Trilby Kites What Happend?

by Dave
(USA)

Q:

I lived in Long Beach, WA. From 1989 thru to 2000. Got my Rev 1.5 signed by Dave and one other brother at the first World Cup in lb. Anyway, cabin burned to the ground and I lost everything. P.L. comp buggy quadrifoil comp one. I was there when Gale got in to the record books by flying two stacks of 25 Trilby's. A year later he sold me one stack of 25 numbered and signed by him. I only ever did 18 though, I got 135 all wet!

Has Trilby gone out of biz or something? No one has any, and I loved flying 2 stacks of 3 one in each hand. I'm no Ray Bethell or Rodger M. but it was always a kick in the pants! Have lived in Vegas for the last 9 years - damn I miss the beach!

My kingdom for a couple of three-packs of 'em?

THANKS SO MUCH
"PEACE"
DAVE

A:

You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find anything online about the origin and manufacture of these kites! But, finally, I did turn up a reference to them by Drachen Foundation, who apparently have a pristine set of 6 in one of the collections on their kite database. According to this source...

Trilby operated out of Connecticut in the USA

These kites were designed and manufactured by a couple - Stacy and Bob Milletti

No dates were mentioned unfortunately, but Glenn Davison (AKA) tells me that these Diamond dual line kites are no longer being made.

Now, regarding finding some of these kites to fly...

Here are some online references - you could try registering with some kite forums and asking around to help get your hands on a pack of Trilby kites. (Try pasting the links below into your browser and hit Enter)

http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/565-trlby-kites/

http://jaysworks.com/kites/index.html

http://prismkites.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1277403372

There's nothing on eBay right now, which seems to confirm that these kites are no longer being manufactured!

By the way, the original spelling seems to be 'Trlby Kites' - as you can see from the site at the last link in the list above.

Good luck with your search!

Comments for
Trilby Kites What Happend?

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Jan 19, 2013

Ya! I have new trilby's!
by: Capton Bob

Just cleaned out the suburban. In the back was a box unopened, with a 6 pack and another 3 pack. Make a reasonable offer. Plastic/mylar sails. Find me @ Capton Bob, Facebook Sonora Mexico... soon! Or I'm bringing em down here. Cheers!

Oct 12, 2012

Selling My MINT collection of Trilby Kites
by: Anonymous

Hello, I have several (13) Solid Color, Rip Stop Nylon Fabric Trilby's - Never flown ~ MINT on ebay starting Saturday 10/13/2012. Just type in Trilby kite in the search bar.

Oct 02, 2012

Sail Mill
by: Anonymous

Hey yal,

Anybody know the thickness mill of a mylar trlby sail?
Thanks Gaulty

Sep 28, 2012

3 stack for sale
by: Dennis

I have a Red, Yellow, Blue 3 stack for sale. It is in good shape. No rips. All link lines are there. Have tails, handles and string. Not flown much due to lack of time. Please email me at ata2ed@comcast.net

Sep 28, 2012

Trilby Kites
by: Dennis

I have a 3 stack in good shape that I am looking to sell. It is Red, Yellow, Blue, with tails, string and handles. They were never flown much due to lack of wind in my area. There is some rust on the paper clip type connections. Please email me at ata2ed@comcast.net. thanks

Sep 18, 2012

To Mr. Claus in Germany
by: IKITE bumper stickers

Good morning Mr. Claus,

Could you please get back to me with the information regarding your TRLBY parts for sale.
I can be reached at "upupandaway37@hotmail.com".
I have quite a few TRLBY kites that are in great need of repair.

Thanks

Sep 12, 2012

Trilby Kites
by: Claus

I am just checking my old inventory of kites when reading this column. In the end of the eighties and beginning of the nineties I had some years contact to Bob and Stacey and dealed with them. It was all the time very difficult, today I think they were under big pressure... Nevertheless I still have material for trlby kites as polystyrene-sails, rods, bridles. I will check and if somebody has interest he might contact me under claus22@me.com. I am living in Germany.

Jul 11, 2012

Where can I find Trlbys
by: Anonymous

Lost my stack of 16 in a flood in 2007 now going to the beach just isn't the same! I would love to find a six pack or two. Please help!

Jul 05, 2012

Use tape for your Trlbys
by: IKITE bumper stickers

I have been using clear 2" wide tape on the ends of my Trlby's for years. Start from the face, parallel to the edge at the top of the kite and wrap it around the side to the back. This will keep the spars from popping through if you crash into the ground. It will dry out after a few months so have some extra tape handy.

I've had my Trlbys for over 22 years, and still going strong. I use them to teach newbies how to fly dual line kites. They're perfect for newbies because they won't break... ENJOY!

Jun 28, 2012

Trilby Repairs
by: Chris

I still have my triple. The problem is that the corners on the sails have come unglued. Does anyone know of a good way to reglue them or what kind of tape they used to make them?

May 29, 2012

Reply to "Anonymous" from Mar 30, 2012
by: IKITE Bumper Stickers

I should be able to hook you up with a few spare parts. Send me an email at "upupandaway37@hotmail.com" and let me know what color the center spar is where you're missing the "black T-hook" at the top. Some vertical spars are white and some are yellow. The yellow ones are stronger and are usually the first kites to a triple pack.

I dealt with Stacy Mileti many years ago and when I found out that they were going to stop production, I sort of "hoarded" some of their spare parts. Today I wish I had more.

IKITE

May 02, 2012

Founder of former Air Adventures Kite Store, Wichita, KS - 1991...
by: Lynn Shank

Catch The Wind, Lincoln City (in OR, USA) MAY have some Trlby's. SOMEONE should bring Trlby's back to life! They were a GREAT item, and we sold MANY of them when Air Adventures was open in Wichita, KS.

Bob and Stacey Mileti, Connecticut, were the originators and producers of Trlby kites. IF they could be found, that might be a "New Beginning" for Trlby Kites, and tremendous FUN for many "Kids" ... of all ages!

Abundant blessings, and Great Flying to all,
Lynn Shank, Rural Salida, Colorado, USA.

Apr 28, 2012

Confirmed - Trlby Kites No Longer in Production
by: Anonymous

You can still find them on ebay and other online sources as well. Gift of Wings in Milwaukee has a few brand new kites left in their inventory. Also, GoW has plenty of replacement parts for Trlbys.

Apr 13, 2012

Got last three!
by: David Gault

Hey Mike,

Thanks a bunch for the tip! I got the last two kites and one sail I can spar my self! You da man!

I'm still looking for 9 or so more so if I can return the help by finding any more I'll sure post a link here first! Thanks again Mike!

Fly'em From The Heart Fellows
"peace"
David Gault

Apr 12, 2012

Thank you!
by: Anonymous

I will try both those resources... I really appreciate the info!

Apr 12, 2012

Trilby Kites at Kligs Kites
by: Mike

I just bought Trilby's at Kligs Kites in Myrtle Beach, SC. And they had about 8 or 9 left. Here is their website.

http://kligbro.com/

They don't have any sets but are selling the individual kids for $29 each. The owner will make the attach lines for you if you ask when you purchase.

Was excited to find these as I flew a set 20+ years ago and have no idea what happened to them over the years.

Good luck!
Mike S.
High Point, NC

Mar 30, 2012

Trilby parts?
by: Anonymous

Hi...

I am an absolute kite amateur, but love my 3 Trilby kites. I'm looking for replacement parts for one of them...

Wondering if anyone can help? I don't even know the correct terminology, but I'm looking for the following:

-the white connecting part in the center where the dowel's meet (mine snapped off and broke)

-the black "t" shaped piece on the top of the center dowel.

Thanks for any information that might help!

Feb 14, 2012

Trilby Kites
by: Tom Callahan

Gift of Wings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a few of them left!

http://www.giftofwings.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/?E+mystore1

Call, in case the web site does not list them. (414-425-8002)

Jan 03, 2012

Trlby's
by: dcgault

I hear ya brother boy! Do I hear ya.

Thank you.

Jan 01, 2012

Trlby rules
by: Jimi

Great to see these comments, I'm a major fan of Trlbys, have about a dozen of them, from parts kits to a few that still can fly. Too bad these aren't around, this will be the end of the road for my search for them. They don't look that hard to build, maybe someone could consider a new biz.

The high tech kites are cool, but they don't have the feel or charm of a simple design that is beautiful. Flying a 6 pack is just about the most fun I've had in years. Next to the lake, flying low over the water, dropping the tails in the lake, and sometimes landing and launching from the water - too cool.

Dec 24, 2011

Trlbys
by: David Gault

Thanks so much Tim, you were a great help!

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