Griffon Hoverwork employees play a starring role in the Royal Society'’s Summer Exhibition

Back in 2009, Porstmouth University was approached by the Royal Society in London to contribute to the Science Exhibition being held in June 2010. Researchers from the University are creating five life-sized pterosaur models (flying creatures), including one with a wing span of 10 metres, to better appreciate what these animals may have looked like when alive.

Bob and Jack Rushton, Griffon Hoverwork employees based on the Isle of Wight, have played a key role in this. They designed the models and built them from welded aluminium. “Creating these models help us better to understand how these ancient reptiles were able to achieve such gigantic proportions and still be able to fly with great manoeuvrability. Studying the skeletons of these creatures could help engineers to design stronger and lighter aircraft frames,” says Dr Dave Martill, School of Earth and Environment Science, University of Portsmouth.

Visitors will be able to see several life-sized models and touch real pterosaur bones. They will learn how fossils are helping scientists to understand how these amazing creatures lived, what they ate and how they flew.

The exhibition, which is free of charge,– will be at the Southbank Centre Square in London between 25th June – 4th July and Griffon Hoverwork employees will be attending the event on 1st July.

For more information about the exhibition see http://seefurtherfestival.org/events/view/pterosaurs-dragons-air

The BBC has been following the progress of this project. Videos of the construction of the models can be seen at:

How to build a giant winged reptile http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8179056.stm
How to build a giant winged reptile 2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483606.stm
Eye to glass-eye with a giant flying monster http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8605844.stm

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