Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1993 04:33:04 -1000 From: ddr@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Douglas Rogers) Message-Id: Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh Subject: Washington (North England) kite festival Report from the Washington(North of England!) kite festival ----------------------------------------------------------- Well I only got there for the Sunday, and the wind was way too high. No chance of any Indian fighter kite work, which is a shame as it IS the most skillful of the kite flying techniques. Got talking with Stafford, and he said the wind has been too strong all this year in Britain, he has only been able to get aabotu 10-15 hrs a week of flying in (!!). Somehow the flying side looked a bit tired, perhaps its me, I,ve seen too many festivals over teh years, and not done enough to get involved. Andy, of the kite store gave a good commentary, I always feel though that he is in kiteing for friends to get drunk with, to raise his own ego and his bank balance (in that order?). Display kites ------------- No doubt that the German bunch are still being inovative with their soft kites, their white bird is fabulous, as is their pteradactyl (sp?) Nothing new from Martin Lester, he is looking more bronzed than ever, presumably taking his legs round all the important festivals. But 1 good idea, however far he works it won't sustain him forever. Kite display demos ------------------ There wasn't any competition, just displays from Aircraft and the Decorators The Decorators have been flying rev's for at least 2 years, and gave up at that time flying in white (painters) overalls. My impression was that the Decorators were not as good as last year. I gather there are some new members in the group, and it shows. Not the team they once where, but their ideas are still outstanding, they did a great rendition of `Lucy in the sky with diamonds' Hope they imporove their skill level for next year. Perhaps they should start working with a different kite, like the twister. Hmmm Aircraft are new (started about this time last year) and their precision flying of north shore radicals in high wind blustry conditions was spectacular. The formation moves were near flawless, with an amazing range of flying patterns and extrordinary precision. Apparently they are training 30+ hours per week.... If you get a chance to see them then do, they are nice guys too. New developments -------------- The soft stunter field is now confirmed, the twister a kite I first saw last year, a spectacluar fully controllable 4 liner, is now appearing around the stalls, alongside quadrafoils. Looks like the Cody war kite craze is invloving more people. Didn't see much in the way of new delta stunters, though I gather Flexifoil are doing something, presumably for when their patent runs out. Buggying -------- Last year there was 1 buggy, this year a gagle of them. Clearly the flavor of the year. The most spectacular work was done with 3 8ft flexi's, handled by a real expert. (I never remember names - sorry) Having seen them and had a go, I would suggest the following points. 1) Fully soft stunt kites dominate this game, because of the size of these monsters, this will probably continue, but something will have to be done to reduce the drag on the bridle lines. 2) Upwind performance will be critical, we need some wind tunnel testing and perhaps the ability to re-format the kite shape for up-wind work. 3) 4 line kites on short lines will be required for close contact racing. Anything else will not allow the control that will be required. 4) While the main layout of buggies won't change, wheel size, chasis stifness, steering dampers etc will all improve with time. I would guess that if buggy racing gets serious, then we can be expecting to pay about \pounds 1000 for a complete set up, and possibly more for the next generation of serious racing machines. This is not going to be a cheep sport. I have the impression that there is a belief that Peter Lynn is the only one that can get it right, while he has undoubtedly made the sport possible through his work, I think his sticking to 2 lines is flawed once racing takes off seriously (which given the growing interest generated on this net, and with sailing idiots it will). This is not to discredit Peter Lynn, he clearly wants to help other designers. I had a go with a the Modulus kite a 4 line fully soft modular kite extending forma bout 1m wide to 5m wide, from Spider kites, address below (unashamed advert for a nice product). These guys are new to kites but have clearly got somethings right, the only reason I didn't order 1 is the cost - \pounds 575 for a complete set up. Others will appear on the market, and the quality of kite design will rise with it. Vibes ----- A good day, I always enjoy this kite festival, listening to bands, eating japanese food and gawping at the amazing kites while the punters are there and having a fun time when they have gone away. Douglas Note, I am NOT involved in kite making marketing or selling. ============================================ Modulus kite - availble from Spider kites The Welsh Sport Kite Centre 15 Weston Street Swansea W Glamorgan SA1 3YJ U.K. Tel/Fax +44 (0)792 456060 ============================================ -- ============================================================================= Douglas Rogers MAIL: ddr@uk.ac.ed.dcs Tel: +44 (0)31-650 5172 (direct dial) Fax: +44 (0)31-667 7209 =============== So long and thanks for all the fish ========================= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1993 00:03:39 -1000 From: puc@aber.ac.uk (Paul Crowley) Message-Id: <1993Jul7.100339.3494@aber.ac.uk> Organization: University of Wales, Aberystwyth Subject: Re: Washington (North England) kite festival In article ddr@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Douglas Rogers) writes: >Report from the Washington(North of England!) kite festival >----------------------------------------------------------- > >> > >New developments >-------------- > >The soft stunter field is now confirmed, the twister a kite I first >saw last year, a spectacluar fully controllable 4 liner, is now >appearing around the stalls, alongside quadrafoils. Looks like the >Cody war kite craze is invloving more people. Didn't see much in the >way of new delta stunters, though I gather Flexifoil are doing something, >presumably for when their patent runs out. > Is this correct? Is it true that the flexi patent is due to expire? If so, When? >I had a go with a the Modulus kite a 4 line fully soft modular kite >extending forma bout 1m wide to 5m wide, from Spider kites, address >below (unashamed advert for a nice product). These guys are new to >kites but have clearly got somethings right, the only reason I didn't >order 1 is the cost - \pounds 575 for a complete set up. Others will >appear on the market, and the quality of kite design will rise with >it. I saw these lads trying to drive a buggy with this odd-looking parafoil at a recent festival. In changeable winds (5-18mph), the thing was less than impressive as it wouldnt stay in the air long enough for a run. Seemed to collapse around the (smaller) centre section. Peels were a different story..... -- >============================================================================= >Douglas Rogers MAIL: ddr@uk.ac.ed.dcs Tel: +44 (0)31-650 5172 (direct dial) > Fax: +44 (0)31-667 7209 >=============== So long and thanks for all the fish ========================= Paul (puc@aber.ac.uk) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1993 09:36:43 -1000 From: Colin_Douthwaite@equinox.gen.nz (Colin Douthwaite) Message-Id: Organization: Equinox Networks Subject: Re: Washington (North England) kite festival Douglas Rogers (ddr@dcs.ed.ac.uk) wrote: > Report from the Washington(North of England!) kite festival > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Well I only got there for the Sunday, and the wind was way too high. > No chance of any Indian fighter kite work, which is a shame as > it IS the most skillful of the kite flying techniques. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Wow, you _are_ brave !! I hope you don't get Shot-Down-in-Flames by the Twin-Liner Bomber Crews _or_ the Anti-Fighter Defence Forces of the Mobile Beach Buggies armed with their Powerful Parafoils :-) I have not yet flown a Hi-tech Twin-Line Sport Kite but from my limited experience with Single-line Fighters I am inclined to think you may be right, although precision aerobatics must always be elusive with single-liners. They have to "Dance-with-the-Wind", and all fliers know how the Wind behaves (or misbehaves). Perhaps we should have an International Competition between the Fighter Kite Aces and the Sports Kite Champions ? Now _Who_ would be brave enough to sit on the Judges' Panel and not declare the contest a draw with honours even ? Colin Douthwaite New Zealand 7/7/93 Email address: colin_douthwaite@equinox.gen.nz = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1993 04:49:42 -1000 From: gaffer@plx.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: <1993Jul8.144942.22305@plx.com> Organization: PLEXUS Software, a division of REI Subject: Re: Washington (North England) kite festival Colin_Douthwaite@equinox.gen.nz (Colin Douthwaite) writes: >Douglas Rogers (ddr@dcs.ed.ac.uk) wrote: >> No chance of any Indian fighter kite work, which is a shame as >> it IS the most skillful of the kite flying techniques. > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > >Wow, you _are_ brave !! I hope you don't get Shot-Down-in-Flames by >the Twin-Liner Bomber Crews _or_ the Anti-Fighter Defence Forces >of the Mobile Beach Buggies armed with their Powerful Parafoils :-) Hmm... I don't know. I think that my 800lb spectra may well not last long against his $0.02 fighter flying on manja. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =