Thursday 1 November 2012

Dunford Flying Machine

In the early 1970s, flying dual-line control kites was popularised mostly by Peter Powell, and many people will have flown a PP Stunter, either as a child, or for reasons of nostalgia. A second dual-line control kite on the market around the same time was developed by Don Dunford. His Flying Machine was regarded as the 'Rolls-Royce' of kites in at least one contemporary book on kites, due to its high level of control.

We've got an orange Dunford Flying Machine, picked up, in mint condition, for little money some years ago. We hadn't flown it for quite a while, so last weekend we decided to take it to the field, and flew it in winds ranging from 15 to well over 25mph.

What's all this got to do with pair/team flying? Very little, yet ... The Dunford Flying Machine is a heavy kite due to its cloth sail and wooden dowels. Basically it doesn't really want to be bothered when the wind is below 15mph (it will fly from, say, 8mph onwards, but only reluctantly). When the wind gets to 20mph and above, the kite is really in its element. Snappy corners with some practice (it doesn't need much input), reasonable tracking, very tight turns, and little pull. So .... what if we were to stumble across a second Dunford Flying Machine, with a different sail colour (I know it also came in blue, with orange tassels), wouldn't it be fun to try and fly a routine with a pair of 1970s 'Rolls Royces'?

I think I know exactly where to go first in order to try and find one ...

16 comments:

  1. What a cool kite!I love your description of the wind conditions needed to fly it - I've experienced the same thing with my handmade dragon kite - neat to see it in someone else's words. I hope you get the second "machine" - it would be so cool to fly both together!

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  2. We have one in the blue with red tails and still fly it to this day! LOVE IT!

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    1. Great you're still flying it! Don't think I've ever seen one with tails; where are these connected? At the wing tips or near the back?

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  3. Bought mine in the 70's . Still using it today.

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    1. We've got several now, in all three sizes. Fun to fly two as a pair when the wind has really picked up.

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  4. I had one of these as a kid in the 1970's - best kite ever. They were marketed by Cox here in the US - and called a Dunford Flying Machine. Mine was orange with a big Union Jack on it.

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    1. Got a picture of it? Only ever seen them in plain single colours (orange, red, blue, green).

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  5. Have just found one at a charity store, complete for £3. Gonna take it for a spin! Have the original instructions if anyone wants a copy! Email me!

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  6. I had one as a little lad in the seventies it made my mates peter powel look lead footed I'd love to have a construction drawing of one so I could build a 2m tall one made of ripstop and carbon fibre.I heard of one able to carry a camera.if anybody has a drawing I'd love a copy

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    1. Not aware of any published design drawings; guess google is your friend.

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  7. Is it possible to get the plans for a dunford flying machine

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    1. Never come across a plan for a Dunford FM, but try https://www.kiteplans.org/

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  8. I had one early 70's 41 inch and years later bought a 51. Both great the 41 was quicker but both beautifully stable and manouverable. The only kite I think that can match aero foils for spinning in its own wingspan. Controllable
    enough to be able to pick a handkerchief off top of brothers head not swooshing by but by inch by inch slow hovering and manoeuvering and gently pick it off as light as a feather he didn't even feel it and had eyes closed. Still now get lovely comments on it.

    Love them

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    1. Hi

      Yes have my original blue 41 and an 8 or 9 year old 50 inch orange one

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  9. Had the largest one in the 70s,I remember control was sublime
    One windy afternoon, I tied my parachute fitted actionman’s hands together and hooked him on one of the top dowels
    Up he went and ‘chuted safely down after a high loop
    Spectacular stuff

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