I didn't risk any painting until it was built to avoid causing problems with the moving parts, then decided to leave the black plastic parts alone and just do some work on the 'wooden' bits. Used acrylics to lighten the upper surfaces and darken the underneath, and picked out the joins on the wings and tail. The name plate took some concentration and I sealed the gold paint with Klear to avoid having to do it again after grubby hands have gotten hold of it over the festive period.
Does it work? Hell yes! The little clockwork motor spins the rattly cogs to pump the armatures up and down and flap the wings. It's a neat little mechanism. Ok it doesn't actually fly, Da Vinci didn't have access to clockwork motors and his wing designs were actually much more complex - but the cat got very interested and that's good enough for me. Honestly I'm tempted to get another to mess around with.
Happy Christmas all!
The wings a-flapping while the motor whirrs!
