View source for Diamond, Eddy or Malay Kite Construction

[[File:EddyKite.png|500px|right]]
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=====Description=====

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_kite '''Diamond, Eddy or Malay Kites'''] are suitable for light to moderate breezes


Some general proportions and a basic method of construction is shown opposite.
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[[File:AngleofAttack.png|150px|right]]
<span style="color: green">'''Note:'''
Once you have finalised your '''Kite''' proportions, the '''[[Kite Design Basics|Angle of Attack]]''' can be set by adjustment of the '''Bridle'''. The normal method is to loop the '''Bridle''' over one finger and suspend the '''Kite''' upside down. The position of the finger is adjusted until the tail of the '''Kite''' hangs at an angle of 20<small><sup>0</sup></small> to 30<small><sup>0</sup></small> to the floor. 
</span>


<span style="color: green">See the '''DT Online''' article on '''[[Kite Design Basics]]''' for more information about the forces acting on a kite and how to use tails or drogues to balance them.</span>
  
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=====Materials and Construction=====

'''Kites''' can be made quite successfully using thin '''[[Basic Kite Construction|Polyethylene]]''' sheeting ''(e.g. as used to make bin liners)'' and '''[[Adhesive Tapes]]''', split '''[[Basic Kite Construction|Bamboo]]''' flower sticks. '''[[Paper and Card|Kraft Paper]]''' can also be used and even '''[[Paper and Card|Tissue Paper]]''', especially for smaller '''Kites''' and using '''[[Basic Kite Construction|BBQ Skewers]]''' for '''Spars'''.


More sophisticated '''Kites''', and most commercially available '''KItes''', use '''[[Basic Kite Construction|Ripstop Nylon]]''' or similar,  together with '''[[Basic Kite Construction|Fibreglass Rods and Tubes]]'''. Instead of fixing with tape, extra allowances are added to the '''Kite''' pattern where needed, to enable the '''Spars''' to be slotted into sewn hems.


See the '''DT Online''' article on '''[[Basic Kite Construction]]''' for more detail.


{{Packaging Designer Guide}}
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<span style="color: green">'''Note:'''</span>
* <span style="color: green">The main variable in the table below is the total length of the '''Kite Spine''' ''(set initally to 1200mm)</span>
* <span style="color: green">Almost all other dimensions are derived as a '''Percentage of the Spine Length''' ''(e.g the total '''Width''', <<span style="color: red">MaxWidthPercent</span>>, is set initally as equal to the <<span style="color: red">SpineLength</span>> - or 100%)''. </span>
* <span style="color: green">Note that either numbers or <<span style="color: red">variable names</span>> may be typed in to alter kite proportions</span>
* <span style="color: green">All '''Percentages''' initially are based on the proportions given at the start of this article but all can be changed by clicking in the table and typing in a new '''Percentage''' ''(e.g. to make a square '''Diamond''' increase the <<span style="color: red">CrossSparTopPercent</span>> to 50%)''</span>
* <span style="color: green">Refreshing or reloading the page will reset all variables to their default values.</span>

See '''[[Packaging Designer User Guide]]''' for further information.
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<dtapollonius dwg="/images/e/e9/Kite_diamond.txt"></dtapollonius>


=====Diamond Kite Examples=====

* In May 1891, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Abner_Eddy '''William Eddy'''] attached Malayan kites together to gain the height needed for weather measurements.
* In 1942, US Navy Commander [http://robroy.dyndns.info/targetkites/ '''Paul Garber'''] develops a controllable diamond kite to provide targets for gun practice.


{|
|-
| [[File:DiamondKiteImages-1.png|thumb|	William Abner Eddy, with his kite|link=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PicEddyKite.jpg]]
| [[File:DiamondKiteImages-2.png|thumb|Target Kite|link=http://www.carnetdevol.org/target/va-general.htm]] 
| [[File:DiamondKiteImages-3.png|thumb|KIte Fishing|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kite_fishing]] 
|}


{{Kite Materials Buyers Guide}}



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