This wooden model kit pays tribute to one of the most fascinating pioneers in the history of flight: Otto Lilienthal. Made of precision laser-cut birch plywood, it is assembled using PVA glue (not included) and a bit of patience, especially when handling the wide and delicate parts. The finished result is striking: a sleek, elegant flying machine suspended between engineering and poetry.
The design is inspired by the “Normalsegelapparat,” a German term that means “standard glider.” It was Lilienthal’s most iconic flying machine, built in the late 19th century. With it, he accomplished real, documented gliding flights. The curved wing structure, reinforced by visible tension cables, reflects his deep study of bird flight. While not based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci, this model shares the same Renaissance dream of human flight – a quest to blend nature, technology, and freedom.
The model comes with video-supported instructions that guide users step by step through the building process. Once completed, it becomes a visually impactful and refined piece, ideal for decorating creative spaces, studies, or educational displays. It is appreciated in museum bookshops as a visual tribute to the courage and vision of the first man to truly fly.
Instructions
In this Playlist Video you can find all the assembly steps.
This is our Lilienthal Glider Model.
Below, the assembly instructions in a convenient playlist.
Let’s start building our Lilienthal Glider Model step by step!
N.1 Assemble body and front ribs
Assemble body and front ribs: See on Youtube
N.2 Gluing textile on the wing – Part 1
Gluing textile on the wing – Part 1: See on Youtube
N.3 Gluing textile on the tail
Gluing textile on the tail: See on Youtube
N.4 Gluing textile on the Tail Plan
Gluing textile on the Tail Plan: See on Youtube
N.5 Removing the Gluing kit from the wing
Removing the Gluing kit from the wing: See on Youtube
N.6 Gluing textile on the wing – Part 2
Gluing textile on the wing – Part 2: See on Youtube
N.7 Removing the Gluing kit from Tail
Removing the Gluing kit from Tail: See on Youtube
N.8 Preparation of tail parts
Preparation of tail parts: See on You Tube
N.9 Assembly of the ribs
Assembly of the ribs: See on Youtube
N.10 Fixing the textile to the ribs
Fixing the textile to the ribs: See on Youtube
N.11 Fixing the “X” support to the body
Fixing the “X” support to the body: See on Youtube
N.12 Inserting of the tail to the body
Inserting of the tail to the body: See on Youtube
N.13 Placing the lower wires on the ribs
Placing the lower wires on the ribs: See on Youtube
N.14 Assemble of the must – part 1
Assemble of the must: See on Youtube
N.15 Assemble of the must – part 2
Assemble of the must: See on Youtube
N.16 Placing the top wires – part 1
Placing the top wires from 2 to A and from 25 to B
See on Youtube
N.17 Placing the top wires – part 2
Placing the top wires from A to 14 to B: See on Youtube
N.18 Placing the top wires – part 3
Placing the top wires from A->5->13->22->B: See on Youtube
N.19 Pulling the wires
Pulling the wires: See on Youtube
N.20 Placing the top wires from – part 4
Placing the top wires from C1->1->A1->12->15->B1->26->D1
See on Youtube
Great model!
Lilienthal was not satisfied to restrict his work to the exploration of aerodynamic theory. Between 1891 and 1896, he put his research into practice in the form of a series of highly successful full-size glider trials. During this period Lilienthal made close to 2,000 brief flights in 16 different glider designs based on his aerodynamic investigations. Most were monoplanes with stabilizing tail surfaces mounted at the rear. He also tried a few biplane and folding wing designs, but the original monoplane glider, or Normal Segelapparat (standard sailing machine) as he called it, produced the best results. Lilienthal built at least eight gliders of this type.