BigE

Thanks @lasrocas how does it compare.... more power and quicker, but a bit more flighty which is why it's taken a bit of taming. I guess going higher on the AR is going to make the kite more flighty and less of a "beginners kite". That said last time out the sun was right in the middle of the window, no sun glasses so I practised some eyes closed flying and it felt really good. I may have compromised on the power to make it easier to use, won't give too much away but a couple of bridle tweaks has really balanced it. Brake input makes a big difference, very NPW, I have a Z-bridle on it which in cleaner winds (or higher wind speed) works really well, right up to the zenith no wing tip collapse, but in this park in Stevenage the wind has a mind of it's own, it's like it's constantly trying to catch you out, which is why I tried moving my hands down the handles, the kite slowed with the extra brake but the wing tips stayed inflated. That said when the wind suddenly dropped the extra brake meant the kite luffed. Roll on the summer, I want to do a side-by-side with my 4.9m blade as I'm guessing they will be about the same. Farmer's field next to me has just been cut so may get out in the bug but the Isle of Man TT is coming up and I'll be off to that for a couple of weeks.

Cheers Joel, I think I've just about hit the optimum profile settings for it now, in lumpy wind like today I hold the handles like an NPW so it's slower and less prone to wing tip collapse, but when the wind is clean or enough to buggy with then I switch to a foil grip and then it is even faster.

PS is there a better way to add video?

Firstly a big thanks to ExtremeKites and especially Joel for sorting my prize out. Yes it was a real competition Secondly apologies for the video, it's the first time I've had chance to get my phone hooked up to it and get some footage, so here it is unedited but it proves the kite does fly, wind was very lumpy and rain very imminent: littleHammer.mp4 littleHammer.mp4

Words fail me! That looks EPIC! Thanks for the updates / pics enjoy

@Qman Thanks, I couldn't quite tell whether your were using a harness or hotwired, I think that is the way to go, like I said not so much for full-on traction but a way for him to be able to enjoy flying.

Nice one Qman, one question, do you wear a belt or harness attached to the buggy? I ask this as my son suffers from low muscle syndrome and is unable to "hold" a kite once there is any pull, I've taken him tandem but have always thought as he gets older a three point harness on the buggy would enable him to try flying even if it's just semi-static in the bug.

For knots this is my first call, nicely presented, even did a "Monkeys Fist": Animated Knots

I have a Nikon D80, which I've had for around ten years now, it's been a great camera and only now am I thinking of up-grading. Whilst it does everything really well, I think I need a bit more now, higher resolution and a faster autofocus. Still miss the clarity and colours of 35mm slide film For those who don't know, there was a time we didn't know what the picture was like until two weeks later the pictures came back from being developed. Progress eh

With a Z-Bridle fitted to my new 3m, I've been itching for more flying, a business trip to Irvine, west coast of Scotland, so in to my hand luggage went the kite, I was expecting to be asked what was in my luggage but nothing! Straight through it went. First evening good wind coming nearly off the sea, roughly 12mph, first attempt, kite leapt up and straight back down, second time, up around 12ft then a reverse death spin, WTF still too much brake? Or have I created a new "Damien". Moved the brakes a bit more, up she went, still short of the zenith but oh lordy did it pull, virtually no tip collapse, with a coastal wind everything is so much easier, pulling 20-30ft scuds with ease, down loops making loads of power. While walking back I was thinking maybe one more mod to the brakes, to keep the wing tips inflated, it's holding the kite back. So an evening of tinkering. Second evening, laid kite out, NO WIND! Just the odd rustle of neck hair, tried a few catch the slight breeze and walk back, no more reversing, no wing tip folding just sliding down when there was just too little wind, by this time the tide was on it's way in and the wind started to pick-up a steady 6-8mph, this time the difference at the zenith between where it did park and now does is halved. Feeling much better, power still piles on with a loop, all looking good. Weather and work were against me for the next evening, like a scratch you can't reach, I still think there is a touch more to get in terms of speed / window, so I have partially reduced the AoA, which will drop the power a touch and give more speed / window, well that's the theory anyway. Now to go back to watching trees for the next opportunity to fly. Damien: Was a 3m HA NPW9 I built a while back , it flew like a stunt kite, had less window and when I tried it in the buggy was a nightmare, fully powered it just wanted to reverse given the slightest opportunity. I tried all sorts but could not crack it. Thinking how that flew compared to my new 3m they are poles apart, the thing that really keeps striking me is the power it generates, although I could pull longs scuds sending it up was not creating heaps of lift, but nor was there anywhere in the window to rest, even parked at the top it was still pulling. Here is Damien: I you're thinking of making a 3m HA NPW or less for traction this is me trying to buggy Damien Vid

Good to see you've finally got him fitted with a "Z". Just wait till he's banging the power out and you're looking at the sun shining through the kite.

As there was no damage to lines ie nothing melted on to the lines, I was told they may charge for time incurred. When asked for my details I said "M.Mouse" he laughed and said it can't be coz that's my name! They did ring the neighbours about the disruption but luckily I received no bill. I can only comment on my stuff but it did prove the kite and lines are not conductive. That said I would not chance touching it.

It's like a movie scene an intense flash and a cracking like you've never heard. It just cries out massive power don't mess with me. The other thing that happens after a short on power lines is it's pulsed again to see if the original problem has cleared.

@jhn.holgate i had to double take the pics its uncanny! @outlaw just out of interest what AR did you go for? Looks around high 4 to 5. My ha really packs a punch, thinking of changing the AoA a bit to increase speed / window

Oh to be sat at the side with an ice cream watching that. Moral to these tales? Keep a camera rolling, we would have had £250 each from You've Been Framed!