Page:Kitecraft and kite tournaments (1914).djvu/36

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kitecraft and kite tournaments

The bridle for a single spine and bow tailless is something attached at top and bottom of spine, or at the intersection of bow and spine, and at bottom of spine. In either case the bridle should be long enough so that when stretched out to the side of the kite while attached at the two points named, it will just reach out to the end of the bow; and at this point the kite line is attached; see Fig. 13. Fig. 33 shows a hexagonal kite. The same framework could be covered as a star kite, Fig. 34. There may be any number of points to a star kite, but most boys make the six-pointed ones. Sometimes the points are arranged as in Fig. 35, and again as in Fig. 33. Fig. 36 shows a very interesting tail for smaller star kites. Fig. 37 has another arrangement of stars for the tail. Fig. 38 shows a pentagonal kite and its construction. The bridle might be attached at one upper point and the two lower points. Fig. 39 shows an addition to the six-pointed star, in the shape of a crescent. Note that two sticks are longer, extending across the crescent, thus giving more rigidity to the surface. The outline of the crescent was made of split bamboo. In a similar manner, a broad circle could be formed about Fig. 38. See 38a.

Fig. 37.

Star and hexagonal kites are not the only members of the regular shapes with tails. The Japanese square kite, Fig. 40, which is usually rectangular in shape, has a vertical spine, two diagonal spines, and several horizontal ribs that are lighter in weight than the spines. The larger the kite, the more horizontal ribs will be required. By making