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V

They said to go fly a kite. So I did. Twice.

Both this design and the one on the following pages ended up in the

permanent collection at the Smithsonian. How stupid is that!.

Turbine Globe Kite

 

Tools required: 

X-acto or other sharp blade

White glue

Patience

 

Step 1.

Before gluing the turbine to the shaft, take a moment to match up the sequence of colors so the colors on the turbine match to the colors of the shaft. Carefully apply glue to the shaft and firmly secure turbine at one end only. Allow to dry.

Step 2. 

Slide the color disk onto the shaft. Be sure that the disk goes on the proper way (there is a top and bottom). The colors will line up, so the disk matches, in order, the colors on the shaft. Position the disk at the center of the shaft. Revolve the disk until the colors match up. (Illustration does not show turbine in place.)

Step 3. 

Now slide one turbine blade at a time

into the color disc. The colors need to

be aligned to match up. Carefully work your way around the globe until all

slots are connected.

Step 4.  

Carefully apply glue to the shaft on the unsecured end and firmly apply turbine to shaft. Allow to dry.

Step 5.  

Finally, make a yoke to fly the kite. Connect string to one end of shaft and measure out about 25 inches of string and wrap around one end of bridle. Do not cut the string. Measure out about 36 inches of the string, let this hang loose and connect to other end of bridle. Measure out an equal amount of string as other side and secure to other end of shaft. Attach kite-flying string to yoke hanging from the bridle.

Smithsonian Institute Kites

FIRST QUARTER 2003

World Trade Center Kite

 

Tools required: 

X-acto or other sharp blade

White glue

Double-coated tape

(or rubber cement style tape)

 

Step 1. 

Find medium long cross struts (A) and two short cross struts (C and D). Glue center together and wrap with string. Do this to make two sets.

Step 2. 

Open the World Trade Center Towers and on the blank side, glue the four long struts (C) to the creased edges of each paper. Be careful to center the struts, leaving 1/4 of an inch on the top and bottom. This will accommodate the two cross members made in Step 1. Repeat with other paper to make two towers. Set aside to dry.

Step 3. 

When the long struts are in place and dry, use double-coated tape (the rubber cement type is the best) and apply to the flap on the printed side. Carefully fold the two edges of the paper together and seal to make a tower. Repeat with other paper to make two towers.

Step 4. 

Stand the two towers up, next to each other, using the template provided to hold them temporarily in position. Using white glue (or glue gun), set the cross member assemblies from Step 1, atop the two towers. You will need to make two small cutouts on the two towers to allow the cross-members to nestle on top of the

vertical struts on the inside of the towers. Allow to dry. Repeat on bottom of two towers. Allow to dry.

Step 5. 

Connect both pieces (D) together. Glue and wrap with string. Allow to dry.

Step 6. 

Slide the D assembly into one of the towers, but be sure to have the black painted portion facing

out of the top. Glue to cross members and wrap with string. Allow to dry. Connect leader string (four or five feet in length) to cross members as shown in diagram.

 

If it were only this easy to have the WTC

soaring in the skyline once again.