240. Belly Band Hook.]
Our 8-foot kite was made in the same way only the sticks were 3/4
inch thick, 1 inch wide and 8 feet long. The cross stick was fastened
17-1/2 inches (two-elevenths of 8 feet) from the top of the backbone and
it was bowed back 9-1/2 inches (one-tenth of 8 feet). The wire in the hem
of the covering was a double thickness of the heaviest picture wire
obtainable.
[Illustration: Fig. 241. The 5-foot Malay Kite.]
[Illustration: Fig. 242. Malay Kite with Elastic Belly Band.]
The Elastic Belly Band.
An important change was made in the belly band of the kite. The lower
strand was made elastic by tying it fast to a number of heavy rubber
bands, as in Fig. 242. When flying the kite, if a sudden, strong puff of
wind struck it, the elastic belly band would give, tilting up the lower
end of the kite so that the wind passed under; but as soon as the gust had
passed the rubber bands would draw the lower end of the kite back against
the wind. The elastic belly band had the effect of making the kite rise
almost vertically. Sometimes it would even sail square overhead. The
8-foot kite was a very powerful one. To hold it we had to use a very
strong cord, the kind used by upholsterers for tying down the springs in a
chair or a sofa.
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