Here the other day I made myself a new Rokkaku for my birthday. I wanted to go through the script for the “How to Build a Rokkaku” video checking everything is right before I start making the tutorial. So I followed the script to the tee and adjusting it wherever required. And I ended up with this heavy-duty Rokkaku.
By heavy-duty, I mean the sail. I didn’t opt for the normal ripstop fabric, but I found another type when cleaning up in my basement. And this fabric is really heavy-duty! Especially when it comes to its weight. But I guess it wouldn’t be bad to try it out and maybe have a rokkaku (lifter) for those really windy days to come. So soon I had made myself a good looking, dark blue Rokkaku.
When working down in my basement I also found another interesting kite. The Subvision by German manufacturer Kites Spit Fire.
It’s a small(er) quad lined kite that merges design elements from both dual lined sport kites and quad lined kites into one interesting looking quad kite. I have never flown it before, only assembled it a couple of times, so I thought I could also give that one a spin to check out what it was like.
When I got to my flying spot I found the winds way too much for the Subvision so I didn’t get to fly that one. The Stormy however was more up to it.
Normally onshore winds are reasonably stable, but today was not quite like that. The easterly winds were quite variable making for some pretty interesting flying. I got the Stormy up there, but I was struggling to find its sweet spot adjusting both the bowlines and the angle of attack oh so many times. It was hard to make the Rokkaku sit stable up there, but after quite a bit of trial and error I kind of worked it out (and forgot to mark the settings!!! ?)
But rather than struggling with the Rokkaku, I decided to end the day by flying the A-Quad Hardcore. Perhaps the perfect quad kite for the variable and somewhat gusty winds of the day.
And now we were talking! Yes, the winds were variable and somewhat gusty, but the perfectly built Hardcore just laughed the gusts away and was sooo smooth up there! It once again proved its very good flying characteristics and as always it was a pleasure to fly.
And guess what? I even shot a video!
One Response
Never seen such a quad like the Subvision. I assume (??) the design was a result of (avoiding) the former Rev patent. I very much look forward to hear about the properties of this quad.