MAN-LIFTING KITES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2390, 4 January 1909, Page 2

MAN-LIFTING KITES.

USED FOR RECONNOITRING

Further tests with man-lifting kites were to be carried out at Portsmouth in September,, under the direction of Mr. F. S. Cod.v, the inventor. The utility of these kites for reconnoitring purposes lias long been recognised by the military authorities, 1 and they have played an important part in army manoeuvres for some time past. Recent experiments (says "The Times”), which took place from the Revenge (battle-ship) at Portsmouth, demonstrated that if the steel cable, by which the kites are held captive, be cut-or broken, the occupant of the basket can make a safe descent from a height of at least 1000 ft. The kites glide or "parachute” gradually downwards. so :that they strike the water with about the same force as does a man diving from a height of ,20ft or 25ft. It has often been noticed by balloonists that at an altituda of from 2000 ft to 3000 ft objects under water can be distinguished quite easily. This was tested from his kites by Mr Cody and some of the naval officers who took part in the experiments at Portsmouth. It was proved that not only could shoals and wrecks be discerned, but submarines and sunken mines also were olainly visible. “ The advantage which these kites possess for the navy over captive balloons lies in their lesser resistance to the wind, their ability to stand practically any wind of less force than a hurricane, and in their being far less cumbersome than an inflated gas-bag. Observations were taken in perfect comfort the other day from a basket supported by three kites, and towed by a destroyer at a. speed of 26 knots dead in the teeth of an 18-mile wind. The importance of these attributes of the kites tends to encourage an anticipation that an early date they may ho regularly adopted in the navy, as they already have been in the army.