By Leslie Hunt
FIG. 33.
FRONT AND EDGE VIEW OF THE FROG KITE BEFORE BOWING
The small sketch above the Frog shows the proper amount of bow. Both the front and hind legs will require bow strings.
We have all observed the prominent hump in the small part of a frog's back. Turning this hump to practical use in designing a kite, we are able to make a prominent keel which with a little bowing keeps the kite steady without a tail.
Two sticks, 1/4 by 1/4 by 26 inches, and another 1/4 by 1/4 by 20 inches are required. A fourth stick may be made a little wider and 6 inches long. Arrange the three long sticks as shown in Figure 33 ; frame and paper the kite with white or light gray paper, using the V-shape reinforcements described in Figure 4 where needed. If you care to use a piece of wire for the head, wrap the wire around one diagonal, thence to the tip of the spine and to the other diagonal, wrapping and finishing off as in The Imp.
The other curves will hardly need wire. Let the toes be free to vibrate in the wind.
Thrust the remaining stick through the paper just over the intersection of the sticks, and glue and lash it fast to the sticks. Attach a string to the tip of the spine (nose) and run it through a slit in the short stick just put in place and from thence to the tail. Paper the triangle thus formed, holding it perpendicular to the surface of the kite if need be by small strips of paper or by running a string to the edge of the figure.
Color the frog appropriately with green and black spots, paint in the eyes and claws, and attach a bridle from the nose to the tail and from one fore leg to the other. There should be a bow string across the back of the kite connecting the fore feet and another connecting the hind feet. The bow should be fully 3 inches.
If a light thread is attached to each hind foot and allowed to trail to the ground, many interesting stunts may be performed giving the appearance of leaps and swimming strokes when the threads are managed by an assistant. This kite is very striking, and has great possibilities of development.
A kite, made according to the above directions weighed .98 ounce per square foot. It was a good flier.
