The Pegtop Kite

Use glue and bind round with strong thread. Apply glue to the bind­ing to prevent it from slipping. Make a neat, firm joint. The strength of the framework depends upon this. The next stage is to complete the bracing of the framework. Use thin strong string. Tie this to one end of the curved top. From there take it to the bottom of the backbone and up to the other end of the top.

This string should not be too taut, as most of the strain is taken up by the bowstring. The framework is now complete, and is ready for covering. For the cover use tissue paper or pure unbleached greaseproof! (It is worth while mentioning here, that a larger size in this kind of kite, say 3 ft. or over, would be better with a lightweight cloth cover.) Place the framework on the paper and with a pencil mark out the shape of the cover. Allow a margin of 11/2 in. all round and cut out. At this point the cover may be decorated. Suggested designs are given in 'Accessories' in Chapter 7. These are best done on separate sheets of paper and pasted on to the cover. For colouring, one of the proprietary brands of lacquer is easy to apply, and will answer the purpose well.

Attach the cover to the framework, taking care not to crease or tear the paper. Apply glue to the backbone, and stick the cover to it and set aside for a little while for the glue to dry. Next, cut narrow V-shaped slits at intervals round the margin. Apply glue to the curved top, and to the outer half of the margin. Fold this over and fasten it down around the top and the outer strings. 3 in. folded reinforcing strips may be glued round the strings and the top. The kite may be embellished with tassels or fringes. If fringes are chosen, then two loops of string are tied to the ends of the bow and the bottom of the backbone. If tassels are chosen, they would hang from the ends of the curved top. Details for making both of these are given in s'Accessories'. The bridle, 3 ft. 6 in. in length, is tied to the backbone at the places shown (Fig. 2) in the form of a loop. Use stout string. In order to attach the bridle, the cover has to be pierced. Strengthen the cover where this is done by means of thin cardboard washers, fastened down with glue.