The Forktop Kite

The next stage is to attach the crossbar to the backbone, 7 in. from the top. Two small anchor blocks, each measuring 1/4 in. x 3/8 in. x 1 in. are glued to the backbone on either side of the cross­bar. The latter is then glued and also lashed in place with thin string. Smear the binding with glue to stiffen it. Treat all sub­sequent bindings in the same way. It is highly important that the joint be properly made, for upon it depends the firmness of the framework.

The framework is now ready to be braced. Use thin string which is capable of withstanding considerable strain. Tie a length to the bowstring, making use of the 5 in. tail which has been left. Pass it over the top end of the backbone, bind it round the other end of the crossbar and tie securely. Check that the bracing is really taut. Next, tie a length of string to one end of the crossbar, pass it over the bottom end of the backbone, and pass round and tie to the end of the crossbar. The finished bracing should sound a musical note when plucked with the fingers.

If stripwood is used for the crossbar, a reinforcing strip is used, C. This is 1 ft. 5 in. in length and is cut from 1/4 in. square strip-wood. This is placed between two small anchor blocks of the same wood, 1 in. in length, which are glued to the crossbar. The centre of the strip comes over the centre of the backbone. Bind the ends of the strip, and also the blocks, to the crossbar with thin string. A small stripwood bridge, D, is placed between the backbone and the reinforcing strip, and is held in place with glue and a small fretwork nail.

The bridle is attached to the backbone in the form of a loop. Tying points are shown in Fig. 9. Use stout string, 7 ft. in length. A small anchor block is glued underneath the bottom tying point to prevent the bridle from slipping down.

The framework is covered with pure unbleached greaseproof paper, or better still, lightweight cotton material. It may be necessary to join two pieces of the material together to make the cover. Lay the frame upon the material and with a soft grade pencil, mark out the shape allowing a margin of 2 in. all round for overlapping, and cut out. Cut narrow V-shaped slits in the margin.