Fig. 474
In Fig. 473 A B = C D. C E = about ¼ of C D. F G equal about 1/3 of A B. F C = C E. A H and J K are light frames of stripwood covered with calico. The diagrams show how these kites are put together.
A Chinese Kite. The kites used in China are very light and flimsy compared to our kites, as they are made of tissue paper and bamboo.
In making one it is better to use somewhat stronger paper. The paper is cut out as in Fig. 474, the two upper sides being slightly shorter than the two lower. Leave two rectangular pieces A, A, at each end of the shorter sides. A piece of split bamboo, slightly flattened, is glued firmly to the paper from B to C. A second piece of bamboo tapering at the ends is used as a cross-piece D. This is bent as in the figure so that where it crosses the backbone, B C, it is only a few inches from the apex, B. It is tied to B C at D. Its tapering ends are pasted down to the paper by means of the two flaps, A, A. Bamboo B C should not be more than 1/3 inch in width, piece D, ¼ inch. To prevent the paper getting torn in a good breeze, tie fine cotton round the border of the kite—i.e. from B to A, to C, to A, and to B again. Paste a thin margin of paper over the cotton, enclosing it, and to the kite. This must be done so that the face of the kite is perfectly flat; it must not bag in any way.
To fly the Kite. Much depends on the way in which the 'belly-band' is tied on. Its upper string is tied to D, and the lower to the backbone, B C, almost anywhere below a line from A to A. If the two strings are very near together, the kite behaves in a more lively manner, darting about in all directions.
The kite must be coaxed into the air by a series of jerks and pulls when the apex of the kite is facing upwards. It is inclined to turn round at first and some patience is required to learn when to pull and when to jerk. If one pulls at the wrong time it will dart down and then unless sufficient string is quickly let out, it will fall to the ground.
Fig. 475
When once the kite is up, it does not keep stationary like an English kite, but is always darting about; a skilful flyer can make a kite dart down and almost touch the roof of a house at a great distance off, and then dart up again almost overhead.