Retail price $5.00. Distributed free to members New Zealand Kitefliers Association Inc.

Visit our website at: WWW.nzka.org.nz Contents

The Newsletter What's Up Next •••t 3 for Kitefliers The 7th Annual Father's Day Weekend 3 Wanganui Welcome Saturday, September 2 Bruce and Glenda Thompson from Richmond who have Ohakea Air Force Museum renewed their membership Sunday, September 3 after a spell away from the kiting The 1006 11th Annual Muriwai Moose Meet 4 fraternity. Saturday & Sunday the 7th and and of October What's Up Published by the Auckland Big Kids Kite Day 5 New Zealand Hobby Expo 5 KitefliersAssociation, PO Box 56, Herzberg 1005 6 , Wellington, New Zealand Eminent Kite Plan 10 Visit us on the Web at: FANO THE FOURTH I I nzka.org.nz Chateau 1006 14 What's Up is distributed quarterly, free to NZKA Nelson 1006 14 members. Obituary 15 Editor: John Archbold. John Derham Letters, articles, stories, or other items of interest about and Regional lines 16 kiteflyers are welcome and can News from the regions 16 be sent to the NZKA, PO Box:56, Waikato News 16 Wellington or to Christchurch 16 The Editor,What's Up, , 17 - PO Box:51 215,Tawa, One Year Today Wellington. Trade Directory 18 E-mail:[email protected] Committee 19 Photographs Directory 19 Ifyou want copies of any of the photographs of the Festival Committee Appointments 19 featured inWhat's Up, prints can Flying sites/Regional Reps 19 be obtained from Richard Wotton, for just $ I2.00 per print. Andalo Bear Escapes 10

Contact: On the cover we feature a mosaic od photographs from inside Richard Wotton articles. Phone: 06 343 2770 My thanks go to Richard Wotton, Ray and Rosemary McCully,Anne 44 Wairere Road and Peter Whitehead, Julie Adam, Perrin Melchior, Robert van Weers, Wanganui Lorraine Watson, Peter Lynne,Jim Court and Sharon Russell,for their richardvv@sa~eantqueensparkorg.nz contributions.

2 What's Upt Issue 86 What's Up Next •••l

The 7th Annual ather's Day Kite Weekend

Wanganui Satarday, September 2 Ohakea Air Force Museum Sunday, September 3

For further information, contact Richard Wotton Email [email protected] or phone 06 ·3432770

Mark this weekend on your calendars, and enjoy the first event of the 2006/7 kite season.

~111... ~F~ klteflle rs association

What's upt July - October 2006 3 What's Up Next •••l The l. Ilth. Annua rlwal Moose eet 2 days of hardcore kite buggy , and kite surfing action Come prepared for wild west coast weather When: Saturday & Sunday the 7th and Snd of October

Tides: Sat 7th low tide 4:25 pm 4WD's up beach at 1:00pm Sun 8th low tide 5: I0 pm drive back at 6:00pm (times have been adjusted for daylight savings that started pervious sunday) Where: Muriwai Beach on the west coast west of Auckland

Accomodation: Camping in the dunes ,make sure you bring everything you need to survive. Contact: Perrin on 09 35S0991 or 021 253 0453 There is a more civilized camp site at Muriwai Beach. Call them on 09 41 I 9262 for details May the Moose be with you If you want to see some pics from the 2005 Moose Meet go to http://www.kitebuggy.co.nzl http://radio.weblogs.com/012864412005/10/09.html#a678

4 What's Up%Issue 86 §o ---Q .Q __x.~Q It all started back in 1990 at the International On tables, we had a video running of Kite Festival organised by the late James White International Festivals (Thanks Ann Whitehead in Napier. for lending these) , a cutting board, sewing machine etc with one person making simple Amongst the many memorable items was a Ghost Kites, and the Russells bridling a new workshop held by Michael Alverez of Perth, quad kite. Western Australia. He was making dozens of little Eddy type kites of gift wrapping paper, Grizz was last seen in Taupo in February 2003 tooth picks and "plastic bag ties." The Kites and yet many people remembered him in July themselves where just 10 ern. tall. (see:"What's 2006. He has quite an impact. Up" Issue 23 ) We did not sign up any new NZKA members but I have been making these ever since for fairs etc. I consider that we created a lot of interest that d I was showing one to Warren Ellery of we will follow up. Our entry for next years Expo Taupo who was just back from visiting the is already in with the organisers! annual Taupo Hobby Expo. His immediate We DID tie an Alverez type kite to a model railway reaction was "If we could tie one of these to a engine and it DID fly, and the engine driver was model rail engine and have it going around the our own David Bowie, and he DID go too fast at track at speed, it would cause quite a stir" one bend of the track with spectacular crashes. Two years later, we held a stall at this Expo that attracts modellers and hobbyists from around the My special thanks to Warren, Rosemary and Ray, North Island. "Grizz" held pride of place, lifted Ian and Sharon at the Expo and Ann for lending us up on the ropes that form part of the Climbing videos, banners and pictures. Wall Jim Court Equipment, and as many of our kites that would fit . • Auckland Big Kids Kite Day The St Joseph's Mercy Hospice Melchoir, Malcolm and Diana poor second reason for organised a kite day to help raise Hubbert, Charlie and Lorraine spectators attending. funds and create awareness of Watson and family and Jan St Joseph's were interested in the fundraising required by the Mason. A couple of former repeating the event next year. I hospice. The event was held on members also made themselves suggested that a March date Sunday 21 st May at Bastion Pt known. would give better weather and after being postponed from the The organisers were pleased flier attendance as for many of 141h. It must have been beginners with the display and were us it is a long way to come when luck for the organisers as in somewhat amazed that most the weather is generally not amongst days of no wind or people had attended because good for kites. stormy weather we were greeted they saw the kites from the with mostly blue sky and a 15- waterfront, houses, and a Ray McCully 25km wind off the sea. supermarket carpark up to 2 Mcf.ully's were there with kilometres away. The excellent NZKA Grizz along with Perrin publicity of the event was a very

What's Upt JUly - October 2006 s Three Grund kites at Lindenberg

October 15,2005 was the 100th who are passionate about their that gave everyone a chance to anniversary of the Lindenberg kite history. As everyone began catch up on their hellos and to Observatory in Herzberg, arriving Friday aftemoon debate the current historical/ Germany, Herzberg is a quaint (October 14), about forty-seven educational trends. It was an little fanning town lined with enthusiasts in all, it was clear invigorating evening for us cobblestone streets a couple of that the topic and environment history enthusiasts as we hours (by car) east of Berlin. To was tonic to this group. The vast discussed the origin of kites, celebrate this auspicious majority of the participants were Ben Franklin's kite flying operating observatory, Claudia from Germany, but attendees experiment, and the Lindenberg Hammer-Schmidt and Wemer also hailed from France, Observatory's records, among Schmidt, of Germany, organized Belgium, the Netherlands, New other topics. the Herzberg 2005 Historical Zealand (), Great Saturday moming started with a Kite Meeting. Britain and the USA. hearty German breakfast at I was honow-ed to be among this Friday evening we had a nice, 8:00am sharp. The group then group of like-minded kite flyers relaxing "meet and greet" meal took a fifteen-minute walk over

6 What's upt Issue 86 Left: Sonja and Henry Johns with their Schirmdrachen in/rant a/the restored wind house.

Above: Rolopfan 240-3

determined German, she was not easily deterred from her task, especially when that task was to to the observatory and had a this was because his medical honour her father's deathbed most extraordinary day. practice was based on house wish. calls and he was affected by The Lindenberg Observatory weather every day. Dr Assman The delightful story I was told would be impressive at any was so interested in was that Helene went to visit at period in history, but it had to meteorological research that he the observatory and stopped in really be magnificent when it bought instruments and built his to say hello to the new director. opened 100 years ago in 1905. own weather station to conduct While in his office she asked for There were 50 scientists and experiments. Thinking that the a glass of water. When the support staff, an administration knowledge he possessed was director stepped out to get her building, machine shop, balloon inadequate and incomplete, he some water she quickly dragged hangar, winch house and living went to university in 1892 and a chair over to a Sp?t above the quarters, all of which were received a PhD in meteorology. door that had a false wall, heated in the winter and cooled To entice Dr Assman to moved it, and put her father's in the summer. All this was Lindenberg, the Kaiser built a ashes (which had been in her made possible by virtue of a beautiful mansion for him and purse) in the wall. She then put generous yearly budget from his family on the grounds of the everything back in its place. Kaiser Wilhelm II. observatory. No one was the wiser for many The Kaiser may have been the When Dr Assman died in 1918 years. Eventually, when a new money and authority behind the his daughter, Helene, tried to director took over, Dr Assman's creation of the observatory, but carry out her father's final ashes were properly it was Dr Richard Assman who wishes of being laid to rest at his memorialized on the site of the was the motivation, the passion beloved Lindenberg Lindenberg Observatory with a and the force organizing the Observatory. But politics, fitting monument. discipline of Gelman rivalries and egos being what meteorological research housed they were, the 0bservatory There was more then just a nice at the Grand 0bservatory. director who succeeded Dr house at Lindenberg to entice Dr Assman in the position was not Assman to move his family and Dr Assman (1845-1918) was a inclined to look favourably on practice there. The Kaiser's medical doctor who was this idea. Being a good, loyal initial investment was 500,000 fascinated by weather. Perhaps daughter, as well as a marks for a 150 hectare area that

What's Upt July - October 2006 7 was to be the Lindenberg would self launch, they say chief kite designer and Observatory. Most of the other sometimes farm animals would technician, holding many patents observatories around the world, get caught up in the wire line. on his work from his time at even in the richest of countries, Can you just imagine looking up Lindenberg. Like other working had average budgets of $5000 in the sky (remember this was observatories around the world, per year. The Lindenberg during the early part of the the Lindenberg Observatory Observatory had enough of a 1900s) and all of a sudden immediately saw the value of the budget to do good scientific seeing a flying sheep? Hargrave , which was (kite) research, with good kites, invented in Australia in 1893, good instruments and good A wind house is really an for conducting meteorological people. amazing and useful piece of research. architecture. Wind houses were The kite-making building was not uncommon at weather One of Grund's more interesting stocked with cloth and wood stations around the world. There and complex designs and patents until World War I, when was one at Blue Hill was a modified Hargrave box aluminium use was refined and Observatory in Massachusetts kite with the patent application used for the kite frames. during the same period. They are of 1919 referring to Hargrave. Lindenberg also had a large fabulous contraptions that every Grund designed 'pull mitigation stationary winch that was in the kiteflier would love to have. for the large kites, a type of anti---'-' Wind House. The winch was Wind houses are round, one- pull device for high winds, operated by hand originally, and storey buildings, about the size which gave the kite a shock later by steam, and by a 200V of a garage. They are situated on absorber. By using wire springs, DC motor that had a a turntable-type base so they can the kite would change its angle dynamometer attached to it be rotated toward the wind of attack by changing position of which measured the pull of the direction while keeping the the top and bottom cells of the kite. A round meter attached to winch and flyer inside and, in kite. the dynamometer displayed the many cases, warm and dry. These were enormous kites wire speed. It had two large Of the ]2,012 total days from that operated the . whose size started at 10 square 1905 to 1938, weather meters and came in 16m2, 25m2, The massive weather kites of experiments were conducted and 32m2, 42m2 and even an that time were flown on various- meticulously recorded on 5000 sized wire. This was not a very incredible 70 square meters! of those days at the Lindenberg easy thing to do. Early Observatory. Of the 5000 meteorologists faced many The introduction of radar, planes- recorded days, 4000 of them and satellites made going high- challenges: how the wire was let were kite experiments and 1,000 tech all the rage in the out or retrieved, determining were done with weather angle, making sure there were meteorological field. Airports balloons. The kites were flown were becoming the new home to no kinks or spurs. on lmm steel wire, frequently weather research, and grand exceeding altitudes of 3000m There also seemed to be an observatories like Lindenberg (9,843 feet) and occasionally abundance of stories about how, and research stations like Blue rising above 7000m (19,684 from time to time, as these huge Hill faced many challenges, feet). kites were being flown on especially budget problems. anywhere from 3000 to 19,000 Many of the impressive kites Blue Hill, for instance, had the feet of wire, there would be used as scientific instruments at misfortune of being located near problems and they would come Lindenberg were designed by a growing city and developers down. When the scientists Rudolf Grund. He began eventually ate up much of their pulled on the kite wire, or there working at the Observatory as a land. would be a gust and the kites 19-year-old and became the

8 What's upt Issue 86 Now, let's fast forward to more restored a 32 square meter last five years or more, dressed recent kite history, half a century Grund kite to its original glory in 1900 period clothing and put later. and it's now on display at the on a play about the history of observatory. Werner had to weather observatory and kite In 1988 Peter Whitehead, of replace the kite's skin material history at that time. They New Zealand, was visiting his but was able to use the original covered several countries and friend Jorge Kopek in West framing and guide-wiring then did a more in-depth detail Germany. At that time Germany system to rebuild the kite. about Lindenberg. Set as a group was still divided by that pesky of men in a pub talking about wall. They had heard of a place In addition to repairing, re- weather kites ofthe time, this in East Germany, east of Berlin: building, and restoring the was full of many fascinating a big, old observatory that had Grund kites from the Lindenberg working weather kites of the day been left untouched for many Observatory, Werner and that were shown on a slide show years due to a lack of resources. Claudia have done a remarkable off to the side that corresponded Rumour had it that there were job helping the working with the play. historical kites there that, one observatory catalogue and day, scientists had abandoned, display the Grund kites in the The evening ended with a fun leaving their notebooks open main hangar. The entire and successful Chinese auction and the kites they were working observatory has had new life that had been building over the on still on the table. breathed into it and is now a weekend. The proceeds went to working facility as a weather the Drachen Foundation to On a whim, Peter and Jorge station as well as educational sponsor kite history grants. decided to try and drive there centre. one afternoon. They bluffed Trying to change with the times their way through border checks Claudia and Werner also did an and taking advantage of the without the proper papers and outstanding job of putting thi s growth in the tourist industry, convinced East German guards weekend together. We stayed at our inn also owned a military to let them through. a charming historical and very tank and advertised tank rides. It Impressively, they got through comfortable inn in Herzberg that had a full-colour glossy many obstacles and arrived at opened in 1790. It had a large brochure, offering some the Lindenberg Observatory. room in the back of the main suggestions of the perfect They found the kite building, pub building that was perfect for opportunity for tank rides. which was indeed full of Grund our evening meals and meetings. Birthday parties topped the list. kites and stacks of journals of Being across the street from a After I was done chuckling, I meticulous records of kite church with a tall spire (all thought, "I want to go for a tank weather experiments. European towns have at least ride!" Maybe I could get the one lovely church with a very chance to drive it. Due to years of neglect, types of tall spire), I imagined this to be A group of us decided that we materials originally used, the location used when the would indeed go for a ride and unfavourable storage conditions, community gathered for when we went down after deterioration of materials and wedding, funerals and all the Sunday breakfast, we were rodent infestation, the kites and social events that occur in informed that there were no tank records were damaged to between. rides on Sunday. Well, duh, of various degrees. It was in this hall that we had the course no tank rides on Sunday! most delightful treat on Saturday Since finding this incredible Maybe next visit. resource treasure, German kite evening. After dinner about 10 builder, historian, and author members of the Historical Kite © 2005 M Robinson Werner Schmidt; has done an Workshop group, who have been References: incredible job as curator of the meeting and building beautiful See page 16 Lindenberg kites. He has historical reproductions for the

What's upt JUly - October 2006 9 Eminent Kite Plan

The eminent kite takes its name from its particular flying behaviour. The design has arisen by chance from my leftover spinnaker nylon. I had no idea what kite design to build. Yet, I was influenced by the separate design and after some thinking I put a kite together. After small alterations the kite was flying. The kite is elegant and flies stably in wind strength 2. S - 4. S Beaufort. These kites are suitable to stack behind each other and form a train.

Helll "nd pocket allowances are Construction and Material lIof indudtd in the Ulr8UI"emeuts. Information I Bow line I The fabric is ripstop nylon, the 2 main spars and the cross spar of the upper sail are 6mm carbon fibre tube that has 132 been joined with O.6mm ferrules. The 54 24 54 I------r I upper sail has been fixed at the cross spar with line to the top of the main ! spar. The 2 main spars are kept in ~NooIk place by one sleeve on the backside of 2 the bottom sails and by (2 x 3) loops I ~i .1...... on the upper sail. The upper cross spar has been enclosed in a sleeve and at o on the end has a nock, which ties to loop in cross spar sleeve. This cross spar Hem the edge of --- This drawing is of the wing. Do not the hack of the kite. has a bowline, which is bowed to a use H pocket. The bridles 011 the ~I other side. distance in the middle of 8 - lOcm. 1 _ Additionally, the upper sail is fixed ~l with a line to the top of the main spars. +-:---- The middle and bottom cross spars use Tension line Spar through sleeve g:1 2.5mm fibreglass enclosed in sleeves. 2.5mlll fibre glass Cfl======iP/1 ~-!-I----SICC\,Cabove fabric These spars end with a nylon end cap -

6mlll CJIrboll fibre spar in the sleeve. The base of these sails has been stitched on line. Two sails with the slanting sides need hemming along the slanting sides. At the base of the 2 main spars all the sails are tightly Length of tail stretched. The tail is +/- 5.30m. long, is 5.5m the pieces are lem wide and 20 em long. The bridle is tied to the 4 points marked on the diagram. The bridle lengths are described on the drawing.

Translated by Rein Terpstra and Ray McCully from an article in Vlieger 200612 and published in Whats Up with the permission of the author Cees Gosman of Zwanenburg and the publishers of Vlieger.

10 What's Upt Issue 86 THE FOVRTH

I know, I know, it's a cliche, but every cloud does indeed have a silver lining. In this case, the cloud was global warming and the silver lining was not having to wear more than four layers of clothing to combat tbe bitter north wind that's frequently a kiter's curse on the Danish island of Fano - and this is in summerl But that was only for a couple of days this year; for the most part the June weather was warmer than usual. It was great to be ack on the island: my fourth visit and Dalwyne's third. Great to hire some bikes and pedal around without such obstacles as hills to bother us. I wouldn't mind $5 for every time we cycled up and down that beach, here it seems we've become quite a well- '''te and known sight. I ., s' Jcelan d 1\.1 Left: Christi([/1Hmm. . guess it's one (above) a detai/from it. way to be noticed but maybe I should be thinking about some more spectacular kites wind days to fly the heavier kites for as long as I instead! wanted to. (If you had the stamina, you could fly in daylight from around 3.30am to 10.30pm, but my Winds this year I thought were generally a bit flying hours were a little shorter than that.) lighter than for the previous three festivals, but maybe that was an impression resulting from One of the highlights for me this year was having having only kites made from cotton and wood my replica Roloplan 240/3 "blessed by the Pope". (apart from the ripstop and carbon fibre Lamson The kite was flying beautifully, on its first Aerocurve). However, there were enough good- international outing, when 85-year-old Werner

What's Upt July - October 2006 I I Ahlgrim strolled over to compliment me on it. He was very pleased to hear it had been made from one of his plans. Werner has been making kites for around 60 years, and is acknowledged as being the top maker of Roloplan replicas, the "Roloplan Pope".

Having struggled a bit to get my Roloplans to fly properly, this was very gratifying. But, the battle continues! On our second evening on the island, we took Dalwyne's little 90/2 Roloplan Left: Holm Struck with an ~ddy . down to the beach, where it flew well. On its · he made +01' the World Kite rep 1Ica .I' .. next outing, in a similar breeze, it was quite . . Long Beach Washmgto Museum I':,,' , unstable, and even a serious effort by German . '. d J.lf tt n and Paul Above: Rlchar ',rO.O . '. Roloplan expert Wolfram Wannrich couldn't '-se'ussthe new [united Chapman. d I,,' "" sort out the problem. On the plus side, Ihad the edition Roloplan 150/2. opposite of this happen with my replica 180cm Steiff Quadroplan.

One morning I had, at different times, five historic kite enthusiasts working (including re- bridling)

±~~r£~~~~~~~~.i.:A~bo;;';'v;;';;'e:left: Ajull-size replica

in an effort to Sauls barrage kite takes off stabilise it. Nothing seemed to work, and it b Il" Beutnagel 's Platz A ove: Ra J continued to rock from side to side, so into the bag Glider kite, a designjrom it went to be dealt with back in Enzed. Six days around 1920 later I decided to give it another try, and, 10 and h rc Duguay with his Rig t: Ma behold, it flew beautifully straight out of the bag! Charles Lindbergh Edo. As they say in the US of A, go figure ...

We spent an interesting hour on the beach one day with Ralf BeutnageI, an expert kite aerial photographer, watching a 360deg panorama of the beach and dunes unfold on his video monitor.

(See www.dopero.de )

12 What's Upt Issue 86 It was fascinating to see a miniature extended-wing Cody, made by English Cody specialist Paul Chapman. Made from Icarex, carbon fibre and split bamboo, this little beauty has a wingspan of about 40cm. While it performs well outdoors in a very light breeze, Paul says it really shines as an indoor flier.

For Dalwyne and me, the two stand-out kites of the festival were a small Edo by Marc Duguay, of Left: Frank Schulz with Sleiff Canada, and a 4m-high asymmetrical Edo-style Rhomboid replica. kite by German flier Christian Harms. Marc's kite Below right: Richard Wotton featured a portrait of Charles Lindbergh, and making some adjustments to Christian's a pictorial record of a 2005 visit to the Quadroplan Iceland with his wife, Petra.

Above: Netherland/lier Jan Kits with his Both kites compound Cody replica are masterpieces of applique and attracted a lot of attention.

As always, the sky was a riot of colour, and the variety of kites simply amazing. Yet again, it was a wonderful experience to be a part of this annual Below: Dalwyn~ Wotton and Ralf Beutnagel engrossed in gathering of kite enthusiasts, to meet old friends the aerial view on the video monitor. and new, and to fly on what surely must be the greatest kite field in the world.

For more photos of the event, take a look at these websites:

www.dietrich.dk, www.napravnik.com; www.drachen-ueber-eimsbuettel.de; www.drachenfliegerinnung.de

re.ichar~Wotton

All Photos by the author

What's upt July - October 2006 13 Chateau 2006

We headed up to the Chateau on the Saturday. down nicely and we all went to the golf course for Driving up was not the best as the wind was a small impromptu fly. That was actually really blowing a bit more than we would have liked. We nice. Then we went back to the lodge to continue got there early in the afternoon to be able to set up with desert. During the afternoon and evening for dinner. We had done a lot more preparation along with the cooking, drinking and general chit beforehand this year so the cooking was easier. But chat a number of jig saw puzzles (with kite related back to the wind. It was a little much so we did not themes) were completed. fly much that afternoon. Sunday dawned and we all hit the golf course. We had seen a small amount of smoke on the way Again the wind was a little more than was needed, up and later in the afternoon they closed the road, so not as much was flown as on a good day, as as a scrub fire was threatening a petrol station. So people were not tending to stake too many kites some of our members were not able to get through, out. To make everything easy for us we all stayed some waited, and some decided that the road on another night at the lodge to enjoy the food, would never be opened so they took of for Turangi company and merry making. and a small side trip to see the country side. Peter ~hitehea~ Dinner was prepared and served as people finally arrived. Then at about 8 o'clock the wind had died

Nelson 2006

I arrived late on the Friday night to be greeted at que on the field one of our well known members the air-port by my wife. She had brought the car tested some night flying equipment. The kite with over earlier in the week, so as usual we were over the alien on it looked magnificent. I liked the light loaded with kites. That's what it is all about when effect that appeared to have circles chasing each it comes down to it, trying to find just the one for other around the perimeter. There did seem to be a the wind we are faced with. small issue of balance with these kites as all the extra batteries seemed to have an effect on the Saturday morning dawned clear and bright (as it flying ability ofthe kite. I am also unable to supply usually does in Nelson). We took off to the market a photo as my photos are very dark, but I will get a and were found by most of the other kitefliers couple posted on the web site for people to view. attending the festi val. So we took off to the grounds to try out the flying. There was a lot of The Sunday flying was one of Nelson's great days buggy activity on the Saturday so for a start we all again. It was good flying. The buggys had been camped down on the field nearest Founders Park. removed from the main field and we filled the sky Soon a lot of us decided that sitting behind the with lots of kites. trees was not a sensible thing to do so we took off The usual Rokkaku challenge was held. There for the other end of the field and put up lines of were probably more NZKA members there this kites there. This was better flying but Peter Lynn year as quite a few had taken this as their annual managed to cut two of his own pilots down (l may vacation and then went on to Brighton and then be wrong as to who cut them down at this point) Ashburton. and they had to chase these kites for a long distance across town. l understand both were Peter ~hiteheaa retrieved safe and sound. After the delicious bar-b-

14 What's upt Issue 86 Obituary

John Derham John, a long-time member ofNZKA, died on 4 alternative to parafoils, and independently July after an unsuccessful battle with a brain worked out the way to scale up and down, tumour. A browse through my file of What s' ending up with a big, reliable lifter, and half- up? reminds me of the many ways in which size foils (also reliable) that grandchildren John & his wife Gladys had enriched the NZ could fly easily. kite flying scene. He had a nice way with good-sized deltas, and He was a regular flyer (almost exclusively of won the Travel Award in 1997 with his Night his own constructions) and always ready to Sky in rich black and purple with white stars undertake work for NZKA, from coordinating scattered over the kite and streamer tail- Wellington's regular flying days for some inspired by a tour round Parliament. When years, to working in the team organising writing up the kite for What S up? he gave due National festivals. After his retirement he was credit to Gladys for sewing while he cut out, frequently available to help schools with kite and we had long since understood that these projects. constructions were a partnership effort.

As a kite maker John had his own personal The rarest delta he ever made, however, was the style. He was always ready to undertake one he took to Bondi to present to AKS - made sizeable projects, as for example the stack of of sheet lead! It was a fitting successor to the fifty spin socks that was such a feature of the adjustable dog carrier he made me take over 1987 Festival. He had been a plumber before there some years earlier, and the Aussie chain he retired, a trade which wouldn't seem to saw (hacksaw frame plus chain) that was won bring much to kite flying, but in fact he put his by an Australian at the auction at Ashburton. skill to use by making sheet metal templates These all exemplified John's quirky sense of when doing lots of repetitive cutting-out. He humour which also showed up in the graphics didn't see much need for ripstop and such on some of his kites. expensive materials, and would make eye- catching constructions from parka nylon, John will be sorely missed on the kite flying including inflatables such as his pink elephant, scene. Madonna, and dog. PaJli~ Bowie Quite early on, John caught on to the virtues of the Flow Form as a much more forgiving

From the committee: Due to difficulties in getting articles with our smaller membership we are going to 3 issues Uuly November March) per year starting with this issue ofWhats Up. As a changeover step. there will be a notice emailed or posted in September advising of any events confirmed for September through to December. Except for the Chateau Dec 30. 3 I & [an I there are none confirmed at time of publication. There are plenty of proposals floating about. Please advise the secretary by Aug 31 of any confirmed events. ~ •••• Articles for November issue to editor by October 20th please."

~~ Visit us on the web at: www.nzka.org.nz kitefliers association

What's Upt JUly - October 2006 IS Regional lines News from the regions Waikato News The Hyundai Kite surfing nationals were very that was funny. I suppose they are just jealous that disapointing due to very poor conditions. There Kitesurfing is on the way up and single lining is on was rain and the short periods of poor wind blew the way down. off shore. I have flown on the site for many years and when it is on form it is as good as anywhere. We attended the Big kids kite day at Bastion point Its a shame really as the event looked very well in Auckland. A fantastic day with near perfect organised and there were riders from all over NZ. conditions and a brilliant selection of single line One NZKA member I spoke to seemed to think and stunt kites sharing the air.

Christchurch

So, you want to know what's been happening in the buildings warm enough for our fingers to work <" Canterbury. It's mostly been muddy and cold, but properly. recently very muddy and very cold. The kite day in If you want photos, do what we do and curl up by May was quite well attended and we all got muddy the fire looking through our albums and dreaming from the knees down, the dogs got muddy all over, of summer kite festivals! Maybe for the next issue the kites got muddy and too wet to fly and the lines I'll have some news about kites that doesn't changed colour to a dirty brown -lovely. For this involve mud, snow, sleet or hail - but not this weekend's kite day Hanson Park is like a bog and week. I'm hoping people won't turn up because it is really cold and really muddy. Having said all that, today I was at a school and just as we were going out to test fly our kites, the So, spare a thought for those who haven't been sun came out and we had 15 minutes of sunshine- able to get out of their driveways because the snow before it rained again. Ah well! was too deep, have had power out for days at a Onwards and upwards ... time (not just long enough for the latte to get cold) and who, when they actually get to work, can't get Julie

Herzberg 2005 ... References: (Continued from page 10) Books: Journals: Authors Note: Orochen mit Grechichte, Historische The Orochen Foundation Journal, Issue At the web site http://www.kjtes.org/ Modelle zum Selberbauen, by 7, page 24 and 25: People Living in tmrlLindenberg_enghtm there are vverner Schmidt and Walter Diem Glass Houses Should FlyKites, some wonderful photos of the ... und sie fliegen heute noch, Historical Kite Weekend at Haltern, condition they found the Wind/ Geschichte, und Geschichten um Germany, by Ali Fujino and Scott Winch house in nearly a decade den Drachen, gesammelt von Hans Skinner ago before it was restored. Snoek Oer Wettermann, Leben und Werk Websites: http://WVvW.drachen.org Richard Assman, by Hans Steinhagen http://kitehistorycom KITES- an Historical Survey, by Clive http://WVvW.kites.org/tmr/ Hart l.indenberg eng.htrn

16 What's upt Issue 86 Hi there; greetings from Cornwall. open and less congested than the big city. And everywhere we go we see cabbage trees, real New Today, April 27th we have clocked up a year in Zealand cabbage trees ... they looked amazing England!! WOW where did it go I can hear you with a few inches of snow on. Here they call them say... I'm not sure where it went but its time to Cornish Palms and in the 50's they were imported make the next move before another year goes by. into England but Cornwall is the only place they We have been wintering over in Truro, Cornwall. I can survive the winter. In the autumn papers there have been working for Lemon Frog (don't ask) as were stories about giant New Zealand stick a business advisor with hotels and large insects that came over in the imported plants in the manufacturing companies for clients ... I have been 50's and how each year people find them in their developing training material, systems and houses and gardens .. delivery methods for a business development programme and have learnt a lot but feel that I The main disadvantage being down here is its have taught a lot as well, the Kiwi Attitude goes a about 4 and a half hours from London, and while long way and its something that I have been able we don't think its too far to go for a weekend as to use to get ahead and help my clients in the far as our friends "up country" are concerned we businesses I have been working with. might as well be in ew Zealand !l! We have found New Zealand is mentioned just about every I did wonder what someone from NZ might have day in either the papers or other media and people to offer businesses in England but as it turns out in the TV programmes are always off to NZ !!. lots quite a lot, New Zealand maybe on the far side of of reminders of home. I have not really studied to the world but in some ways I think the country is compare with other countries but it does seem like streets ahead, especially in support and training Z is there more than other countries ... for small business ... ( and a whole lot of other things too !!!) Yvonne found a shared art studio space in the city Its been an interesting winter, some say its been centre and has been busy not only painting but her mild and dryer than a normal Cornish winter but presence there has inspired the other artists to then we have had snow more than a few times and have some open days and promote the studio and on 25th November I had to abandon the taxi 15 even as we leave they are planning more open miles from home as the roads had 8 inches of days. Yvonne has sold some of her paintings and snow on them ... see how I have slipped back into so will leave something of herself as we plan to miles and inches... time to go I think ... We have move away. been very warm in our apartment, we both think The plan for the European summer is still a bit central heating is wonderful and wish we could loose but as it stands I finish with Lemon Frog on have it in our house in Stokes Valley... The 25th May and Zak lands at Heathrow the following apartment has a balcony that looks out over the day. He has been threatening to come since last city and the cathedral and we can see the world September!!!! We'll pick him up and bring him going by, well those in the world who come to back to Cornwall for a week, take him to the Eden Cornwall. Every Tuesday evening the bell ringers Project and a few other must see places in this part practice and they play for real on Sunday of England before we pack up and hit the Road. mornings, all very lovely ... We have a few relatives and friends still to catch After three months in London, Cornwall was very up with in the next few months so we'll be welcoming, the people friendly and the place more tripping about England a bit in the taxi and then

What's upt July - October 2006 17 News Lines Trade Directory we will be heading over the channel to drive down Below is a key list of what kite retailers around the through France, Portugal and then to Spain. We country are offering. have booked a week in Salamanca, Spain to teach Key: SI-single line, Ol-dual line, C-custom made kites, Bu- English for a week in exchange for bed and board. buggies, F-fabric, Ka-kite making accessories, Re-repairs, Kw-kite making workshops, O-demonstrations, Bm- Well perhaps teach is a strong word but this books and magazines,W-wind related articles, G-gift language company has a number of locations in items, O-other recreational items, Mo- mail order Spain where they take Spanish clients learning catalogue, Kk-kite kits, Ex-exhibitions, RI-reference English and our English all day, the website is library www.vaughanvillage.com .... if you fancy a week fully catered in Spain ... Kiteworks We plan to be home, in Wellington sometime in I I I Symonds St,Aucklond. October, arriving by way of America, or Canada, Phone/Fox (09) 358 0991 or... well ... who knows, its too far in the future to Services offered: SI,01, C, Bu, F,Ka Re,W be able to plan where we'll be. Then I suppose we will have to earn some money and settle down for A Kiwi Kite a while ... but maybe not for long ... I think we I a Sunshine Rise, Roglon. Phone (07) 825 7290. like this roaming around feeling and our kids have Services offered: SI,01, C, Bu, Re, Kw, 0, Ex, RI. all mentioned coming to be on this side of the world - Zak's talking about doing a jewellery Raven Kites apprenticeship here which could be 4 years - so I I Victorio Avenue, Wanganui. think we'll look at ways we can travel back and Phone 06 348 5805, fox 348 5806. forth a bit. Job offers, free accommodation by Services offered: SI,01, Bu, C, power kites. return e-mail please.

So ... I hope you are well and that your year has Rainbow Flight Kites been a good one. If you have the time to let us Rainbow Flight Kites know it would be nice to hear from you We will I 9 North Rd., e-mail again somewhere from the road sounds NelsonPhone/Fox 03) 548-8707 good eh ! and look forward to catching up when email: info@kitesroinbow(1ight.co.nz website: we get home www.kitesroinbow(1ight.co.nz ... Cheers Pes Be Yvonne Please note that we may have closed our shop in town, but we are still trading from home, still offering most services: ~~~ SI,01, C, Bu, F,Ka,Re, Kw, 0, W. 0, Kk, Ex.

Heniochus acuminatus, is it's scientific name. But don't let that fool you. It's a little beauty and at 1.75 Skylines & Bylines cm tall this one is specially developed for you to 2 Opawo Rood - corner of Opowo, Wilsons ond make in your own studio or work space. Shakespeare Roods I have received a lot of requests for the plans of my P.O. Box 2194, Christchurch. "Fish in Line" so I made a decision to accommodate those wanting to make one of these pieces. Phone (03) 365 3907, To find out more go to: Fox (03) 337 2669, mobile (027) 431 77/6. Robert van Weers E-moil: [email protected] www.softkites.com Services offered: SI, 01, C, F,Ka, Re, Bm,W. G, 0, Mo, Phone 03 578 6484 Kk, Ex, RI.

18 What's upt Issue 86 ~~ Directory ~~ kitefliers association

Committee Stephen Jarvis Flying sitesl Phone 03 942 7326 Regional Reps President 117 Hoon Hay Rd Geoff Campbell Christchurch 8002 Auckland (every Saturday) Computer Valet [email protected] Bastion Point Contact: Perrin at I Victoria St Kiteworks Phone: 09 358 099 I Wanganui Richard Wotton [email protected] Phone 06 348 5805 Ph 06 343 2770 Bay of Plenty (3rdSunday) 0274485360 44 Wairere Rd Fergusson Park, T auranga [email protected] Wanganui Contact: Ray McCully [email protected] Phone: 07 348 3828 Secretary/Treasurer [email protected] Ray McCully Christchurch (Last Sunday) . Goodwin Ave Hansen's Park, Opawa otorua Committee Contact: Julie Adam Phone 07 348 3828 Appointments Phone: 03 365 3907 [email protected] [email protected]

Membership Napier/Hastings (2nd Sunday) Ray McCully Immediate Past Anderson Park Green Meadows Ph 07 348 3828 President Contact: Sharon Russell [email protected] Phone: 068434359 Peter Whitehead [email protected] Phone 044767227 59 Makara Rd Corporate Goods Nelson (3rdSunday) Karori Neale Park Rosemary Cook Wellington Contact: Ted Howard Ph 04 477 2036 [email protected] Phone: 03 548 8707 [email protected] [email protected] Palmerston North (3rdSunday) ommittee Members Webmaster Ongley Park kin Russell Robert Van Weers Contact: Alan and Judi Main Rotowhenua Road Phone 03 578 6484 Phone: 06353 1953 RD 2 33 Arthur Baker Place, Napier Clarks Beach (I st Sunday) Redwoodtown 730 I , 068440689 Stevenson Road Park Blenheim. Contact: Jim Ayers [email protected] Sharon Russell Phone: 09 232 0251 Rotowhenua Road Wanganui (every Sunday) RD 2 What's upt Editor Springvale Park Napier Contact: Richard Wotton John Archbold 068440689 Phone: 06 343 2770 Phone: 04569 6442 [email protected] [email protected] 0274896101

Gwenda Galbraith 77 Wai-iti Cresent, Wellington (I st Sunday) Phone 03 573 7636 Lower Hutt. Ngatitoa Domain Contact: I 2 Broadway St PO Box: 5 I 2 I5 Whiteheads Picton Tawa. Phone: 04476 7227 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

What's upt July - October 2006 19 Andalo Bear Escapes

Italian Alps, I 7 June '06. It might be better for me if Catarina Capelli (the event I didn't talk about this, it organisers ). was a bad rnistake- but on The Pilot and Ray were the other hand, maybe I untouched, the Bear had an can slip in a bit of positive spin with this version. easily repairable 1.5m rip below the muzzle, - and Anyway, the basics are that were all back up in the air l a train of kites I was flying; again the same day. The 8m Pilot, maxi Ray, maxi Penguin was rebridled, Trilobite and maxi better than original, and up Penguin, made a 5km run again the following day. for it through the forest The Trilobite took the brunt canopy over to the next valley premonition just s.o.p. when the with an ugly 2m dismembermen before being re-captured. wind's up- when the kites began in the upper head area and to get smaller and smaller, while completely shredded tails, but The wind was strong- up to I stood there open mouthed for a was near enough to flyable again 60kmlhr in gusts I believe second or so thinking maybe I by festival end. (couldn't hold onto an 8m Pilot need glasses. by myself at times), but Many thanks to all the kitefliers surprisingly steady for an inland The Penguin, lowest on the who helped with retrieval and alpine location. totem, took a liking to the first repairs to enable everything to tree it met and stayed there sans get back in the air as quickly as I'd tied the train off to the bridles. Then, after demolishing possible. foundation of a re-locatable 3m 4 sections of a post and rail x 4m office servicing an fence beside a horse arena And on a brighter note, the adjacent climbing wall by (complete with horses- who mayor was delighted with the lashing around the 80mm x were very interested by this regional news coverage Andalo 80mm foundation timbers that time), the other kites flew 500m derived from all this - under crossed at each corner, and for or so across an empty lake headlines like "Bear makes a security, had rigged a 2000kgm before catching in the forest break for the woods". At the Dyneema loop around a canopy, through which they official dinner I was presented substantial fence post by the snagged and dragged for the with a commemorative plate upwind corner. next few kilometres, powered by (with Andalo's bear logo coat of How it all let go I'm not sure- an the Ray and Pilot that remained arms) as thanks- and was 80mrnx 80mm x 4m piece of flying. Eventually they were apparently to have received a building went along for the bought to earth from the final bronze casting of a bear instead entire trip- pulled out nails and snag courtesy of Andreas's (No until Claudio dissuaded the all- but what happened to the tie Limits) not inconsiderable tree authorities on the grounds that I to the fence post I have no clue- climbing skills. wouldn't have weight allowance it vanished. sufficient to bring it home- I'm very embarrassed to have which this time I did have, Fortunately I'djust encouraged had this accident- and apologise damn! some spectators to move out of for the risks that other kitefliers the danger area just downwind and the public were exposed to - Peter Lynn of the anchor point- no, not a and especially to Claudio and

20 What's Up%Issue 86