Kite Lines Is the Comprehensive International Winners! in the Cerf-Volant Club De France's Kite Aerial Journal of Kiting and the Only Magazine of Its Kind in America

Contents Copyright © 1981 Aeolus Press, Inc. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without prior written Volume 4, Number 1, Summer-Fall 1981 consent of the publisher . Kite Lines is the comprehensive international Winners! in the Cerf-Volant Club de France's Kite Aerial journal of kiting and the only magazine of its kind in America . It is published by Aeolus Photography Contest / 22 Press, Inc ., of Baltimore, MD, with editorial See and decide for yourself if you agree with the judges . Full-size offices at 7106 Campfield Road, Baltimore, reproductions of the first and second place winners, Tom Pratt of MD 21207, telephone : (301) 484-6287 . Scotland and Garry Woodcock of Canada, plus reduced-size prints of Kite Lines is endorsed by the international Kitefliers Association : and is on file in the the three runners-up . With details of the systems used and background libraries of the National Air and Space Museum, on the conducting of the contest by the Club . Smithsonian ; the National Oceanic and Atmo- Mastering Nylon, or-Everything about Nylon that I've Learned spheric Sciences Administration ; the National from Experience and Soaked Up from my Friends / 25 Geographic ; and the University of Notre . William Tyrrell, Jr., with illustrations by Cathy Pasquale . Dame's Sports and Games Research Collection By G An eight-page special pull-out feature that answers many of the Founder: Robert M . Ingraham technical questions you're likely to have about rip-stop and how to Publisher : Aeolus Press, Inc . work with it in kitemaking . With source list . Editor : Valerie Govig Associate Editor : Richard F . Kinnaird, Jr . Masters of Nylon : the Marshalls-Father and Son / 33 Business Consultant : Kalman Illyefalvi By Valerie Govig. How one family has incorporated the kite passion Circulation/Reader Services : Judith' Faecher into their lives with spectacular success. Design and Mechanicals : Weston Phipps and Cathy Pasquale Addendum : Alternate Bridling / 35 International Correspondents : Jacques and By Curtis and Gray Marshall . A method for easy comparison of Laurence Fissier ; British Correspondents : the effects of different bridling geometrics . Ron Moulton and Clive C . O . Rawlinson Big Compass for Big Kites / 36 Editorial Advisory Panel : By Wayne Schmidt . How to make a compass for those big circles Guy D . Aydlett A. Pete lanuzzi or arcs you want in your kite . William R . Bigge Robert M . Ingraham Bevan H . Brown Domina C . Jalbert Wyatt Brummitt Nat Kobitz Paul Edward Garber Arthur Kurle Melvin Govig Curtis Marshall Edwin L. Grauel Robert S . Price Departments Gary Hinze John F. Van Gilder . Ray Holland, Jr Will Yolen Letter from the Editor / 6 Kite associations and clubs are located around With an account of the Maryland Kite Society's Kite Retreat in the U .S . and the world . Kite Lines works for Harpers Ferry, West Virginia . and with all of them and maintains an Letters / 9 updated file on them . Write for information about your nearest group . What's New / 12 Reviews of the Waldof Magic Box Kite, three rollers from Vertical Subscriptions to Kite Lines : In the U .S ., $9.00 for one year (4 issues), $17 .00 for two Visuals, the Peter Lynn Baby Dragon and Hyperkites and Trlby stunters . years (8 issues) ; in Canada and Mexico : $10 .00 Also a book review of Malcolm McPhun's Kites . for one year, $19 .00 for two years ; in all other Profiles : The Old Man and the Sea-Francis Vilbe, 81, countries, $11 .50 for one year, $22 .00 for of La Guerche-de-Bretagne / 18 two years . Special air mail rates are available at $4 .00 per year additional for Central Story and Photographs by Jacques Fissier . In la France profonde, America, $6 .00 per year additional for an extraordinary kitemaker lives as a cobbler . Europe,' Israel, South America or North Design Workshop / 40 Africa, and $8 .00 per year additional for all John White's HARDEC (High Aspect Ratio Delta-Conyne) . other countries . Foreign drafts must be in U .S . dollars through a U .S . hank or the post For the Record / 42 office . Single copies of current or back issues Complete report on the new world record set in Holland are available Q $2 .50 from America's finest for world's largest kite-an incredible 553-square-meter monster . kite shops or the journal offices . Also an update on significant efforts on the record for Longest Kite . Change of Address : Attach or copy mailing News from Here & There : Stateside / 44 label in letter, giving new address . If mailing Including a report on Larry Cuttitta and the great New York City label is wrong, please correct it . kite protest and vindication . Advertising rate sheet and information is News from Here & There : International / 52 available' upon request. Classifieds / 56 Contributions and correspondence are always Swap Shop / 56 invited . Enthusiasts who contemplate sending substantial material should request our guide- lines for writers and photographers . Return of unsolicited material cannot be guaranteed unless accompanied by ample stamps and envelope, self-addressed . Accuracy of contents Cover of Kite Lines is the responsibility of individual contributors . Diverse views presented in Kite Gray Marshall's strikingly pieced Parafoil gives fresh artistry to Lines are not necessarily those of the editor, staff or advisory panelists . the great Jalbert Parafoil design . The scene is Fort McHenry National Closing Dates for advertising and articles are Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, a location favored for 8 weeks before publication . weekend flying by members of the Maryland Kite Society . Postmaster: Second class postage paid at The open spaces next to the harbor water offer good winds at Baltimore, Maryland, and at additional entry almost any time (See more about Gray and his father Curtis offices, if undeliverable, please send address . change Form 3579 to Kite Lines, Marshall on pages 33 to 35 .) 7106 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207 . Photograph by Theodore L . Manekin . Letter from "the Editor

This letter might be called Travels of the of paperfold kites . Mel gave a rousing at Bolivar Heights . It was a busy, eager Editor Continued. It was a full summer, speech on kite "training," full of practical social scene, but the kites didn't fly at highlighted by the Maryland Kite Society's advice and comments on the group dyna- first . By retying them at longer intervals, kite retreat in July at Harpers Ferry, West mics of flying kite trains . the fliers finally saw the train happen- Virginia. It was just for us kitefliers, that As time ran out, Bob Price's talk on and happen high . Meantime, another little was the idea-to get out of town and his hollow-spar system for box kites was bird train of Mel's went up and down on share kite inspirations . My husband Mel postponed till the next morning. Likewise, its own over the soft meadow grass and a had suggested it to the Society and with voluble Bill Tyrrell, prepared to fill in if variety of fine kites took turns in the sky, help from co-organizers Arnold Simon necessary, hardly spoke a word . (Bill's on including a very large Streeter rokkaku in and Carolyn Staples, it was an event for tap for the next retreat .) A wordless exem- red nylon . The backdrop of purple moun- the memory books . plar, Bill Bigge started and finished one of tains at Bolivar made all the kites lovelier . All the elements were favorable : sunny his Janus kites during the weekend . One by one, the friends started to leave . weather, magnificent scenery, good food Clif Bokman, a sparkling 75-year-old, It was all one could stand to say goodbye . and-most of all-wonderful people . told us all how to make the "barn door" Afterwards, the "high" lingered on, the Hilltop House in historic Harpers Ferry three-stick kite that he had learned from comments kept coming back . Tal Streeter has a breathtaking view overlooking the his grandfather in 1914. On Sunday morn- said, "Not many people see their dreams confluence of the Shenandoah and ing, everyone made one, hoping Mel's in daylight." Len Conover said he felt Potomac Rivers . You can, in fact, fly a notion that they could be flown in train "just like a kid again-and being allowed kite from the promontory in front of the would be realized . to throw paper airplanes in class! Can't hotel, if you wish, but Bolivar Heights There was a bit of unwanted excite- wait till the next one ." Park was scouted as the spot for the real ment Sunday when Bill Rutiser, stepping flying on Sunday . Friday and Saturday backwards while trying out a kite on the were nonstop indoor kitemaking and kite talking sessions . We came up only occa- sionally for air-and food . P.S. to subscribers : If you were alert, you A word about that. Dixie Kilham's old may have noticed a small change on your stone hotel is well-known for its big din- mailing label . It now shows the volume ing room with long tables and groaning and issue number of the last copy in your board with home-style food-just about Kite Lines subscription term . You can as your Aunt Mabel might have done it . check this against the current issue num- Not a weekend for dieters! ber to learn your status . For example, An adjacent building ("the lodge") this issue is Volume 4, Number 1, as had just been remodeled . There we held printed at the top of the Contents page . our sessions, at all hours and in complete If your label says the same, this is the last privacy, without interfering with the hotel . issue in your term and you are reminded Friday night found everyone (about to renew . (Of course, we send you notice 25 people) staying up late, talking and Our first try on the Bokman barn door train . of renewal time, too .) We think this little building kites. Bevan Brown helped his hilltop, fell and broke his wrist . He was change will be helpful for everyone . sister-in-law make a beautiful impromptu taken to the hospital immediately to have butterfly while Ellen Rubenstein showed the break set . Bill's good humor came out P.P.S. Sundry interruptions and hefty a group how she makes her finely bal- in his later comment : "I was conducting editorial work on this issue ate up more anced tissue Eddys in rich colors . Some of an empirical experiment in kite safety." hours than usual for magazine prepara- the enthusiasts were up past 2 a .m. But Saturday evening was picture-show tion . We regret the delay . In identifying 8:30 was breakfast and, sleepless or not, time and slides came out for viewing this issue with two seasons, we by no everyone was up to hear Tal and Dorothy along with a color film, "Great Kites," means give up in our battle of the sched- Streeter talk about the Japanese classic from the Malaysian embassy . I had ar- ule. Also rest assured that you as a sub- kite, the Sanjo rokkaku . Each of us made ranged, after much phoning and two scriber will not miss an issue . our own, carefully following the tradi- letters, to obtain use of this scarce, Our quirky schedule is a sleep-robber tional methods, although dowels were scratched print, and Brooks Leffler made for me. It's the seat of dreams, some full used in place of bamboo . a special delivery run to get it to us . The of demon problems dancing in the skull . In the afternoon, Pete lanuzzi gave a film shows the making of intricate, cut- I wake and twitch and pound the pillow . demonstration of knot-making . A number tissue layered Wau Bulan kites of Malaysia. Other kinds of dreams are soothing idylls of knots were added by listeners. This was It also shows the regional competitions in which the magazine comes out at a typical of the retreat, that no "authorities" for angle and duration of flight, in which regular pace, trouble-free and joyously held court, that speakers were scheduled a coconut shell dropping in a bucket of managed by a big, happy staff in a spot- only in order to give a slight framework water is the "timer ." We all loved this less, spacious office . (That kind I try to around which ideas could freely play . film so much we ran it a second time . prolong.) Somewhere in the middle is the I was next and I was joined by Red Sunday afternoon's light winds gave us real-life magazine . We're working on Braswell and the Streeters with examples hope of lofting a Bokman barn door train making those good dreams a reality .

Mr. Whippo . Both were wrong!!) willy-nilly for fear of missing something I truly hope others finding themselves and can't keep repeating things I have in such a position will first consider the already done and learned from . Letters safety aspects and react accordingly. It's Would a Holiday Observance Kite better to sit down over a beer and hack Festival be of interest to others? Example : out differences rather than be aggressive Pick a holiday-Fourth of July . SAFETY OVER EGO and cause a fatal accident . Let's all enjoy Place-Philadelphia . I have been actively building and flying our hobbies to the fullest. Entries-Flying firecracker, American radio controlled (RC) model airplanes for Larry W . Hoffman flag, flying Declaration of independence, the last 18 years . My kiting activities have Tokyo, Japan flying cannon, flying you-name-it. paralleled this period of time for almost Supporting activities-(which are already as long. There is need for self-policing of A PLUM PLUCKER'S HOLIDAY KITES scheduled anyway) parades, crowds, ban- our kiting activities in order to prevent My bag (specialty) in kiting has been ners, balloons, noise (a real happening) . accidents that could lead to restrictions Holiday Kites . For each holiday I make If the first Holiday Kite Observance on us. RCers face problems this way from an appropriate kite design with painting, were successful, it could turn into a series, rules and regulations imposed on them graphics, etc ., and try to fly the kite on as holidays are numerous, occur at all that greatly restrict the use of models that day, which works well because most seasons, fit various geographic areas . and, thus, the enjoyment the hobby gives . major holidays we don't have to work . Halloween-pumpkins, ghosts, witches As a reply/suggestion to Mr . Walt The first year this kept me busy every St. Patrick's Day-snakes, harps, green Whippo's article, "Kite vs Model Airplane" month with preparations for upcoming Alamo-early flags, Mexican, Lone Star (Kite Lines, Winter-Spring 1981), I suggest dates and was stimulating as it centered Benjamin Franklin's Birthday-go wild that a safer and more adult approach to my thinking about meanings of the day with keys his problem would be, first, reeling in, and observances, prompted research for Hamamatsu Day-mayhem American and, second, to have a talk with the RC accuracy and appropriate colors, etc . I style . group, especially its leader, pointing out even bothered to copyright some designs On and on. You get the picture . the need to coordinate movements in and "Holiday Kites" with Uncle Sam . Happy Holidays! order to prevent damage to hobby craft, Since the years have rolled around for Carl Poehler or an accident that could result in serious the fourth time, my enthusiasm has shift- Melrose, MA bodily damage . (I must qualify myself at ed direction to other things . There are so this point : I deplore the action taken by many facets to kiting and so much to "Great minds run in the same channels . " the RC pilot as much as the response of learn and try, I just keep plucking plums One George Qualls (like Carl Poehler, an Lines to clear up this confusion (or to let Letters me know that I am making a mountain . . .Continued out of a molehill)? architect) had similar ideas about four Meanwhile, thanks for a superb maga- years ago and sketched some fanciful kites zine that I snatch out of the mailbox and in honor of a few holidays, including- read from cover to cover. can you believe-Ground Hog's Day . Stephen Smitherman Miami, FL WALKING-DOWN HAZARDS I read with interest your item, "A Brief The only way we could test reel capacity Guide to Safe and Sure Kiting" (Winter for different line strengths would be with 1979-80 Kite Lines) . There's a paragraph some fairly fancy apparatus-but when all in it about walking a kite down with the was done we would be saying, in effect, line under your arm. This is a rather that it's okay to subject reels to a pressure dangerous practice. which none should ever be expected to It could lead to one of three results : bear. A kite reel can store line, let line the additional uncontrolled drag on the out freely for flying and increase ease of kite line could cause a "breakaway," or winding in clever ways ; but none within the friction from the line could cause a our knowledge of the current technology rope burn on your coat (and in at least should be expected to haul in kites under one case has torn a coat in half), and for a pressure directly onto the reel . third result (although rather dramatic) a strong gust of wind could rip your arm off . ENVELOPE OPTION Gloved hands or a pulley wheel are the My latest two magazines came without an only safe methods of walking a line in . envelope and were kind of messy (the Allan Martin postman!) Could you please send my Newhaven, East Sussex, England next issues in sealed envelopes? If it's more money, I'll pay . I like to keep my Good point, well taken . Of course, the magazines in good condition . "Brief Guide" was intended mainly to Jimmy Joe Meza serve the needs of the newcomer to the Los Angeles, CA sport who is flying a moderate-sized kite . We are sorry the post office mistreats Large kites would require a separate set your magazine and that we can't afford of instructions entirely . Gloves are empha- to send copies in envelopes on general sized in the Guide's Kite Lines Safety second class mailings. The only way we Code "Never" Number Four : "Never fly can sort your name out for special treat- a hard-pulling kite without wearing gloves ." ment is to put you in our air mail group REELS AND LINE STRENGTH at $1 per issue ($4 per year) extra-if that Kite books don't seem to mention the additional cost does not horrify you . You line strengths suitable for various types of would also have the added benefit of get- reels . Neither do most reel advertisers in ting your copy by first class mail (whether Kite Lines . Furthermore, I hope I am you wanted faster delivery or not) . being constructively critical by pointing out that the "Reels Update" in the Winter-Spring 1981 issue failed to include line strength capacity in its analyses . How about a few words from Kite

What's Hew: Kites, Books, Sundries

By Mel Govig, assisted by A. Pete Ianuzzi

This issue's potpourri of kites is marked priced than the right, these rollers are very impressive, by great variety and superior performance . average kiter is graceful and handsome fliers . I believe they However, I hope that you will read these used to paying- should be flown more in the U.S., along reviews carefully because each of these about $60 to $150 with their ancestor, the Sanjo rokkaku . kites has one or more quirks that could be (no doubt weight- an overriding negative to an individual flier . ed by shipping PETER LYNN'S BABY DRAGON Read the caveats along with the plaudits . and customs from I was reminded recently that we had never the U.K.) There reviewed the little rip-stop cobra kites of THE WALDOF MAGIC BOX are several VV our New Zealand friend Peter Lynn . These Here's another box kite for box kite A box kite? No, it's the kites and we are kites have been available at many shops fanciers and it's a fancier than average box Cruiser Roller by Vertical saving some for for a year now and have found their way kite . Peter Waldron always offers a certain Visuals with the illusion later review . The into many hearts and kite bags . Peter of three dimensions . whimsy in his designs . He lets the flier rollers get our at- makes the Baby Dragon (cobra type) for rediscover his or her kite many times over tention first . All of them have sturdy dowel about $12 and his Octopus for about $10 . as all the designed-in secrets come to life . struts ; strong, tempered aluminum (or as We're reviewing the cobra only but the The Magic Box has at least two new the British say, alumINIum) connectors, octopus is similar. and different touches . In the first place, which set a sharp dihedral in the sail ; taut, I admit to being enthralled by Peter's the kite comes assembled but not unfurled . evenly stretched covers ; and varied hard- larger kites-the flares and especially the To make the kite ready to fly, all you ware to adjust sail tension and bridle angle . box kite he flew in Maryland in 1978 . have to do is push the cross-sticks in to These are no-nonsense kites . If you Peter is a toy designer, wood crafter and the middle and insert one dowel into a are flying one of the two larger models, business promoter by trade, combining vinyl tube . Second, the kite has an be prepared for a tough puller and don't the patient thoughtfulness of the artisan unusual multiple symmetry, with every be stingy with line strength . I would sug- with the energetic, even impulsive, enthu- pocket, cell stick and connector echoed gest 100-lb . test or heavier line . siasm of the innovator. His kites show it, three times and no point without six The bridle adjustment on the models even his little cobras, which carry a few identical counterparts . we flew was extremely sensitive at differ- crafty touches that set them slightly apart . In flight, the Magic Box has a very fast ent wind speeds . If the bridle point was For instance, they have bowed head rate of climb and very slow (if somewhat too low for the wind, the kite would sticks of fiberglass that can be removed to wandering) rate of descent . It can be descend, like a rock, in a straight path permit rolling up the whole kite for easy pumped up to the higher winds easily and down the same track it took going up . If portability . The hem around the head of flies on winds just below 5 m .p.h . the bridle was set too high, the kite would the kite (which encloses the head stick) is We had heard grumbles that the Magic overfly and become unstable . With their finished with a bias tape cut from the Box was similar to an umbrella in more weight and speed, these kites can be pretty same material as the kite . The ends of the ways than its pop-open assembly . Euro- threatening in a power dive . But when the head stick are set into vinyl caps, stitched pean correspondents complained that it wind is strong and all the adjustments are Continued on page 14. . . collapsed in high winds . An easy correc- tion for this was found : tying the upper and lower cross-points together firmly on the center stick by means of a strong rub- ber band or length of kite string . All in all, I believe we will see a lot of this kite and its inevitable imitators in the future . Pocketbook effect is about $80 .

ROLLERS BY VERTICAL VISUALS Also from England are the Vertical Visuals kites designed by Mike Pawlow and Jilly Pelham as variations on the originals by David Pelham . From Colorado, Hi Fli Kites, Ltd ., is marketing them in the U .S. All three of the kites we tested share three characteristics : they are impeccably made, with careful attention to detail ; they are roller-type kites ; and they are higher-

.What's. .Continued Newfrom page 12 into the hem so that the sticks don't poke out through the ends of the hem . There's charm in the flight of these little goblin-like kites . The tails have scal- lops cut into their edges with a hot cutter so that the kites have activity, even in the lightest air . Finally, the vertical stick in the head (nose-like) is attached to the fabric, but is 1'h or 2 inches short of the head of the kite . This creates a dihedral both vertically and horizontally, unlike any other kite . The Peter Lynn kites are very pleasant to fly . They may require slight bridle ad- justment for varying winds : higher for lighter winds, lower for stronger winds .

HYPERKITES AND HYPOTHECIDE You might hyperventilate upon opening your Hyperkites tube if you had just spent what it takes to buy their small craft (about $18 for one, $30 for two, $85 for six) . First, you have been conditioned by this column and your own good sense to think "lighter is better" in kites . But here you have one of these Hyperkites in your hand and it is barely over a square foot in area, less than ten inches high, and it's made of would-you-believe 3/16-inch dia. dowel rods . In addition, the craftsmanship, which would pass for average on a big animal, seems shockingly crude on so small a kite . You're ready to pack it in and take it back, right? Wrong! I took six of these little monsters out to Fort McHenry (the home flight pad of the Maryland Kite Society) and put them up to just see if they would fly at all . They flew! In fact, after my few brief loops and whoops of joy, I collected a parade of eager fliers itching to try the Hyperkites, including Pete lanuzzi (as always), George Fohs and Ranger Warren Bielenberg of the Fort . I barely got a chance to fly the kites myself . They are fast, they are fun and they are easy to fly after just a few tries . It was another hypothesis shot down, another little lesson in humility taught to a man by a kite . Hyperkites will fly in winds above 8 m.p .h . They have to be in motion to stay flying and need 7 to about 15 m .p .h . to perform . Above 15 m .p .h . they can be steadied-up into the breeze and remain flying, but below their range if you pause they go astray and have to be relaunched . With their strong timbers (for their size) and heavy reinforcing tape (which makes them look so crude), they are practically Continued on page 16. . .

But the Trlby (known as the Ace in But having been told that it would fly What's New England) is not a Peter Powell . It does as a fighter, I had to try . I did! It does! It . . .Continued from page 14 not move through the air with the same responds quickly but moves slowly . indestructible . That's helpful for stunters. certitude on a 10-m .p .h . wind . It does not What's more, because of its size it flies If you want a new experience in two- execute the same right-angle turns and with an unusual tug on the line . I noticed line kites, I recommend the Hyperkites . tightening or widening circles you can that I could feel the direction in which They are not better than anything else : achieve with the original-but it is original . the kite moved and the speed of the kite they are different-and fun . The Trlby is essentially a flat bowed in the string . If I could feel it, a blind Malay (Eddy) kite, rigged to fly with two man could easily feel it . THE TRLBY/ACE lines . When John Stewart, the U .S . repre- Next issue, we will let you know if a You have heard me, from time to time, sentative for Trlby, showed us the kite, I blind man can fly a fighter . In addition, decry the copiers of Peter Powell . I make said, "It looks like a fighter kite ." He we will cover fighter kites in general, no secret of my admiration for Peter . admitted that it could be flown as a available commercial models, how-to Without his enterprise, showmanship and fighter, on one line, if you chose . This is flying instructions and a few tips on handicraft there would be no stunter the first feature that sets the Trlby apart . etiquette for fighter fliers . market today . I recognize the unusual The second is that it can be flown as a Kites that will be reviewed next issue, talents of Steve Edeiken and his lovely two-line stunter in winds of 3 or 4 m .p .h . but which you may wish to try now, are Rainbow stunters . I appreciate the work (not many can) . Lastly, it is exceptionally the Aussie fighter (by Wayne Hosking of and designing time that went into the durable (taking knock after knock without Action Craft), the Korean fighters (from powerful Skynasaur and the lively Hyper- a sign) and has some unique fittings that Great Winds in Seattle), the Nagasaki hata kites and I appreciate that these kites did will be of interest to home kite crafters- from Fujin in Canada, the plastic copy of not simply copy Peter Powell, no matter especially the right-angle pieces at the the Nagasaki by Spectra Star Kites, the what they owe him . All of this is by way spar tips that fit into the wing pockets- Frank Rodriguez fighters from Go Fly a of saying that stunter kites that look like very clever work by the kite's British Kite in New York City, and others com- Peter Powells are at least suspect, if not designer, Max Puckridge . pared to the high standards set by the reject, in my book from the start . Vic's and Grandmaster kites . Stay tuned! Books

WOULD-BE BRUMMITT tioning of tails at launch (in front of the out-of-date and incomplete appendices of Our basic kite primer for years has been kite, which is right) ; flying techniques shops, clubs and books at the end . Wyatt Brummitt's Kites (Golden Guide) (well-told) ; dihedral, tails, decorations, Two particular oddities struck my for its reliability, economy and surprising elastic bridles and a "jacket kite" for fun . notice in this book . I had thought that degree of completeness. Sad news . It has The bridle drawings are above average titles brought from England (as this was) gone out of print . Copies may still be (very important) and-wow!-there's an and republished in the States are revised around at retail, but the publisher (West- index (a rarity these days) . The book's to fit the language usage here . Yet we ern Publishing Co ., Inc ., subsidiary of tone is pleasant and unstuffy, obviously read "polythene," "aeroplane" and "fret- Mattel, Inc .) now offers only the school- the work of someone who's actually saw" (for hacksaw)-endearing touches, and-library 'version, heavy-bound and flown some kites. perhaps . But the "60-metre" altitude limit bigger ("like a real book," Wyatt likes to Unfortunately, all these values are just isn't only English spelling, it's English law . say). It also has larger type for those who not enough when balanced against the Second, the publisher has imposed want that feature . However, we under- book's shortcomings. Here we find again some editorial decisions on the book that stand Wyatt is now working on a new the overgeneralizations and factual slips are less than helpful . The blue "recogni- book. Glory be to Wyatt! that keep coming out in kite books . Why tion pages," intended to highlight "im- Well, while we wait, what other books just "three main groups : flat, bowed and portant" material, instead draw attention can we use? Pelham (of course, a great box"? Where's the safety warning against to information one least needs to know . book), Yolen, Newman, Hiroi, a few others . rain? Why the caution against "people The headline "Controlling a kite" appears None like Wyatt's, but here's one that tries : and animals" and "flying too near other to have been inserted thoughtlessly by an Kites, by Malcolm McPhun, illus . by kites"?-vague if not impossible rules . editor . It is plunked down as an awkward Ed Carr (Macdonald, distributed by Silver The kite building section is too sketchy, divider in the middle of a continuing dis- Burdette Co ., 250 James St ., Morristown, especially about sewing . This is frustrating cussion of launching methods . NJ 07960), 1979, 62 pages, $4 .50 . in a book for children . The list of stiffen- All in all, the McPhun Kites is handy, Now, someone named McPhun has got ers omits square-section sticks but goes attractive and more often right than to be good, right? Well, good is about the on at length about bamboo . McPhun sug- wrong . It's also incomplete and untidy, level this book achieves . Its format is gests splitting it (to this audience?) and not suitable as one's main kite reference almost identical to the library edition of soaking it to shape it but he doesn't book or even a very satisfactory introduc- Brummitt, with sturdy binding and very specify that water temperature must be tion. This statement applies to so many attractive full-color illustrations . hot. Tyvek° 's properties are not distin- other kite books right now that these The work does have some nice features . guished from those of other fabrics . A reviews are all beginning to sound alike . The author clearly and accurately de- "stamp kite" appears to be wishful think- One realizes again what a gem of com- scribes such things as keels ("two-legged ing . The flying line is confusingly termed pression, clarity and reliability we had in bridles") ; effects of hills on wind ; posi- the "control line ." And there are the usual Brummitt . Write on, Wyatt!

Sky The Old Man and the Francis Vilbe; 81, of La Guerche-de-Bretagne story and photographs by Jacques Fissier

I love being alone, in a clearing in the years old, was presented to kitefliers . We is, milk-fed, without artificial nutrition . middle of the woods. I launch my kite, I became convinced that the practice of In La Guerche, the weekly farmers' commit it to the sky. I anchor it and step kiteflying is-in a way-a proof of wisdom . market and the church bells strike a back to contemplate it better. I stay there A meeting with Francis Vilbe confirms cadence of tranquility, far from fast a long time . I especially like it when the that conviction . highways and people in pursuit of wind whistles through the line . I listen to It is difficult to find La Guerche-de- "material paradise ." its song . Then I am truly happy. Bretagne on a map . This very small town Francis is recognized in La Guerche- of 3600 people in western France is it is well known that he has always lived Kiters will recognize themselves in this about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) at 4 rue du Four since the day of his simple and sincere declaration . But the southeast of Rennes (capital of the pro- birth, September 21, 1900-but if you testament takes on another meaning vince) and is part of what is called la are looking for him you'd better ask, when one realizes it is spoken by the dean France profonde (the true, old France) Where is the cobbler's shop?-or more of French kitefliers, Francis Vilbe, 81 -quiet and industrious . La Guerche is directly, Where is the kitemaker? years old, of La Guerche-de-Bretagne . hidden in a hollow of land parceled up The door is always open . If he is not In the Fall 1977 Kite Lines, America's by green pines. Here the farmers still there, then he is drinking a beer in one of beloved Ansel Toney, who was then 89 practice raising veal sous la mere, that the nearby bistros or has taken a ride on his motorbike-with a kite tucked under his arm . Maybe he will be accompanied by his friend, Alfred Lardeux, his spiritual offspring, on the top of a hill. Alfred, a truck driver who hauls hazardous mater- ials, is taking his turn . There will always be at least one true kiteflier at La Guerche . Like Ansel Toney, Francis Vilbe flew his first kite when he was scarcely six years old . lie remembers it well : "My father was also a shoemaker, in the same location, and it was so I would stop playing with his tools that he made me my first kite! "It was a great day . We had seen a model on a calendar engraving and we carefully constructed the kite, using wil- low for the frame, very strong thread (which we used to repair boots) and a newspaper . I had watched him make the kite with rapt attention because it seemed like magic to think that these humble ma- terials were going to become a flying ob- ject. The machine had the shape of a pear and Papa added a `stabilizing appendage.' "Yes, that was a great day! Since then, I have never stopped flying kites." This "Since then, I have never stopped flying kites" covers three quarters of a century. Vilbe would continue, during all his childhood and adolescence, to collect and religiously preserve everything con- cerning things "heavier than the air which

Francis Vilbe, opposite page, watching his high-angle flier and standing in front of his village shoe repair shop. This page, he's seen at ease on field ; handling his line while his protege, Alfred Lardeux, stands by ; and preparing to launch his Roloplan-type kite. they mock." He knew that the French army and a certain Captain Saconney had organized special observation sections equipped with trains of kites . The "Great War" of 1914-18 broke out and aviation began. In 1920, Francis did his military ser-vice. He intried Morocco to enter the army air service but the foolishness of the bureaucracy made it necessary for him to become a simple soldier in charge of a small machine shop, and-since it was his trade-shoe repairs . The kites and airplanes were far away! Francis, under the terrible sun of Marrakesh, continued nevertheless to make a few kites. One day he dared to go see, close up, Francis Vilbe works on his kites in his shop . He uses some of the same tools on his kites that he the first squadron of planes stationed in uses in repairing shoes, which is his livelihood in the village of La Guerche-de-Bretagne . North Africa . He crossed the runway of an airport and an officer punished him. Society of Aerial Navigation (what a credit motor. Alas, it never got off the ground . Definitely Francis Vilbe did not have luck line!) Vilbe also received regularly Le Then Francis tinkered around with with aviation-but there were still kites! Cerf-Volant, a journal of which a collec- some other Codys . And he discovered the In the recital of his life story, Vilbe often tion has now become unfindable. (Francis, Hargrave, the Conyne, the Roloplan, the repeats, "I should have had a great career big-hearted, previously gave away his Eddy, the Potter . All his creative energy in aeronautics. . ." valuable archives, not knowing, naively, was directed towards The Kite because After returning to La Guerche, Vilbe their true value .) destiny had barred his route to piloting . married in 1925 . From the famous cata- At that time he specialized in perfect- Shoemaker by day, he also became a log of the Manufacture d Armes et Cycles ing the Cody kite, all the while following manufacturer of aerial toys by night, like de Saint-Etienne (mail order) he sent for his dream : to construct and pilot an air- a kind of "Father Christmas" who made a book, Le Manuel du Cerf-Voliste (The plane, "his" plane . In his loft he built, airplanes in series with rubber band Manual of Kiteflying), by J . Lecornu, little by little, a biplane after the plan of motors, small Codys, small Conynes . But engineer and member of the French the "Gaudron G3" with a motorcycle commerce was not his calling . It was

pick him up on the way to kite festivals, such as the one at Dieppe . He continues to talk . He says that in 1930 he received his pilot's beginner's certificate and he claims that he flew a dozen hours. He states that he flew two- seat gliders and tells how he saw Saint Elmo's fire discharging on his towing line, that he knows well the ascending ther- mals, that he loves the southerly winds for their dynamic updrafts . He also says, this good Francis, with tears in his eyes, that he has made (in all) about a hundred kites and that he has given most of them away. He has about 20 left but he feels a particular fondness for an old Cody, 10 square meters in size, In the pasturelands around his village, Vilbe launches his superb kites, including this winged box which he has christened Marco Polo, after after the Cody-like designs of French Army Captain Saconney of 1911-13 . his hero . the sky that he most wanted to conquer . Institute of Paris for preparation of serum. As he talks of his life, one senses that In 1953, his wife died . In 1961, a He remarried in 1962 . His second wife there is an underlying antagonism between friend from Les Sables-d'Olonne, a whaling said to him, "What good are all these this blessed solitude in La Guerche, to station on the Atlantic, asked him to fly machines? I am going to burn all of which he seems so accommodated, and a his kites on the beach as publicity for its them," denigrating dear Francis's kites . wild desire to share with others-all others . bazaar . With a train of three Codys, he She passed away in her turn in 1968 . Now Francis goes out kiteflying . He attached a swing and organized ascensions And again our Francis was alone . Alone launches a craft and watches it as the eve- for the tourists . It was a success, it was with his kites . Not quite three years later, ning breeze pulls it through the sky . glory! He was called "Vilbur Wright," an thanks to Michel Dudon of Nantes (a pro- He murmurs, "With someone, you feel analogy between "Wilbur" and "Vilbe ." fessor of architecture), Vilbe was made strong . You have someone to talk to . The years of the 50s also saw Francis aware of the Cerf-Volant Club de France . Alone, you lose the weights in the balance become a hunter of snakes : he caught Not completely alone now, he was visited of life . Alone, people leave you alone . With hundreds of living snakes for the Pasteur by members of the club who detoured to two, people notice you ." 0 Winners! in the Cerf-Volant Club de have discovered that aerial photographs taken from kites have pictorial advantages over those

"Mill of Pot Farm," Cuminestown, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, taken August 18, 1980, in overcast, • 300 francs : TOM PRATT, SCOTLAND . Photo : gusty weather. Camera : Pentax Spotmatic with 28mm lens and Agfacolor 80S film . Kites and system : two twin-keeled Don Dunford deltas flown from a ground-anchored winch with radio-triggered shutter release. Pratt is a freelance aerial photographer who operates his system alone, working out of his small car. Line is 200-lb : test nylon paid out double to 200 feet (400 feet of line) to form a continuous loop . A two-section 12-inch-dia . drum is mounted on a folding trestle screwed to the ground with dog tethers. Half the line is transferred to the second section after launch and the line runs through a pulley.thegetmotorization This camera"bracketed" atway the Prattdown tow atshots bringspoint intervals more manageably to reset itthan and by • 150 francs : MICHAEL G . MILLER, GREAT 0 100 francs : MARION RADEMAKER AND ® 50 francs : RAYMOND J . PROCTOR, BRITAIN . Row of bungalows, Pembury, Kent. Miller FRANCISCUS COLIJN, NETHERLANDS . Photo : USA . Hawaii Nudist Camp, Honolulu, HI ; says he knows "exactly where the camera is pointing ." Garnwerd village ; Minox, rescue kite, dethermalizer . Minolta, two Parafoils, Cox radio control . taken from fixed Kitewing aircraft Aerial; only helicoptersPhotography can compete. - TOM PRATT, Contest1st Place Winner

© 200 francs : GARRY WOODCOCK, CANADA . Photo : J . C. Saddington Park, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada . Camera: self-built balsa wood housing with 45mm Tessor lens set at f8, 1/500-sec., using Verichrome Pan 120 film. Kite and system : Parafoil, stabilizer vane and dethermalizer timer shutter release. Woodcock prefers 120 film because the entire image of the lens is recorded . This print, though, cuts off about Y4-inch around the edge, which tends to be fuzzy . The top of the circle shows friends with Woodcock as he shoots the picture with the catenary of the line clearly visible . In October, 1980, the judges assembled at "Le Jean Latour and Dr. Fernand Obaton . Jean-Louis found will be shared with you in our next issue . Polygone" cafe in Vincennes (France) to review Bouisset, club president, presented the photos As we go to press, we have learned from the the entries received in the First Kite Aerial to the judges in an anonymous manner and club that a Second Kite Aerial Photography Photography Contest held by the Cerf-Volant points were given on the basis of technical qual- Contest will be held in 1982, with most of the Club de France . There were only five entrants ity and the interest of the site photographed . same rules. Photos taken by kite from January 1 (three to six photos from each) . Kite Lines wrote the individual photographers will be eligible and judging will take place in The judges were all members of the club : and their replies and photos are collected here . September or October. For details, contact the Georges Rivals, Michel Bouille, Andre Mignard, Some interesting additional examples we have club : 17, rue Lacharriere, 75011 Paris .

------mastering nylon or - everything about nylon that I've learned from experience and soaked up from my friends (with source list) ------a kitechnology feature by 0 . William Tyrrell, Jr illustrations by Cathy Pasquale

The rustle of nylon, particularly ing because it's easy to realign . rip-stop nylon, is the ubiquitous (You can lessen slipperiness by sound of kiteflying. Where did this dipping your fingers in Tacky Fin- stuff come from and what is it? gers from a stationery store-a tip Originally developed as a cheap, from Kites of the Four Winds .) strong, available synthetic replace- ment for scarce silk in parachutes types of yardage during World War II, rip-stop nylon ------soon became available for other You can find the following nylons uses . The boating industry adopted on the market at $1 to $6 a yard : it for sails and before long it PARACHUTE RIP-STOP is, nat- found its way into clothing, back- urally, a lightweight fabric, weigh- packs, . tents, luggage, hot-air bal- ing .5- to .75-oz . per running yard . loons and-of course-kites! But it's very soft (little or no Why is it called rip-stop? It gets coating) yet very slippery-a trying its name from its weave . Within combination to sew with . Further, the base weave (which is usually it's extremely stretchy, highly po- very close) there is a slightly rous and hard to obtain . larger-diameter thread that runs RECREATIONAL RIP-STOP is checkerboard-style throughout the used for backpacks, tents, sports- cloth in 1/.-,3/,,-or 'h-inch squares . wear, etc . Colors here are often This is what gives it "rip-stopping" subdued (except for hunters' inter- characteristics. Of course, the fab- national orange) . If you need wide ric will tear if punctured, but the cloth (45-to-60-inch), it's a possi- second weave gives the cloth extra bility . Weights tend to be heavier tear-resistance. That's important (1 .5-to-2 .5-oz .), coatings lighter . in parachutes, sails and kites . You might work with these for It's the combination of high kites less sensitive to bias, such as strength and light weight that so deltas, taut boxes and big flat kites . often makes rip-stop the kite- BALLOON CLOTH is a group maker's fabric choice . When you're of nylons and polyesters that have looking at a cloth that weighs as the asset of very wide color choice, little as half an ounce to the square making them attractive to artists yard, the sail on a six-foot delta for use in special designs or appli- kite, for example, could weigh un- que work on rip-stop . Widths are der 1'h ounces. And the wide selec- 45 or 60 inches, but availability is tion of brilliant, translucent colors limited to balloon manufacturers helps boost rip-stop's popularity . (if you can find one in your area), ------John Parker or The Fabric Lady . the coating factor NYLON, POLYESTER OR ------ACETATE TAFFETA are close-, One of the first things to notice plain-weave fabrics that are some- about these nylons is that they what coarser than rip-stop but are coated . Urethane or acrylic is still have wind-holding ability, as rolled into the cloth's grain under their use in windbreakers attests . high pressure and some heat . This (Acetates do not hold up and are gives the fabric slickness and low not recommended for kites .) Taf- porosity which to various degrees fetas are also used for hot-air make the cloth water- and wind- balloon envelopes (as is rip-stop), proof. Coatings also give enough tents and luggage . "Aspen Cloth" body to the fabric that it can be is one of the names for nylon sewn conventionally, on home or taffeta . These fabrics are not rip- industrial machines. stops, so once a tear starts they Rip-stop coatings vary almost as tend to run . The color range is much as the base fabrics them- wide for design effects and beauti- selves . They run thick and thin ful cobra ("dragon") tails . Less and it's often difficult to tell the expensive than rip-stop, taffetas true weight of the cloth by touch . are about $2 .50 per running yard For example, a cloth designated by 45 inches wide, and about as 1 .5-ounces per square yard can equivalent in weight to 1 .5-oz . feel like a 2 .0-oz ., 1 .0-oz . or even rip-stop sailcloth . A variation on a .75-oz ., depending on the thick- times there is more coating-or If you've sewn before but not nylon taffeta is nylon tire, satiny- ness of the coating and the texture the appearance of more-on one with rip-stop, you'll find it takes surfaced on one side, used for of the fabric you're comparing it side than the other. For kites, you some getting used to, mainly be- flight jackets, evening wear and to . Heavier cloth with thin or no present the slicker side to the wind . cause of its slipperiness-a trait of such. The slick side can be good coating may weigh less than a Wind, weather and wear-and-tear all nylons but especially rip-stop . for slipping wind, but examine thickly coated lightweight . on a kite you fly a lot will even- The slipperiness is a blessing and a the bolt for stretch . These taffetas Most coatings penetrate fabric tually break down the crispness of curse-a curse because the stuff stretch on the bias, or diagonal, evenly and thoroughly, but some- the coating and soften the fabric . slides all over the place, and a bless- rather than the straight of the grain . They also have a soft drape Two-to-four- (2.0-to-4 .0-) o z. i s flaking problem cured . If you are other, the kite's going to favor that flows with the wind, ideal for a heavy-duty cloth that has little already familiar with the process, one side . (Do you want a political dragon tails . Taffetas are also use in kite sail construction . (The you could try it, but otherwise kite?) Even with first-quality rip- suitable for Eddys, Rokkakus, exceptions are 1 .9-, 2 .0- or 2 .4-oz . silk-screening would be a lot of stop, the grain may not be dead large flat kites and others that rip-stops or taffetas with thin technical overlay to pile onto straight . Lay out the parts by the gain extended wind range from coatings and still light enough for your kiting habit. And of course grain rather than the yardage edges . flex . In picking taffeta, observe its large sails .) This stuff is excellent the point of printing is quantity Now that you have the kite pat- traits, adjust your sewing practices as reinforcing material, cut into production, of interest to the tern pieces laid out, draw them to it, keep your kite symmetrical strips for edging tape, tails, pock- manufacturer but not the one-at- onto the cloth . Use dressmaker's -and it can work very well for ets and tabs, and again super for a-time kitemaker . marking pencil, which makes a you . Do be careful to choose a equipment bags . Not quite as ------removable orange line, or tailor's low-porosity cloth. Fabric shops many colors come here, but they can you cut it? (French) chalk on dark colors, or offer lots of attractive stuff in an are bright in reflected light . For ------ordinary lead pencil on light hues. ever-growing selection of blends great strength, you could make a Okay, so you've got this lovely rip- Margaret Greger uses dressmaker's with high-tech names-not all of high-wind, high-angle kite with stop or taffeta-what now? tracing paper and wheel. Make sure which will work well for kites . the 2.0-oz . sailcloth and it would In logical order of kite construc- you've allowed for enough cloth Don't depend on the clerk to last halfway to forever. tion, you will : pattern and cut the for your hems or stick sleeves . know what you need . Test samples If you're making a very large fabric, sew the main seams, sew in (Hem allowances vary with size of yourself by holding the fabric up kite or one that will undergo ex- reinforcements (hems or edging kite, but typically are 3/4-inch wide .) to your face and blowing. If air ceptional stresses, you should ask tapes), attach grommets, tabs, Now for the moment of truth- passes, the cloth fails . your fabric supplier for more de- sticks and all the other fixtures- cutting the fabric . You can use SAILCLOTH RIP-STOP OR tails, such as strength ratings on and finally bridle your kite . scissors, razor cutter or hot iron, SPINNAKER CLOTH-ah! the the different grades of rip-stop . A Suppose you've got one of those as I'll explain. Starting with scis- answer looking for our question . strength rating is a composite de- one-page kite plans . You need to sors (sharp, tight ones), here's a This fabric has pretty much all the rived from weight, tear-resistance, lay out the kite parts on wide tip . Barely open the blades of the qualities the kitemaker needs . First weave, coating and other manu- paper, enlarging them to full size . scissors and begin a cut, with the is its low to practically-no porosity . facturing factors . Large cardboard pieces or big fabric held taut by tape or by This is imparted by the coating ------rolls of brown wrapping paper can hand . The blades will slice through we talked about. Available in 38- can you color it? be used (or smaller pieces taped the cloth . That sounds tricky, but and 42-inch widths, sailcloth rip- together if expedient) . Margaret it's not. You'll be an expert with- stop comes in up to 15 colors, In spite of all the colors available Greger, fabric kite mentor, sug- in five cuts. Try it on a few scraps but the real treat this stuff offers in sailcloth, frustration with lim- gests using "pattern-making pa- before committing the good stuff . is its range of weights . Here they ited hues is quite common . You per," sold in fabric shops, four To cut with a utility knife, X- are, in weights per square yard, can order custom-dying with a feet wide by any length, from a acto-type knife or single-edge before coating (coating adds 1/8-to minimum quantity of about 1000 roll, with one-inch dots all over it . razor blade cutter, use a glass sur- 1/2-oz. per yard) : yards! Otherwise, uncommon She says it's the best thing she's face or table top, a piece of For- Half- ( .5-) oz. i s the lightest avail- colors-or stripes rarely-can only found for making big kite patterns . mica that you don't care about, able . Its tissue-paper-like feel belies be obtained as scraps from sail- In laying out your pattern, keep corrugated cardboard, a marble its strength . To take advantage of makers' lofts or similar chancy in mind the width of your cloth . slab or the smooth side of a piece it properly on your kites, you sources . I have no personal experi- If the kite has multiple parts (like of Masonite (though Masonite will should reinforce the edges by ence with dye-bathing rip-stop in a Parafoil), use these pattern pieces dull blades quickly) . Glass is the using folded seams or edging tape . a home tub-my wife would draw to plan your layout on the fabric . fastest working surface . You can This rip-stop is sold only in red, the line!-but I would like to hear Move the parts around until you use a wood floor or table if you white and blue in 38-inch width . from others who have tried it . get maximum use out of the cloth . protect it with at least a half inch Three-quarters- (.75-) oz. is not Here's something to consider : (If you're making a large kite, it of newspaper-the more the all that much heavier than coated spirit-based markers . The two- may be a challenge to find space better-and don't press too hard. .5-oz ., especially if the .75-oz. has inch-wide ones are preferable but to spread out all the fabric . We've Lay out your cloth on one of these a light coating. The .75-oz . i s con- one-inch ones will do . Simply lay heard of people thumb-tacking surfaces and use a straightedge to siderably stronger and more tear- out your cloth on a cardboard nylon to a carpeted floor to guide your knife or single-edge resistant than .5-oz ., though, and surface and draw . Marker inks will stretch it out and laying out their razor blade . (Use only a blade that comes in about 15 colors, pastel dry very fast and leave an intense pattern on that . Just don't cut is new or very sharp, especially so to intense, from various manufac- color if you cover both sides of your fabric on the same surface!) at the tip .) The straightedge can turers . This weight is probably the the cloth. You can also use mark- But here's the catch . You've got be a yardstick (metal is best), most popular for kites because of er refill inks, applying them with to observe bias . Even rip-stop will piece of wood or even heavy card- its strength-to-weight ratio and its wide brushes for larger work . A usually have more stretch along board if you're careful . Hold the easy sewability . caution with these inks : make the diagonal than along the straightedge or cardboard pattern O ne-ounce-to-l .2-oz. i s next. sure you work in a well-ventilated straight of the weave . You want down tightly, particularly when What you've got here is an even area, because the fumes are toxic . to maintain an even bias on both you're starting, and cut slowly stronger cloth with usually more Learn to work fast with brushes sides of the kite-that is, vertical but steadily, holding the knife flat color intensity-a more opaque, because refill inks evaporate or horizontal or symmetrically against the rule edge . If you're cut- rich hue when the sun shines quickly . I'm still in the experi- angled alignment . If your kite (for ting one layer of fabric at a time, through it . It's still lightweight mental stages with these inks, example, a delta) has bias running you won't need much pressure ; enough for making super fliers myself, but my initial work with on one side differently than the only with "mass production" and it's generally available in this technique has proven color- about eight standard colors. ful . I would be happy to hear One-and-a-half- (1 .5-) oz. is about from explorers who are blazing as heavy as I'd recommend for parallel trails in this thicket . most kites in rip-stop sailcloth, Other than with marker inks, but it's very good for large and no one I've seen has really suc- high-wind designs and big Parafoils . ceeded at painting rip-stop . Paint One-and-a-half has the most inten- usually flakes off, requiring touch- sity of color, too . It can be useful ups after each flight, and tends to cut down into narrow fabric strips be opaque, so that whatever color for use as edge binding on lighter- you see in reflected light on the weight cloth . Also it is popular ground will go to dead black in for kite carrying bags . It sews well the sky as it blocks light transmis- because it has more body and less sion through your kite . slipperiness than lighter-weight Opacity occurs with silk-screen rip-stops . About eight colors are printing, too, although some inks available . made for nylon seem to have the do these details get critical. You uniform and automatic hem wonderful examples. But most of Margaret uses ordinary dress- can use scissors for one or a few allowance to your needs .* For this article pertains to the more maker's cotton-covered polyester kites, of course . The advantage of one-at-at-time kites, you can work usual machine sewing. thread for all her small to medium- the knife/straightedge route is with more ephemeral equipment . ------size kites . Neither it nor the poly- that you obtain straighter lines . Like Margaret Greger, you might which comes first, ester thread in most fabric shops Incidentally, I've never had much find tagboard and paper (either needle or thread? is sized. These threads appear to luck using pinking shears to fray- lightweight kraft paper or white ------be the equivalent of old-fashioned proof rip-stop . But Ed Grauel tissue paper) adequate for pat- For domestic sewing machines, 50, suitable for most needles and swears by his and says "The secret terns, especially applique . Margaret there are two basic needle choices : sewing conditions. is shears large enough-I use 10 1/2- says, "It's true that a little paper the ballpoint needle (for knits and When you get into the serious- inch size-and keeping them edge may remain on the fused the like) and the regular sharp sized kites, the Parafoils or other sharp ." (I admit to never having edge of the fabric, but it's easily point, which is what you need to highly stressed kites, I recommend tried to sharpen pinking shears .) pulled away. When I am cutting spear through the tightly woven, stronger polyester or nylon thread . ------fine detail, where weights are too crisply coated rip-stop . If yours is If you're making multiple kites, the hot cutting big for holding the pattern in an industrial machine, get ac- small spools can be expensive, so alternative place, I use my fingers, and when quainted with its parts supplier . consider buying bulk thread in ------that's too close for comfort, the He or she will have oodles of half- to one-pound spools. (No Ultimately, however, hot cutting eraser end of a pencil ." needle types for every kind of waste here-you can always fly is better for cutting single kite Some more "hot tips" for the fabric, machine model and use . small kites off a large roll .) Tailors' parts because it seals the edge of cutter tip : Lightly file it sharp You can really match the needle or sailmakers' suppliers have 30-, the cloth, making it frayproof. (not razor sharp or it will tend to to your work . You'll be looking 40- and 50-denier polyester or Cold cutting of edges (to different wander) . Also keep it clean with a for a very long taper in what the nylon thread for sewing sailcloths degrees, depending on weight and wire brush . If it's dirty, heat industry calls a high-speed, anti- and taffetas . (Check your yellow coating) leaves an edge that may transfer will slow . With a little friction, cool-running "coated" pages for sources .) Parachute fray . If you're hemming or tape- practice and the right tools, you needle . A "government" needle (a Grade B military nylon is another binding the edges anyway, cold- can cut nylon like a pro (or if long taper design) gives less puck- good choice, limited in color but cutting is OK, but anywhere that you're a pro then like a dedicated ering of seams in rip-stop sewing . cheap . I regularly use it with a you have a raw-cut edge, hole or perfectionist amateur) . As a general rule in needle selec- number 14 needle on almost ev- vent, you should hot-cut the edges . Incidentally, you can achieve tion, use a thinner (lower-number) erything I sew . Whatever thread How to hot-cut? Again, use a the sealed edge of the hot cutter needle for thinner materials and a you use, cut it, never break it. glass surface or Formica . Masonite without buying the tool by run- thicker (higher-number) needle for works, too, but may adhere to the ning the cut edge of your rip-stop thicker materials . Also adjust your cloth at the edges . (This is usually pieces carefully alongside a candle selection to the total thickness, or cleanable but sometimes leaves a flame, allowing just the edge of plies (layers), of fabric you're stain .) the fabric to sidle into the flame . sewing together . Below is a chart Your hot cutting tool can be an A little tricky, but some people prepared for Kite Lines by Harry ordinary pencil soldering iron . A claim success with it . (Be careful!) Osborne, director of the clothing wood-burning knife can also be A word to the wise : ventilate and textile department, Edmonds used . The trick is to match proper the area, or work outdoors, when Community College, Lynnwood, heat with tip design and your hot-cutting rip-stop, to minimize WA . Keep several needles on hand hand speed. A 25- to 45-watt inhaling the fumes . And (in case it as you sew and change the needle model is suitable for light cloth or isn't obvious), make your entire often. A needle can grow dull after One of the ultimately-ultimate slow cutting of heavier cloth . You kite workshop, with its hot-cutters, as few as eight hours of sewing . uses of thread I've ever heard should have a tip temperature of razors, fumes and sewing machine, about was by a young Parafoil 500 ° F minimum (preferably off-limits to children . maker named Rick Frederick higher) . Use 55- to 80-watt heaters ------whose kite won Grand Prize at with 700-to-1000 °F tip tempera- getting set to sew the Maryland Kite Festival about tures for heavy cloth or high pro------four years ago. It was sewn in duction on light cloth . Some kite- If you don't yet have one, now is panels of striking color contrasts makers get satisfactory results the time to make a work area for with thread to match . Yes, the with a small 25- or 30-watt solder- yourself with all your tools in one color on the top stitch matched ing iron with the tip cut to 1h to 3/4 place and plenty of light . A large its panel and another color on the inches and filed to a rounded flat work table is an almost-necessary bobbin stitch matched the adja- . cent panel! sharp blade (like a screwdriver) accompaniment . (Ed Grauel's ------Though a pencil point or ground model of a shop has a converted- flat spade will work, probably the door table, outfitted with measur- stitching basics best tool is a sailmaker's tip made ing tape along the sides and neatly Threading your way through this ------for the purpose . Curtis Marshall's labeled storage boxes underneath .) maze? Now about thread . As the Stitch length is an important ad- customized silver tip is said to be I suggest you occasionally reread needle selection is governed by the justment. Set your machine at the best of all and it works very the booklet that comes with your fabric you're using, thread choice eight stitches per inch for basic fast if you have that need . machine . (I'm still learning from is determined by your needle . straight stitching on rip-stop . A • Once the iron is up to heat and mine!) Make sure you oil your Polyester or nylon thread is rec- finer setting will weaken the cloth stable, simply cut along your machine occasionally, following ommended . Polyester is more flex- and may cause tearing at the seams . Masonite pattern or straightedge instructions in your manual . Keep ible and will hold thread tension For zigzag sewing, the stitch (not metal, which seems to draw the machine clean ; vacuum or better through the machine than length can safely be set tighter, heat out of the tip) . Move the blow lint and dirt out regularly nylon . However, nylon is generally typically at 15- or 16-stitches-per- cutter as fast as the cloth will ("so important," says Harry stronger than polyester in the inch, which doesn't exceed (in its separate. You can weight your Osborne, who ought to know) . same size. Gutermann's is a strong effect on the cloth) the eight-per- pattern with lead diving weights, Wind bobbins slowly and evenly : polyester thread for machine sew- inch standard for straight stitching. gallon cans of paint, books or fill several in advance for big kites . ing and comes in many colors . Up to as fine as 20-per-inch can whatever to free your other hand Don't sew unless your mental A popular thread in fabric shops be used for a satin stitch around to lightly pull the cloth away as it and physical outlook is good . You these days is "crystal" thread, in an applique . Needle choice for is cut . If the iron isn't cutting will waste good fabric otherwise . fact a domestic nylon monofila- applique work should be an 11 smoothly, slow down your hand Sew at a steady pace, not in spurts, ment . It has all the characteristics for .5- or .75-oz. rip-stop or taffeta speed . For mass production, use a to keep your stitching even . of mono line : strength, invisibility, and a 14 needle if you're working hotter iron . Also for repetitive Can you sew rip-stop by hand? economy and kink-proneness . Our with a lot of thickness . work, a Teflon® wheel guide as Yes! Louise Crowley's kites are friend Margaret Greger warns of Be sure you're using the right made by Curtis Marshall and used the kinks and also of "bargain" foot and throat plate for either *Curtis Marshall, "A New Nylon straight stitching or zigzag stitch- with a cone-tip hot-cutter will Cutting Technique," Kite Lines, thread at four for a dollar, which save pattern wear and provide a Summer 1979, p . 19 . frays and isn't worth the savings . ing, according to the requirements of your particular machine . ing on the wing stick casings of a Some machines are owner-adjust- can be used but it will take more To get used to rip-stop's slippery delta, for example, if you stitch able, others require a service tech- adjustments on your machine . ways, try out some stitches on from the base of the kite toward nician, but you can check on it Cut on the bias of the fabric for scraps. Make your machine settings the tip . She believes that symme- yourself. Turn the machine's tape that is to go around curves ; and note the tension level on foot try in a fabric kite is safeguarded if wheel till the feeder is at its high- cut on the straight of the grain for and thread settings . With practice, all seams are stitched in the same est point of travel . The bottom stick sleeves or any strong, fixed you'll develop a feel for rip-stop direction (especially important groove of the feeder teeth should hem. If you hot-cut the rip-stop, work and how to overcome its with sled stick casings and Para- be even with the top surface of you only have to fold this 'h- to slipperiness . (To get real control foil construction) . If, for instance, the throat plate . If your feeder is 1/4-inch binding once . Wider is over the material, you might want you hem the edges of a sled, fol- too high or too low, height adjust- easier to handle. Practice on scraps . to buy a "roller foot" for about low the wide-to-narrow rule on ment will be needed . You may Folding edging material by hand $1 .50 at your fabric store . It grips the wingtips . Don't start at one have to see your service person, is slow going but can be done your fabric like a tiny snow tire .) point and hem all the way around . but don't be afraid to make with practice . Using an iron helps . Now, for an exercise, line up two Many materials will stretch and adjustments yourself if your If you find yourself making lots straight pieces of fabric and make pucker and symmetry will be lost. owner's manual tells how . The of kites, you should consider a an ordinary seam, holding the ------adjustments are surprisingly easy . binder attachment for your ma- sewn end with your left hand trouble-shooting If you have a diamond-toothed chine . If you standardize on one while aligning the edges of the rip------feeder, replace it with a more kind of binding tape, you'll get stop with your right as it goes Let's check out some of the prob- correct straight-toothed design for your money's worth from the under the foot . Nylon always lems associated with needles, rip-stop sewing . attachment, which costs about needs your guiding (not pulling) threads and stitching . ------$5 to $10 for a home machine . left hand . Go slow and easy at If you hear a popping sound edge binding methods This works well for occasional use first. Secure your seam ends by coming from the crisp, coated ------if you can match the binding back-stitching or lock-stitching a rip-stop as you are sewing, it A hot-cut edge on nylon seals the material to the attachment . If you few stitches in place . indicates a needle problem . It can threads and prevents raveling well are making multiple kites or Rip-stop needs constant atten- be that you're using a ballpoint enough to satisfy many kiters as manufacturing, then a professional tion to the aligning process . Guide instead of a sharp point, in which an edge finishing method . The binder attachment, custom-made the cloth through ; let the machine case simply replace it with the usual hem or framing string may for your machine and binding, is do the work . Don't apply drag with proper needle . Or you may be be dispensed with on smaller kites . recommended. your right hand or pull with your using a needle that's too thick for But perfectionists will discover Here are some tips on stitching left . Either of these can break nee- the cloth; if so, try one size thin- that fraying can start after exten- techniques for applying binding dles or thread or jam the machine . ner . Or it could be the result of sive flying or heavy winds, espe- tapes . You can use either a straight A clue that something is wrong using a dull or damaged needle, cially on a kite that has flutter in stitch, eight to the inch for is when your stitches are running which you should simply replace . its trailing edge . For this reason, strength, or a zigzag stitch for much denser than usual for no Sewing with a damaged needle or if you are cold-cutting your more width of coverage . If you're apparent reason . This is caused by or an oversized or wrong point kite, you may want to bind or using the zigzag, make sure tension extra cloth drag or weight, or by can also fray the cloth on the hem the edges. adjustments give you a stitch that's too much vertical machine foot bobbin side of your sewing. There are various kinds of bind- tightened down snugly. If you can't pressure tugging on the foot/ Needle breakage or bending can ing tape . Bias tape is a narrow get enough adjustment before the feeder/needle operation . Let the occur as the fabric deflects the cloth trim in a polyester-cotton thread breaks, use stronger thread . machine, correctly set, control needle during sewing . A bent blend, in nylon or occasionally in It using a home machine, you the speed of the cloth and conse- needle must be replaced at once all-cotton . Nylon matches the may need more thread tension quently the stitch length . to prevent damaging the fabric or sheen of our cloth best, but poly- range to get through thicker An exception to the above prac- seam quality and slowing down ester is good, too . Cotton is not sewing with edge bindings . Here's tices is sewing very large panels or your sewing. suited to kites because it fades a trick that works on my 10-year- heavy fabrics . Just try a piece of A too-heavy needle used on thin and shrinks . The double-fold bias old home Singer ; it may work on cloth about ten feet square! The material will cause cloth to pucker tape has a finished edge about yours, even if it's another brand weight creates tremendous drag so you won't get a flat seam . Worse '/a-inch wide and is ready to be (check with your serviceperson) : over the edge of your sewing sur- still, it will give you a loose stitch slipped over the edge of the kite you can take the outer thread ten- face . To correct this, work on or that will weaken the seam and and stitched in place without the sion knobs and dial off. This will next to a larger table or persuade lead to a tear . The hole being use of a binder attachment on give you a few more threads of an accomplice to catch the flow- made by the needle is bigger than your sewing machine . It is good adjustment range . ing fabric and keep it off the floor . the thread . for binding around sharp curves . Also, when going around corners With practice you'll develop a feel If the needle is too thin for the Grosgrain and herringbone twill or binding more than one piece of for how much backward pull you thickness of the material you're tapes will also bend in curves but cloth together with a narrow edg- can get away with to compensate sewing, the machine will indiscrim- not as tightly unless you use a ing, you may have to inch your slightly for extra cloth weight inately skip stitches . The needle sewing machine folder attachment . way along slowly, touching the drag. It won't be much. Mel Govig thread (as compared to the bob- You can cut your own strips of switch lightly . A zigzag doesn't and I discovered this phenomenon bin thread) may also break . cloth to turn into edge binding . use quite as much thread tension when we built a 3,200-square-foot Sometimes the machine needs Use a weight of fabric about equal and can cover a 1/4-inch width or a American flag of 1 .5-oz . rip-stop adjustment of the feeder plate . to .75-to-2 .5-oz . rip-stop . Heavier curve better. Zigzag can be ripped on our home Singers . You can sometimes save time by stitching several items in succes- sion, feeding one after another through the needle without clip- ping threads until several sections are done, then clipping between sections. When you're sewing over thick seams or reinforcement bumps, slow down . Turn the wheel by hand and/or lift the presser foot as you move till you get through the thick section . Margaret Greger says that she follows the dressmaker's rule to stitch seams from the widest part to the narrowest . This means you will have less trouble with stretch- out more easily, too, if you make Grommets should never be set a mistake! If your machine has directly into fabric but should be lots of choices of stitches (with cushioned by extra material (edge cams or switches), my favorite binding tape, doubled self-fabric zigzag for rip-stop is one that or adhesive-back rip-stop) . Grom- stitches three or four strokes for mets and grommet-setting tools each zig and each zag . It's called a are a stock-in-trade of most kite- multistitch. If you like fine detail, makers. My personal preference is you can use decorative stitches in for the '/a-inch hole grommets thread of contrasting color . ('/.-inch dia. for large kites) be------cause the larger diameter spreads hemming treatments a load over cloth better than a tiny & taffeta strategies eyelet . Again, practice on scraps . be about two to three times as or repaired than a whole sail . By the way, a quickie hole (not Instead of binding your kite's wide, and about four to five times A strong way to reinforce a vent strong, just quick) can be melted edges, you can choose simply to as long, as the stick diameter . Hot or hole is to tape (Scotch or through nylon if you need a pass- hem them . Fold the edges twice cutting helps keep the edges from masking tape) a patch of fabric through for a bridle, for example . (we fanatics don't use just one fraying . Position the pocket on over the area to be cut out . Hot- Light a match, blow it out and fold), either by hand or augmented the kite and sew the two sides ; cut the patch and sail together . apply quickly to the cloth while by iron (to press the first fold) or the fold will form the bottom This will "weld" the two edges the match is still white-hot . (You by a hemmer foot . Singer used to without sewing. If the pocket is together. Sew up and remove the always have matches around to make an adjustable hemmer foot, large (over 1'h inches wide), sew tape . (Try not to sew through the seal line ends, don't you?) but you may have to scavenge the the open pocket on four sides to tape ; it may gum up your needle .) ------service department of your local the sail, then fold over the flap A similar technique calls for tips for tapes dealer to find one now . Caution : and sew on the two long sides to adhesive-back or crack-and-peel ------a hemmer foot isn't at its best finish . Although a stick can wear rip-stop, a material that is used by Techniques for loop-making can with the slipperiness of rip-stop, through almost any pocket, nylon sailmakers for repairs, quick letter- help binding tapes do double duty but will work better with the less seems to wear the best. ing and applique work. You simply on your kites . shifty taffetas, which don't hold a Where you need extra-strong hot-cut the stuff, crack the backing For example, on kites with fins crease as well as rip-stop and thus pockets, you may want to use off and stick it on . For maximum or keels, you can insert a short require you to use more refined tough nylon webbing material or adhesion, keep surfaces clean and length of tape (the width of the hand techniques . You can also ac- even leather, as Cloud Pleasers dry, and burnish the crack-and- hem) inside the hem, making a complish a double fold hem with does on its deltas. Leather requires peel with pressure using any hard, loop of about one to two inches a professional folder attachment a special needle to sew and scissors slippery tool (a screw driver handle, long (depending on size of kite) to that leaves no raw edge to show to cut, but might be worth the bottom of a glass or cup, bottle extend out from the point before even on the back of the kite . extra trouble in exceptional cases . cap, etc .) The idea is to get the you reinsert the tape on the other There's a nice zigzag finish that Nylon bindings, whether ready- maximum bond through pressure, side of the hemming . Lock stitch Steve Edeiken (on his Rainbow made or cut by yourself, work especially at the edges. Done right, across the tape in the hem . stunt kites) and Mel Govig use . well as reinforcements for holes, the patch will have a more trans- A stronger way is to use edge They run a narrow but elongated grommet mounts, bridling points parent look than if you applied binding folded in half over the zigzag stitch right along the very or load distribution tapes . You only thumb pressure . Adhesive- full outline of the keel . I do this edge of the raw (hot-cut) fabric . can also use the more flexible back rip-stop needs no sewing and by sewing the binding over the (Try it on a scrap and see what tapes to outline appliques or vents . is especially good in a hurry . Like trailing edge first, trimming it off happens .) A light cord can be run Another use for nylon edging most adhesives, it works even flush with the leading edge . Then right inside the stitch for more tapes is in modular construction better warmed up . The press of a I sew tape over the leading edge, strength . It's quick and neat for of large kite sails made of very warm (nylon setting) iron will leaving a three- to six-inch tag an Eddy-type kite, for example . lightweight ( .5- to .75-oz .-per-sq .- make more permanent adhesion . Some more tips for taffeta users : yd.) sailcloth . Parachute canopies Anytime you attach or pass a Save your scraps to use in patch- and hot-air balloon envelopes are line through your kite's sail, wear ing or repairing later, since taffeta made this way . The technique ap- and tear sets in, even where you've is more apt to tear. Hot-cutting plies especially to kites that are put grommets . To relieve all those an edge makes it easier to align made from several bolt-widths of vulnerable points (keels, ribs, spar and sew . Nylon edge binding cloth . The panels of cloth are hook points, tailor drogue mounts (which doesn't stretch) is a good sandwiched between two load- or banner mounts, etc .) you need treatment for taffeta. A very carrying nylon tapes in such away reinforcement . The easiest and slight exertion of tension on the that the panels are sewn only to fastest way I know to make a hole seam, both ahead and behind the the tape, not to each other . An ad- to accept a grommet is with your needle, while stitching taffeta, can vantage of the system is that dam- pencil soldering iron . Just melt a sometimes help with control, but age is contained to the modules, hole right through the sail with its be careful-too much or too little which can be more easily replaced reinforcing material folded over it . will make the fabric pucker . Rip- ping out stitches is easier with taffeta than rip-stop and the old seam will heal better . ------pockets & reinforcing ------One way to make pockets for kite sticks is simply to use one of the tougher edge binding tapes, such as grosgrain, about 1-to-2'/2 inches wide, depending on stick diameter . Ed Grauel suggests allowing addi- tional sail area to fold over on itself for pocketing . This is approp- riate, of course, only on heavier cloth. If you're using your own fabric strips, 2 .0- to 4 .0-oz . nylon rip-stop or taffeta is very good . The final sewn pocket should than you functionally need (up to fabric flat . By using very light two inches wide), just to really foot pressure and thread tension make the colors glow . (Be the settings, he finds that the machine first in your sky!) gathers the seam into a bead and ------"wraps" it into a very tight, the piecing route strong, almost-flat abutted seam . ------(Try it on scraps.) Sewing sections of colored fabric Mel is still discovering new appli- together makes an attractive kite . cations for this heat-welding tech- Here are some of the mechanics : nique, which can be used on rip- Start with simple stripes . (They stop as a new way of basting, to can be extremely effective .) Run temporarily and quickly join fabric them across, up-and-down or prior to setting a permanent seam . obliquely slanted on your kite . As an example, for larger kites Whatever the fabric grain, keep it and extra strength, a seam can be symmetrical . Margaret Greger says stitched about '/a-inch from a heat- that horizontal stripes seem to welded edge, while the pieces are work better than vertical for orientation) . Offset the upper still together, then the material lateral balance . Also you may piece about 3/4 inch from the edge folded flat and sewn again along- safely mix fabric weights in hori- of the bottom piece, which will side for a very strong seam. zontal stripes . Create your stripes project beyond . Fold the lower Again, the heat-welded seam by simply piecing together strips 3/4-inch edge over the upper piece conveniently holds two modules of fabric in colors you like . Almost and sew with your basic eight in perfect alignment for you when any measure from 2 to 24 inches stitches per inch . (Zigzag is easiest you sew on load-bearing tapes as works, in uniform or varying but straight stitch is stronger . described before . If a panel has to hanging off the lower end . I bend widths . In effect, you're making That's always true, but especially be replaced or repaired, you rip this back to form a sewn loop new bolts of cloth from which to here . However, zigzag's inherent the seam from the tapes on the over itself about an inch or two cut out your kite or kites . This is stretchiness isn't much of a consid- side next to the damaged section . long. It works as a good line attach- also an easy way to make large eration unless you're building a The welded seam inside can be ment point . It helps to allow an panels from smaller-width yardage really big kite .) Now, open the easily pulled apart and the new or extra inch of tape to extend into seam flat and fold the free edge repaired panel sewn back in place . for super cloud-busters . ------the kite structure at the base of A simple plain seam is fairly ade- over so the cut edges are hidden . the keel or fin to take wind pres- quate and the face of the kite is Now run a second line of stitching ideas? did you say sure off the cloth . This method neat, with no stitches showing . close to the outside edge . You now you need ideas? applied to large Parafoils, for ex- Sew straight stitches, eight per have a flat, clean and classy seam . ------ample, has another advantage ; in inch. You can strengthen this seam Now that you have made this Please indulge me while I go off transferring sail loading to the by running a second row of stitches striped stuff, you can play all on a tangent about color . Here's edges, which won't stretch as on the back to secure the open kinds of layout games with it and what I like : smashing, brassy, bril- much as the cloth, you help elimi- edges . A lapped seam, with '/4- to different kite patterns . Keep your liant, electric, vibrant, sky-bustin' nate tipsy flight caused by fabric '/a-inch overlap, is neat if the flap- kites symmetrical, of course . patterns of artistic genius you never bias in the fins . ping edges are sealed with a hot cut . Stripe yardage can be the basis knew you could do! But you can . Load distribution can be most Now, the very finest and strong- for chevrons, diamonds, Bermuda- Some suggestions : Use high con- important if you're building large est seam of all, which every good style pieced circles and more . trast-hot colors next to cools, stressed-skin kites such as flares, sewing class teaches, is the Flat Mel Govig has a system for join- bright ones next to black or white . Codys or large boxes . To prevent Fell seam. It is the strongest joiner ing these that we can learn from . Consider the medium we're fly- torn out pockets and worn out as well as the most aerodynamic He takes two pieces of rip-stop of ing in : light to deep blue sky and fabric on your kite corners and to seam because there's no drag from the same size-say, a yard by a white to gray clouds. Contrasting allow for easy stick replacement, loose edges fluttering around on bolt width . He then takes a long colors will show the kite vividly Pete lanuzzi and other proficient your kite. Kites of the Four Winds straightedge and his soldering iron against that natural background . kitemakers use tape loops at the and Cloud Pleasers make their cutter and makes four stripes (two Consider unconventional combi- corners of their kites . The tapes delta kites using this seam. It is pieces of fabric) by cutting through nations-green and red, purple can be made from folded-over not so terribly hard to make . At two pieces at once . This creates a and orange . Sound garish? You'd twill tape or strong shoelaces . the risk of repeating what you can heat-sealed edge . The heat seal is be surprised . In the sky they can Sewn into the corners of the kite, find in any sewing book, we're not strong but will hold the pieces look super! Don't always let your a few inches along the hem, leav- describing it here : together until they are sewn . Mel favorite colors prevail . Experiment! ing enough of a loop unstitched Lay two pieces of rip-stop to- sews these seams by running a For impact, cut out the backs of to accommodate the slotted end gether (wrong sides together if wide zigzag stitch right over the your kites behind appliqued pieces of a kite stick, the tapes don't get your fabric has any front/back welded seam after spreading the to let the hues glow by themselves . frayed or cut even when they Black or a dark color surrounding crash onto pavement . For large a lighter color makes the kite look kites and others for which you bigger and livelier . Even light blue want to control skin stretch, the or white are more brilliant this tape can be stitched across the way. Concentric circles (like ar- cover from the corners and then chery targets), or rainbow arrange- stitched to a stick loop to distrib- ments, composed of separate ute stress more evenly . As an bands of color, will blend together alternative to loops, the stress in the sky. You can alternate these tapes can be sewn into the kite bands with black for a contrasting cover (as far as 10 to 20% of the effect instead . sail width) . At the edge, the tapes Socko colors may not be to your can wrap over a metal ring and the taste . You can go the opposite, slotted stick inserted into the ring . quiet direction with rip-stop, too . It is probably obvious to the Use white with pastels or subtle artists among us that these edging strokes of color for dreamy effects . tapes can strengthen the kite not Here's something that hasn't only physically but visually . Dark been done yet, as far as I know : or black edge taping can separate layering of colors in kite sails. the colors to give a stained-glass- You can work with loose pieces window effect . You can deliber- of cloth in various shapes and ately select a wider dark edging colors, moving them about and taping them in place temporarily department, an art museum (check and stretch differential of a position your pieces all you want . to find combinations that please Mondrian, Matisse, Magritte), a pieced-together kite . (Rip-stop is These sprays come from several you. Some will look good in re- fabric store . Study advertising such a lightweight cloth you makers (3M Photo Mount is the flected light as well as the more graphics . There's design every place rarely sacrifice much in weight .) recommendation of Sky Zoo intended transmitted light . And you look . Let examples get you In addition, the white background Kites) and are available in artists' you can put a white or light blue started, then modify to your taste . does not weaken or change the supply stores . However, I have to cover over the entire outside with Think you can't draw what you colors ; often it intensifies hues, be fair and warn you that they the colors inside the sandwich . see? You know someone who can . like ground-glass backgrounds do emit fumes, are flammable and With .5- or .75-oz . cloth, there's Ask. Get friends involved . (I always for transparencies or slides. tend to gum up needles. You may very little weight penalty on this say kites are people-magnets . And In laying out the pattern pieces not find these drawbacks over- new pastel blending game . this goes for building them as well for your kite, be sure to allow for riding . All adhesives (sticky tape, To make the effect even more as flying them .) hems on the pieces, if you plan to spray mount, crack-and-peel) share translucent, like a frosted window- One of the best ideas is to pirate have them. (Zigzag stitching alone the gumminess characteristic. pane, wipe petroleum jelly on a designs from stained-glass pattern over appliques makes a flatter Or, you can use a hot tacker (or rag and rub it all over the cloth books . I just recently toured a kite, but hemmed edges are slight- spot tacker) . It's a lot like a pencil until the sail becomes translucent . book rack in a craft store and pro- ly tidier. To hem appliques or not soldering iron but has a finer point . With a little care, you'll get it duced a King Tut, a toucan, an is your option .) Also make allow- The sailmaker's version has a built- even. Then rub off the excess. American eagle, sailing ships, ance for interrupting elements in in spring that releases the cloth The result will be something you antique cars, cherubs, airplanes the kite, such as keels, sticks, neatly . The tool is, of course, de- haven't seen before . And you can and art deco abstract designs that pockets, binding, etc . (You don't signed for the purpose, but you continue to experiment with are screaming to be colored in want your beautiful toucan, for could, with a light touch, use the color spots, cut-outs, silhouettes . with rip-stop! Stained-glass de- example, to be suddenly narrowed sharp tip of a 25-watt pencil (Think of a witch on a broomstick- signs correlate to kite possibilities visually by a sleeve stitched down soldering iron . completely concealed on the because they are simplified yet its middle .) Where you have this To make an appliqued kite ground in reflected light but exotic . You want the minimum kind of break, just split your using a white background, draw visible in the sky's transmitted number of parts to make the pattern in a straight line over both your pattern directly on the white light . Nobody's done it yet .) maximum recognizable design at sides of the hurdle . rip-stop, using a marking or lead Let me overgeneralize about your favorite flying altitude . Once you have the parts laid out, pencil or (better) a marker in the kite decoration . Much as I admire ------stick them down temporarily with same color as the fabric piece . finely detailed applique work, it transferring a design tape (doubled-sided is easy) . Then Next, place colored rip-stop pat- looks great only if you're going to ------step back. Does the design look tern pieces under the white base . fly the kite no higher than the If you now have a pattern you right from 10 to 20 feet away? If The colored pieces will show family room ceiling . It gets lost in like (say, a stained glass window not, move the pieces like a jigsaw through, with the advantage that the sky . If you want it to stand design), don't be timid . You can puzzle till it does. you don't have to cut out the pat- out in the air, use simple patterns, enlarge it onto a kite . Those of ------tern pieces first . You hot-tack stripes, geometries or bold free- you artists with access to graphics attaching design pieces them in place by lightly touching form designs . The exceptions : equipment are in luck . Others ------around them, at half-inch intervals, more detail is dramatic if the kite may find an opaque projector at a There are various ways to "baste" with the sharp tip of a hot tacker . is big enough (as we know from school or library . If you're able to or prepare pieces of fabric for The hot-tacked points seal the the Japanese) . A strong design can beg or barter your way to using it, stitching to your sail . You can fabric pieces together smoothly hold busy elements together . an opaque projector makes enlarg- glue-stick it, tape it or hot-tack it . for easy handling when you (next) I have found simple borders ing quite easy . (Some traditionalists use pinning stitch right over the tack points . to be striking . A single color will If you can't find a projector, but I don't recommend it when Some suggestions for stitching only look as good as its shape or don't give up . Go to the time- there are better ways .) To explain : applique pieces on a kite : Sew contrast against the color of the honored graph squares technique . Margaret Greger says that glue- your parts down to the base fabric, sky at any particular moment . Lots of books describe this, but stick is the easiest method . preferably with a zigzag stitch, all While this may in fact be quite we'll risk repetition and summa- Lots of people use sticky tape, around the edges, one piece at a beautiful, the mere addition of a rize it here . Draw a graph of evenly either the standard kind or double- time. Keep the base fabric flat as black or contrasting edge can be spaced lines over the original until sided . Standard tape works well if you go . Take it slowly and care- very effective . the entire page is covered with You can try out your ideas in squares . Then draw the same num- advance without wasting expen- ber of squares on a large piece of sive rip-stop by using coloring paper, as large as practical for the markers and plain white paper. cloth you have . The squares can Draw your kite in pencil, then be any size as long as the quantity make photocopies . Fill in colors matches your original . Simply and designs until you like what draw in, on your large paper, box you see when you hold the paper by box, the design that's in each up to the light. of the original's boxes . When you Out of imagination? Look have roughly sketched your lines, around you . Walk through a wall- use a wider felt-tip marker to paper or tile store, a linen depart- blend the lines together smoothly . ment, a craft shop, a gift-wrap Then cut out the pieces and use them to make fabric parts . The kite background can be either dark or light . Dark hues you tear it off as you go through fully . With a little practice, you'll will give you an outlining effect the needle . You can use double- soon be a pro . around the design parts, like lead- sided tape under the edges of If you want to cut away the ed glass, after you cut away the your kite pieces, making sure the back of an appliqued kite, you can backing to let the light shine wrinkles are out and not in the way do it cold (with scissors) or hot through . On the other hand, light of the stitching path before you (with a hot cutter). Leave the least values, particularly white, will let sew around the edges. To help pre- amount of raw edge you can, 'i8 - the color through without your vent gumming up your machine's inch or less . How do you hot-cut needing to cut away the back . needle, take a tip from sailmakers, without going through the appli- Using a solid white background is who use 1/4-inch-wide tape . que? Roughly scissor out the back, a good approach for a design with Another sticking method uses leaving a one-inch edge . Then put many colors or intricate shapes . artist's spray mounting adhesive, a steel rule and/or curved metal Making the basic kite shape of which seems like a wonderful idea edge under the fabric for back- one solid piece of fabric avoids because it gives a nonpermanent up as you hot-cut-carefully! (The the problems of seam weakness tack and you can pick up and re- Dritz EZY Hem Gauge at about $2 .75 in fabric shops is a neat and will straighten out with flying . useful aluminum rule, straight on Sometimes you will find bargain one side and curved on the other . nylons that are soiled or wrinkled It can serve as a heat-resistant on a balloon- or sailmaker's cut- shield for hot cutting work .) ting room floor . You can salvage ------them and pay perhaps no more wash & wear kites than your washing or ironing labor . ------There are other forms of wear Rip-stop nylon is fairly easy to on nylon, such as degradation of care for . You can wash it in warm colors and cracking caused by water and hang it on a clothesline sunlight after many hours of to dry . (Don't put it in a dryer.) flight . An old, much-flown Para- Light surface dirt will come out, foil will look all cracked, like a but deep soil and stains may not . dried-out apple, but will usually Rip-stop will hold suds a long fly just as well as ever . Sand is time so that in rinsing you may abrasive on kite covers that fre- never get a clear rinse and spills or quent the beach . Rip-stop is not rain on the kite later will produce forever, but it's relatively more foam . Don't be alarmed ; most enduring than, say, washi, the kites don't seem to mind. Japanese rice paper used on kites Can you iron the stuff? Yes, it's which are rarely flown a second safe to use an iron set on the low, time. I've yet to see rip-stop ritually nylon setting. Don't use a wet burned at the beach after flight . cloth or steam as they will tend to ------stretch the fabric . Margaret Greger the rewards uses a tissue paper press cloth . Be ------careful ironing and test on a corner None of these techniques are easy when increasing ironing heat be- the first time, but they are a lot cause if it's too hot it will cause simpler than they sound . (They puckers that are well-nigh impos- are easier to do than write about, sible to get out afterwards . Puck- let me tell you!) With practice, ering is more apt to happen with though, they become easier . You lighter weight rip-stops than with grow facile in the art of translating heavier ones. The best way to from kite-seen-on-paper to living- straighten rip-stop (for instance, fabric-kite . when it comes mashed off a bolt) We've all learned there's nothing is to give it a bath in warm clear like answering a thrilled spectator's water and hang it to dry over a compliment with : straight rod . (Thanks to Cloud "Thanks, I made it myself." Pleasers for this helpful tip .) Of course, no matter how sleek the BILL TYRRELL is a well-known, kite looks brand new from your well-liked big kite man (adjective workshop, it will soon get wrin- applies doubly) whose varied talents have been expended in nu- kled when you roll it up and bag merous trades in the Philadelphia or rubber-band it. (Margaret area . Formerly involved in the Greger makes flat bags about ten manufacture of soft kites, he is inches wide, muumuu-like for kite now the steam that keeps The comfort .) Most of the wrinkling Fabric Lady going.

My heartfelt thanks go to the and to Babs for typing and caring. super people who helped (in lots Finally, I suspect that more than of ways) to bring this learning-for- a few spouses will know what I fun tool to print. I simply couldn't mean when I save my greatest ap- have written it alone . preciation for my wife Mary for First, I thank Mel Govig for his enduring a lot of disruption while constant flow of technical input . helping me keep my feet on the Others who lent me important ground when I have my head in knowledge support are Louise the clouds . Crowley, Tony Cyphert, the Last I thank Val Govig for two Edmonds Community College of things. First for her added vitamins Lynnwood, WA (in the persons of of information and tough editing Harry Osborne and Paul Doherty), work to make this whole article Judith Faecher, Doris Fithian, Fran usable . Second (and I insisted she and Mary Gramkowski (High Fly include this) for her dedication to Kite Co .), Ed Grauel, Pete lanuzzi, Kite Lines as a communicative tool Jeannette Kehl, Bruce and Carolyn that helps us all know each other . Kennington (Cloud Pleasers), Though it's a big collective Marty Lowell (Skyzoo Kites), article, all of us feel strongly that Curtis and Gray Marshall, Cathy it is just a start on the subject of Pasquale, Robert Sessions (Hood kitemaking with nylon . Do you Sails), Tal Streeter, Sallie and Nick have sewing, materials, procedures Van Sant (Kites of the Four Winds) and design tips you'd like to share? and especially Rita Siravo, who Just write to Kite Lines or to me first encouraged me to sew ("Every in the shipping and communica- man should know how to sew") . tions department at The Fabric Special thanks go to Annie for Lady. There's more to come . sharing her machine and her spirit -Bill Tyrrell with graduated color effect (see this issue's cover) . It's the result of much experience, going back to his first expo- sure to kites in 1972 . Curt had bought a J-7 .5 Parafoil and tried it out on a vacation . "I couldn't believe the damn thing would fly," he says. Fascinated, he and Gray tried to make their own . Fourteen models later, they got one that worked . Hooked by now, they began to analyze what features made winning kites . Bright colors and large sizes in deltas and box kites seemed to be winning then (about 1975) . It was Gray's concept that they combine these features -deliberately design kites to compete . Curt began calculating wing areas against weight and hit upon the combination of a delta-Conyne with a forward swept trail- ing edge . This design also fulfilled a desire to keep all the struts the same length . As the design evolved, cut-away cells were Above left, Curtis Marshall maneuvers his Flame, a Flexifoil derivative, at Ft . McHenry, Baltimore . . Below, counterclockwise : used to increase lift. A series of Marshall Right is his lobster Parafoil on display in Baltimore's Harborplace an M-12 in black-and-white checks and red crescent made as a "stop sign" for a kite shop ; Gray delta-Conynes was started . Models were Marshall offers a kite ride to his sister, Shanna ; the advantages of flying in Baltimore's harbor ; the called the M-9 and the M-12, the numbers disadvantages of same ; experimental delta-Conynes-a multicell of 1974 and a "standard" of 1976 . standing for chord length in feet. Certain construction details of the Marshall kites are innovative : ball-and- socket joints hold the spreader bar in place by wind pressure ; three-part break- downs make for interchangeability of frame parts (permitting the center third to be replaced with a stronger segment for heavier winds) ; and retaining plugs at the wing tips are held by cords that con- trol surface tension . All the parts are machined of aluminum and nylon in the fully equipped basement machine shop . Upstairs, the stitching goes on at the three sewing machines . Curt has been sewing since he was 11 years old and thinks nothing of doing kites . The prodigious Marshall output in- cludes pieced rip-stop nylon kites deco- rated with (for example) a rose, a Christ- mas tree, stars and stripes and bold geometrics . The collection also includes occasional commercial kites with logos reproduced accurately in mammoth size . Also in the series are some kites made of Marimekko cottons printed in striking graphics. The Marshalls certainly succeeded in making kites to win . However, not all their experiences at competitions have been happy ones . At the 1976 Smithsonian, Gray collected more points than any other entry, but was under 16 and ineli- gible for the top award . Another year, the Baltimore Evening Magazine television show followed Gray to the Smithsonian, only to have him fly a glorious dud, a large, experimental low-aspect-ratio Marconi-type kite that repeatedly dove to the ground . It seemed the Fates were test-

ing Gray's character . The last two years anatomically correct in every detail- have proven more rewarding for both not to mention fiercely lifelike in motion. father and son . The two have taken the Curtis and Gray are not the only family award (one of the Smithsonian's Marshalls involved in kiting . Meg, Curt's nicest ideas) each year, along with trophies wife, very much the lady but a modern at many other major events . and witty one, cares and carries . She calls The Marshalls keep careful files and herself "the caterer" (and occasionally records on all their kites "so as not to brings out the champagne), but asserts make the same mistake twice ." They are that kites are "a real plus in our lives ." always experimenting. About three years Young Shanna, age 11, has been making ago, Curtis tested a Flexifoil for a review kites since she was 6 and hasn't yet in Kite Lines. It became a model for crumpled under the high expectations of making several more, some which worked being a Marshall. and some which didn't . Gray made a Gray is presently a student at George Flexifoil in a rainbow-ray format that Washington University in Washington, performed beautifully . And Curt has DC, and his interest in kites remains in- done variations on the design such as his tense . He talks of getting a student team hammerhead shark and an abstract he together to build a Hamamatsu style kite calls the Flame. in modern materials . Curtis's most heroic project must Curt, too, says, "I'd rather talk about be his lobster Parafoil, which consumed what I'm going to do," and starts drop- 300 hours of time from start to finish . ping ideas for kite games at night that he Curt used Gray's Parafoil templates for wants to try . As the Marshall files keep the lobster but planned the fabric sec- growing, Maryland area kiters can be sure tions, tail plates and antennae to be that the skies will never be predictable .

addendum: alternate bridle kiteflying at a steep angle with maximum drag and maximum lift ; the high wind bridle was arranged for a flat angle with little drag and little lift. One flier on each line could make it nice and easy-lift the kite on a high wind bridle, shift to the steep angle bridle for a test period, and then go back to the flat angle of attack for landing . This concept worked so well that we decided to expand the application and found that it worked out admirably for Example of two independent alternate bridles the problems encountered when one is for testing/flying a delta-Conyne kite (side view) . attempting to compare two different bridle lengths, two different bridle points, By Curtis and Gray Marshall single point versus double or triple A technique which we have found to be a bridling points, and so on . lifesaver in the flying of large kites is Our old method of comparing two apparently not widely applied . Although bridle geometrics was to try them alter- we dreamed it up, it's likely others have nately-of course, landing the kite in hit on the same practical idea in the past . between . The process was slow and the In flying first our M-9 delta-Conynes winds kept changing . Next we tried two (83 square feet) and then our M-12s (148 identical kites flown simultaneously but square feet), we were often worried when carrying different bridles ; this meant winds gusted to 20 m.p.h. To protect building two kites before we were even both the kite and the kitefliers, we tried satisfied with one . Use of alternate bridles to rig for maximum expected wind circumvents these problems . speed, but this left much to be desired, as We have found the alternate bridling the kite often came down between gusts . technique quite attractive in "tuning" A two-minute brainstorming session even kites with bridles as complex as gave birth to the next natural step, which those of the Jalbert Parafoil. It is obvious, was to rig double and fly with two com- then, that the concept could be expanded pletely separate bridles and two lines to compare more than two bridle geo- alternately-a red line for low winds and a metries on one flight, but the use of more white one for high winds . In other words, than two flying lines on one kite presents "Grab the white one when in trouble!" unnecessary opportunity for trouble, and In our work with the M-12, we had the trouble is just exactly what we were try- low wind bridle arranged to tilt the kite ing to avoid in the first place . 0

MATERIALS are the arms of the compass. Three wooden yardsticks . 2 . Drill three 1/4° holes in the third yard- Three 1/4 11 bolts 1/211 long. stick at the 111, 3" and 35° marks . Using Six washers. a coping saw, cut a 1/4 11 slot from the hole One wingnut . Two locknuts . at the 3 11 mark to the one at the 35'1 mark . One felt-tip pen . One large nail . 3 . Join one side of the slotted stick to one arm by bolting through the slot to INSTRUCTIONS the remaining hole in the arm . Use the 1. Drill 1/4 n holes at the I" and 18" points wingnut for this . Bolt the other end of on two of the yardsticks . Use a bolt and the slotted stick through the hole at the locknut and two washers to join the sticks 1 11 mark to the second arm's remaining through the holes at the 1 n marks. These hole. The washers should be on the out- side of the sticks. One of the frustrating problems in design 4. To complete the compass, use some of medium or large kites is trying to draw tape to mount the pen and nail to each a big circle or arc . To solve this problem, arm, at the lower inside edge, so that I worked out the following design for a these points extend about 1 1/211 beyond large compass that can cost as little as 50d . the end of the sticks . To make the compass, I used yardsticks 5 . Finally, adjust the locknuts so that because they are free from many hard- when the wingnut is loose the arms can ware stores . Even if you have to purchase be opened and closed easily but so that them, they are only about 25d apiece, when the wingnut is tightened there is which is a good price for a straight-grained no "play ." piece of wood this size . Certainly, if ne- cessary, you can substitute wood strips USING THE COMPASS from a lumber yard . In any case, the Set the radius by spreading the arms to materials for the compass will be inexpen- Wayne Schmidt's outsize compass was the desired distance and tightening the sive . And the time investment isn't bad, indispensable in the design of his eight-foot wingnut. This compass will draw circles either-just one or two hours . Guatemalan-style kite, constructed of 203 up to 11 feet in diameter . I've found it pieces of polyester fabric. "It flies like a dream," to be one of those things that is needed says Wayne . For transportation, it folds down TOOLS to a 4'x3"" cylinder . Assembly time at the only occasionally, but when it is needed, Coping saw, drill . field is about one minute . it is indispensable . 0

The delta-Conyne has been the indepen- This kite first flew early in 1978, being a Design Workshop dent discovery/development of several much widened version of my standard kiters . * Curtis and Gray Marshall's design delta-Conyne developed the previous year . John White's has appeared in the newsletters of the San The prototype was ripped to pieces (who Francisco Bay Area Kite Flyer and the says rip-stop won't rip?) and while it was AKA News . Less well-known, perhaps, is being dragged out of a tree every "bone" HARDEC(High-Aspect-Ratio Delta-Conyne) this interesting version by John White .-Ed. in its body was broken . However, upon

repair, it flew just as well as before . For the 1979 Merton Kite Festival at Mitchum Common on the southern out- skirts of London, I constructed a three- times scale-up of it using 9-foot-long 1/4- inch dia. dowels joined by duralumin tubes for the spars and singly for the three longerons . The wing spreader this time was made from two 7 1h-foot lengths of a 1 1/2-inch dia. dowel joined by a dural tube and reinforced with a 9-foot length of 3/-inch dia . dowel bound across the middle with plenty of sticky parcel tape every time the kite is assembled . This kite won a prize on its maiden flight. It should have come out at 39-foot span, but (no doubt due to my over-gen- erous cutting out) was found by one of the judges to measure 41 feet 10 inches across . In October, 1979, it flew steadily for four hours on its 200 meters of 950-lb . test nylon cord at the Old Warden Kite Festi- val and has since made appearances at Dieppe in 1980 (where it wrapped itself ignominiously around a lamp post, break- ing two dowel sticks) and at the First Croydon Kite Festival in June, 1981 . I find Hardecs graceful, slow-moving kites that need hardly any more wind than a "pure" delta . I have yet to make a middle size version (i.e ., 61 x 261) . 7 *Documented in "You Ask, What is Delta?," Kite Lines, Winter-Spring 1981 .

For the Record New World Record for Largest Kite Is Set at Scheveningen, Holland! The following news was received by Kite Lines from Gerard van der Loo, The Hague: On August 8th, 1981, at 15 .45 hours (3 :45 p.m.), a Dutch group of kitefliers broke the Guinness record in flying the world's largest kite at Scheveningen beach, The Netherlands . At 3 o'clock, when everything was ready for launching the kite, there were about 10,000 people to watch . The team of 70 people launched the kite twice with no luck, but the third time it flew per- fectly in a gentle wind for 37 minutes . The ten makers of the giant kite decided • No framework inside the kite-so a to bring the kite down and the kite, after completely flexible one . inspection, was still in perfect condition . • At least twice the size of the famous We have the intention to fly the kite in world record kite of 266 square meters other countries also . We have been invited area flown in Shirone, Japan, March, 1980. to fly it on the 10th of October, 1982, in • The pull minimized, so the kite could be a large festival near Bristol, England, and launched without enormous equipment . we hope to be invited to come to the • Few bridles, so the trimming could be USA to fly the kite. minimized . Specifications on the kite, supplied by • A low weight (but the kite had to be Gerard van der Loo and Maarten Wijsman strong, so it could be flown more than A new world's largest kite is flown on the and confirmed by newspaper accounts, once) . beach at Scheveningen, top. Below are some of are as follows : • Relatively easy to launch . the hundreds involved in the launch . The testing model fulfilled all these 2 Name of kite : CS 550m conditions and a complete new model Reaction to the news from Holland was Type of kite : inflatable airfoil (new design) was created . immediate from the Edmonds Community Quantity of air intakes: 2 This project, in which almost 3000 College Kite Team in Lynnwood, WA. Dimensions : 32 x 16.5 x 2 .4 meters hours were invested, was realized by the This team had captured the record from (105 x 54 x 7.8 ft .) following ten persons : Han Brandenburg, Japan in October, 1980, with a Parafoil Surface area : 553 square meters Marlies van Dulleman, Cees van Hengel, said to be 3,640 square feet in area . The (1,1814.3 ft .) Gerard van der Loo, Bert van Nierop, Ben ECC Kite Team has announced that it Capacity : About 1 million liters will try for a new record in the spring of Weight : 230 kg (448 lbs .) van Roon, Wilma Stam, Gijsbert van Materials : rip-stop nylon, 2500 meters Seumeren, Harm van Veen and Maarten 1982 . Meantime, rumor has it that the (2734 yds .) Wijsman . Maarten Wijsman made the Shirone Kite Association in Japan has Quantity of drawing of the kite design for Kite Lines . new plans afoot, too . bridles : 10 Windspeed to fly : 3-6 meters/sec . (6-12 m.p.h.) Pull : 2-3 x 103kg (4400-7000 lbs .)

Further background information from Gerard van der Loo on the "CS" kite : Directly after our last year's failure to launch the world's biggest kite of 315 square meters area, the launching crew decided to create an improved version of this enormous kite . Building a kite seems to be a relaxing hobby, but as soon as a week's calculations are needed for just one shape of the wings and testing models have to be made and tested for weeks under extreme circumstances, it seems to be more a NASA-like project than a relax- ing hobby! The conditions we wanted the world's biggest kite to fulfill were the following :

Long Tails---A Long Tale reputable source, but no further corro- The first official holder of the world rec- boration has been received . ord for longest kite and tail, Richard de At the Scheveningen (Holland) kite Santis, flew a 500-foot "dragon" kite at festival in June, a longest kite contender Venice, CA, on March 22, 1980 . His effort flew and was said to measure about 1300 was the target for a rash of challenges in feet-but again without documentation . 1981 . One of the first was that of Bill All these efforts were in turn eclipsed Kocher of the Maryland Kite Society . by the kite designed and flown by Randy Bill flew a 580-footer at Fort McHenry, Joe and many friends in and around the Baltimore, on March 22 . It was witnessed Sunshine Kite Co . in Redondo Beach, CA. by seven people and documented . Helped in the making of the kite by But it turned out to be (relatively) a Frank Alonso of Spectra Star Kites, the short kite-and a short-lived one in the crew of 25-some people made two record books, too, because on May 3 at attempts and on the second flight the the Bucks County Kite Fly (PA), Scott entire 1500-foot snake was in the air for Spencer of New Jersey flew a 1,022-foot a 3-4 minute period . The winds were light nylon dragon for 9 minutes 37 seconds. that day, November 7, 1981, and another A large crowd, several newsletters and flight of longer duration will be made other documentation all bore witness to early in 1982 . (The duration requirement the achievement. Scott is now working on suggested by Robert S . Price in a previous making an improved kite . Kite Lines has come into question in this Unknown to him was the flight on connection and comments with a revised April 29, 1981, of a 1,250-foot dragon consensus will be reported in our next by Tom Henry at Marina Green in San issue .) Randy Joe's effort is provisionally Francisco, CA. The attempt was men- the new Longest Kite record, pending a tioned in Kite Flyer : Bay Area News, a somewhat longer flight . 0 and Sarah Volkman of Denver's Mile High COLORADO Kite Works captured the prize for largest NEW YORK kite with their 12-foot Waldof-type box G . William Tyrrell, Jr., reports from a trip Jim Glass writes from Boulder : . Carolyn McCullough flew the smal- kite to New York City : The Second Annual Father's Day Kite lest : dragonfly wings with a grass tail! The Festival attracted 2500 participants from Six-to-eight-knot breezes greeted the Grand Prize winner was an incredible J-30 100 or so protesting kitefliers on this the Denver metro area. Sponsored by the Parafoil made in a Madras design of over- Sunday, August 23rd, 1981 . The near- Boulder Parks and Recreation Department, lapping colors by Karin Verschoor. One perfect weather spoke well of the Brooklyn KBCO/KADE Radio and Into the Wind, of Denver's premier kitemakers, Karin Boulder's kite store, the festival introduced can always be counted upon to put a new many to the joys of mountain kiteflying kite into the air at local kiteflies and as at Chautauqua Park . The site is located in far away as the Arctic Circle . the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, nestled against the Flatirons . It gives a spectacular view of Boulder Valley-a MICHIGAN great place to fly kites! The wind was somewhat challenging May 9th saw an excellent turnout at the but hundreds of kites proved equal to the Third Annual Kite Contest and Clinic at task. Delta-Conynes (of Curtis Marshall Imerman Memorial Park, Saginaw, MI . and Hod Taylor design), rollers, octagons, Light winds didn't deter enthusiasts, dragons, multiflares and numerous deltas, who seem to be increasing in the area . with wingspans from two to twenty feet, "Next year's event will be held around soared aloft on the gentle breezes . the second or third Saturday in May," A stunning Hawaiian Ao Manu (Cloud said Sandy Langworthy, coordinator for Bird) by George Peters of Honolulu took one of the sponsors, WEYI-TV . "If your to the air like a native, enchanting every- readers should have any suggestions for one with its multifaceted colors . Brian next, we'd be happy to hear from you."

out of court ("for the birds," the sympa- thetic judge said) . Defendant Cuttitta, with his kite rolled up at his side, was Kite Club's intention to dramatize their applauded in the crowded courtroom, fight with "city hall ." where he was heard between a robbery All opposing forces were set in motion case and a rape case . Judge Becker said on July 26 by a New York police helicop- that kiteflying was "one of the few per- ter pilot and Larry Cuttitta of Brooklyn . missable and legal means of getting high The chopper pilot's case was that Mr . in New York City without breaking the Cuttitta's kiteflying was endangering his law." He confirmed that any kite under flying. One ticket later, Larry was sum- five pounds can fly to any height in moned to court to answer charges of Bill Tyrrell wrestles with his 45 x 75-foot flag, New York City . It was probably the most representing about 400 yards of rip-stop nylon, breaking what were said to be Federal dramatic hour for kiting in New York 300 hours of planning and construction work Aviation Administration regulations since Will Yolen was arrested for flying a and a mile of machine stitching . against flying a kite over 1000 feet in "Lindsay for Mayor" kite in 1963 . (Later altitude . Larry found that the FAA regs Yolen's flying was the focus for getting the two of them put the monster together applied only to kites over five pounds . the ban repealed .) in a high school gymnasium, where the To gain public support for their cause, flag covered the basketball court. With no guarantee it would work, Bill Cuttitta, Carmine Santa Maria, Arthur NEW JERSEY DeLeva and other fliers instantly formed headed to the beach, tied his line to a pier the 31-member Brooklyn Kite Club . The shadow of it was like that of a major and saw the kite and flag rise into the Santa Maria, an activist in noise abatement cloud. It was a 3,200-square-foot American sky . Several spectators from the Greater work, expertly aroused a media blitz to flag flying 200 feet above the beach at Delaware Valley Kite Society were there accompany a kiteflying demonstration in Brigantine, NJ, lofted by a Parafoil on and someone started singing the Star the Bay Eighth Street Park, between the two different weekends in September . Spangled Banner. Everyone joined in and Verrazano Narrows Bridge (900 feet high) The first occasion was recorded on the "there wasn't a dry eye in the place," and the Veterans Hospital (about 400 Philadelphia Evening Magazine TV show according to Mel Govig, whose voice goes feet high) in Brooklyn . Two TV stations and the second hit the newspapers. The a bit husky every time he tells the story . and seven newspapers showed up . name Bill Tyrrell was becoming almost a The flag may not have been the largest household word . ever made, but it was surely the largest The outcome of the hearing, as reported Weeks before, Bill had made the stripes ever flown from a kite . in papers across the nation : case thrown while Mel Govig made the stars and then News from Here & There Continues. . .

club's president, Ron Carson, from the AUSTRALIA At one kite fly, on October 4th, the well-known sculptor/kitemaker from newsletter of KFA-SA : A schedule of regular monthly flies is Japan Tsutomu Hiroi was on hand as part "The weather was kind to us with a only part of the story of the Kite Fliers of a cultural exchange program run by temperature of around 26 °C (78°F) and Association of South Australia, Inc . (in the Department of Foreign Affairs . Hiroi a gentle breeze. The best part of the after- the Adelaide area) . There are also such conducted a kite workshop and partici- noon was spent getting sleds, deltas, etc ., major events as the annual championships pated in the fly . airborne for the children, and also sorting at Victor Harbor (in sunny November), On September 20, the group attended out crossed kite lines and a few big tangles . various workshops and the Christmas a Fly Day at the Crippled Children's "I think the volunteer helpers from barbecue (in sunny December) . Association, Regency Park . To quote the the Association and the members of the KFA-SA had just as much fun as the children themselves . "As this day was such a success, we have been asked to return at a later date . Maybe we will see some of them at our regular first-Sunday-of-the-month kite flies in the South Parklands ."

CANADA

A letter from Thomas E . Cowls of Portland, OR, (father of Kite Lines Editor Valerie Govig) was full of kite news from a trip to Victoria, British Columbia : We met just about everybody in Victoria who is interested in kites . Had a nice visit with the owner (Rob Morissey)

fly stacks of Flexifoils there frequently . I had to promise to bring you and Mel to Victoria the next time you visit here . of the new kite store in Market Square. He says he has the smallest kite store in FRANCE Canada, and I believe it (only 121 x 121), Andre Mignard, Secretary of the Cerf- but, boy, what a display . He flies kites Volant Club de France, sends pictures every day . from the Paris Metro intercommunications Les Varley is quite a character. He hall . From November 3 to 15, 1980, about makes all of his kites. He will see a pic- ten of the club's finest kites were hung ture (i.e., the British Ram in your last from a tree-like display pedestal about issue) and make one himself. He does that all the time with different pictures in the magazine. He never sells a kite but gives them away to the children in Victoria . Quite a nice guy. He is an ex-jewelry and watch repairman . The Flowing Dutchman is his latest kite and it's something beautiful to behold . He let me fly it, a genuine thrill . The kite is 9 feet high by 5 feet wide and valued at $900 . There was very little wind one day so 30 meters (80 feet) underground in the Bernard Stewart and Barry Heibert "latest paradoxical stance," as Mignard hooked onto a jeep and drove around calls it. The kites would quiver in the Clover Point (the Victoria weekend fly- "tender drafts of the tunnels," geograph- ing spot) to get their kites airborne . They ically directly under the Paris Opera .