By Dan Beard
Fig. 38.
The Professional's Compound Kite.
Double and Triple Kite.
All of the diamond-shaped, tailless kites may be made double or triple, and will fly as well as, if not better than, the single kites.
How to Make Compound Kites.
Use a backbone or spine stick twice the size you intend your kites to be. Then on the same spine stick make two kites, one above the other, or make the backbone three times as long and make a triple kite. The courtesy of the editor of the Aeronautical Annual places before the reader this
EXPLANATION OF TRIPLE MALAY KITE.
"Spruce frame. Backbone FL is curved as shown in the upper figure. MN, OP, etc., are spruce uprights 1/2 inch X 3/4 inch and 12 to 20 inches in length, according to position. MO, etc., NP, etc., and also the diagonal lines. Are taut steel wires. Backbone is 18 feet long, 1/2 inch thick, 1 1/4 inch wide in the center, tapering to 7/8 inch wide at the ends. From K to B, 3 feet 9 inches. From B to C, from D to E, 18 inches each. GH, QR, and ST are bows are bent the bow-strings in their centers are about 5 inches from the wood. The surfaces BGAH, DQCR, and FSET are equal.
"The curves of the backbone and the three cross-bows have their convex sides toward the wind. This kite is covered with very strong Manila paper. Weight of the whole kite, 6 pounds. Textile fabric made impervious to air and moisture would make a better covering. SR, TQ, QH, RG, SQGL, TRHL, are taut steel-wire stays. The kite is bridled as follows: Find a point on the backbone between D and E 4inches from B, here attach two cords, each 2 or 3 feet long, drop them so that one will be on one side and the other on the opposite side of the wire NP, unite the ends of the two chords, and rig a chafing-gear on the wire NP, so that the cords may not be cut.
"Attach a long single cord to the cords just united. Pull taut and measure off 16 feet 3 inches from the point of attachment between D and E. Call this point on the cord W. Let the cord fall in a bight and secure W to the backbone at A. Now take four or five galvanized iron-rings and fasten them by marline to the cord, the first one about 7 feet 4 inches from A, the next about 7 feet 7 inches, and so on at intervals of 3 inches. At the end of the line from the reel place a small snap-hook. When this is snapped into the ring 7 feet 10 inches, the kite will be bridled as when last flown. Still, no two kites are alike, and it may be that better results will be obtained from a new kite if the snap-hook is fastened to one of the other rings. Be particular to preserve the symmetry in framing and covering, or your labor will be wasted."
