Page:Kitecraft and kite tournaments (1914).djvu/47



Box-kites were a new invention a very few years ago. People said, "No use trying to put a drygoods box up in the air," and yet something very similar in shape has been successfully used for a number of practical purposes. The box-kites usually require more breeze than the plain surface kites, but are stronger pullers, which means also heavier lifters than their lighter breeze cousins. Before entering the discussion of box-kites, it will be well to understand some terms that arare [sic] used quite generally by all kite enthusiasts. Fig. 59 is a plain two-celled box-kite; a, is the length of the kite. The framework consists of four sticks, one at each corner, and four braces, two near each end of the kite, placed diagonally across the inside of the kite from one corner stick to the other. The covering consists of two bands passing on the outside of the four corner sticks, one band at each end.

The band and space enclosed is called a cell of the kite. So this kite has two cells. The length of the cell is the same as the width of the kite and is represented by b; the depth of the cell is the same as the height of the kite in its present position, and is shown by letter e; the breadth of the cell by letter d; and the distance between cells, c, is called the vent. Nearly all box-kites require the vent, and the vent is usually wider than the breadth of the cell. Usually the two cells, the fore and aft, are the same size, but not necessarily so. No one would be seen flying a box-kite with any kind of tail unless that had a purpose in carrying out the design. The square box-kite, Fig. 60, is square in cross-section, is very serviceable for flying, and is convenient for carrying. It is usually made to fold up, and the bridle is attached to one corner piece of the frame. This kite flies diagonally in the air. It is quite easy to attach the bridle to two corner sticks of the frame, when it flies horizontally, Fig. 61. Lining cambric is good for covering and some bright color should be used; but some prefer a good wrapping paper. Chinese tissue may be used if the kite is not too large. The corner sticks stand diagonally in the corners of the kite so that the notches of the braces can fit over them, see Fig. 62. The drawing