Make Your Own Style of Kite

The procedure is as follows. Draw the backbone first at the centre of the paper. This is the key piece upon which everything else depends. Now add the lines representing the two crossbars, which support the wing and the tail. The position of crossbars in kite design depends upon the general shape and proportions. The largest part of this kite is the diamond-shaped wing, which is 2 ft. 6 in. in width and half the length of the backbone. The top crossbar is drawn across the centre of the wing.

The next item is the triangular tail. In the interests of a pleasing design it is made smaller than the wing, being 2 ft. in width and occupying one quarter of the length of the backbone. Draw a line representing the tail crossbar.

In the diagram two vertical struts will be seen, connected to the crossbars. They form the body supports, and on the actual kite are fixed 5 in. from each side of the backbone. Add a small cross­bar at the centre of the backbone, and the framework is complete. Note that on the plan being made, full-size measurements relating to every part are given. To complete the plan, draw lines represent­ing the bracing strings. Two large dots indicate the bridle tying points at the backbone junctions.

Construction

The kite can now be built with the plan for a guide. The follow­ing are the materials recommended. Stripwood, 3/8 in. square for the backbone, and £ in. square for the struts; split cane for the crossbars; paper or cloth for the cover. To these are added bind­ing thread, bracing string, bridle string and kite line.

Cut the backbone, and groove it at the top and bottom. Prepare the crossbars in the same way, and then bow them by the method described in Chapters 1-6. The large one is curved to a depth of 21/4 in.; the smaller one 2 in., and the 11 in. centre crossbar about 1/2 in. Secure these to the backbone. Glue small blocks on either side to keep them parallel. Attach the vertical struts. Now brace the framework and test it for firmness.

Next add the cover which may be lightweight cloth or un­bleached greaseproof paper. Attach the bridle to the backbone in the form of a loop, and to this, tie the kite line. The bridle is twice the length of the kite. A tail, 6 ft. in length, is tied to the bottom of the backbone.