BACKGROUND / MATERIALS
BACKGROUND / MATERIALS
The proportions for this Compound Cody are in the 1983 reprint of "The Penguin Book of Kites". There have had a number of requests for the plans and it seemed a good idea to make another with the sewing habits/ techniques I use now versus how constructed when originally built.
I have made several of the more commonly recognized Cody Bat Wing
kites and this Compound Cody flies in much lighter winds and
certainly doesn't have the lift (pull) of the Bat Wing version.
The materials needed for construction include:
Ripstop nylon, 3/4 oz. -- Approx. 3+ yds
Wood Dowel, 5/16" dia. -- 3 pcs x 48" lg.
Wood Dowel, 1/4" dia. -- 9 pcs x 48" lg.
Misc. -- arrow nocks, Fiberglass or brass tubing for the
external
ferrules, barrel beads, 1/2" dia. metal slip
rings and 10 yds of bridle line.
The panel sizes shown in the detailed instructions do not include hem allowances. The instructions explain the use of double folded bias tape instead. However, it certainly would be easy to not use the tape for the edging and add whatever hem allowances to your paper or paste board patterns.
I'm sure many "purist" kite builders would frown upon the use of
ordinary double folded bias tape; but it looks good, is easy to
use (particularly on curved panels), and allows adding different
colors to acsent edges.
As mentioned in several other plans, I have gotten in the habit of using metal slip rings on the connection loops. This probably adds unnecessary weight to the kite, but I like the idea of everything being more durable. This is also true for my use of short pieces of fiberglass tubing as ferrules to hold the ends of spars. These ferrules allow me to easily assembly the kite by myself without any arrow nocks slipping out of a ring or loop while I am at the other side of the kite, Whatever end fittings you feel comfortable using is always my suggestion.
| ITEM | QTY | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2 | 5/16" dia. x ~56" lg. wood dowel w/ an arrow nock on one end. An external ferrule is needed to join the shorter lengths together. |
| #2 | 4 | 1/4" dia. x 24" lg. wood dowel. |
| #3 | 7 | 1/4" dia. x 48" lg. wood dowel. |
| Determine exact lengths of #1 & #2 at time of rigging. These can vary, depending upon the exact dimensions resulting when sewing the panels and installing the fittings/connectors. |
Takedown and setup requires only removing or installing the 4 vertical spreaders, #2 and the 2 wing spreaders, #1. The 7 splines, #3, are kept in place, rolled up with the kite and bagged.
There are instructions for making a storage
bag with the ROK plans.
