The Decorators Team Fliers
Felix Mottram
Peter Malinski Hexagonal Train restoration
Bridle Fixing Points, June 2022.
We had suspected that the fixing points were a safety release if the sails were overpowered and this proved to be the case when we attempted to set up the sails in a strong breeze at Cardigan, June 25th 2022.
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In preparation for attending to the central bridle points the set was untied on the lower edges and folded back to the first unbroken bridle point.
The felt pads on some of the centre fittings had not been noticed previously!
Some of the centre fittings look fragile.
The plug was not difficult to remove.
The bridle line is just folded over the tip of the plug.
The plug appears to be 6mm dowel and this one looks as if it was cut from a fluted version.
One was cut and fitted and then a few more were made and some fluted hardwood dowels ordered.
A jig was made to cut down the 6 x 30mm fluted dowels.
The main lines had been tied on the field and the bridle lines were looped in. In order to find the un-attached bridle loops everything had to be untied, not least, the apparent knots.
Hammering the plugs in 'felt' very positive. Given that the originals have been in place for 30 years or more it seems sensible to replace them all...
Restoration Work, January 2021.
50 spar pockets were sewn as at January 19th 2021 before the repair works commenced.
The pockets were shaped to provide the spar opening.
The folded dacron was trimmed after sewing either side by about 3mm.
The pockets were shaped to provide the spar opening.
The folded dacron was trimmed after sewing either side by about 3mm.
Preparation for pocket repairs.
The main flying lines have been looped and secured.
The main tying bar is tied to the leading kite for transit.
The main flying lines have been looped and secured.
The main tying bar is tied to the leading kite for transit.
Signature kite appears at the end of this set of sails.
One yellow sail is missing and so a white and grey version will be made, like the pilot kite, to replace the missing element.
One yellow sail is missing and so a white and grey version will be made, like the pilot kite, to replace the missing element.
Secured insert.
Split rings replaced and sails secured.
10 original spars were replaced with new ones and then the kites were prepared for the the final fixes to this set as at 30th January 2021.
Silver gaffer tape marks final repair points for flying line attachment and punctured spar pocket.
Silver gaffer tape marks final repair points for flying line attachment and punctured spar pocket.
It was actually quite straightforwards to access the final two pockets. The stack can be folded open like a book.
The main line fixing point has been made ready to re-attach the line.
The main line fixing point has been made ready to re-attach the line.
The last kite in the second stack is also a signature kite. The pilot kite attachment is quite substantial as are the connecting rings to the lower stack.
The second set were in better condition, only two pocket repairs, but no split rings are in place for tail attachment.
The second set were in better condition, only two pocket repairs, but no split rings are in place for tail attachment.
Split rings all fitted as at 24th February 2021.
Tails checked and tied individually. Clips still to be checked and fitted.
Replacement Sail, preparation.
Trial fit, centre fitting still to be cut and drilled.
10cm x 150cm lengths pinned for initial sewing.
25m sewn ready for cutting.
Slowly; using a sharp knife and a cutting mat... count to one hundred for 1.5m section.
Slowly; using a sharp knife and a cutting mat... count to one hundred for 1.5m section.
Two 12.5m tails completed, awaiting 105cm lengths for sail attachment legs.
When preparing the lower stack for taking to the field to insert the missing sail I had noticed a twisted flying line and wondered how it would resolve. It did resolve without issue but a couple of the sails had been flipped and needed re-setting. Quite a few of the central fixing points had twists in the lines.
Although there was little or no wind we secured the stack at both ends while attending to the sewing in of the replacement sail and fixing centre point bridle lines.
The impact secured line fixing at the centre bridle points does not appear to be completely reliable but on further consideration may be a safe point of failure if the wind is too strong.
Short video prior to inserting the missing sail.
Thanks to Maggie Walker for the video clips and images.
Thanks to Maggie Walker for the video clips and images.
Tails have been individually bundled and tied. Further thought on building and breakdown is needed.
Clips for tails all fitted.
Test flight on 23rd May 2021 of replacement pilot kite with new tail on 5mm braided polyster line.
Pilot Replacement, October 2019.
An initial sketch started the build. Finding polyethylene sheet for the central fitting was not difficult!
The initial flight after construction was disappointing but when the pandemic restrictions were initially lifted I was able to spend time on the field adjusting the bridle...
The replacement sail was given a sustained hard flight at Cardigan June 25th 2022.
Hexagonal Train 48 sails (1 yellow sail and Pilot missing) 1987?
127.5 x 146 cm each sail, overall length 94m
68.6 sq. metres
Weight: 25 kg
Photo 1991 poster
127.5 x 146 cm each sail, overall length 94m
68.6 sq. metres
Weight: 25 kg
Photo 1991 poster