[Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite

Sat Aug 11 17:43:13 EDT 2012

Were the hydrogen generator cans telescopic so once opened you extended 
them, almost doubling the length? By extending them, the gas delivery 
pressure was higher.

John  WA4WDL

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Taigh Ramey" <taigh at twinbeech.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 5:30 PM
To: <jfor at quikus.com>
Cc: "'Hue Miller'" <kargo_cult at msn.com>; <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Gibson Girl kite

> 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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