Peter Powell Kite resurrection?

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[Chooks]

 Hi, I found this photo of a Peter Powell Stunt Kite and from memory this looks like a kite that I bought in 1976 or 78. I still have the white fiberglass frame but the blue plastic sail and bridles are long gone. For old time sake I would like to make a ripstop sail and get it back into the air. Could anyone help with the sail dimensions and the measurements/positions for the bridals. Both of the plastic tube attachments for the spreader are still in place on the leading edges but the nose, tail (I seem to remember it had a bit of plastic tube across the bottom of the spine) and spreader to centre spine attachment are missing.
    The spine measures 48" long     1/4" white fiberglass tube
    2 leading edges 28 1/2" long     1/4" white fiberglass tube
    Spreader measures 29 1/2" long and is 1/4" solid fiberglass
Any information would be gratefully received.   Cheers Chook

attachments older than 120 days removed to save space

[kiteking]

Well since I have 12 I suppose I could assist some. I will take some measurements and pictures tomorrow

Here is recent flight

[Chooks]

Hey that was quick. You are a legend.
Keep smilin' Chook

[Chooks]

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vientocero.com%2Fkpb%2Fplanos%2Fcervo%2Fcervo.html&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

Hi kiteking, a mate flicked this through to me. Do the measurements add up?
The cross brace I have is one piece. How does it attach to the spine and does it go on the back or front of the sail.
Cheers Chook

[mikenchico]

Back of the sail and I don't believe there is any attachment to the spine allowing the kite to form a nice dihedral.

[kiteking]

Here is what I came up with on the sail


Peter Powell was making these with plastic tubing and Strapping tape. All the kites had the same pigtails attached on the leading edge and the lower spine, one forward, one rearward. Train lines were attached to them / or for the lead kite the bridle was attached to the front set.

the strapping tape was used to secure the pigtails and the tubing. The spreader connection tubing has a brass washer on the bottom then the tape to keep it in place. The tube on the lower spine points up and to the front this is where the tails attach


The top leading edge has a 2.25 inch fold over on each side, the cutouts are 2" on the LE and 1.5" in the spine area

There is a .25" hem around the perimeter of the sail, the bottom has a 3"x2" extension that a piece of tubing was taped and rolled up for the bottom of the spine to be inserted.


the bridle has loops on each end and another short .5" loop at the fly line attach point, the finished bridle is 114" in length with the knot (of the top leg) at 56.5 inches

hope this helps

let me know if anything needs more detail


Pictures:


MikeM
Tucson, AZ

[Chooks]

Wow all the info I need to keep me busy. Maybe an easter project.
Thanks for the close up photos they are first class to illustrate what is required.

Thanks again guys and have one for me over easter.

Cheers from Auzzie.

[Chooks]

Hi. Thanks kiteking and mikenchico for the info.

   I finally got it together this weekend. The sailcloth I bought didn't want to sew on my wife's machine and I didn't want to adjust the bobbin tension with her watching. I'm just not that brave.
   I went for a black plastic membrane that is used under cement floors. It heat sealed well with the soldering iron. I used 2 layers of grease proof paper on top of the plastic to protect it . The white is self adhesive vinyl.
When it was completed the wind fizzled out completely so no test flight yet. No doubt it will be a breeze free week now.
   This should help to relive my childhood and see if it flies as well as I remember. I will work on the sailcloth some more when I get more time during our approaching winter.
All the very best,

 Chook

[attachment deleted by admin]

[kiteking]

Hey Chook,


Looks good, is that your picture on the front?

Hope you get a chance to test fly soon,


Have fun

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