Skyshark II P Series (words from Skyshark)Sky Shark™ Competition Air Frames are world renowned as the very best competition tubes. It is no wonder, the best flyers in the world use Sky Shark™ Air Frames. The facts speak for themselves, there is no equal to the weight to stiffness of Sky Shark™. The consistent quality of the fibers and tubes offer un-matched reliability and performance. Sky Shark™ is commited to bringing the the very best to kite flyers of all abilities. Whatever level of kite you fly or manufacture, use the very best products, Sky Shark Kite™ Products.
The New Sky Shark™ P Series Straight Competition Air Frames.
These tubes can be cut and ferruled anywhere using a solid carbon rod. They can also be ferruled with any of the New Tapered tubes except the 2PT. These tubes work great for building sport kites as well as single line kites.
All of the P series tubes are non-tapered, with the same inside diameter as the tapered tubes. You can join any of the P series tubes with the tapered tubes. These tubes are made in much the same way as our wrapped tapered tube with the exception of materials used . The P-series also use a different layering of materials which makes it possible to cut the tubes anywhere and ferrule them without breaking out the wall, unlike the tapered tubes.
A common question is "what is the difference between P-series tubes and the tapered tubes?" Weight verses stiffness. Example 3pt, at 12.5 grams, has the stiffness of the P-200 at 14.5 grams.Which is more durable? The P200. The 3pt is an ultra light performance tube wind range 2mph to 12 mph or more depending on design. The P-200 could take winds up to over 20 mph and not break. It would lack the performance of a stiffer tube, but can take it, unlike the 3pt. The P series tubes also have a smooth finish and this year come in either a black or the original gray carbon finish except for the p90 and p400 which only come in the gray.
All the new P series tubes come from a new manufacturer and we think the quality is better than ever. All of the specs are the same as before, with the exception of the P-400, which is a gram heavier.
Information on our other straight tubes:
a) 8 P- is still available at 42 " and is now also available at 32.5 ".
b) 2 P- This tube is now 9 grams , and still uses a 5mm/.1960 ferrule.
c) Ferrules-- You should always use solid .2400 rod in all tubes with the exception of 2pts, P90s and 2ps which you could use lighter 2400 tube ferrules.
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Skyshark II PT Series (words from Skyshark)The New Sky Shark™ PT Series Tapered Competition Air Frames arehere!.
We believe that they are the very best Air Frames available. These new tapered air frames are exceptional. We have increased stiffness up to 50%. What's the secret? New material combinations!
All of the Sky Shark PT series tapered tubes are made on the same mandrels. This means that all of the inside diameters are the same, at .244 I.D. You can use a .2400 or 6mm ferrule across the range.
I want to interject at this point to explain what has transpired in the transition from original Sky Shark to the new series of Sky Shark ll tubes:
2pt at 32.5" -
The old tubes had a build up of material between 10" and 12.75" from the large end . This was done to make the tube stronger where the lower connectors are placed in the leading edge pockets. This was only good if the kite design fit the application of the build up placement. We also built up the small end about 2" to stop any crushing. The tubes always weighed about 8 grams. It is also important to note that there is sometimes a variance of weight on wrapped tubes because the material can vary from batch to batch depending on the resin content. We've stopped putting the upper build up on the tubes. After lots of discussion with flyers it seemed if tubes were breaking they were breaking at the transition from the build-up to the body of the tube. The build up area was causing a stress riser (weak area). We continued with the build up at the tip and we also went to a different material which increased strength. But to keep the tubes as stiff we had to make the new tubes a gram heavier. We also had to do this with the 2p. As far as replacements with the old, you could not tell the difference. |
Skyshark II Black Diamond Series (words from Skyshark)We were getting a demand for tubes that had a better look and would help prevent bridle wear from friction on lower spreaders. So we brought back a sanded smooth finish tube that was similar to our original Black Diamond THP series tubes that were different colors. We decided to do the same finish with no colors. They have a very hard clear-coat paint that makes them very smooth. The tubes are the same tubes as our standard 3PT's, 5PT's and 7PT's. The only difference is we take grains, not grams of material off the tube very precisely. The amount of material in weight that is taken off is replaced by the weight of the paint.
We also have just started producing a new larger diameter tube that is going to be called the Black Diamond Nitro. We developed this tube in cooperation with Ken McNeill of Blue Moon Kites. Ken wanted a tube that was stiffer than our current 5pt to stop any wing chatter that comes with high wind flying and to create better all around performance. So the new tube has a larger diameter, different taper, and is about 15 to 20% stiffer than our current 5pt. It is also a sanded tube. This tube can also be cut from the large end as well as the small end. This gives you the ability to change the stiffness. We may also clear coat tubes for spreaders. It's one of the stiffest tube I have ever had at 15 grams. |
Nightmare on courier street!We like to try and keep our service and business more on the personal side, rather than just box shifting kite related goods... we like to keep in touch and stay in the loop with what's going on in the kite world - so this is a little update for anyone who wants to know what's been going on in our kite business world! It's going to sound like a moan and it's a lot of reading, but it's got a happy ending, although it's I'm sure going to be an anti-climax!!
About a month ago we started looking into changing our couriers, going from Fastway, to anyone who could offer a service at the same price (or less!) and offer a more traceable and reliable quality of service, with less breakages. We tried UPS, but they put a residential surcharge on top as a hidden charge. We weren't into that! We tried TNT and DPD, however they didn't deal with postal tubes, and as most of you know... we ship out boat loads of carbon in postal tubes... not ideal either. Finally City Link came up with the all the right buttons and the right price. We started setting up the account and got the ball rolling.
Two weeks ago, we came in to work as usual, however our internet connection was down... all the usual things were tried, many reboots... unplugged router and restarted that. I even went to the local computer shop to ask for help, and was utterly shocked to see the guys dad come out the back with his eyes wide open and laughing as he'd found an old Penthouse Collector's edition. After a conversation I wasn't expecting, we came to the conclusion that it wasn't our router, or computer, and that we needed to shout at our service provider.
Whilst this is what you might think not really much of an issue, it pretty much ground us to a halt in one foul swoop! We couldn't collect orders, respond or receive email enquiries, process orders, or even go on Google to find the number for our service provider! I took the computer, and printer back to my house, and did what I could do there. Lots of emails, order processing and printing order forms, then drive to and from home and work about 4 or 5 times each day for about 3 days fetching all the paperwork and taking it to the actual stock and packing room.
We were starting to get a pile of parcels building up, so I did my usual, and called in the courier - with no response... finally after many frustrating attempts, the driver tells me he no longer works for the company, and I need to call the depot to get the new driver to come. Ok, yes annoying, no not the end of the world. But could I get hold of the depot?! Not a chance... for another few days I had zero luck. Orders now really piling up! I started booking in couriers online with whoever I could get to come, UPS was the best temporary service, but very expensive!
Finally I gave up trying to call the East Midlands depot, and I called Yorkshire, and they answered and then laughed at my situation. Once they had explained that the East Midlands franchise had gone bust, and realised that nobody had notified their customers, the laughter tailed off... we weren't happy, or laughing. We'd got pre paid courier labels that were not redeemable, a pile of parcels that were starting to get expensive to ship.
Ok, so back to City Link, it'd been 2 weeks since we started to get things into motion. However City Link are "not great with paper work", and they're pretty slow. Finally at the end of last week we got our account finalised, and we were up and running!
So far we've had 3 collections, and no issues :-) Our apologies have to go out to all that were affected by this infuriating cock-up, we know there were some terrible delays. We are sorry!
Now that all the courier nightmares are over, we are working on some custom covers for the London 2012 Olympic Archery targets... It's really quite an exciting task, especially as they want 45 custom covers for this Friday!!
Cheers
The Highwaymen
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Portsmouth Bound!Hi guys,
Well we're just sitting down for 5 minutes with a coffee while we plan what stuff to take to Portsmouth. Although, we're aiming more towards the option of taking everything we have... there will always be something Sean ends up forgetting!
We really wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the weekend special we have got on, since we're away at Portsmouth Kite Festival... there's always a deal to be had at these shows, but it's difficult to give the same kind of good service with a possibility for a haggle over the web... so this weekend coming 27th-29th August all purchases made online will recieve a 10% discount at the check out. Whether it be an order for kite spares, end caps, ripstop nylon, icarex, power kites, sport kites, carbon fibre or fibre glass... what ever you order will receive our special weekend discount!
For regular updates on special offers, and new products in... check out our Facebook Page
Cheers
The Highwaymen
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Top Tips - Larks Head KnotStep 1
1. Take one of your lines, if it is not pre-sleeved or does not have a loop on the end then tie a loop using a simple knot, but make sure the loop is at least 10cm to 12cm in length. Once this has been done you are ready to form the larks head.
You don't need to be a boy scout, this stuff is easy!
Step 2
2. Fold the loop back on itself so that you can then hold the loop in one hand between your thumb and fore finger.
Ok - How are you feeling..? This is childs play so far!
Step 3
3. Flatten the loop out so as to form 2 loops side by side with the knot in the center.
You're looking to make two bunny ears*
*Imagination required
Step 4
4. Fold the loops forwards so that the you can thread the attachment point through both loops at the same time.
You're getting the idea now...
Step 5
5. As you pull the knotted part of the line the larks head will now tighten, and that is it, your larks head know is now formed.
Practice it a few times onto a lose piece of string, kite bridle, pet dog, what ever stays still long enough to keep trying
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August Bank Holiday Discount Weekend!!We’ve recently been talking about business, and how things change over the years... We have changed our layout, we’re now almost exclusively mail order and festival based. Swag Box Gifts is now in our shop, which is an astounding success! The entire industry has changed hugely from when we started, it used to be all kids kites, then trick kites were all the rage. A few years later power kites had a major boom when kite surfing started taking off!
Many shops came and went quickly, almost all the good ones went... along with the knowledge and experience to deal with spare parts, new and old - this is where we are excelling!
Our range of spare parts, carbon fibre, ripstop nylons and polyesters are flying out, and we have to take constant deliveries coming in to keep up!
Since we are mostly doing mail order now, we don’t often get chance to offer 10% discount in store to our loyal customers. So we have decided to hold a 10% Discount Special Weekend at the end of this month. On our August Bank holiday a 10% discount will apply to every order placed online, your savings will show on the final check out page.
Take it easy - From all at The Highwaymen
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New Site OnlineWell we're having a re jig on our website, trying to make it clearer and easier to use on a wider range of computer systems...
There's still a few little issues with some spacing and formatting, but we're getting there.
The aim is to make buying kites, kite spares, and contruction materials a whole lot more simple. It has to be easy to find, easy to see what you're looking at, and no nonesense!
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 Bulk Buy Options!Since our sales for carbon fibre are now starting to go crazy... we're incorporating a value pack option to each product. Our bulk buy options for end caps have been really well received so we know we're heading the right way with giving the options to our fantastic carbon fibre!
In short, there are now price break quantity options for ordering carbon. Soon to come will be price breaks on ripstop nylon, and also fibreglass rods and tubes.
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Join us on FacebookCome join us on Facebook, Like our page and keep in touch with us! |
Free Shipping
Free Shipping on all UK orders over £100
Minimum Order Only £15
Call us on 01455 230 736 and place your order today!
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Call Us! Really.... we're very friendly!During the summer festival period, we take our stock with us on the road to the kite festivals... it is not kept on the premises so if you wish to collect your orders from the shop, please give us a call on 01455 230 736 and reserve your order now
We carry a large product range here at The Highwaymen, and have one of widest ranges of spare parts of any kite business in the UK. Kiting is only a small industry, so holding stock can be tricky due to short production runs, and high manufacturing costs... however we almost always have an alternative solution to your requirements if we are unlucky enough to be out of stock. Call us on 01455 230 736 and place your order today!
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Pilotless KitesOK it has been said that kiting is easy, and also it's been said it can be tough to master - but check this out...YouTube
They've created a machine that's able to fly a power kite.
I can only assume this is the kind of machine that they use on those tankers I blogged about not long ago
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The Highwaymen Single Line Kites Here at The Highwaymen office, we're busy beavering through catalogues and all the latest products from our single line manufacturers. There's really some great stuff coming out from designers such as Rainer Hoffman, and Thomas K. Horvath, and we just can't wait to get it all out for you to see. This year is a good year for new designs.... especially the kids stuff!
Kids - You're going to love this season!
Cheers
The Highwaymen |
The Ultimate Kite Show - Words and video taken from their website "Welcome to the home of the Ultimate Kite Show. Come and see an impressive mega kite display above the water. Huge colourful kites, in the shape of sea creatures and divers, float in the sky for all to enjoy. Its a great day out for young and old to enjoy an impressive display that you've never seen before."
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The Biggest Kite In The World" Biggest Kites In The World
Gomberg Kite Productions is proud to present the Biggest Kite in the World.
The "MegaFlag" is a fully functional, self-flying kite measuring 130 feet wide and 80 feet deep. That's an astounding 10,400 square feet!! The kite is an inflatable "soft" design with no sticks or spars. It was designed and constructed by Guinness Record Holder Peter Lynn of New Zealand.
Imagine a kite three times the size of your house. Imagine a kite that requires a 'string' with a breaking strength of 20 tons or a dump truck to serve as anchor. Imagine a kite that more than a thousand people can walk inside of while it is held on the ground. Now imagine having this kite at your event…
The Biggest Kite in the World
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Mega Flag?
Exactly?? The Gomberg Mega Flag measures 137.8 feet wide x 83 feet deep (42 meters by 25.3 meters). That's a total flat surface area of 11,437.5 square feet (1062.5 square meters). When inflated and flying, curvature of the surface reduces the effective lifing area to 10,225.7 square feet (950 square meters). When inflated, there is a 25-foot ceiling inside the kite.
Is the American Flag the only kite of this size?
No. There are presently three kites in the MegaFlag series. One is in the Middle East and one in Japan. All are exactly the same size and the series was recognized as the "largest kite in the world" by the AKA.
Is this officially the world's largest kite?
The MegaFlag was officially certified as the largest in the world by the American Kitefliers Association in 2005.
Guinness recognized the first of the MegaFlag series as the largest in the world in February 2006. Previously. Guinness credited a kite called the MegaBite in 1997. The MegaBite and a sister kite of roughly the same size called the MegaRay were made by Peter Lynn of New Zealand. Peter has now produced the MegaFlag series which is 25% larger then the "Bite" and "Ray".
Is this a kite or a balloon?
The Mega Flag is a fully functional, self-flying kite. It has no sticks or spars and is a patented kite design based on parafoils and ram-air inflated wings. Kites are anchored to the ground and generate lift when wind pressure interacts with the sail. Balloons are lifted into the air by gasses inside the canopy."
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KitesA kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air (or in some cases water) flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of the one or more lines or tethers. The anchor point of the kite line may be static or moving (e.g., the towing of a kite by a running person, boat, or vehicle).
Kites are usually heavier-than-air, but there is a second category of lighter-than-air kite called a kytoon which may be filled with hydrogen, hot air, methane, or helium; these stay aloft with or without wind; at calm they float; at wind they receive lift from buoyancy and aerodynamic lift. Kytoons have been made in toy-scale as well as military large scale.
Kites may be flown for recreation, art or other practical uses. Sport kites can be flown in aerial ballet, sometimes as part of a competition. Power kites are multi-line steerable kites designed to generate large forces which can be used to power activities such as kite surfing, kite landboarding, kite fishing, kite buggying and a new trend snow kiting. Kites towed behind boats can lift passengers which has had useful military applications in the past.
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Kite HistoryKites were used approximately 2,800 years ago in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line; and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. Alternatively, the kite authors Clive Hart and Tal Streeter hold that leaf kites existed far before that time in what is now Indonesia, based on their interpretation of cave paintings on Muna Island off Sulawesi. The kite was said to be the invention of the famous 5th century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. By at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown, as it was recorded in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission. Ancient and medieval Chinese sources list other uses of kites for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signalling, and communication for military operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying.
After its introduction into India, the kite further evolved into the Fighter kite known as the patang in India. In India annual kite running competitions are held every year on the day of Makar Sankaranti.
Stories of kites were brought to Europe by Marco Polo towards the end of the 13th century, and kites were brought back by sailors from Japan and Malaysia in the 16th and 17th centuries. Although they were initially regarded as mere curiosities, but by the 18th and 19th centuries kites were being used as vehicles for scientific research.
In 1750, Benjamin Franklin published a proposal for an experiment to prove that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm that appeared capable of becoming a lightning storm. It is not known whether Franklin ever performed his experiment, but on May 10, 1752, Thomas-François Dalibard of France conducted a similar experiment (using a 40-foot (12 m) iron rod instead of a kite) and extracted electrical sparks from a cloud.
The period from 1860 to about 1910 became the "golden age of kiting". Kites started to be used for scientific purposes, especially in meteorology, aeronautics, wireless communications and photography; reliable manned kites were developed as well as power kites. Invention of powered airplane diminished interest in kites. World War II saw a limited use of kites for military purposes (see Focke Achgelis Fa 330 for example). Since then they are used mainly for recreation due to a vast improvement in technology.
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Uses for Carbon Fibre and Fibre GlassUses for Carbon and GRP
Uses for Carbon Fibre: The Highwaymen: Uses for Carbon and GRP
Kites
• Spars
• Handles Aero
Modelling
• Spars, leading edges & trailing edges
• Wing joiners
• Control rods
• Drive shafts
• Framing
Water sports
• Masts, Booms
• Paddle oars
• Battens
Fishing
• Rods
• Floats
Archery
• Arrows
• Stabiliser components
Other applications have included:
• Building & Construction
• Aerospace
• Motor Sport
• Transport
• Electrical
• Medical
• Exercise equipment
• Umbrella components
• Tent poles
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Carbon Fibre ShopFrom our friends at Carbon Fibre Shop
Carbon Fibre Rod - Carbon Fibre Shop :: "The primary advantage of using carbon tubes for a project, vs. fiberglass or metal, is its high stiffness to weight ratio. Carbon fibre is stiff and very lightweight, making it ideal for rigid frame construction. There is a degree of flexibility to the carbon depending on diameter (small diameter has a lot more flex than large diameter rods)
Pultruded carbon rods, also known as graphite rods or unidirectional carbon fiber rods, are used in many industrial applications and aerospace designs, as well as in hobbies such as RC airplanes and RC sailboats, dual line kites and single line kites, and just about anywhere else you want a stiff, strong rod.
Cutting Carbon - We recommend the easiest and most cost effective way to cut carbon is with a fine tooth junior hacksaw... wrap the carbon with tape, and score the whole circumference with the blade before cutting all the way through. Also wearing eye protection and a dust mask for safety is a good idea!" |
How To Cut Carbon Fibre Rods and Tubes
How To Cut Carbon Fibre Rods and Tubes
We have found that the easiest and most cost effective method of cutting carbon rods and tubes is by using a sharp junior hacksaw.
Although it's not as accurate as setting up a jig with a fine disc cutter, it is a readily available method that costs very little from a local DIY shop.
We suggest wrapping the area that you wish to cut with masking tape (any tape will do), then marking on the tape exactly where you want the cut, and mark the entire circumferance. Then once ready for the cut, begin to score the carbon all the way around.. by scoring a cut around the entire circumferance, and by wrapping it in tape, you minimize the risk of splintering.
Once you have scorred around the carbon, begin to gently and slowly cut all the way through the remaining carbon.
Finally, once through, give the carbon a light sanding around the sharp cut edges.
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