By Hi Sibley www.tnimecanicapopular.com UNLESS you prefer the more compli- ‘cated designs, kites are simple to build. You need only a few sticks, string, paper and a tube of glue to build a flying kite. A few details are important. Where there are curved surfaces it’s necessary that the curves be regular, and most kites do not fly well unless you have the bridle properly attached, Some need a tail to hold them steady in the air. Figs, 1 and 2 detail the reliable tail-less kkite which has always been a favorite. The dimensions given are for a convenient size, but the same proportions should be main- tained for larger or smaller ones. ‘This kite consists essentially of two sticks tied to- gether at right angles, the shorter one bowed as indicated. A string drawn taut over the ‘ends of the sticks holds the parts in position under tension. Fig. 2 suggests four designs that may be used to decorate the kite. Note that the cross stick is six inches from the top. The sticks are joined at the center with glue and a brad and then tied with heavy thread. The cross stick is bowed after the paper is glued on. MARCH 1946 ‘DESIGNS OF 7-{covoreo pares GLUED ON www.mimecanicapopular comwww.mnimecanicapopular.com PE CLEANER The details in Fig. 3 show how to make a high-flying box kite. Be sure the corner sticks are an equal distance apart and mark the cloth covering accordingly. Note that the diagonal braces are cut slightly longer than the actual measurement so that when installed they will keep the covering under tension, Fig. 4. Fabric is glued or stitched to the corner sticks and the diagonal braces are installed last. ‘The tetrahedral kite, Figs. 7 and 8, can be built in any size. The smallest one, Fig. 7, has four units. Each side of the individual unit is an equilateral triangle. The main pyramid is made first, and then the hori- zontal members are installed, followed by the separate units. The main frame mem- bers are rounded at the outer corners with joints glued and tied. The tissue covering is glued to the individual units bottom first, lapping the edges over the framework. Unusual effects can be achieved by using paper of contrasting colors on adjacent units. The bridle is attached to the three bottom corner: It takes a little more time and care to make the butterfly kite, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, because of the several curved parts but properly made it’s a vigorous flyer an novel in design. The curved framework is made from spruce or rattan strips braced with balsa and bamboo splints. Wings are 198 www.mimecanicapopular.com POPULAR MECHANICSwww.mimecanicapopular.com Stan ne ‘BE, a @ [ALLSTICKS WK" sane Tesve cd ‘ pare slightly bowed by tension cords attached at the tips and are covered with tissue paper in the pattern shown. The left-hand detail of Fig. 6 shows how the eyes and antennae fare made, ‘The bridle is attached at points A-A. A conventional tail is required for this kite. In bending spruce wood for this type of frame the strips should be soaked in water overnight. The twin-fish kite, Fig. 14, is similar to the butterfly kite in construction, consist- ing of a curved spruce frame with back fins and part-of the tail covering fastened to string, which shapes the fish. Paper cover- ings may be hand painted or separate scales of blended blues glued to a light-tinted ground, with red eyes and gills. The kite is ‘bowed with a cord tied to tips of the hori- zontal member. It requires a tail made in the conventional manner. The star kite, Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, depends upon its deco- ration and balancing cups for novelty. The bridle is attached at four points, A-A-A-A, using two 18-in. strings at the top and two 32-in. strings at the bottom as indicated in Fig. 12. Balancing cups, Fig. 11, are open at the bottom to permit air to pass through and furnish a light drag. ‘Two easily made reels are shown in Figs. 13-and 15. One consists of a flanged wood disk mounted on a handle, Fig. 15. A hook bent from heavy wire locks the disk, The other reel, Fig. 13, is simply a piece of 1-in. pine shaped as shown and provided with handles for turning. A reel is a necessity in handling the larger kites. MARCH 1946 www.mnimecanicapopular.com 199°