By Leslie Hunt
FIG. 18.
FRAME OF SIX-POINT STAR
Select a straight strip that will finish to a width of 1/4 inch and to a length of 26 inches. Prepare two sticks about 1/4 inch wide and 22 3/4 inches long. Mark the long stick 6 3/4 and 7 inches from each end and the short sticks 11 1/2 inches from each end.
Slit or notch the ends of the sticks, cutting the ends of the short sticks a little deeper than the long stick. Glue and wrap the short sticks at right angles to the long one where marked, putting both short sticks on the same side of the long one. Square the intersections.
Start wrapping the ends of the sticks. Frame the kite by running a string from one end of a short stick to the farther end of the long stick and from there to the other end of the same short stick. An equilateral triangle will be formed having a stick for one side and strings for the other. Proceed in the same manner with the other short stick, adjusting carefully. The star outline is now plainly seen.
Tie and glue the intersection of the framing strings, and glue the framing strings to the sticks where they cross. If a circle is desired to surround the star, see the note at the end of this description. If the kite is to fly as a star only, finish wrapping the ends of the sticks.
Paper the kite as usual, only this time put the cross sticks next to the paper. If it is desired to use different colors, the center should be papered first, pasting the paper on the cross sticks only and allowing plenty to lap over the strings. Lay the kite paper side uppermost and paste the points on the center paper true to pattern. Turn the kite over and finish as usual. Be sure to give the kite time to dry.
The long bridle is attached to the spine, and the short bridle to the upper cross stick. An elastic bridle may be used. The towing point should be directly over the intersection of the sticks about 10 inches from the surface of the kite.
About 20 feet of 1 1/2-inch paper festoon will be needed for a tail. The Six-Point Star Kite rated .83 ounce per square foot. It was a good flier.
NOTE: Some kite makers like a circle around their star kites. It adds much to the beauty of the kite, and if carefully made, it need not alter the kite's rating or flying power very much. Bend a wire into a circle large enough to fit into the slits at the ends of the sticks. Fit it in position before the final wrapping of the sticks. Do not use too large a wire or too much force as the sticks are likely to split. No. 18 covered wire is large enough. Iron wire is superior to copper. Join the ends of the wire neatly and wrap the stick ends.
FIG. 14.
SIX-POINT STAR WITH CIRCLE The position of the wire is shown by the
dotted line. See directions for attaching bridle.
Whip festoon along the wire with needle and thread starting at the bottom of the spine. Have the wire behind the festoon when the surface of the kite is toward you. The tail will have to be lengthened about 6 feet when the circle is added.
