Kite string

“ The kite flying side will not help so much as the gliding. When the aeroplane kite is well up, if the string is allowed considerable slack, the model will glide if well balanced and if the planes are tilted properly. Balance will be necessary both to right and left and fore and aft. It is very interesting to get such a model pulled well up in the air and have a release that will cut the kite line. The punk method is good, only that we would like to have better control of just the time for cutting loose. ”

“ Occasionally opponents try to capture an enemy’s kite. Competitive kite-flying is accomplished by covering the first ten or twenty feet of the kite string with fish glue or rice paste, and then dipping it into pounded glass or porcelain. ”

“ Does it assist its ascent, or is it merely an appendage of ornament?”
“In the first place, it keeps the head of the kite to the wind; and in the next, it lowers its centre of gravity, and throws it towards its extremity, which not only prevents the chance of the machine being upset in the air, but so poises and regulates the position of the kite as to maintain the angle which it is necessary for the string to make with the surface.” ”

“ If a little variety in outline is desired, split bamboo or reed could be used to make such forms as are desired; even string connections can be made.
In making hollow form objects both patience and skill are necessary. A form that is interesting but not representative of any real object is shown in Fig. 99. Another is the arrow kite, Fig. 100. The flying bird kite should make a good problem for some ingenious chap. The framework and stringing is shown in Fig. 101. The cross-section of the body of the bird is about the shape of a tailless kite. ”

“ The boy with a steady head will sometimes stop playing out and work his kite up a little to get more breeze. If there is plenty of breeze, they are fed all the string as fast as it is pulled out. If a kite drops it may be worked up again, but it must go to the end of the quarter mile and back. A time keeper is placed by each contestant, and officers are needed to keep back the onlookers. As soon as all the string is out the boy slips the loop on the end of his string over a hook on the reel and winds in as fast as he can turn. ”

“ The proper form for a kite is that of a hemisphere with the convex side to the wind: no wings and a light tail. The string should be fastened a little above the centre. A kite thus constructed will, as is stated by Dr Joule of Manchester, 'stand in the air with almost absolute steadiness. He found that by pulling strings fastened to the right and left sides of the horizontal bow, the kite could be made to fly thirty degrees or more from the direction of the wind, and hence that it would be possible to use it in bringing a vessel to windward. ”

“ A good long piece of string with a tassel at the end answers all purposes, and is much more graceful! The tail should be from fifteen to twenty times as long as the kite.
In selecting the string for the kite, get it as light and strong as possible; if it is too heavy, the kite will not be able to carry so much weight very high, and if it is not strong, the kite will very likely break away. ”

“ By alternately pulling in and releasing the strings they are made to saw one another. The man whose kite-string is first cut through loses the game. On many of the kites whistles are fastened, and as the kites sweep through the air shrill piercing sounds accompany their flight. ”

“ At present it is usual, in flying flat kites, to send up several on the same main line. Generally a small kite is first sent up, and, when this is securely mounted, a larger one, attached to the main line perhaps a hundred feet below by about that length of its own string, is started after its leader.
As the number of kites in the tandem increased, more strength was required at the lower end of the line to withstand the pull; so the reel quickly became an important part of the apparatus. ”

“ Scientific kite-flying was one of the keenest pleasures of these three particular Hill-dwellers, and six or eight kites strung out on a mile of twine and soaring into the clouds was an ordinary achievement for them. They were compelled to replenish their kite-supply often; for whenever an accident occurred, and the string broke, or a ducking kite dragged down the rest, or the wind suddenly died out, their kites fell into the Pit, from which place they were unrecoverable. ”

“ A Chinese boy had a colored paper ball about 8” in diameter attached by a string to one of the kites last year, Fig. 20. Another form is the intersected cardboard discs, Fig. 21. Other forms can be used.
Christmas and other paper rope used for decoration purposes could be used to advantage for tails of kites. They will catch the breeze and can be festooned into pretty designs but will need cord supports to give strength.
Don’t throw away a kite because it has to have a tail. The tail is sometimes the most beautiful part. ”

“ The soaring bird, Fig. 102, is quite similar in construction to the preceding kite. The body is never square in cross-section. A little bow is given to the tip ends of the wings. The back line of the wing changes by means of an extra cord. This kite is not as stable as “The flying Bird.”
Fig. 95. ↑
The “flying fish,” Fig. 103, needs vents, as the whole body is a box-kite. Two views of the framework are given; a center spine runs the entire length of the fish with two curves at the mouth. The mouth is left open, so string is used for the outline. ”

“ In the cutting of the sticks lies half the secret of making a kite that will fly successfully.
Fig. 18.—Completed Malay Kite with Belly-band Attached.
Drive a small nail or large tack into each end of the two sticks, to fasten the framing-string to (Figs. 20 and 21) , and notch the side edges of the bow-stick near each end for the attachment of the bow-string (Figs. 21 and 22) .
The amount to bend the bow-stick is important. For a kite with a bow 40 inches long the distance between the string and stick should be 6 inches (Fig. 21) . ”

“ When starting a kite you need the help of some one who will stand about thirty yards away, holding the kite against the wind, and throw it straight up when you have the line tight and give the signal. If it does not rise it may be well for you to run a few yards against the wind. At first you must not pay out line very rapidly, but when the kite is flying steadily you may give it, also steadily, all the string it wants. ”

“ Men may often be seen on calm still days flying their kites from boats as they pass up and down the river. Kite contests are of frequent occurrence during the windy months. One kite is called the male and the other the female. The object of the contest is the capturing of the female by the male. [Pg 153] When they are both at a considerable height from the ground, one flyer so jerks the string of the male kite as to cause it to swoop downwards with great velocity. If the apex of the falling star strikes the body of the soaring female, it effectually wounds her and brings her to earth. ”

“ Now run a string around the outside of the framework, and cover as in Fig. 91. The two cells are now built over the two spaces between the spines. There need not be any braces for these cells, but another stick of the same dimensions as the other three is used to keep the keel shaped portion in place when pulled out by the breeze. The whole framework can be built rigid, using two short braces about the middle of each cell out to the fourth stick or keel of kite; the best way, however, is to make the horizontal stick removable and without the short braces so that the kite may be rolled up. ”

“ On none of the kites, whatever may be their shape or size, is "tailing" ever used, and rarely does a native run in order to get the kite to rise. By a peculiar rapid jerking of the string, the kite is made to create its own wind when a natural one is not blowing. ”

“ The value of the tail depends not so much on weight as on its pulling capacity while being drawn thru the air. The tail, usually consisting of a string with a number of pieces of paper folded and tied thereon, Fig. 18, and with cloth streamers at the end for weight, exerts considerable pull for long enough time to give steadiness to the kite. A kite must have poise in the air just as we balance a board on the end of a finger—if the finger is not centrally located, the board will fall to the left or right, front or back ”

“ To start the kite in the first instance it is almost absolutely necessary to have some aid, two persons being required, one to hold the kite up and help it off, while the other, holding the string, runs a short distance against the wind to increase its pressure upon the kite, and thus help it to get its tail fairly off the ground, after which the kite will do very well by itself. ”

“ The string of a kite is so adjusted that as the kite rises it is still held at an angle to the wind’s force, and so long as the kite remains tilted at the necessary angle so long it will continue to rise or poise itself in the air while the wind blows. When schoolboys fly their kites they110 choose an exposed spot, and a day when the wind is blowing freshly and steadily. One boy throws the kite into the air, while another, holding the string to which it is fastened, draws it tight by running with it against the wind. ”

“ But, as you now appear to have let out the whole of your string, suppose you allow the kite to enjoy its airing, while we proceed to consider the philosophy of its ascent, and the nature and direction of those forces by which it is effected.”
“The kite pulls so amazingly hard,” cried Tom, “that unless I fix the string securely around the tree, we shall run the chance of losing it.”
“I am well aware of the force it exerts,” replied his father. “Dr. Franklin has said, that, with a good kite, a man unable to swim might be sustained in the water, so as to pass from Dover to Calais ”

“ At a given signal the assistant lets the kite go, and if all circumstances be favourable it will soar upwards with great rapidity. With a well-constructed kite, in a good breeze [55] the flyer need not trouble himself to run very fast nor very far, as his kite will soon find its balance, and float quite steadily on the wind. The kite-flyer should be careful not to let out string too fast. When a kite pitches, it is a sign that it is built lop-side, or that its tail is not long enough. ”

“ If wooden wheels are used, care should be taken to see that the holes are in the center. Wire nails make good axles. The kite line is liable to jump [Pg 72] out the grooves of the wheels, so small screw-eyes placed in the beam just in front and behind each wheel will keep the kite line in place. It may be an advantage to press the eye together some so as to make an elongated hole, Fig. 142. Some care will be necessary to see that the screw-eyes are screwed in just the right distance so as to prevent the string from resting on the screw-eyes instead of the grooved wheels.
Fig. 144. ↑
Fig. ”

“ Fig. 16.—Spool Hub.
Fasten a small stick with a brad driven in one end, in notches cut in the hub's flanges (Fig. 16) , and connect the brad and Jack's string with a piece of wire or strong string. Then as the windmill revolves it will operate the toy in the manner indicated in Figs. 14 and 15.
[Pg 9]
CHAPTER II HOME-MADE KITES
The Malay tailless kite is probably the most practical kind ever invented. It will fly in a wind that the tail variety could not withstand, and it will fly in a breeze too light to carry up most other forms of kites. ”

“ Hardly has it nestled, with much heaving of billowy sides, into its hollow, when the eye is attracted by something dancing up and down among the brushwood close to it. It is an oblong framework, partially covered with dirty gray canvas, which has commenced to make sundry abortive little swoops up into the air, ending in abrupt dives down again to earth. Finally this weird kite—for kite it is—makes up its mind and sails steadily upward to the tune of its whining cable-drum. Up, up it goes, holding well in the strong breeze till it becomes a mere speck in the sky. ”

“ Make a small cross of two light strips of cedar, the arms so long as to reach to the four corners of a large thin silk handkerchief when extended; tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross, so you have the body of a kite; which being properly accommodated with a tail, loop, and string, will rise in the air, like those made of paper; but this being of silk is fitter to bear the wet and wind of a thunder-gust without tearing. To the top of the upright stick of the cross is to be fixed a very sharp pointed wire, rising a foot or more above the wood. ”

“ The lower strand was made elastic by tying it fast to a number of heavy rubber bands, as in Fig. 242. When flying the kite, if a sudden, strong puff of wind struck it, the elastic belly band would give, tilting up the lower end of the kite so that the wind passed under; but as soon as the gust had passed the rubber bands would draw the lower end of the kite back against the wind. The elastic belly band had the effect of making the kite rise almost vertically. Sometimes it would even sail square overhead. The 8-foot kite was a very powerful one. ”