Kite building

[BigE]

First lazy day flying! Wind was a paltry 0 to 5mph, managed a flight to tune the 5m before the wind dropped to @3mph and it just tumbled to the ground. Stepped up to the 7.2m had a bit of low wind lazy loops etc. No vid Tried using my phone but ended up with out of focus kite or just blue sky with the odd kite tip going across the bottom of the vid.

 

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/Single%20skin/HammerX2_zpst5oij1tg.jpg

[TomS]

Thanks for a great thread! I've been stalking and absorbing as much as possible.

 

Could you please explain where you are placing the strimmer line in the Melonman Mod? Would it be possible to get a copy of the latest NPW21 spreadsheet or would you please direct me to the flashplayer applet?

 

Thanks again for all of the effort, research and time spent posting it all!!!!!

[BigE]

Hi Tom cheers for the post. The melonman mod, which I've now applied to all my NPWs is something I picked up doing my latest builds. I'll try and describe it and will get a couple of pics posted up. I use a hem 1.5cm wide, when the hem is stitched down leave the top edge open (at the LE). I then slip two strimmer lines in up to the A3 point. Close the top of the seam and run a stitch between the lines. This gives support to the bridle seams. I have done my builds with the centre panel in three pieces this gives a further two seams to do the same mod with. Send me a pm with your email I'll send you a plan to look at. It's still work in progress as I'm still getting feedback on it but the plan side is sound.

[TomS]

That makes sense. Much clearer now. Thanks

[BigE]

Here we go: my 3m NPW 21 with the strimmer lines inserted in the centre panel seam, the line shown is @3mm, 2.5mm is more widely available and does the job as well.

I double checked the length I used and it is from the LE to 2cm short of the A4 position.

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/NPW21/NPWsupport_zps39wzqe4x.jpg

You can see why I changed my sewing machine, zig-zag was not very consistent and I did have a wry smile when it died, "Oh dear darling I need a new machine"

[mick]

Great thread E. Ground breaking I think the word is. Well 2 words acshirley.

[bullseye1599969050]

Great stuff. Good to hear you have not abandoned the depower option completely. Did you have a chance to try them out in your buggy yet? Would be interesting to hear how they behave when not flying static.

[BigE]

Had the 12m out a couple of times in the buggy taking it easy fine tuning and it behaves really well, only one go with the 7m in robinsonpr's buggy and was completely over powered again nothing to worry about kite wise. Now all three are setup it's roll on better weather and getting the cobwebs blown off the buggy.

[BigE]

Had a run in the buggy with the 5m yesterday, wind was above 10mph and not ideal for the field I was using, the wind was coming over the top of a slope so I kept hitting some dead spots, then hitting gusts. That said it behaves really well and can be worked right at the edge of the window, in lulls the the wing tips sometimes flutter and drop but a quick dab on the brake and they pop back out. It's very stable and for a first outing in lumpy wind am really pleased with it.

[BigE]

Here we go a little vid of the 5m in the buggy, a bit under powered but here is what I got before the battery on the camera went:

http://vid1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/Single%20skin/FirstHammerV_zpsxfsc2ku8.mp4

[BigE]

Went oop narth doing family stuff, ever the optimist still packed a couple of kites, here's a pic my son took whilst I was trying to hold the kite at the edge, gently scudding down the beach. Coastal wind is just something else

 

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/Single%20skin/StMaryII-web_zpsnl7hiug3.jpg

Edited April 13, 2015 by BigE

[BigE]

An message popped in completely from the blue, could I build a custom NPW21? Mmmm me thinks, oh go on then, a few messages later we had a design and so a new NPW21 was born and now it's sat with ParcelFarce waiting to cross the Atlantic!

 

NPW21 6m all built and fitted with a Z-bridle, my first "branded kite":

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/NPW21/web6mV_zpswl0jgbnq.jpg

[bullseye1599969050]

Did you have to use a lot of brownie points with the missus to be able to build that? Nice colours. Now you need to brand all the Hammers as well.

[lasrocas]

Jesus E you don't mess around

Is that really the same bit of ripstop I saw ?

First branded but not first signed

Looks fantastic. Again

Great colour scheme

I reckon first step to single skin domination

[BigE]

@bullseye no brownie points needed she's the muttz nuts.

@larocas yep that's the very same piece. Just think when your son is on the antiques road show in 50 years he can say and here is a true signed original...

[BigE]

This made my day, a man with that "I got me a new kite" look on his face

http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii623/Dogz-n-Mutz/NPW21/PS%20Big%20E%20npw_zps96axvigc.jpg

[robinsonpr]

Quality!!!!! Man the lettering on that looks top notch. You're proper Pro dude!!

[BigE]

it's not all about the money money, doing something personal and seeing the result is priceless!

[denny7974]

I'm a fan of your work BigE! I try to send you a pm, but your inbox is full...

[BigE]

inbox ready and waiting

[denny7974]

With the plan of BigE I made my own Nasa PengWing... It's 4.2 m^2

 

Thanks for your plan BigE!

 

First flight of the NPW21:

[lasrocas]

cool build denny

i wish i had the skill and patience to make my owm

craig

[BigE]

Nice one Denny7974! A man after my own heart, a truly unique build. Just a little more wind and you're away. Keep us updated on how you get on with it. ?

 

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[smoo]

I like the Hollow-Face_illusion

[BigE]

You been smokin' something smoo? How does it fly?

 

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