5 replies to this topic

[Thirdcoast Kiteman]

Anyone still flying a Speed Wing? This was my first "high wind" kite...Simple and FAST! With only a single spreader, forming a simple triangle, this kite is nearly indestructible...though after years of abuse, it is not exactly in pristine shape anymore. But what makes this kite so great is the design. It has a thick reinforced piece of tube as the connector/nose of the leading edge spars, and being flexible, it absorbs impact without breaking....a triangle sail...and a single spreader (lower)...that's it! It also has an adjustable bridle, so you can tune it to spill or attack the wind. I've flown this kite in nearly gail force winds (heck! what am I saying, not nearly, but true Gail force!), and with a mere size of about 46in. x 24in., this hyper-bad boy pulled me across the field. This kite is crazy fast, so you have to have good skills, and don't fly over people, because this kite can go over 100mph and will seriously hurt someone. But, I've had this kite for years and it's still the one I pull out of the bag when the wind is howling and the daredevil in me can't resist putting a kite up.

As a side note, this is a great design for a first build too!

[kiteking]

I have a stack of 3



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When I first got them (2 years ago) I could not get them airborne. After many bridle adjustments I finally got them to launch and fly. I think that may be why they went up for sale.

Don't know much about them, but they are a kick to fly


Interesting video of speedwings in flight (not mine)

here

[John Barresi]

Just for a historical reference, there was a copy kite out of Oregon around the same time (circa '89-'91), called a "Popper", manufactured and sold by Red McLaren (who also produced the Spectrum Dart for Lee Sedgwick for a couple of years)... Unusual design (original or knock off), and interesting to fly when well tuned.

[Hyper Kiter]

I have a set of three as well (Seems like the usual rig) I got them in 94 from a guy (Torsten ?) from Germany that came to Hawaii to compete, I traded a TOTL Spin off for them....I got the better of the deal.
I reframed them when I moved to AZ, to fly in lighter breezes, but they truly love the strong winds more!

[Thirdcoast Kiteman]

Love the video of the Speed Wing in flight! I need to get a camera rig for my kites...ah yes, more toys!

[John Barresi]

Hyper Kiter, on 25 July 2009 - 01:58 PM, said:

I have a set of three as well (Seems like the usual rig) I got them in 94 from a guy (Torsten ?) from Germany that came to Hawaii to compete, I traded a TOTL Spin off for them....I got the better of the deal.
I reframed them when I moved to AZ, to fly in lighter breezes, but they truly love the strong winds more!

Torsten Schmitt, from Fun Unlimited... Torsten, Micheal Sehorz and myself all flew as an impromptu team ("World United") at that very same event.