The Malay tailless kite is probably the most practical kind ever invented. It will fly in a wind that the tail variety could not withstand, and it will fly in a breeze too light to carry up most other forms of kites. It is also a strong pulling kite, and can be used for sending aloft lanterns and flags. For the purpose of lifting, the pulling strength can be doubled by flying two Malays in tandem.
Fig. 17.—A Malay Tailless Kite.
How to Make a Malay. [Figure 17] shows a Malay kite in flight, [Fig. 18] a detail of the completed kite, [Fig. 19] the completed framework, and [Figs. 20], [21], and [22] the details for preparing the frame sticks.
The Sticks. This kite has a vertical stick and a bow-stick, each of which should be 40 inches long, about ¾ inch wide, and 3/8 inch thick, for a kite of medium size. In the cutting of the sticks lies half the secret of making a kite that will fly successfully.
Fig. 18.—Completed Malay Kite with Belly-band Attached.
Drive a small nail or large tack into each end of the two sticks, to fasten the framing-string to ([Figs. 20] and [21]), and notch the side edges of the bow-stick near each end for the attachment of the bow-string ([Figs. 21] and [22]).