The Cat and the Mouse

I’m pleased to make available my first serious attempt at automata design.

It depicts the cat, waiting at the mouse hole with a cunningly placed piece of cheese, intending to lure out the victim. The cat waits patiently, peering upwards, pretending not to notice as the mouse creeps forward.

As the mouse reaches the cheese, the cat strikes. But too late! The mouse scuttles back just in time.....

The model is offered as a download on payment of Ł1.50 (which is about $3.00) via PayPal. As I don’t yet have an automated system, I’ll send the files as email attachments. There are 4 pdf pages for the model, and 3 pdf pages for the instruction sheets in two zipped files which total 13.5Mb.

I have two sets of files, one with European A4 size pages and one with the component parts rearranged to fit US letter size, 8 1/2” x 11”. When you send payment, please specify ’US’ or ‘European’.

The cat depicted is my assistant and good friend Cleo, who’s a Birman.

If there should be sufficient interest, it may be possible to offer alternative versions of the model with different breeds.. Please let me know if you have any special requests!

The mechanism is fairly basic using both horizontal and vertical motion from the drive wheel. The cat movements are controlled by a bunch of levers behind her.

Overall dimensions:

height 215mm

width 175mm (plus 60mm for the tail!)

4 A4 or letter size pages with 44 component parts

Use the PayPal link below or simply send payment from your PayPal account to mine, quoting email address...... roger@heritage-models.co.uk

Until I have an automated system available, I’ll send the files out manually. So that won’t be immediate, but I’ll endeavour to have the files with you in 24 hours.

I’ve discovered with the first few orders (thanks folks!) that some email accounts can’t take large attachments.

Particularly hotmail. So if you have a hotmail address, I’ll send the files in three goes.