

The Monstrefact Redux: The Flight of Dragons
Jun 19, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of dragon flight as the hosts explore a unique theory from the book 'The Flight of Dragons.' Discover how the 1981 film Dragon Slayer presents a realistic take on dragon mechanics, avoiding vertical takeoffs. The discussion also highlights the imaginative science and distinctive biology depicted in the 1982 animated film, shaping our perception of these mythical creatures. Get ready for a blend of creativity and science that redefines how we see dragons in pop culture!
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Dragon Flight in Film
- The 1981 film Dragon Slayer shows dragon flight effects but avoids vertical takeoff scenes for believability.
- The 1982 animated film The Flight of Dragons explores speculative dragon flight mechanics based on Peter Dickinson's 1979 book.
Peter Dickinson's Dragon Flight Theory
- Dragons are theorized to have thick bodies and small wings, flying by producing hydrogen internally.
- They use hydrogen for lift and ignite it as fiery breath, managing altitude by venting hydrogen through a special mouth structure.
Fire Breath Linked to Hydrogen
- The fiery breath of dragons is linked to their hydrogen-based flight.
- Hydrogen venting is part of altitude control and normal physiology, ignited via a mouth structure called Thor's thimble.