Date: Sun, 24 Dec 1995 06:40:54 -1000 From: coh@i-2000.com (Chuck Henderson) Message-Id: Organization: I-2000 Inc. - Internet Services Subject: Oh, Boy! Santa brought me a 4-cell Tetra! Wow! Santa brought me a new 4-cell Tetra! Next year I'm gonna' tell *all* my friends how much I like kites! Haven't flown it yet; the wind seems to know how eager I am and perversely refuses to cooperate. Has anyone else noticed this "new kite, no wind phenomena"? Anyway, since all I can do is daydream about it, I started wondering how to add more cells to this kite. The pamphlet that comes with it mentions 16-cell and even 64-cell tetras! So, naturally, I began contemplating how long it would take me to acquire 15 additional 4-cell kits. I'm pretty sure I can't wait for Santa to bring them all! So, here's some questions for anyone who has experience with adding to this design: Can I add 4-cell "kits" one or two at a time? Or do I always have to maintain the pyramid shape? (Now that I *really* think about it, I realize that probably won't work very well. Not enough points of contact for structural integrity.) But will this design fly in any other other configuration besides the pyramid? My other problem is: This kite won't fit in my kitebag! It took me about 40 minutes to assemble it (first time), and it will probably take at least 15 or twenty minutes to break it down to the point the manufacturer recommends: 4 separate triangular cells, nested together for "easy transport". They still won't fit in my bag! Does anyone know where I can get, or how I can make, some custom spar retainers or connectors that will allow efficient assembly and complete disassembly, to the point where I can roll it up and put it in the bag with my other kites? The current design uses perforated tubing for connecting the spars, and they won't take too many mate - de-mates before they break. And they're a pain in the neck to put together! I just *know* I'll wind up puncturing the sail while trying to jam a spar ferrule through those little holes in the tubing. Jeez! I just read through what I've written and it sounds like all I'm doing is complaining about this kite. On the contrary! I *love* it, and can't wait to fly it. But I also can't help tinkering with things, so if anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful. Happy Holidays! --Chuck Henderson = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =