Ancient Reptile Had Wings Like a Fighter Jet

anthemaniac writes "A reptile that lived 225 million years ago had triangular-shaped wings like the delta-wings of some jets. At least that's what a new computer model suggests. Researcher have generated several possible shapes for the wings of Sharovipteryx mirabili before, so this is just the latest guess (based on one fossil). Last fall NatGeo reported that the first biplane configuration was on a dinosaur. Maybe airplane designers should delve into the fossil record a little more."

Comments

They have this all wrong.

[LiquidCoooled]

We need to stop looking at ancient fossils, we need to go and ask the only living relative of this creature just what they were for and how they looked.

This reptile was clearly the ancestor of MC Hammer.

Back in reality now (after a cold shower) some Bats have practically identical skin flaps between their legs even nowadays.

As for diving into the fossil records, we should be trying to model our aircraft on living birds and bats and insects, at least then we don't need a computer to guess how it should work. I would rather put my trust into something when there are plenty of study models to base a design from, not a single sample guestimate.

We can already soar like an eagle perhaps we need the manoeuvrability of a bat for urban airports?