Kites & kiting

[Queso]

whoa, that is pretty awesome.

[Turtle]

___Thank you kindly Orby! As well as the photo I found on the floppy, I found a text file of a technical description I wrote years ago for a group of kite enthusiasts. The exposition follows: :)

 

 

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: AERIAL CAMERA CARRIAGE

The aerial camera carriage is a device for

lofting a camera beneath a kite and operating the

camera shutter remotely using radio control. Its

purpose is to provide a means of producing aerial

photographs without the expense, noise, or danger

involved in using powered aircraft. A carriage

also has the advantage of portability; it can

easily be carried--along with the other necessary

equipment--to remote or otherwise hard-to-reach

locations.

 

The carriage has two main segments: the trapeze,

which guides the carriage up the kite line

and supports, stabilizes, and aims the camera;

and the platform, which is the mounting structure

for the camera and radio equipment. The carriage

has overall dimensions--without the camera--of

20" long x 20" high x 10" wide.

 

The trapeze has four components: the support

tube, the spar assembly, the support wires, and

the angle adjustment guides. The platform also

has four major components: the radio equipment,

the cable release, the cable release support

block and the camera. An illustration of the

entire apparatus is shown in Science Gallery

/Memeber's Categories/Turtle. Diagram #1

 

TRAPEZE COMPONENTS:

The support tube slides over the kite's flying

line; it serves to distribute the weight of the

carriage while it moves up and down. It is made

of aluminum tubing and measures 5/8" x 10". A

slight flaring of the tube ends allows smooth

movement along the flying line.

 

The spar assembly is suspended from the support

tube; it keeps the platform aligned with the

flying line while allowing the platform to hang

free like a pendulum. Because the platform is

free hanging from the spar, the camera angle is

not affected by changes in the angle of the

flying line. The spar assembly is constructed of

two pieces of 7/16" maple dowel--one 20" long,

the other 10" long. A fastener holds the spars

together at their centers, and tensioning strings

joining their ends holds them at right angles.

Spaced 2" to either side of the long spar, the

short spar has two shallow grooves cut around its

circumference; they provide pivot points for the

support wires.

 

The support wires--made of two 13" lengths of

1/8" soft steel--connect the spar assembly to the

adjustment guides and the platform. A one-and-a-

quarter twist secures the supports to the spar at

the pivot points. About 8" below the spar, loops

in the wires provide holes for the camera angle

adjusting screws which fasten the support wires

to the adjustment guides. At their bottom ends,

screws secure the support wires to the platform.

 

The adjustment guides work with the support

wires to carry the platform and to set the camera

angle. Loosening the adjusting screws and sliding

them up toward the spars brings the axis of the

lens skyward; moving the screws down along the

slots in the guides causes the camera to point

toward the ground. The oak adjustment guides

measure 1/4" thick, 10" long, and 3/4" wide;

screws secure their bottom ends to the platform.

Diagram #1 illustrates the adjustment guides'

locations and connections.

 

PLATFORM COMPONENTS:

 

The platform holds the cable release and its

support block, the radio components, and the

camera; it is constructed of a 4 1/2" x 5" piece

of 1/8" Masonite. Two 1/2" maple dowels attach to

opposite sides of the platform top to provide

connection points for the adjustment guides and

support wires; they appear in Diagram #1.

 

The cable release is a standard photographic

accessory having a spring-loaded flexible cable

enclosed in an outer sheath. It is 18'' long with

a screw thread at one end--for attachment to the

camera--and a plunger at the other end. The

support block is a wooden block 1/2" x 1" x 1";

it has a recess in which the cable release is

secured.

 

The radio is the type used by hobbyists for

remote-controlled vehicles. Four separate radio

components mount on the platform: the servo, the

batteries, the switch, and the receiver.

The servo is the drive mechanism used to acti-

vate the cable release. The support block is

mounted so that the plunger extends alongside the

servo. When the servo is activated by the trans-

mitter on the ground, the servo arm depresses the

plunger and releases the camera shutter.

 

The batteries, switch, and radio receiver mount

on the platform as space allows; the antenna is

positioned to hang down for optimum reception as

is shown in Diagram #1.

 

The camera can be any of several kinds; however,

some minimum specifications apply. It must

accept a standard cable release and have a tripod

mounting hole. A camera mounting screw passing

through the platform and into the tripod mounting

hole secures the camera to the carriage. In

addition, the camera should have a shutter speed

of at least 1/200 second to avoid blurring caused

by the carriage motion. Optional--but

desirable--camera features include automatic

exposure meter, a motor drive, and interchange-

able lenses.

 

USING THE CARRIAGE:

Even though each flight may require a different

approach, using the aerial camera carriage is a

challenging and enjoyable undertaking. In general

however, the procedure is fairly straightforward.

Preliminary preparations include: loading the

film, setting the focus and aperture, setting the

camera angle and direction, checking the batteries

and radio, and having a suitable wind.

 

Before launching the kite, its flying line is

threaded through the support tube. The kite is

then let out a short distance and a small pulley

is attached to the flying line. The hauling line

is threaded through the pulley and its free end

secured to the ground; both appear in Diagram #1.

The kite is then let out to the desired altitude,

which also draws up pulley with the hauling line.

(At this point, there will be twice as much

hauling line out as flying line.)

 

The carriage is now attached to the support

tube and the free end of the hauling line is

connected to the end of the long spar. The motor

drive and radio are switched on, and the hauling

line is wound in on its reel pulling the carriage

up the kite line. If no motor drive is available,

the carriage is lowered after each exposure to

advance the film. Likewise, the carriage is

lowered to change the camera angle and/or direc-

tion.

 

The kite must be large enough to lift the

entire apparatus, which may weigh nearly ten

pounds. I have successfully flown the carriage

using three different kite systems: a 15 ft.

Conyne (this type of kite was used in the early

1900s for lifting military observers), a pair of

4 ft. box kites, and a single 6 1/2 ft. box kite.

A note of CAUTION. Large kites require strong

flying lines, sturdy reels, and careful attention

to safety!

 

The choice of film varies with the lighting

conditions, the type of camera used, and the

photographer's personal judgment. I have used

print film in a Mamiyaflex 75mm twin-lens reflex

camera with fair results, but the most striking

photographs I obtained using slide film

in a motor-driven Nikon EM with a 28mm wide-angle

lens. Just as with the choices made for the other

system components, personal experience is the

best guide.

[Turtle]

___The topic of kites came up in another thread today & large kites at that. In post #7 of this thread I mentioned an article & photo I have of the bona fide World's Largest Kite Ever Flown. It is copyright by The Chinook Observer newspaper in Long Beach, WA & I E-mailed them today asking if they knew the date of the article (its clipped off my copy) & if I may have permission to scan & post it as an historical gem here at Hypgography. I hope they respond in the affirmative! :doh:

[Turtle]

___I received 1 reply from Chinook Observer giving a date, but they had that wrong. I scanned the article & sent to them for verification & permission to post.

[Turtle]

___I received a note from the Chinook Observer giving their permission to post the article & photo they published in January 1984.

 

Documentation of the World's Largest Kite (click image for readable text)

___ I have a number of comments on the article & incident.

___One error in the article is the dimensions given as 115 x 14; it should read 115 x 124 feet. Late in the article they give the correct square footage of 14,260 square feet.

___Guiness never recognized the record & the kite was destroyed in an arson fire at the community college where it was built by Harry Osborne & his students :hyper: . The team attempted to fly it several times during the Wahington Interntional Kite Festival (only its 2nd year!), but no favorable conditions prevailed. The actual flight took place after the festival ended, & few saw it. I did see the kite that day, but left before the flight & accident. They tethered the main hawser to a drump truck loaded with wet sand, & it was one of the dozens of intermediate lines that snagged Steve's foot & hauled him up over 100 feet; the wind slacked, the kite luffed, & Eric fell. In the ensuing uproar, the duration of the flight fell from attention.

___Because the festival is a family oriented business, the story of a kite death doesn't fit the image & so has languished. A toast to Steve, Harry, & all who flew the Worlds Largest Kite. :Waldo:

[Turtle]

___The World's Largest Kite is a type called a parafoil & it seems it is the preferred form for very large kites for the last several decades. From an engineering standpoint the main mistake repeated over & over in flying these behemoths is making no accomodations for an adjustable bridle. Whether remotely operated by a tether or automatic using an arrangement of shock cords, an adjustable bridle fascilitates an easier launch by increasing the angle of attack & also allows spilling air out of the kite in higher wind speeds. A tether operated bridle adds a measure of safety in that the operator may completely deflate the kite for descent or in dangerous circumstances.

___Any way the wind blows. :hyper: :hihi:

[TheBigDog]

Kites! When I was a kid my dad and a friend toyed going into the business of manufacturing big kites. Never got past the prototype phase, but it was really cool!

 

We used to go to kite contests with all four, and usually won largest kite with the smallest one we brought, a delta kite with a 10 foot wingspan. With enough wind the 14 footer flew very well too. And on a couple occasions we got the 18 foot monster up in the air. My dad had built a big hand winch out of plywood to control the line. On two occasions we got the monster, 14 foot tall box kite to fly. It was tough to get going and took several grown men to fly it. It would pull the winch along the ground and people would pile onto it to help hold in steady. We never managed to reel it in, it always managed to crash within a minute or two.

 

The most fun were the 10 foot and 14 foot kites. We used to fly them in the vacant lot across the street from our apartment complex. The first two times the police showed up when they received a number of UFO reports. I was about 8 years old and was a slight lad. I used to do what I called "kite jumping". I would straddle the 2" dowel that the 500 pound test line was attached to once all 1000 feet was out. Then, holding the line while sitting on the spool I would jump into the air and float like I was on the moon. It was fantastic. I remember making 15 - 20 foot leaps and having my dad chasing after me and laughing while telling me to be more careful.

 

Great times with kites.

 

Bill

[Racoon]

I sure hope Turtle sees this BigDog! :)

 

Your stock has just risen! :hihi:

[Racoon]

G'day back at ya Gubba! Roight yoou ahr mate!

___We have opposums, but I live in the city & they mostly get in garbage that I know; we have racoons too here. (Pacific Northwest US) We have plenty of orchards round about though; hazel nuts (filberts), apples, cherrys, & plums, but I don't know any growers or if opossums are a problem for 'em.

___I have experience in using remote control to drop teddys from a kite, but never dropped a bushie mate! Good luck. :hihi:

 

Trying to work the Quote thing, while interested in kites! :)

 

" ; we have racoons too here. (Pacific Northwest US)"

[Turtle]

... My dad had built a big hand winch out of plywood to control the line. On two occasions we got the monster, 14 foot tall box kite to fly. It was tough to get going and took several grown men to fly it. It would pull the winch along the ground and people would pile onto it to help hold in steady. We never managed to reel it in, it always managed to crash within a minute or two.

 

... I remember making 15 - 20 foot leaps and having my dad chasing after me and laughing while telling me to be more careful.

 

Great times with kites.

 

Bill

 

Sweet! I built a winch too for my aerial photography, but I staked it to the ground with long steel bolts on each corner. Rather than reel the kite in, I walked it down by using a thick glove along the line & pulling it down as I walked toward it. When I got it down, I disconnected the line & reeled it in limp. I don't have the reel or line anymore, but I have my home-built 6 1/2 foot box kite. Ity is purple & blue ripstop nylon on 3/4"x 1 1/2 " birch plywood main struts with eight 3/8" maple dowel stretchers. She's smoke damaged & torn, but flyable with some TLC. What a rush to hang on to monsters in a gale! :hihi: :bat: :) :) :hihi: :cup:

[Turtle]

Well here's some kite trivia I did not know before, and tied to earthquakes as well! Seems aerial photography from kites has been around just about since cameras.:naughty:

 

 

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/kap/

 

Just three weeks after the 1906 Earthquake, professional photographer George Lawrence snapped his famous photograph, “San Francisco in Ruins,” from a 49-pound camera raised 1,000 feet above the bay with a train of Conyne kites.

 

If you scroll down a bit on this link, you find a description of the Conyne kites.

http://www.kites.org/zoo/single/cell/cell.html

 

:confused:

[Turtle]

Unabashed Bump.:D

 

Go Fly A Kite!:)

/forums/images/smilies/banana_sign.gif

[Turtle]

I have noticed this thread getting some attention of late, so I thought I'd revisit the idea of setting a new altitude record using a single kite.

Here's a quick link to what seems the latest record:

http://www.history-of-kites.info/Record_Kite_Flights.html

 

I think a more elaborate design is called for, perhaps with expandable surfaces to deal with thinner air at high altitude and an adjustable bridle to handle the varying wind speeds.

Any ideas? Conjectures on what the limit might be? Proposals for a hoax?:shrug: :hihi:

[Turtle]

My interest is renewed here a bit, and prompted by the aerial photography. What I have in mind is to fly my video camera, a venture that somehow has escaped my attention. My kite, a 6 1/2/ box kite, for photography is torn and smoke stained, but otherwise intact. I have my sewing machine back so I plan to remove the fabric from the struts and sew it up and clean it. :bat:

 

I no longer have the carriage I used with the still cameras, but I have a simpler setup in mind. I can do entirely without the radio control and simply turn the camera on to record and get an hour to an hour-and-half of tape.

 

I still have the parachute I made as well; it gets rigged so it is deployed/deployable in the event the kite breaks up. I may just put the camera in a block of foam too. So, another project and maybe by Summer I'll be ready to fly. :cup:

 

I'm adding a poll to the thread and by all means post your kite stories and/or questions here. :hihi:

[Turtle]

Speaking of things on strings, I'm like a puppet on the strings of impulse. :hyper: I went to the garage and got the ol' girl out. She's a little the worse for wear and a couple sticks missing.

 

Main longerons are 3/4" birch plywood, cross struts 3/8" maple dowels, fabric is ripstop nylon, and the bridle is 1/4" braided nylon cord. Weight is about 4 pounds dry.

You oughta hear her sing in a 30 mph wind!

[Turtle]

Love the 'once every 100 years' vote! :hyper: I guess I'll have to vote once every ten years, as it's been that long since I flew the box. Nevertheless, for many years I could fairly have voted once a week. :)

 

So, I have the sail off now and I took some measurements. Each panel is 20.25"x33", times 8 panels = 5,346 square inches = 37.125 square feet of sail. I always just called it 'the box kite' or 'the big box kite', but now that I have her stripped down I'm naming her Beatrix (Bee for short) after one of my favorite women authors, Beatrix Terrana Goodwon.

 

The oil finish is weathered; I think I'll paint everything with acrylic paint while I have the kite apart. Needless to say, I am now resolved to neglect my other projects for at least the day. :lol:

[InfiniteNow]