Preface - When it was first suggested that my husband should write a book about Kite Making and Flying, I must confess that I, like the rest of my family, was very surprised. I wondered what there would be to write about. After all, making and flying a kite are quite simple operations! One has only to tie together two sticks at right angles, cover them with paper or cloth, and add a tail! Of course, one must not forget a long piece of string, called the kite line. Having done these things, one has only to throw the kite up into the air on a suitably windy day and away it flies! Or—does it?

Introduction - In the first section of the book (Chapters 1-8) instructions and diagrams are given for making 19 different kites. It will be found that some are easy to make; others require more time and skill. Again, there are several sizes, which range, for example, from the 'Small Fish' kite to the large Box kite.

This selection is offered for certain reasons. One is to help the beginner to progress from the simpler to the more complex forms. In this way he will gain skill in making and handling many different kites, and at the same time he may build up a collection of which he can be justly proud.

1. Tonking: Peg top - As its name implies, this kite is of eastern origin. It has a very simple structure, about which brief comment may be made. First, it is light in weight, because there is a broad wing or cover area with a minimum of framework. This is known as low wing loading, and it is important if the kite is to be successful in flight. Secondly, the kite is bow shaped.

2. High Flyer - There are very good reports of the flying performance of this kite. It will readily attain a good height, and being strongly made will withstand fairly rough weather. The framework is constructed of split cane throughout to give maximum strength, and the two-piece bridle and tail improve stability.

3. Star: Three-T: Fork top - This pretty kite possesses two interesting features. One is that there is a centre piece of metal foil, which reflects the light; this is an effective decorative device. The other feature is that the kite is equipped with balancing cups, to assist its flight. The cups help to produce up-currents of air which give lift to the kite. Consequently, it should do well in a light breeze. Being designed for gentle weather, the kite is lightly constructed. The framework is comparatively slender. The kite must be handled with care.

4. Festoon: Happy Man - This kite looks very attractive in flight, and is one which is well worth making. It is a combined kite, that is, two kites arranged on one backbone. It has a comparatively slender framework and needs to be handled with care.

The backbone, A, is 3 ft. 6 in. in length, and is cut from 3/8 in. square stripwood. Make halving joints, 6 in. from the top and 1 ft. 6 in. from the bottom (see Fig. 10). Make shallow grooves at points which are £ in. and 3 in. from each end and also one at the centre.

5. Butterfly - This, one of the prettiest of all kites, is quite simple to make. There is a minimum of framework and the covering is quite straightforward. It can be strikingly decorated. Altogether it is a kite you will want to make.

The framework comprises a backbone, A, and two curved pieces, B and C. For A use 3/4 in. x 1/4 in. stripwood, 2 ft. 8 in. in length. It is notched at the ends. B and C are formed from 8 mm. centre cane (round cane) as used in basketry and cane furniture. This should be soaked in water beforehand to condition it.

6. Sail: Wing: Box - This kite shows the influence of the box kite in its structure. It is in two parts; one being in the form of a triangle; the other in the form of a sail. It is designed to achieve steady flight in different weather conditions, and should be capable of attaining to a good height quickly. It is robust in construction to withstand the normal wear and tear of flying and handling.

7. Tools & materials - This chapter is concerned with the hows, whys and wherefores of the things which are used in kite making and flying. We begin with a few words about tools, of which the following are recommended.

First, a fretsaw, for cutting the small joints which are sometimes used. Second, a small hacksaw, or a small tenon saw, for cutting lengths of wood. Third, for a hammer, use what is called a pin hammer.

8. How kites fly - When a kite is flown the operator may have wondered how this is made possible. A kite is heavier than air, and yet the air supports it, just as water supports a boat. Not only that, the air lifts the kite, as it lifts the wings of an aeroplane, and so the kite climbs upwards. But it may happen that the wind tends to drive it backwards and downwards, and this is where the kite line plays its part.

9. Style of kite - The reader will find in this and the following chapters a variety of things, which he can do, to enable him to get the utmost satisfaction from kites and kite flying. These things to do, divided into sections, are as follows:

Make your own style of kite.
Be weather-wise.
Form a club.
Arrange activities.

It is hoped that the time spent in studying them will be amply repaid.

Although many different kites are described in this book, this suggestion may appeal to the reader who is keen on experimental work.

10. Weather-wise - The next suggestion for getting the most from kites is to focus one's attention on an important subject—the weather. The close connexion between kite flying and the weather is apparent to the most casual observer. There are days when conditions are ideal; there are days when they are fairly good; there are days when they are bad. And there are times when the weather varies from hour to hour.

11. Form a club - Why not forms a club? Something shared brings greater pleasure to all concerned. It is hoped that this section may serve to show the way in which to start a club, and also indicate its aims and activities.

First and obviously, a club must have members. This means talking the matter over with others who may be interested in the project. In some places, a suggestion to form a kite club would come as a new idea, and this could be an advantage.

12. History of kites - Kite flying is one of the oldest pastimes in the world. No one can say with certainty precisely how old it is, but we do know that it goes back for many centuries, and that the beginnings of the story have an eastern setting. On the latter point, more will be said in a moment. In the meantime, this may be said. In its general significance, the invention of the kite stands out as an expression of man's age-old and universal longing to conquer the air.

13. Educational - The aim of this book is to show that kites, besides having a healthy open-air appeal, have an instructive value. A few things may be said therefore about the educational aspects of the hobby, in the hope that what is said may prove to be helpful to those who have not regarded the hobby from this point of view.

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