New 10m Octopus kite takes first flight

My 1,623rd kite video. This great design by Ma Qinghua came from Weifang Kaixuan Kite Factory. The nominal measurement is 10m (33 feet), but I measured it at over 12m (40 feet). See it here in various colours: tinyurl.com/yalky4kc . (I think it's now being advertised as 13m, which is about right - it's certainly big enough to make a great impression, and good value, too.)

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

I can see a big tentacle kite fly day coming. I do like Ma Qinghua's design. Looks so simple yet creates such an effective visual display.

[@JimNicholls]

A real kite-fly would be good, tentacles or not, Carl, but we seem doomed not to meet up at the moment. If only we had a period of settled weather things might be different. However, when Rod next flies (should be soon) we might try a big octopus grouping, which I'm sure will look great. I haven't even flown both my Ma octopuses together yet, which I must do soon. It's the packing up that's the problem, and I'm hoping someone will invent a self-packing version.

[@BhutJolokias]

Love the colors on the new Octopus.

[@JimNicholls]

I'm very happy with the kite and with the colors - hard to beat, I reckon.

[@ttullis1]

Ma Qinghua designs are fantastic IMHO. Have the Octopus, several Trilobites, the Jellyfish and all are great flyers that any kiter should be happy to have in their bag.

[@JimNicholls]

You're right, Tim. His kites, beginning with the Trilobite six years ago, have really given kite-fliers some great choices.

[@ttullis1]

@@JimNicholls Indeed and I. for one, am grateful

[@sammiedog4]

What can I say. Very smoothly done. Very good meditation.

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fotonmom]

Glad it did not disappoint , Jim. It was a beauty!

[@JimNicholls]

It certainly is, Priscilla. I hope you're keeping warm - I hear stories of snow in the USA now, but maybe not for you?

[@fotonmom]

@@JimNicholls We had one lovely dowsing that did not last long...that was a couple of weeks ago. I hear there is snow in our forecast...but no accumulation. But hey...it's Ohio and we never know!

[@longbeachpeninsulawaphotos]

give me your nice beach weather since it's very rainy here. you can watch that Octopus kite all day long. that kite makes it a FUN day at the beach.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, it's an ideal kite and I'm very happy to have it.

[@halaasen3416]

A very nice acquisition Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

It certainly is, Hal. I bought it almost by accident, but I'm happy that I did. I hope things are not too bad in Montana.

[@mrlionel1965]

Love it. This design is on my "want list". Maybe sometime next year.

[@JimNicholls]

You can't go wrong with this one, Ken!

[@TheRevFlyer]

Very impressive kite, like the simplicity of just black and white in a kite, I made a Rev in the same colours.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, that combination always seems to look good.

[@shoobz123]

That's awesome jim!

[@JimNicholls]

It's a good one for sure.

[@PanyingPilot]

I could smell that new kite smell from here, Jim. Monica has been good to you.

[@JimNicholls]

Monica is good, but the kite was a purchase I didn't intend to make - long story. However, I'm happy to have it.

[@Kupper-Kites]

Beautiful octopus ... looks very nice in the blue sky ... I like it ...

[@JimNicholls]

It's an excellent kite, a real credit to the designer.

[@Kupper-Kites]

@@JimNicholls I also ordered one in my desired colors and I am very satisfied ...

[@danokitemanotoo1791]

Thanks for the look and review of this glorious beast Jim! I've seen it on the Weifang page and have been contemplating pressing the add to cart & pay buttons, but haven't yet because sometimes life's economy gets in the way of pleasures pocketbook.

[@JimNicholls]

I don't think you'd regret buying it. I'm very happy that I did, although it wasn't my intention to do so.

[@redkitecrewJonny]

These are great kites Jim, and I love the white/black combo. I have my 2nd one in transit from Monica... hopefully here for Christmas.

[@JimNicholls]

I hope Santa's sleigh is on time, Jonny!

[@redkitecrewJonny]

@@JimNicholls haha me too Jim

[@randylackershire4766]

Nice kite. Nice size Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

It's always nice to have something a little different, and it flies well, too, so it's good.

[@cottonbuds2005]

Hi Jim. I flew my own 10m Octopus a few weeks back, bought from another aliexpress store. It's a super-kite that attracts a lot of attention and I hope to fly it again soon. Singapore is having its monsoon season right now so I don't get to fly much often because of the rains.

[@JimNicholls]

I guess the rainy season lasts a while, Sotero, which must be very frustrating for a keen kite-flier. You didn't show a video of the Octopus, so I hope we'll see one next time you fly it.

[@cottonbuds2005]

Hi Jim. The octopus video is in my other channel Red Dot Kiting which is the main channel I now use to upload my kite videos. I believe you've seen it already. I hand-flew the kite in winds in excess of 25mph and I believe I pinched a nerve in my wrist that's causing pain right now. I've learned my lesson.

[@JimNicholls]

@@cottonbuds2005 Yes, of course. I'd forgotten you had both channels, Sotero. I hope that your wrist is soon back to normal.

[@MarkAGroh]

I really like the new octopus, can't wait until mine flies in, most likely after the New Year. What is the Ideal wind speed?

[@JimNicholls]

I haven't flown it enough to answer that question, Mark, but I'd guess it will do well in a wide range. It's a very stable flier and I'm happy to have it.

[@peterollendorf9065]

Hi Jim! I just had my octopus on its maiden flight and it is a stunner! Question for you: Mine has a zipper with a yellow pocket sewn in between the eyes... couldn't make out if yours had this as well... do you know what the zippered pocket is supposed to be for? Thanks for all the great vids!

[@JimNicholls]

Hi Peter. Mine doesn't have that. I think you have one that has provision for fitting LED lighting for night flying, and the pocket is there to take the batteries. You can actually buy a kit to install the lights, I think, if you are interested in that. Otherwise, you may be able to just cut off the pocket if it's a bother.

[@peterollendorf9065]

Ah OK that makes sense... thanks for the prompt reply Jim, you are a gem! Cheers from the United States!

[@sammiedog4]

Excellent Jim. Are you filming on a tripod, if not has marvelous stabilization your camera ..

[@JimNicholls]

No tripod - it's an Olympus camera, and they have great in-built stabilization, which is needed for my shaky old hands!

[@sammiedog4]

Much much tanks.

[@meet1chouhan353]

Pleas give link in description to purchase them

[@JimNicholls]

I have done that now. You will need to ask for the black and white one.

[@albey1816]

LOL - How did you sneak into my room and steal my Octopus?

[@JimNicholls]

I knew you didn't really want it, Rod, so I knew you wouldn't miss it! I hope to see you flying again soon.

[@rafimazlan2097]

Hi..guys any advise my is 25m kites how many lbs line need to use it? Thanks

[@JimNicholls]

I think 500lb braided dacron is the best choice. Have fun!

[@OhDannyBoy2k]

Jim, on my 10m, I have the three lines from the keels coming together and separately, on top of the head, I have 2 lines that come together. I had asked you about that in a previous video and you thought they might have been auxiliary tow lines. However, it looks like your bridle has lines from the keels and something from the top of the head or connected to the cell walls. How is your bridle configured? Did they come connected together from the factory? Would you mind showing a closeup of this configuration in another video? Does Rod's 10m also have these top lines coming together?

[@JimNicholls]

Daniel, the designer's intention is that you fly it only on the lower bridle lines (from the three keels). The upper lines, as mentioned before, are for using it as "line laundry". I would never want to do that, so I connected the two sets of bridles using another length of line and flew it that way. It helps spread the load, and seems to work well. That's simply my idea, and Rod (as with everyone else, I guess) flies his from the lower lines only. If I decide to revert to using just the lower lines. I'll probably remove the upper ones. This kite is too good a flier to be thought of as line laundry in my opinion.

[@OhDannyBoy2k]

@@JimNicholls Thanks so much for getting back to me on that. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't misunderstanding something or that my bridle wasn't tied properly. Sadly, I haven't been able to get out with it yet or most of this may have been made obvious to me already.

[@JimNicholls]

I hope you can fly it soon, Daniel. I've suggested that the factory put some instructions with the kite, as the bridle can be confusing.

[@peterhartt4518]

@@JimNicholls I cut mine off as it flies very well on its own. I suppose in lower winds having the upper bridle might be useful to fly as laundry, but there are other kites for those occasions aren't there?

[@JimNicholls]

I agree, Peter. I've passed on word to the designer that I think that using this kite as line laundry is almost an insult - it flies so well, unlike the much more expensive (and uglier) Peter Lynn octopuses seen at so many kite festivals, which ARE line laundry.

[@nicksgarage2]

Jim, is this the same size as your other one? I see there are 13m and 18m ones.

[@JimNicholls]

Nick, check what I said in the description. Actually it measures nearest to 12m, but is sold as that and sometimes as 13m. I also have the 18m, which is not flown often as it's more trouble to pack up (and I'm getting lazy). It will probably be seen again soon, however.

[@nicksgarage2]

@@JimNicholls what size line are you using on each one?

[@JimNicholls]

@@nicksgarage2 I usually use 300lb braided dacron. The bigger kite pulls harder, of course, and in higher wind I might use 500lb for that, but in the winds I usually fly in, 300lb is fine.

[@nicksgarage2]

@@JimNicholls Thanks. I ordered an orange/black one.

[@JimNicholls]

@@nicksgarage2 That's a great colour scheme.

[@willardthegrey]

How's it do at lifting. I'd like something more interesting than a pilot at the top of my stack.

[@JimNicholls]

In a good breeze it will lift quite a lot. But my favourite inflatable to use as a lifter is the Frog, which is much quicker and easier to launch and (particularly) pack away than the Octopus. I've often shown this lifting stuff, most recently here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHXVgWqrfbl3f5Y . Most of the big inflatables have quite a lot of lifting ability, but the Frog is very stable and offers the best value, I think.

[@richarddarlington1139]

Squiggly and wiggly.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, but in a relaxing kind of way, Richard, unlike some wiggly kites which are quite frantic.

[@jooploderus2116]

Just send them a mail to send me a price for the trilobite 16 and the octopus 18 reddy to fly. Incl shipment. Hope they answer me soon.

[@JimNicholls]

I think they will do that. You will love the kites.

[@jooploderus2116]

@@JimNicholls yes Jim I have a mail from Monica. Waiting for a order number to pay the bill. So there will be more kite video to see on youtube in 2021.😉

[@JimNicholls]

@@jooploderus2116 That will be great!