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Secure the longeron in this position with glue, and a nail or screw at each end of the bands. Now attach the free ends of the bands to the ends of the longerons D and E. Use glue, and for preference 1/4 in. fine brass screws with washers. About four will be needed for each end of the covers. Instead of washers one may use thin tin strips which are 8 in. in length and 1/4 in. in width.
Take the two upright struts, G and H, and insert them between the top longeron and the crossbars. They must be a good fit, otherwise the cloth bands will be too slack. They are 97/8 in. in length, as has been previously stated, but it is a good thing to cut them slightly oversize, so that they can be trimmed to the length required, which may vary from the one given. As these struts are subjected to considerable strain in flight, they must be reinforced with small glued blocks, fixed in the position shown at J (Fig. 17). Both struts will need six blocks, 1 in. x 1/4 in. square.
The bridle is made from stout string, 6 ft. in length. Tie it in the form of a loop to the top longeron, 4 in. from each end. In order to do this, the bands must be pierced, and they will need strengthening at these points with strips of material, glued in place. The kite line is attached to the bridle by means of a bowline knot and a reef knot, see Chapter 7, under 'Knots', for details of these. These kites do not need a tail, and balance is improved by the correct position of the line on the bridle which is found by experiment whilst flying the kite. When this has been found, the kite will climb and soar in a most satisfactory manner.
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