The Star Kite

There are several ways in which the kite can be decorated, according to preference. A simple and pleasing way is shown in Fig. 7. Broad bands of bright colours are used. A square of metal foil previously mentioned, silver or gold, is glued at the centre. This will shine and flash in the light. It will be easier to do the decorating before the cover is fixed in place.

A feature of this kite is its use of three balancing cups, 3 in. in diameter, attached to the lower ends of the framework. They are described in detail in the section on 'Accessories' and are decora­tive as well as serving a useful purpose.

The strings which hold these are about 6 in. in length after they have been tied in place, and before the cover is added. Alter­natively, paper tassels may be used. Details for making both of these are given in Chapter 7 in 'Accessories'.

Tie the kite string to the bridle, where it is knotted together. This method does not permit of the line being adjusted on the bridle as is the case with many of the kites described. Such adjust­ments are made to alter the angle of the kite to the wind. There­fore to keep the kite at a proper flying angle it may be found helpful to fit a tail. The line for this could run through the centre balancing cup, and it would be about 5 ft. in length. This tail could be regarded as additional equipment which could be fixed or removed as required. Therefore it would be tied in such a way that the knot be easily undone.

Again, practice in flying the kite would soon indicate what adjustments should be made in this direction, that is to say whether a tail were needed or not, or whether the tail should be made heavier or lighter by adding or removing some of the paper pieces.