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A
kite, the simple idea which is truly an airfoil.
The Asians have flown kites for thousands of years. There the kites are very colorful and beautifully painted.
Dragons, birds, and other creatures of flight and legend decorate them.
Attached to these wondrous kites are whistles or pipes which emit sound
as the wind blows through them.
Of course the most famous kite-flying was done by Benjamin Franklin (This was
for the purpose of studying atmospheric electricity)
A whole arena of knowledge exists on kites, being used by the military for
various experiments to plain enjoyment by the common people.
Kites should be a common site for Victorian period children, but also are
valuable for most any period, save the pre-renaissance.
So let us get started on kite making.
You will need the following:
1) two pieces of 1/8 X 3/8 which is very light. The best is a pine with a
strong, straight grain. The ratio of stick size is a crossbar is 2/3 the length
of the upright.
2) light string
3) tape or glue
4) Paper or a light covering material. The strongest is nylon, yet the simplest
is paper.
Notch each piece of wood at the ends, and tie together.
These will cross 1/4 the way down the upright and be tied together.
Stretch string through the notches to create a diamond pattern.
Lay the diamond-shaped frame on the material and cut 1" outside the string.
Fold the edges over the string, and tape or glue them down.
Let it dry.
After it has dried, turn the kite over onto its back. Stretch a string between
the ends of the crossbar and pull it taunt until you have a three inch bow.
Now on the front, glue or tape a patch of covering material over the place where
the two bars connect. Poke a hole in the patch and tie a string onto the joint.
Now you are ready to fly. On windy days, you might consider using a two inch
wide piece of material attached to the bottom as a tail. Good flying!
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