Hainault Forest, 5th - 6th August 2024

Monday 5th August 1:00pm - 5:00pm

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Thanks to Marian Linford for all these images.

A screen of banners was set up to 'hide' the car!

The Revs were set up to test the wind!
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The Double Malay 1994 was set up as a ground display with every hope of getting it flown!

The project was to provide a backdrop to the flight of kites made in workshops for the locals.
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The location was Hainault Forest, a Redbridge Borough facility and the project was under The Arts Council England funding for local Arts Projects.

"Fly High, Shine Bright" kiting event organised by Colours of Redbridge
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There were occasions when it was clear that the Double Malay was ready to fly but there was a sense of saving it for later in the proceedings. Unfortunately, when a flight was attempted the breeze proved not quite adeaquate.
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A lot of effort went into putting the Double Malay together so it was quite disappointing that having parked it safely after the failed launch attempt there was a cascading failure of cross spars during one of the stronger gusts of wind.
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A similar situation arose with the 1990 Parafoil but after a number of attempts at launching there was success just as the event film crew made their way to our area. We'll be interested to see if any video is published.
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A secondary tow line was set on the parafoil and used to bring the kite back into the designated area and land it when it became apparent that the line loading was uncomfortably high.
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It was the 3m Rokkaku kites that provided the mainstay of our activity on Monday even if they were height limited by blustery conditions close to the 100ft/30m ceiling. The top bridles were shortened to mitigate the effect of the higher than optimal wind speed.
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There was some bridle line trickery going on at this moment.

A small flight of the Revs concluded proceedings on Monday.
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Tuesday 6th August 1:00pm - 3:00pm (rain curtailed)

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A heavier line was set for the Parafoil on Tuesday and both Rokkaku kites were set up ready.
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The late Delta with its heavy spars was prepared and flew much of the time throught to 3:00pm when the event closed due to the persistent heavy drizzle that started soon after 1:30pm.
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Flying the Delta on 5mm polyester worked well with the 100ft/30m marked line. The wet line did not generate friction heat so could be run through the hands freely. The heavy spars coped with the abrupt changes in effective wind speed and despite the damp it was a pleasure to fly the kite.
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Thoughts of lighter spars should be tempered with the knowledge that there may be occasions for the heavy versions.

The Rokkaku kites and Parafoil had been stowed under the tarpaulin at the onset of the drizzle.
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August 2024
Felix Mottram