Page:Kitecraft and kite tournaments (1914).djvu/49

Rh represents the end of the kite, with the corner sticks stretched apart. Fig. 63 represents a part of one of the braces. String and glue are used back of the notch to prevent splitting when the strain is put on them up in the air. The braces are made just a little long so that they bow a little when in place, and this stretches the cover tight.

A word about getting the cover on the corner sticks may be in order. The distance around the kite is determined, and a band is made the right width and the right length to reach around when the braces are sprung to place. Stretch the band out like a rubber band, Fig. 64, and put in two corner sticks at a and b that have previously been glued on one edge, and allowed to partially dry until it is what is called tacky. Now the band at the other end should also be glued in place when the progress will show as in Fig. 65. Remember the glue is only on the outer edge of the sticks. Now find and mark the exact center between the sticks glued in place and fold to these two lines, and glue in the other two sticks in a similar manner. The progress made will be as shown in Fig. 66. When the glue is thoroly dry, the kite is ready for the braces and for flying. The braces might be tied together where they cross each other. A good size for the corner sticks is ″×″×36″ with bands 10″ wide and 64″ long, plus 1″ additional for the hem. This will give 16" for each side. Enough will be needed additional in width so as to allow a ″ hem for each side. Each band then will require a strip of cloth or paper 11″ wide and 65″ long. With paper bands the 1/2" should be folded over and a string should be glued inside to strengthen the edge. The braces should be ″×″×21″ from the bottom of one notch to the bottom of the other, see Fig. 62.

Rectangular Kite. The next is the rectangular kite, as shown in Fig. 67. This is a splendid kite of its kind and should have specific measurements. The two center pieces called the spines are ″×″ the corner and cross-pieces ″×″. The bands for cells are 21″ wide by 18′, with 1″ additional for the seam. The edges should be hemmed as in previous kite. The framework should be all thoroly wired in every direction as shown by drawing, Fig. 68. Little wire turnbuckles such as are sold by firms carrying model aeroplane supplies might be used, and the stretch of the wires could be taken up from time to time. A