KJ Kite raffle at NABX 29th March to 4th April

Please excuse me if I write in English, my French is appalling!

I've been in discussion with Matt Taggert, one of Ozone's principle designers, and he has given me permission to replicate one of Ozone's current kites (the Ozone Manta 3, 12 metre) to use as the basis of a raffle to support NABX (North American Buggy eXpo).

NABX is a not for profit organisation that runs one of the biggest power kiting events in the USA. Each year kite buggiers from all over the world gather at Ivanpah dry lake in Nevada for 5 days of racing, endurance and freestyle buggying. Last year the kite buggy world speed record of 81 mph (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) was set at NABX.

As it's an American event I've decided to use the Star & Stripes as the basis of the design. It won't be as complex as my usual kites, so even though it's a big kite, I should have it finished in plenty of time for NABX; as usual the design is being sewn in, rather than printed. I'll be constructing the foil and Ozone are supplying a brand new bridle & speed system.

So, the kite will be a one off Manta 3, 12 metre, (a de-power snowkite for those who don't know), based on the American flag. Tickets for the raffle will be available for the first four days of NABX with the raffle being drawn on the final day.

Here are a few photos of the early stages of the build: these show the lower skin of the kite (the flyer's view), ready to be sewn together to form the wing.

You can find info about NABX here: About the NABX and info about the Ozone Manta 3 here: Ozone Snowkites > Products > Kites > Manta M3 2011 > Info

In my humble opinion the Manta 3 is very nearly the best de-power foil that's ever been made; the best one was also an Ozone design! The 12 metre is an absolute peach of a kite - if you want to get into the air and have wing that'll glide you down gently, this is it. I've also heard a rumour (not from Ozone, somewhere else) that 2011 is the last year for the Manta - so get one while you can!

Thanks for posting Kjansch, you're always welcome .
We like to know about your projects and this one is original, keep posting ! You'll also have a very special kite !

Ah , one more thing about depower ...Try one day a speed 3 Flysurfer , the word depower won't ever mean the same thing

But maybe you were talking about open cell kites .

lol! I can't count the number of times I've had the open cell vs flysurfer argument! I will admit the the Speed 3 is a great kite, lots & lots & lots of float, but it's just too slow for me: I like to throw my kites around the sky, and I get really frustrated every time I fly a flysurfer: I end up screaming TURN! TURN! at the top of my voice! It's just not for me (well, not on snow anyway - perhaps in a buggy...)

Now if they made a Speed that actually turned as fast as its name suggests, then I'd be convinced.

Did you tried the 12.0 to really have a point of comparison ?

You felt into a net tightened by Flysurfer addicts, sorry

I was flying either a 12m or 15m, I can't remember to be honest. Don't mistake me, I think they're great kites, they just don't suit my style of flying is all!

tatahi a écrit:

You felt into a net tightened by Flysurfer addicts, sorry

And someones more than the others

@kjansh : Listen our french most popular philosopher:

granpasc a écrit:

tatahi a écrit:

You felt into a net tightened by Flysurfer addicts, sorry

And someones more than the others

@kjansh : Listen our french most popular philosopher:

I'm sorry. I wish I could write in French! I would add a google translate version of everything I write, but I just don't trust it!

Granpasc knows the art of making evrybody feel sooooo comfortable ....

Ist : some more than the others ...

2nd: We are in France ...

Merci Granpasc, sans toi le forum perdrait beaucoup en convivialité .

J'avais mis un . Cet extrait m'a toujours fait beaucoup rire mais je dois dire qu'il n'a pas tord.

Ce Granpasc, un vrai videur de boîte

faut dire que c'est tout de même gonflé de dire qu'une Speed est moins bien qu'une Manta

Welcome to kjansch.

ps: never understand why most americans can't stop to put their flag in everything and everywhere ()

That's exactly why I chose the American flag for this kite! As it's an American event, and the idea is to support the event (which is run by a not for profit organisation), I thought that I'd get the most positive response to the raffle by using the Stars & Stripes. I'm British, and somehow I didn't think doing a kite with the Union Jack on it would have gone down too well in the USA!

kjansch a écrit: I'm British, and somehow I didn't think doing a kite with the Union Jack on it would have gone down too well in the USA!

why not ???
somebody else already made it

kjansch a écrit: I'm British

nobody's perfect.

It doesnt change my interrogation, anyway.

-Nosferatu- a écrit:

kjansch a écrit: I'm British

nobody's perfect.

It doesnt change my interrogation, anyway.

selfconfidence perhaps ?

A friend of mine, Superfrenchie, living in Washington DC for the past 30 years, would be found of that discussion.

-Nosferatu- a écrit:

kjansch a écrit: I'm British

nobody's perfect.

It doesnt change my interrogation, anyway.

It's the bane of my life! You've no idea what it's like being British abroad; we seem to be universal targets, and fair game for every charlatan!