By Leslie Hunt
FIG. 45. VIEW OF ONE END OF A RECTANGULAR BOX KITE
The dotted lines show strings running from the corners to the tightening sticks.
The Rectangular Box Kite represents the highest type of the kite makers' skill. There is considerable material in a kite of this kind, so naturally there is a size that has the highest rating and the best flying performance. The weather Bureaus of the United States and foreign countries agree that a height of 6 to 8 feet and a depth of about 1 /3 of the height is the ideal size for high and severe flights. The widths vary somewhat as do the widths of the paper or cloth.
The average dimensions of seven United States and foreign kites reduced to the size possible to make from orange-crate sticks are as follows:
 | Height: 26 inches |
| Width: 22 inches |
| Depth: 8 3/4 inches |
| Width of paper: 7 1/4 inches. |
FIG. 46.
TWO SQUARE BOX KITES CONNECTED IN TANDEM
If long sticks are at hand, they may run clear through the kites. The lattice bracing need not then be used.
The top cell should be divided crosswise. It is possible that some trouble will be had in keeping the sides taut with diagonal sticks alone, and since there is to be a divided cell at the top, it may be well to use six uprights and brace the kite as if it were two square box kites side by side.
In fact, some kite makers make their rectangular box kites from two or more square kites, cutting away the surplus paper after the kites are joined together. Another plan sometimes used is to stay the corners to sticks by means of strings as shown in Figure 45. Two sticks may be used instead of four if longer material is available, allowing a liberal length to project beyond each end of the kite. If the kite is to be kept set up, nothing more than carefully fitted diagonals are needed. If two square box kites are to be joined, it is better to carry them on a framework some distance apart as shown in Figure 46.
Detailed directions are not given for making this kite, since its construction does not differ from the other box kites and any thoughtful boy or girl can set it up from the dimensions and description.
The kite is to be flown flat side to the wind. A bridle loop twice the length of the kite attached at points BB is usually sufficient, although some kite makers prefer long loops running from the opposite corners of the front surface. In this case, the towing point should fall in the center line about one fourth or one fifth the distance from the top.
A kite made from the dimensions given above, using plain diagonals glued to the sticks and glued at the intersections, rated .90 ounce per square foot. It was not as graceful in flight as the bow kite, nor as responsive as the square box, still it was an excellent flier and had wonderful lifting power. Weather Bureau kites are of this style.
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU KITE
Kites are used not only for fun and sport, but are also instrumental in forecasting weather conditions.
The above kite, used by the United States Weather Bureau is equipped with a meteorograph which simultaneously records
the barometric pressure, temperature, moisture, wind, rainfall, sunshine, evaporation, etc. (U. S. Weather Bureau)
TWO VIEWS OF US WEATHER BUREAU KITE
Two views of landing a kite used by the US Weather Bureau in making forecasts
(US Weather Bureau).
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