The French Military Kite

A Classic Box Kite Variation

The classic French Military kite is still made from time to time by box kite and ham-radio enthusiasts around the world. Some people have called this design a cross between a Diamond and a Box kite, since the 2 'wings' do look just like the 2 halves of a Diamond. In between these 2 wings is a simple 2-celled triangular box kite. This design, shown in the graphic over there, is also known as the Pilot Kite.

Actually, there's a bit more involved in making such a triangular design rigid, if you're making one from scratch. That's interesting since a simple square box kite has more sides, so you would think it would the more complex to brace!

Names, Names, Names... Now, you might have heard of the Conyne. This is a more general term for any box kite with wings, as far as I know. Of all the winged box kites, perhaps the Delta Conyne is the most popular. Instead of the 2 halves of a Diamond, it's the 2 halves of a Delta. At least, that is the way it looks from a distance.

Ham Radio

If you thought this hobby went out with WWII, or perhaps the 60's, think again. It seems that there are still a number of keen radio enthusiasts to be found, raising up long wires to transmit and receive signals. You can probably guess what's coming next...

Yes, the French Military kite is quite suited to the task! Stable and strong. If even more lifting power is required, for example if winds are a bit too light or the aerial is heavier, more than one kite can be attached to form a 'train' along the flying line.

Of course hoisting long pieces of wire high into the sky is never done when there is any threat of lightning! My closest brush with lightning was while sitting in an office, quite close to a brick wall. All of a sudden a bolt of lightning struck and destroyed the power transformer which was located in a metal box just 2 or 3 meters (7 - 10 feet) on the other side of the wall. Can you imagine the noise! I never want to get any closer than that.

In The Shops

If you are interested in buying a French Military Kite (FMK), there are at least a couple of designs which have made their way into many of the online stores. One of these is an even more purpose-built lifting kite - the Double FMK (DFMK). Over there on the left is an image of a typical shop-bought Double.

A flat section is attached between 2 triangular 2-cell kites, for some serious pulling power. Both the Single and Double versions have rip-stop nylon sails and fiberglass spars. Perhaps the Double design sells pretty well because I had a hard time finding a decent picture of a Single...

I can imagine how that flat center section makes the DFMK more efficient than the Single, also. Our Dopero kites have that feature, and they are certainly more efficient than the simpler Roller kites they resemble.

For a unique box kite that's even less common than the Delta Conyne, why not try the FMK! Something to fly on those windier days. The FMK makes a great sight just by itself, and of course has ample lifting power to pull up long tails and tubes too. Oh, does the French Military really use this kite? Not any more, but they did use it for reconnaissance, over 100 years ago!

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Last updated: 17 Nov 2009