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Query: Lines for Rokkaku

In article <1993Aug5.043445.21702@serval.net.wsu.edu> chubbard@beta.tricity.wsu.edu (Charles William Hubbard) writes:

>Could someone please describe a Rokkaku for me 

Six sided kite, pointy bit at the top. 3 sticks, 2 as cross spars
and 1 as spine. Cross spars are parallel to each other, and at
90 degrees to the spine. Think of rok as a rectangle with a
triangle on top, and a triangle at the bottom.
Cross spars are bowed. Traditional Jap fighting
kite. Also copied, and patented, by Marconi (used to hoist ariels)

>Evidentally the generate a lot of pull for their size.

No, quite a gentle kite for its size. Pound pull per square foot 
of sail is probably same as for a delta or malay, but much less than
for a soft kite.

>Are they easy to launch?  

So so. They can be a bit unstable close to the ground, so a
high start is prefered. Since the kite is rigid, you need 
to be sure that the bridle setting is "nearly" okay prior to
launch so that it doesnt crash heavily and self destruct.

>Are they easy to fly?  Are they stable in the air?

Yes. Yes. Rok is a favourite with ariel photographers.
However, rok can be set up so that it is unstable, and
therefore manoeuverable (for fighting). By taking out 
bow from the bottom cross spar you can induce yaw, and exploit
this. Rok should be considered as an all weather kite. It can
be adjusted for light wind, and for strong wind. 

>Oh yea, how do you pronounce Rokkaku anyway?

rok-ak-oo, or just rok.

I am in the process of perfecting my 2m rok. I am now
changing the x spars from ramin to f-glass. Unfortunately 
the strength of the glass broke the bow string attachment
points so I need to make new pockets. I will go thro a number
of permutations of spar material. I've used ramin dowel
but I think that it doesnt bend to well. The glass bends
but its awfully heavy. I may try "flat" strips of ramin next.
I feel that I have "perfected" the sail and the bridle
Once I am confident that I've perfected the 2m rok I'll
build a few and make them available (sell at cost).
(I think I have built about 10 roks to date, 2m and 1m.
I am happy with the 1m roks. I got 1 first and 1 second place
in the Washington round of the UK 1m rok challenge. I cant 
remember how the 2m kite got on).


Patrick searching-for-the-perfect-2m-rok Prosser
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