Quick Kite Project

by Ben Kickert
(Bowling Green, KY, USA)

I attempted to make my own kite without reading any directions and failed miserably.

I made a quick and dirty version of the MBK Dowel Diamond kite and was absolutely amazed at how easily it took off in even the slightest breeze.

The instructions printed here got me in the right direction, but I had to do a little bit of adjusting to get the bridle to work out okay. I found it was easier to attach the spars to a large piece of plastic and then cut the edges than to try to cut out the design first. I have several tweaks I will do when I remake this kite (like using a Prusik knot on the bow spar and redesigning how the spars attach).

Thanks so much for the help!

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		High Flying
by: V

Last day I had the fun to fly a kite from the top of a 8 storey building, and guess what it was freaking amazing. I felt like I was a 8 year old back again. Full of fun and enthusiasm. Me along with our friends, totally enjoyed it.
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starstarstarstar 		You're welcome!
by: Tim Parish

Glad to hear of your success Ben. BTW, using shoe-lace ties as per the instructions will make it very easy to rig / de-rig the kite many many times during future flying sessions.

What's next... Maybe try a Sode or Rokkaku? They are fantastic in light air too!

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  1. RC Kites

    May 16, 18 06:00 AM

    This previously published page is a little dated now. But it will still be a great read for anyone who hasn't yet come across this corner of the kiting world! Zero-string kites you could say...

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"Love the easy to understand step by step instructions, made from next to nothing materials and above all so much fun to fly... cheers Tim for sharing your well thought out pdf kite designs with the whole world.

Very satisfying making your own and watching them get air-born for the first time."

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Wind Speeds


Light air
1-5 km/h
1-3 mph
1-3 knots
Beaufort 1

Light breeze
6–11 km/h
4–7 mph
4–6 knots
Beaufort 2    

Gentle breeze
12–19 km/h
8–12 mph
7–10 knots
Beaufort 3    

Moderate breeze
20–28 km/h
13–18 mph
11–16 knots
Beaufort 4    

Fresh breeze
29–38 km/h
19–24 mph
17–21 knots
Beaufort 5    

Strong breeze
39–49 km/h
25–31 mph
22–27 knots
Beaufort 6

High Wind
50-61 km/h
32-38 mph
28-33 knots
Beaufort 7