[Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite

[Taigh Ramey]

There was a built in spool in the radio on a hinged door and there was also
a spare set of antenna wire on a separate spool in the kit. 

You would raise the antenna wire with the kite with wind or if it was calm
then you could raise the balloon with the hydrogen generators. There were
two generators and two balloons per kit. Within the storage bag for the kite
there were two inflating tubes. You would take one of the hydrogen
generators (cans about 16 inches long and about 5 inches wide) and then
remove the ends with a key (just like a sardine can) on the early ones and
then screw in the inflating tube. The other end of the tube was to be
moistened and then the balloon was pushed on to the tube. The can was
submersed in salt water to the line stenciled on the can and hydrogen was
generated to inflate the balloon. There is also a section of micarta on the
tube to insulate your hand from the heat generated by the chemical reaction.


The antenna was attached to a lanyard on the balloon and the spool was let
out as desired. The spool had a clamp for friction and a handle to reel it
back in. 

There was also a ground line that was to be unspooled and dropped in the
water. This was also secured to the radio itself.

I believe that the extra wire could be attached to the built in antenna to
increase the length of the antenna or it could be used as a replacement.

Taigh

Taigh Ramey
Proprietor, Vintage Aircraft
7432 C.E. Dixon Street
Stockton, California 95206
(209) 982-0273 Shop
(209) 982 4832 Fax
www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY'


-----Original Message-----
From: J. Forster [mailto:jfor at quikus.com] 
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 12:23 PM
To: Taigh Ramey
Cc: 'Michael A. Bittner'; 'Hue Miller'; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite

Makes sense.

Am I correct that the same spool and wire were used for the balloon and
kite? Also, how was the wire harnessed to the balloon?

-John

=========



> The reason for the stuffing, if I recall correctly, is so the kite 
> will float and not sink in the water. There are also pads in the case 
> to protect the radio set components and also help the set to float.
>
> The kites I have looks like they are made from cotton.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Taigh
>
> Taigh Ramey
> Proprietor, Vintage Aircraft
> 7432 C.E. Dixon Street
> Stockton, California 95206
> (209) 982-0273 Shop
> (209) 982 4832 Fax
> www.twinbeech.com
> 'KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY'
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Michael A.
> Bittner
> Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 11:33 AM
> To: Hue Miller; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite
>
> A couple of notes on the Kite pictures I sent:
> 1. Be sure to click on each picture to get the full uncropped view.
> 2. You may notice bumps in the kite cloth at the edge of the kite, 
> where the antenna attachments are, do to some stuffing material being 
> placed between two layers of cloth in these areas.  It adds weight to 
> this one edge and may have something to do with the stability of the 
> kite in flight.  Or, maybe there's some other reason for it?
> Mike, W6MAB
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Michael A. Bittner
>   To: Hue Miller ; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
>   Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 7:08 AM
>   Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite
>
>
>   Here are some photos of a Gibson Girl kite that I have since sold. 
> Frame is made of aluminum tubing, flying surfaces are heavy cloth. 
> It's a great flyer and is very stable in flight.
>   https://www.dropbox.com/sh/reaifdkjewr4087/u7dl4g3UV9
>   Mike, W6MAB
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     From: Hue Miller
>     To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
>     Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 5:53 AM
>     Subject: [Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite
>
>
>     What kind of material do these box kites use?
>     The manuals for lifeboat radios talk about kite use but
>     don't provide useful photos of the kite, nor have I ever
>     seen one. They must all have given their lives providing
>     fun for the eventual owners.
>     -Hue
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