Making Kite Tails

For The MBK Kites

As described in some of the kite-making instructions, simple streamer tails are quicker to make. However, the following technique using plastic loops certainly works great and looks great...

By varying the width of the loops, and choosing different sized bags, you can come up with tails to suit just about any size of kite. Specifically:

• 1-Skewer kites - 2 average adult finger widths
• 2-Skewer kites - 3 average adult finger widths
• Dowel kites - 1 average adult palm width

Often essential for smaller kites, a tail improves the directional stability. This just means that the kite now has a strong tendency to point its nose into the wind when aloft.

Once you have got the knack of making kite tails this way, you can just use any kind of clear or colored plastic bags or garbage bags. Like the small blue plastic shopping bag in the photo.

Firstly, if the bag has handles, cut straight across to remove them. Then, keep cutting straight across to create rings as shown.

Accuracy is not important here. In fact, ragged edges might work better!

Throw away the handles, if any, and also the closed bottom of the bag. Now take 2 rings and loop them together, as in the photo.

Gently pull the 2 rings fairly tight, then attach more rings in the same way.

Keep going until you have the required length of tail, according to the instructions for the kite. Usually it's in terms of the kite's height. For example, 'at least 6 times as long as the kite itself'.

If a kite's tail is a bit longer than specified, that doesn't matter at all!

Now, here's a way to make the tails more efficient...

That yellow rectangle shows where I put a strip of clear (invisible!) sticky tape across the loop. This helps to hold the loop open so it drags at the airflow when the kite is flying.

Another benefit is that the tail resists 'winding up' and hence losing some of its effectiveness. Use tape on every loop in the tail.

Bear in mind that very long tails will make your kite fly lower. Making tails just long enough to keep the kite stable is the best idea!

That's all there is to making kite tails for the MBK designs. Of course, feel free to experiment with other ideas too. Combining simple streamers and loops, for example.

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