Bought this kite, along with 500 feet of 50# kite line for our annual trip to Ocean City New Jersey. The dragon kite kit comes with it's own kite line, wound onto a single "D ring" plastic handle, with a plastic hook on the end ~250 feet of 25# line). I recommend the stronger longer line, which comes with a metal swivel hook. You'll want the extra length and strenght, becasue this dragon just loves to fly! Assembly was very easy - first bend the wing supports to inset the plastic-tipped ends into the small pockets on the wings (there are two pockets on each wing, which allows you to position the wing supports depending on the strength of the wind). Then inset the carbon-fiber spreader rods into the center "T Connector" and bend the spreader rods to fit into the plastic tube connectors on each wing. Don't worry about breaking the rods, they'll take a bit of bending to get them properly in place, but that's needed to keep the wings properly stretched into place. The winspan is huge - about 6 feet, and the overall height of this beautiful nylon dragon kite is also about 6 feet from tip to tail. Next you'll need to reach into the dragon's mouth (don't worry - she won't bite her master/mistress), and insert the end of the rod into the blue socket cap, the small white rod into the red socket cap and the small red rod into the red socket cap. These serve to stretch out the body amd hold your new pet's mouth wide open. Hook the kite line swivel hook onto the already pre-tied bridle loop (attached by six strings to the legs and body) and clip it closed and you are ready to put your new pet into the sky! Take it outside to a SAFE place well clear of electrical lines, cars, trees etc. Just before launch, remove the rubber bands from the streamers.on the wings - they help keep the kite stable and look cool too! Keep the rubber bands for wrappping the streamers back up when your dragon is tired of flying for the day.
How does she fly? Launching in a strong wind (20- 25 mp - where a flag will be pretty much out perpendicular to the ground), is a breeze (pun fully intended) - the dragon kite is very stable and in a strong wind will not nose over at all. This kite looks awesome and flies like a dream - it was really stable (i.e. doesn't have much of a tendancy to "nose over" and plummet like a lawn dart into the earth). In a good wind it will pay out line very quickly, and before you know it, you'll have 500 feet of line completely payed out! A few little tugs on the line makes your sky-pet flap her wings convincingly, while a solid steady pull will cause her to gain altitude. Seriously, the kite flew GREAT at the beach, where the wind is strong, and it looks FABULOUS in a bright blue sky. At one point a single engine stunt plane flew by and I swear my dragon was only a coule hundred feet under the aircraft!
So far I have taken "Safira" out for three flying experiences, one piloted by my 11 year old granddaughter. This isn't a kite for little kids, but rather for big kids like me. My granddaughter had no problems at all self-launching it or flying it (of course I ended up brining it back iin :) Another treat was that in the strong ocean breeze, the kite remained aloft and stable through the entire recovery - never touched the ground - I had her in my hands as the swivel hook met the reel.
I disassembled the wing spreaders and wing supports and folded up the wing streamers after use, but didn' need to take the mouth rods out in order to be ready to fly her again when next she needs to take to the air. Reassembly is easy enough, and this way she can be safe in the shipping box in the closet until then. I toss in the occasional left-over spare ribs to keep her well fed until our next outside excursion :)
Seriously, this is a GREAT kite for an adult but not for a small child. It' really very large (6' x 6' approx and the streamers are about 12' long) so it needs a grown-up to supervise its use. It can easily self-launch in a stiff breeze, but needs some decent wind for best effect. It looks awesome in the sky, and is a real treat to fly. By far my favorite beach kite, and I've flown quite a few. Quality materials, well constructed, looks great, flies well and is stable stable stable in a good wind. A definite five star product in my book. I was very please with it in all aspects. Strongly recommend spending the extra $9 for the Premier Kites Stake Line Winder with 500' of 50# test line. Provides the assurance that your line won't part even in very windy conditions.
Regards,
Tom Stevenson
Montclair VA
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 42 x 5.75 x 1 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.45 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 0.65 x 41 x 5.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.01 Ounces |
| Brand Name | WindNSun |
| Warranty Description | No Warranty |
| Model Name | SuperSize 3D |
| Material | Nylon |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | X-Kites |
| Part Number | IB-BS-WNS-82072 |
| Style | Red Baron |
