Sunday 6 November 2016

Another Double Dunford

Dunford Flying Machines came in three sizes: with a 41', 51' and 61' wing span. Flying Fish already has a pair of 'small' (41') Flying Machines:


And we also have a single 'large' (61') Flying Machine:


It's pretty clear what's missing from our quiver: a 'medium' (51') Flying Machine! Cue a fellow kite flyer, who handed me a bag with sails and dowels at Basingstoke Kite Festival: free if I wanted them. Upon opening the bag, I found myself in possession of two Dunford FM sails, and more than enough dowels and other essentials to frame them several times over. Thank you, you know who you are!


The first outing of our pair of 'medium' Flying Machines was in rather extreme conditions: the wind was gusting over 40mph. Very soon after launch (and I'm talking seconds in one case), the two kites suffered from a broken cross spar and spine, respectively ....










The dowels were easily replaced (the bag contained plenty of spares, remember?), and finally both 'medium' Flying Machines were ready to fly together. The wind was much more more benign now, up to 18mph.


Compared to the 'small' ones, the 'medium' Flying Machines are a tad slower, and don't turn as fast. But they really feel as you would expect from a Dunford Flying Machine.


To complete the set, we just need one more 'large' Flying Machine ... But that will have to be in a different colour from what we already have. So no blue, orange, yellow, red or green. Did Flying Machines come in pink, purple, brown, white or black???

3 comments:

  1. I still have 2 one early 1970s i think the other a later version about 1983

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  2. Can you do a video of how to correctly put together a Dunford Flying Machine please. I am salvaging a broken orange medium one and the instructions from Cochranes of Oxford Ltd are a tad sketchy. Like you need an MA in Kiteology! Cheers.

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    Replies
    1. Not anytime soon, as all my Dunfords are stored assembled. This to avoid damage to the tension lines which will happen if they're repeatedly assembled and disassembled. But if you have specific questions ...

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