Double Butterfly Kite

Double Butterfly Kite
Fig.15  larger view

This pretty kite is a development of the one previously described. The framework is necessarily more elaborate, and so the instruc­tions must be followed carefully. The kite is one of which you may be proud, both for its appearance and performance.

The backbone, A, is 2 ft. 9 in. in length and is cut from 3/8 in. square stripwood, which must be straight and free from blemish. The main wing curves, B and C, are formed from 8 mm. centre cane. They are each 4 ft. 7 in. in length. It is an advantage, for the sake of lightness and fixing to split about one-third of the cane off with a sharp-pointed knife. All the cane used, prior to its being assembled, should be soaked in water for an hour or so (see Fig. 15.)

Glue and tie the cane, B, to a point which is 3 in. from the top of the backbone and 1 ft. 4 in. from the top end of the cane. Bring the cane round in a curve, glue, bind round and tie again at a point which is 3 in. from the bottom of the backbone and 6f in. from the bottom end of the cane. Use fine strong string for tying the cane. The depth of that part of the curve which extends beyond the backbone is about 71/2 in. at its centre. Attach the cane, C, in the same way.

Mark the centre of the backbone with a pencil. Lay the ruler on the mark in a horizontal position, and make corresponding marks on the canes. The secondary curves, D and E, are formed from 8 mm. centre cane, split for preference like the canes B and C. They are 2 ft. 81/2 in. in length. Glue, bind round and tie D to the bottom end of the main wing cane, C. Bring the cane, D, up in a curve to a point on the backbone, which is 11/2 in. below the centre mark and 1 ft. 4 in. from the top end of the cane. Fasten the cane to the backbone at this point. The cane, E, is tied to the bottom of the main wing cane B, and brought up in a curve to cross over D on the backbone, to which it is securely bound. Continuing the curves on both the canes, bring them to points which are 3/8 in. below the pencil marks on the canes B and C.

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