with flight. As adult he moved over to Paris - back then one of the hot spots of early aviation - and soon became known as constructor of airships. He built several models and did fly them at exhibitions and contests. His favourite model was the No. 9, which he gave the nickname "Baladeuse" - "cart". It was his most compact airship and it seems to have been quite ideal to casually fly with it over the rooftops of Paris and land in front of a café for a coffee break, which he did!

I built this replica after historical photographs and modern reconstructions to get all the little details right.  It was a welcome challenge, after not really building much over the summer and I went really nuts on the engine, which makes it quite surprising even to myself that it has a land impact of only 8!
Special thanks to my friends Jack Tracker, who gave me the idea of building it, and Prof. Zen Wickentower, who spend a lot of effort in creating a historical correct flying pose for it!

The Santos-Dumon No. 9 now available at the Drow Science Showroom and at my Marketplace Store. Also feel free to drop by at the Baitoushan Aviation Museum, where it is currently on exhibition:

Drow Science at the Sci-Fi Fair

My Steampunk/Dieselpunk Pub at the Sci-Fi Faire

Since the Sci-Fi Convention earlier this year was so successful, the organisers have decided to hold second event this year too. The Sci-Fi Faire:

"To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek TV & film franchise the sci-fi alliance in second life has organised a convention covering 3 sim from September 7-11, with over 80 booths set up by residents to promote their trek and sci-fi groups, content made in world  and services. The event supports  “The American Cancer Society”  with donations and exposure.

The sims called “Vulcan” and “Qonos” are used for housing the booths whilst “Risa” in the centre being used for entertainment."

Sci-Fi Convention Blog

I'm not sure if its going to be a regular thing. But it would be certainly nice for the community to have such a happening twice a year. There is always so much to see and discover!

I am also happy that I finished the interior for my Steampunk Pub right in time. Impeccable timing, isn't it?

See you at the Faire!