Date:	Wed, 8 Feb 1995 09:32:51 -1000
From:	tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka)
Message-Id: <9502081930.AA09897@mts-gw.pa.dec.com>
Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology
Subject: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my
Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars.  This is a nice
8 gram rod.  The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which 
made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings
that are used on the other rods.  Although it had a pretty good stiffness 
to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh
flying that I like to do.  I've never used them because I could break them
so easily.

This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter.  A concept Erez says that was
suggested by David Lord.  I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested
when the new mandrel was selected.  Otherwise, it appears to have all the same
characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot
of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls 
(basically, I've been trying to break them!).  Ground work and hard  
snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held
up wonderfully.   This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of 
Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of
light weight spars.  At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable 
performer for me.

Good Winds,
Bert


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Date:	Thu, 9 Feb 1995 12:19:06 -1000
From:	bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon)
Message-Id: <3he4cq$o30@lynx.unm.edu>
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote:
: I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my
: Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars.  This is a nice
: 8 gram rod.  The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which 
: made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings
: that are used on the other rods.  Although it had a pretty good stiffness 
: to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh
: flying that I like to do.  I've never used them because I could break them
: so easily.

: This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter.  A concept Erez says that was
: suggested by David Lord.  I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested
: when the new mandrel was selected.  Otherwise, it appears to have all the same
: characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

: I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot
: of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls 
: (basically, I've been trying to break them!).  Ground work and hard  
: snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held
: up wonderfully.   This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of 
: Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of
: light weight spars.  At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable 
: performer for me.

: Good Winds,
: Bert

Thanks for the great info Bert!
How do you think these spars will hold up (in terms of toughness) to 
other SUL spars like the G-Force?

Keith Kidder


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From:	<kites-request@das.harvard.edu>
Date:	Fri, 17 Feb 1995 01:44:26 -1000
	From:	mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources)))
Message-Id: <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu>
Organization: University of Massachusetts/Amherst K-12 Information System
	Reply-To:	mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources)))
Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


In a previous article, bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) says:

>Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote:
>: I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my
>: Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars.  This is a nice
>: 8 gram rod.  The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which 
>: made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings
>: that are used on the other rods.  Although it had a pretty good stiffness 
>: to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh
>: flying that I like to do.  I've never used them because I could break them
>: so easily.
>


any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area.
-- 
       Dave Mainwaring
     Northeast Resources 
(617) 455 9920  FAX 617 449 1826        


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Date:	Fri, 17 Feb 1995 08:15:23 -1000
From:	sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
Message-Id: <3i2p3r$4u5@netope.harvard.edu>
Organization: Harvard University
Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


In article <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu>, mainwari@k12.ucs.umass.edu (Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources)) writes:
|>any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area.

Don McCasland at Kites of Boston has a pretty good stock of spars and
can order anything that he doesn't have.

I can provide small numbers of spars for repairs and such. I don't
really do retail, however, but am happy to help out if you need
something on the field and I have it with me.

I highly recommend Tom Marvin at Hang-em High Fabrics in Richmond
VA. Tom has all sorts of spars and fittings along with Icarex and
regular ripstop nylon.

Another good source of spars is the High Fly Kite Co in New
Jersey. Fran Gramkowski has lots of experience with all sorts of kite
spars.

-- 
Marty Sasaki            Harvard University           Sasaki Kite Fabrications
sasaki@harvard.edu      Network Services Division    90 Melrose Street
617-496-4320            10 Ware Street               Arlington, MA 02174
                        Cambridge, MA 02138-4002     phone/fax: 617-646-1925


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