Flying Machine: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|Have you ever watched a bird in flight? It's not about being lighter than air, it's about grace and balance. You must use your body's own weight to control your elevation and direction.|Leonardo da Vinci describing the mechanics of the Flying Machine.|Assassin's Creed II|Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained}} | {{Quote|Have you ever watched a bird in flight? It's not about being lighter than air, it's about grace and balance. You must use your body's own weight to control your elevation and direction.|Leonardo da Vinci describing the mechanics of the Flying Machine.|Assassin's Creed II|Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained}} | ||
[[File:AC2 flying machine.png|250px|thumb|The Flying Machine]] | [[File:AC2 flying machine.png|250px|thumb|The Flying Machine]] | ||
The '''Flying Machine''' was a glider-like vehicle designed and built by the [[Italy|Italian]] polymath [[Leonardo da Vinci]].<ref name="RomagnaHoliday">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Romagna Holiday]]</ref> It was first tested by the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditiore]] in [[Venice]] in 1485.<ref name="NothingVentured">''Assassin's Creed II'' – [[Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained]]</ref> | The '''Flying Machine''' was a glider-like vehicle designed and built by the [[Italy|Italian]] polymath [[Leonardo da Vinci]].<ref name="RomagnaHoliday">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Romagna Holiday]]</ref> It was first tested by the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditiore]] in [[Venice]] in 1485.<ref name="NothingVentured">''Assassin's Creed II'' – [[Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained]]</ref> Leonardo would go on to improve its design<ref name="AnUnexpectedVisitor">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[An Unexpected Visitor]]</ref> by adding an incendiary [[cannon]] onto its back, which could both be used to attack and start fires to keep the machine aloft.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0">''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' – [[Flying Machine 2.0]]</ref> The Borgia forces in [[Valnerina]] mass-produced this '''Bomber''' until Ezio destroyed the schematics<ref name="WarPlans">''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' – [[War Plans (Bomber)]]</ref> and all operational models of the device.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | ||
Leonardo would go on to improve its design<ref name="AnUnexpectedVisitor">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[An Unexpected Visitor]]</ref> by adding an incendiary [[cannon]] onto its back, which could both be used to attack and start fires to keep the machine aloft.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0">''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' – [[Flying Machine 2.0]]</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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===Venice=== | ===Venice=== | ||
[[File:NVNG 3.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio attempting flight for the first time]] | [[File:NVNG 3.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio attempting flight for the first time]] | ||
Some time after arriving in Venice, Ezio and [[Antonio de Magianis]] attempted to find a way into the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia | Some time after arriving in Venice, Ezio and [[Antonio de Magianis]] attempted to find a way into the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia]] to save {{Wiki|Doge of Venice|Doge}} [[Giovanni Mocenigo]] from the [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Italian Templar]] [[Carlo Grimaldi]]'s [[assassination]] plot. Upon stating with frustration that only [[bird]]s could enter the heavily-guarded palazzo, Ezio remembered Leonardo's invention and promptly left for his friend's [[Bottega di Leonardo|workshop]].<ref name="IfAtFirst">''Assassin's Creed II'' – [[If At First You Don't Succeed...]]</ref> | ||
Initially, Leonardo thought that he would not be able to find someone crazy enough to test his machine, as it required them to jump off a tower | Initially, Leonardo thought that he would not be able to find someone crazy enough to test his machine, as it required them to jump off a tower, though Ezio readily volunteered.<ref name="NothingVentured">''Assassin's Creed II'' – [[Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained]]</ref> Their first attempt failed, as the Flying Machine was barely able to stay in flight for a few seconds, but Leonardo was still amazed that Ezio could even fly at all. After checking the design to see if the flight duration could be extended, Leonardo gave up and cursed the machine, throwing the plans for it into his fireplace.<ref name="NothingVentured"/> | ||
[[File:IF 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio flying towards the Palazzo Ducale]] | [[File:IF 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio flying towards the Palazzo Ducale]] | ||
However, this inspired Leonardo, as he saw the paper levitating above the fire, buoyed by the hot air. With this, he suspected that the Flying Machine could work in the same manner. As a result, Antonio de Magianis instructed his [[Thief|thieves]] to set up fires across the city,<ref name="NothingVentured"/> allowing Ezio to fly over them and successfully make his way to the palazzo. | However, this inspired Leonardo, as he saw the paper levitating above the fire, buoyed by the hot air. With this, he suspected that the Flying Machine could work in the same manner. As a result, Antonio de Magianis instructed his [[Thief|thieves]] to set up fires across the city,<ref name="NothingVentured"/> allowing Ezio to fly over them and successfully make his way to the palazzo. Unfortunately, during the landing, the machine's wing caught fire from an [[archer]]'s flaming [[arrow]], and after a sudden drop onto the roof, the glider crashed into the harbor by the palazzo.<ref name="InfrequentFlier">''Assassin's Creed II'' – [[Infrequent Flier]]</ref> | ||
Unfortunately, during the landing, the machine's wing caught fire from an [[archer]]'s flaming arrow, and after a sudden drop onto the roof, the glider crashed into the harbor by the palazzo.<ref name="InfrequentFlier"/> | |||
===Valnerina=== | ===Valnerina=== | ||
{{Quote|The first designs were defective. Everyone who piloted one died, several even exploded. But we know this one works.|A guard commenting on the Bomber.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Flying Machine 2.0}} | {{Quote|The first designs were defective. Everyone who piloted one died, several even exploded. But we know this one works.|A guard commenting on the Bomber.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Flying Machine 2.0}} | ||
After being forced into the service of the Borgia as an engineer, Leonardo significantly improved the design of the Flying Machine, alongside three other [[ | After being forced into the service of the Borgia as an engineer, Leonardo significantly improved the design of the Flying Machine, alongside three other [[war machine]]s.<ref name="AnUnexpectedVisitor"/> The new Flying Machine, called the Bomber, could then be used more aggressively, rather than just for travel. The fire cannon it bore also allowed it to travel over greater distances, without pre-set fires on the ground.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | ||
[[File:Flying Machine 2.0 6.png|thumb|left|250px|Ezio firing at a workshop in Valerina]] | |||
In order to weaken the Borgia forces, Ezio traveled to Valnerina to burn the plans for the Bomber, and destroy the working versions of it.<ref name="WarPlans"/> After stealing one of the few working prototypes, Ezio proceeded to fly over and destroy every Borgia workshop, where the Bomber and various other weapons were being manufactured for their wars across [[Europe]].<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | In order to weaken the Borgia forces, Ezio traveled to Valnerina to burn the plans for the Bomber, and destroy the working versions of it.<ref name="WarPlans"/> After stealing one of the few working prototypes, Ezio proceeded to fly over and destroy every Borgia workshop, where the Bomber and various other weapons were being manufactured for their wars across [[Europe]].<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | ||
Ezio also used the machine to attack any wagons that attempted to bring salvaged materials from the workshops to the safety of the fortress, including a single mounted messenger who attempted to alert [[Cesare Borgia]] of the attack. Finally, after ensuring that the design could not be used by the Borgia, Ezio crashed the machine he had been using into a wooden guard tower, destroying it completely.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | Ezio also used the machine to attack any wagons that attempted to bring salvaged materials from the workshops to the safety of the fortress, including a single mounted messenger who attempted to alert [[Cesare Borgia]] of the attack. Finally, after ensuring that the design could not be used by the Borgia, Ezio crashed the machine he had been using into a wooden guard tower, destroying it completely.<ref name="FlyingMachine2.0"/> | ||
===Colonial America=== | ===Colonial America=== | ||
[[File:AC3 Connor Flying Machine.png|thumb|250px|Connor attempting to pilot the Flying Machine]] | [[File:AC3 Connor Flying Machine.png|thumb|250px|Connor attempting to pilot the Flying Machine]] | ||
In 1778, when the [[United States|American]] [[wood]]worker [[Lance O'Donnell]] received plans from [[France]] for a folding chair,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Thousand-Pound Idea]]</ref> he was also given plans for Leonardo's Flying Machine. In his excitement, Lance built the device and [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]] chose to test it. However, they were unaware of the heat required to provide elevation for the machine | In 1778, when the [[United States|American]] [[wood]]worker [[Lance O'Donnell]] received plans from [[France]] for a folding chair,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Thousand-Pound Idea]]</ref> he was also given a copy of plans for Leonardo's Flying Machine. In his excitement, Lance built the device and [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]] chose to test it. However, they were unaware of the heat required to provide elevation for the machine and it promptly crashed into the [[Davenport Homestead]]'s bay during the flight attempt.<ref>''Assassin's Creed III'' – [[Floating conversations]]: Homestead residents</ref> | ||
==Modern | ===Modern times=== | ||
In 2014, the Templar front company [[Abstergo Entertainment]] created a digital model of the Flying Machine to use in their marketing campaign for the [[Helix|Helix Navigator]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref> | In 2014, the Templar front company [[Abstergo Entertainment]] created a digital model of the Flying Machine to use in their marketing campaign for the [[Helix|Helix Navigator]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
Historically, it was believed that {{Wiki|Tommaso Masini|Tommaso Masini da Peretola}}, a pupil of Leonardo's, flew his master's machine for 1 kilometer in the countryside outside Florence in 1505, but had a rough landing and ended up with a broken leg.<ref>{{WP|Monte Ceceri}}</ref> | Historically, it was believed that {{Wiki|Tommaso Masini|Tommaso Masini da Peretola}}, a pupil of Leonardo's, flew his master's machine for 1 kilometer in the countryside outside Florence in 1505, but had a rough landing and ended up with a broken leg.<ref>{{WP|Monte Ceceri}}</ref> The bomber machine was never implemented as a plan by Leonardo, since his flying machine was unsuccessful due to the test flight his student had done. | ||
The | |||
The flying machine could be seen in the background of both of Leonardo's workshops. | The flying machine could be seen in the background of both of Leonardo's workshops. | ||
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A small model of the Flying Machine could be purchased as an avatar prop for Xbox 360 avatars. | A small model of the Flying Machine could be purchased as an avatar prop for Xbox 360 avatars. | ||
In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'', [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]] built a pair of gliders which heavily resembled the Flying Machine in design. Notably, these gliders included an additional mechanism which allowed them to be converted into [[parachute]]s to allow for a safer and more precise landing.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center | <gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180"> | ||
AC2 - Flying Machine concept.jpg|Concept art of Ezio using the Flying Machine over Venice | AC2 - Flying Machine concept.jpg|Concept art of Ezio using the Flying Machine over Venice | ||
NVNG 1.png|The Flying Machine in Leonardo's Venetian workshop | NVNG 1.png|The Flying Machine in Leonardo's Venetian workshop | ||
| Line 61: | Line 56: | ||
ACU - Flying machine.png|Abstergo Entertainment's rendition of the Flying Machine | ACU - Flying machine.png|Abstergo Entertainment's rendition of the Flying Machine | ||
ACReb Leonardo da Vinci.png|Leonardo in ''Rebellion'' holding a Flying Machine model | ACReb Leonardo da Vinci.png|Leonardo in ''Rebellion'' holding a Flying Machine model | ||
MTG ACR - Copy full art.jpg|Leonardo's sketch and miniature model of his Flying Machine | |||
ACFT - Edward and Saito using gliders.png|[[Edward Kenway]] and [[Shimazu Saito]] using the Flying Machine-inspired gliders | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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*''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' | ||
*''[[Echoes of History]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 14:30, 22 June 2025
The Flying Machine was a glider-like vehicle designed and built by the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci.[1] It was first tested by the Italian Assassin Ezio Auditiore in Venice in 1485.[2] Leonardo would go on to improve its design[3] by adding an incendiary cannon onto its back, which could both be used to attack and start fires to keep the machine aloft.[4] The Borgia forces in Valnerina mass-produced this Bomber until Ezio destroyed the schematics[5] and all operational models of the device.[4]
History[edit | edit source]
Apennine Mountains[edit | edit source]
The first time Ezio caught a glimpse of the Flying Machine was when he went to help Leonardo fix the wheel of his carriage in the Apennine Mountains. After Ezio asked him what it was, Leonardo replied that it was just an idea, one that might be able to make a man fly. Ezio simply dismissed the thought with a laugh, and the two climbed into the wagon and set off.[1]
Venice[edit | edit source]
Some time after arriving in Venice, Ezio and Antonio de Magianis attempted to find a way into the Palazzo Ducale di Venezia to save Doge Giovanni Mocenigo from the Italian Templar Carlo Grimaldi's assassination plot. Upon stating with frustration that only birds could enter the heavily-guarded palazzo, Ezio remembered Leonardo's invention and promptly left for his friend's workshop.[6]
Initially, Leonardo thought that he would not be able to find someone crazy enough to test his machine, as it required them to jump off a tower, though Ezio readily volunteered.[2] Their first attempt failed, as the Flying Machine was barely able to stay in flight for a few seconds, but Leonardo was still amazed that Ezio could even fly at all. After checking the design to see if the flight duration could be extended, Leonardo gave up and cursed the machine, throwing the plans for it into his fireplace.[2]
However, this inspired Leonardo, as he saw the paper levitating above the fire, buoyed by the hot air. With this, he suspected that the Flying Machine could work in the same manner. As a result, Antonio de Magianis instructed his thieves to set up fires across the city,[2] allowing Ezio to fly over them and successfully make his way to the palazzo. Unfortunately, during the landing, the machine's wing caught fire from an archer's flaming arrow, and after a sudden drop onto the roof, the glider crashed into the harbor by the palazzo.[7]
Valnerina[edit | edit source]
After being forced into the service of the Borgia as an engineer, Leonardo significantly improved the design of the Flying Machine, alongside three other war machines.[3] The new Flying Machine, called the Bomber, could then be used more aggressively, rather than just for travel. The fire cannon it bore also allowed it to travel over greater distances, without pre-set fires on the ground.[4]
In order to weaken the Borgia forces, Ezio traveled to Valnerina to burn the plans for the Bomber, and destroy the working versions of it.[5] After stealing one of the few working prototypes, Ezio proceeded to fly over and destroy every Borgia workshop, where the Bomber and various other weapons were being manufactured for their wars across Europe.[4]
Ezio also used the machine to attack any wagons that attempted to bring salvaged materials from the workshops to the safety of the fortress, including a single mounted messenger who attempted to alert Cesare Borgia of the attack. Finally, after ensuring that the design could not be used by the Borgia, Ezio crashed the machine he had been using into a wooden guard tower, destroying it completely.[4]
Colonial America[edit | edit source]
In 1778, when the American woodworker Lance O'Donnell received plans from France for a folding chair,[8] he was also given a copy of plans for Leonardo's Flying Machine. In his excitement, Lance built the device and Ratonhnhaké:ton chose to test it. However, they were unaware of the heat required to provide elevation for the machine and it promptly crashed into the Davenport Homestead's bay during the flight attempt.[9]
Modern times[edit | edit source]
In 2014, the Templar front company Abstergo Entertainment created a digital model of the Flying Machine to use in their marketing campaign for the Helix Navigator.[10]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Historically, it was believed that Tommaso Masini da Peretola, a pupil of Leonardo's, flew his master's machine for 1 kilometer in the countryside outside Florence in 1505, but had a rough landing and ended up with a broken leg.[11] The bomber machine was never implemented as a plan by Leonardo, since his flying machine was unsuccessful due to the test flight his student had done.
The flying machine could be seen in the background of both of Leonardo's workshops.
After installing Assassin's Creed II's downloadable expansion Battle of Forlì, a "Special Memory" was added to the map of Forlì where Ezio could use the Flying Machine at any time. This was likely added as another opportunity to gain the "Fly Swatter" achievement.
Successfully using and destroying the Bomber granted the "Boom!" achievement.
The model of the Flying Machine in the armory at the Tiber Island headquarters was not modelled after the Bomber in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, but after the original Flying Machine in Assassin's Creed II.
A small model of the Flying Machine could be purchased as an avatar prop for Xbox 360 avatars.
In Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple, Yun Pyeong-Gyu built a pair of gliders which heavily resembled the Flying Machine in design. Notably, these gliders included an additional mechanism which allowed them to be converted into parachutes to allow for a safer and more precise landing.[12]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Concept art of Ezio using the Flying Machine over Venice -
The Flying Machine in Leonardo's Venetian workshop -
Ezio using the Flying Machine in Forlì -
Ezio destroying the Bomber -
Abstergo Entertainment's rendition of the Flying Machine -
Leonardo in Rebellion holding a Flying Machine model -
Leonardo's sketch and miniature model of his Flying Machine -
Edward Kenway and Shimazu Saito using the Flying Machine-inspired gliders
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed II (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed II (mobile game) (non-canon)
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (mobile game) (non-canon)
- Assassin's Creed III
- Assassin's Creed: Unity
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed II – Romagna Holiday
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Assassin's Creed II – Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – An Unexpected Visitor
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – Flying Machine 2.0
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood – War Plans (Bomber)
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – If At First You Don't Succeed...
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II – Infrequent Flier
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Thousand-Pound Idea
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Floating conversations: Homestead residents
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Unity – Modern day
- ↑
Monte Ceceri on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 97
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