Box kites of many kinds

My 1,498th kite video. Our lockdown has been extended until 28 April, so no flying yet, but here are some examples of box kites to show the variety available. They are a type of kite often neglected even by keen kite-fliers, but well worth considering for your next purchase. Many of these are available at www.pictureprettykites.com , where a lot of mine came from.

[@thebartman]

Hi Jim - -very inspired by your kites from down under here in NZ. I was wondering if you could tell me the backing track to your video - I am learning guitar and love the back beat - it would be great to Jam to. Best --Paul.

[@JimNicholls]

Hi Paul! I'm glad you like the videos. The tune is A New Orleans Crawfish Boil, and is in the KZbin free audio library from which all my tracks come.

[@deweygravesjr.122]

Wow nice video Jim! Hard to say my favorite. I do like the simple box kite. But they are all pretty cool. Thanks Jim I enjoyed it!!

[@JimNicholls]

Glad to hear that, Dewey.

[@michaeloxman6572]

Great video that I must have missed Jim! I own that X-Kite spinner and it sits rock solid up in the air. I just bought a cheap TEMU simple box kite to replace my old Go Fly A Kite box kite which is becoming more patch than original material. Can't wait to give it a try.

[@JimNicholls]

I hope it flies well for you, Michael. Box kites are great, especially when the wind's too strong for most other types.

[@akshar_dave]

Thank you for making this! 🌬

[@JimNicholls]

You're very welcome!

[@passbiometrico4987]

What beautiful kites, a question where can I get these kites, I am from PERU Latin America, I would like to import

[@JimNicholls]

I buy all my kites on the internet from America and China. There are many suppliers if you search, and I have no idea which would be best for you.

[@freddymeischer2219]

Wow you have some real stars in your Collection, i like those large kites also,i get particular enjoyment from flying my kites in the mountains, outside of the occasional eagle strike taking a kite high is (can be the "source".

[@JimNicholls]

Your kite-flying sounds a bit more exciting than mine!

[@coolruler8856]

You delivered the goods there Jim .

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you, Bep!

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

I have a few box kites and the rotating one too.

[@JimNicholls]

They are good fun, particularly on a day when it's too windy for most other kites.

[@quad_kite_flyer]

Another excellent review all boxed up.

[@JimNicholls]

You made me laugh - a rare thing at the moment. Thanks!

[@TNRailProductions_01]

I can’t seem to launch my box kite, it’s kinda like the example at 1:08 that has the like split when the bridle and flying line connect. It seems to immediately nose dive once it hits the ground. Is there anyway to resolve it?

[@JimNicholls]

It's very hard to say without seeing it. Box kites usually fly well. The shorter line is at the top, so as long as you're holding it the right way up it should launch OK. As with any kite, you need a fairly smooth wind, so stay away from buildings and trees. It may be easier to have a friend help. Let out 50 feet or more of line, and have your friend hold the kite (the right way up, of course) while you walk back to the full extent of the line and then pull it into the air as your friend lets go at the same time.

[@TNRailProductions_01]

@@JimNicholls thanks for the info. I ended up getting the kite to fly. I had the adjust the bridle a tad. Just a factory mistake I guess.

[@JimNicholls]

Well done! The best thing with kites is to experiment, I find, and if you can work things out it makes it easier next time. Have fun!

[@marleypumpkin4917]

A very well made and informative video 👍👍👍

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you!

[@zacharymanaois4727]

I love flying kites since I was small boy till now.

[@JimNicholls]

That's good. I hope you have a lot of fun with them.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

I have been feeling rather "boxed" in by this lock-down but your video makes me want to break out and go fly. Maybe the 28th.

[@JimNicholls]

Fingers crossed, Carl. Let's hope the weather is suitable. Then I have the problem of what to fly!

[@westtern141]

is there one that folds down small?

[@JimNicholls]

That depends on what you mean by small. All box kites fold down, but some of them are a bit fiddly to put together, which is one reason why they are not more popular I guess.

[@westtern141]

@@JimNicholls well smaller than 50cm would be nice

[@danokitemanotoo1791]

That Colossus Kite is Fantastic! Who designed it & are there plans available on-line for personal use? I'd love to make one for my kite bag!

[@JimNicholls]

It was designed by Christoph Fokken for Into The Wind, but I doubt if there are plans available anywhere.

[@furiber4]

I am fascinated by box kites. I discovered them as an adult and I wonder how is that they fly.

[@JimNicholls]

There are so many kinds of box kites these days, and as you say, it's hard to see how some of them can fly. The worst thing about them is that they often need a lot of assembly and disassembly.

[@zacharymanaois4727]

How much the star kite?

[@JimNicholls]

Sorry, I don't remember. It was a long time ago, and I don't have that kite anymore.

[@pedromonteiro2941]

The ALTITUDE looks great ..... ! Flies better in low or high winds ? Cheers !

[@JimNicholls]

Low winds, Pedro, unlike most box kites. It's not really strong enough for very high winds, but it's great otherwise.

[@coach_pete]

Thanks, Jim. I always appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge and collections with us.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad to know you enjoy them, Pete.

[@fotonmom]

Thanks Jim..that was a great over view. I never really look at boxes--you have given me cause to reconsider them. Good show!

[@JimNicholls]

Priscilla, I'm going to upload a video at the weekend with 22 more box kites, so keep watching!

[@annepeterwhitehead7409]

Great video Jim. Quite timely as the NZKA are working on a box kite/ star / facet workshop over Labour weekend for members. Stay safe and take care in lockdown.

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks! I hope the workshop can go ahead safely and you have a lot of fun with it. I'm dredging up old video footage to keep my channel active, but hoping to start flying again next week.

[@annepeterwhitehead7409]

Hi Jim, The cellular box at the very beginning of the video - it's quite elongated what is that one please? We will have a few photos of an assortment of cellular kites in the next What's Up? Pete has almost completed a Waldof which does look good.

[@JimNicholls]

Anne, do you mean the Colossus on the title page? There's more on that at the end of the video, and I made a video all about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIjXfZaXm9Z6mdE . The first kite in the video itself is Colin's box, which is in his book Kites for Kiwis. I'll be putting up another box kite video at the weekend, with about 20 more kites.

[@flyingfish1849]

Love to see your collection come to life! Thanks!

[@JimNicholls]

There will be another box kite video soon with even more items, Steve.

[@Phooie]

Year's ago there was a kite by Prism Kites called the Triad, it was a slip- ring kite and very fun to fly. I wish I would have kept it.

[@JimNicholls]

I've never seen that. Maybe it was like the Switch kite which is now available - see my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6XKiGShhrqtqpo . Correction - I've just found details of the Triad and it's quite different. Both are fun kites anyway.

[@Phooie]

@@JimNicholls that's what it was. Give a tug and it would go the other way. Good call.

[@nikopiteros5603]

I like your box kite nice!

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks!

[@Masud_karim]

Nice

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you!