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wdrwilson · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject:

Rich and Russ,

Are the edges of the circle hemmed or edge bound? did you hem the inner circle as well?

--Bill

Russ Mozier · Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 80 Location: Glassboro, NJ

I didn't hem any edges, but it hasn't been flown either. I don't remember Lee's being hemmed. I hot cut the Ripstop from a cardboard pattern Lee sent me. The pattern he sent was for one half and was marked for the seam allowances but had no notations for hem allowances.

wdrwilson · Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:27 am Post subject:

Thanks Russ!

woodpekr · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject:

woodpekr · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject: Bridling attempt 1

I tried bridling at 3 points. 330, 30, and 180 degrees also 300, 60, and 180 degrees. The steup with the top two closer together was more stable but neither was satisfactory. I tried a couple different tails too. I tried the tow point in several different places . . .

I also tried a 4 point bridle 330, 30, 210, 150 degrees and 300, 60, 240, 120 degrees this was better tha the 3 point bridle but I still can't get it to behave even with a tail. 330, 30, 210, 150 was the more stable of the two.

With both 3 and 4 point bridles the circular kite frame was bending enough to make me think that I need a bigger vent hole. If you compare my version to Lee's my vent is proportionally smaller (guess I need a bigger pot lid).

After some thought I decided to fly it in a similar manner to flying from the wand. Two points on the leading edge. 30, 330 is more stable than 60, 300.

I used a 35 foot plastic tube tail. The kite flew surprisingly well. It flies very flat (almost parallel to the ground) when you pump the line, on the slack cycle the tail pulls the kite towards vertical and it climbs quite easily. It you give a hard tug while flying it will stall start to come down and then right itself to float back up. The times that it came all the way down it easily self launched with a couple light tugs.

The winds while doing this were 5 to 7 mph so I need to try all of this on a lighter wind day.

This is all I have for my 1st bridling attempt of this thing I'll add more as I make more attempts.

My next try will start with what I have working now. I'll add a third leg at 180 degrees and try to bring the nose up a little bit.
_________________
Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon

wdrwilson · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Rich,

Good info on the bridle...

I am a bit confused though.. In your first attempt with the 3 point bridle you used 330 (11 O'Clock) to 30 (1 O'Clock), then from the mid point of this line to 180 (6 O'Clock). Is that correct? Similar to how the della Porta is bridled, right?

The most successful bridle was a line from 330 (11 O'Clock) to 30 (1 O'Clock) and a tow point in the middle of this line. Is this line fairly short like the wanded bridle or is it long so that it comes to a sharp point at the tow point position a number of inches from the sail skin?

woodpekr · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:55 am Post subject:

wdrwilson · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:52 am Post subject:

Hi Rich,

Thanks for bringing up this cool kite...

SO after finally getting templates cut tonight I was on my way Very Happy

After a couple of hours here is the result...

Had it out in the front yard in the dark.. had a blast.. well except when it swung around and hit me in the head on a sharp wrist-snap-return Embarassed

..

That'll learn me to fly kites in the dark Shocked

Here are the particulars...

3 x 48" 1/8" Carbon rods and Ferrels (stolen from my Circoflex from OKR 2004)
1.2 m of fabric
The pattern is 45" wide and the tabs extend out 7/16" from the edge of the points. This gives a nice snug fit on the 45 7/8" Carbon circle.

The center hole is 1/3 the width of the kite at 15".

The scalloped edge was created using a thin Carbon rod like a bow setter. I just adjusted it until I saw what I thought it should look like. not too deep and not too shallow.

--Bill

Russ Mozier · Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 80 Location: Glassboro, NJ

Great kite Bill. I like the idea of using asymetric graphics. The colors on both of mine are symetrical, two colors in 90 degre segments. I think this is going to make it difficult to see where the top is when flying as a quad. I think I'll add a little applique, maybe an arrow pointing up or something like that.

woodpekr · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 am Post subject:

Looks great bill! That is a wonderful use of color!

What did you use for a template to cut the center hole? I think the 1/3 proportion looks "right".

I added some simple grapics to my rang thang so I can keep track of it's orientation in flight. I've whacked myself with this kite a number of times now so I'm getting really good at ducking. Lukily it doesnt have much mass so not much harm can be done.

Click on the thumbnail for a better look. I'm across the street from where the OKR is held every year. Spectacular weather for December in Oregon.

I made a better wand using 1/4" Carbon rod with a brass bushing glued to each end to keep the line from cutting the Carbon. It's MUCH better than PVC pipe. Still needs a foam handle though.
_________________
Rich Durant
Portland, Oregon