KITE PLAN - WINGED BOX

John Maxworthy, Long Island, NY
Date: January 14, '97
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BACKGROUND / MATERIALS

I like this kite. Maybe it is also the graphics with the triangles, but it is a reliable flier with good wind range. I think the space (openings) between the panels act as "vents" to give it excellent stability regardless of how the wind is behaving.
If you decide to construct this kite, I suggest you save the individuals images (On my browser, click the right mouse buttom over any image and save) to later print the image from a saved file. After printing, just use the 20-23 sheets of images as a manual.

The materials needed for construction include:
Ripstop nylon, 3/4 oz. -- 5 yds @ 40 in. wide
Wood Dowel, 1/4" dia. -- 6 pcs x 48" lg.
Wood Dowel, 5/16" dia. -- 12 pcs x 48" lg.
Misc. -- arrow nocks, Fg or brass tubing for the external ferrules, barrel beads, 1/2" dia. metal slip rings, and 20+ ft. of line for the bridle and some of the connection points.

PANEL ID AND SEWING STEPS


Click and transfer to the details for
SEWING THE TOP SECTION or SEWING THE BOTTOM SECTION.

This kite seemed at times an endless exercise in sewing the 47 panels, but the saving grace is the sewing is all on similar, straight panels and you get into a routine after starting.

Before the panel cutting and sewing steps would be the planning of the graphics or panel colors. As suggested in the Kite Plan Index, this planning could use Paint Shop Pro or Windows Paintbrush.

FITTINGS AND CONNECTIONS

I have gotten in the habit of using a lot of metal slip rings and short lengths of FG tubing for spar holders and then bead tensioners opposite these spar holders. This probably adds unnecessary weight to the kite, but I like the idea of everything being more durable plus this arrangement always allows me to setup any size kite by myself. Whatever end fittings you feel comfortable using is always my suggestion.

SPAR/ SPLINE ID AND DETAILS

ITEMQTYDESCRIPTION
#111/4" dia. x ~59" lg. wood dowel w/ arrow nocks on each end.
#241/4" dia. x ~45" lg. wood dowel w/ arrow nocks on each end.
#365/16" dia. x ~74" lg. wood dowel w/ arrow nock on one end and ferrule for disassembly.


Determine exact lengths at time of rigging.

BRIDLE & SETUP

The towpoint is selected on Line C depending on the wind conditions.

Takedown and setup requires only removing or installing the 6 cross spars, #3. Remember to slip them through the spar guides as shown above in Step #2 of the Fititngs/ Connectors section. The splines, #1 & #2, are kept in place when bagged and transported.

There are instructions for making a storage bag with the ROK plans.


VARIATIONS

The basic unit of this kite is shown above with three of these units comprising the winged box. I would think many variations of this unit would work, ie. more in-line, stacked on top of each other and along side each other.

The space between the vents seems to really stablize this kite in flight, so this characteristic I'm believe would allow these different variations alot of error on length/ width ratio or whatever other flight ratios are important. Then again, I haven't tried these variations and what do I know..........

You can reach me by e-mail at: jmaxworthy@sprynet.com

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http://www.home.sprynet.com/sprynet/jmaxworthy/wb-plan.htm