Page:Kitecraft and kite tournaments (1914).djvu/105



Reels are very convenient for most kite flying and quite necessary for high flying where so much string must be let out and wound in again, but an absolute necessity for events where racing is an important feature. Many devices have been used at our tournaments and some have been very clever. A simple and effective reel can be rigged up in a kerosene box. The box is long enough to allow a seat for the kite flyer, a foot brake can be arranged, and an all around satisfactory reel can be made at light expense. Fig. 193 shows such a reel fully equipped. A portion of the top is cut away so as to expose the spool of the reel, it being necessary to see if the line is winding properly, to see if it is nearly off, and to watch for knots or entanglements. A measuring device might also be attached, similar to cyclometers used on bicycles. The end of the box is partially cut away but not the full width of the