Migenk

After repeated requests here is 'Migenk'. It's

         one for the light winds many of us groan at,

         having to reach for the Desperato's, yet again.

         It Is basically a Genki with a more Bleriot

         vintage, bat-like silhouette rather than the

         plank-like original. Mine is made from ripstop

         with a ripstop hem.  Mylar, Icarex, carbon

         fibre spars could be used to enhance its

         performance further.

         To make it is simple. The cover is one piece,

         all spars fit into pockets, spars should all have

         slight tension, the inner ends of the four

         spreaders fit into pockets sewn onto the

         cover.

         The two cross junctions are held in position

         by tapes sewn on the rear of the cover at

         each cross point.  Spars should be cut to

         lengths as required. The cross spar must be

         tensioned with a bow string to a degree that

         at its centre it stands about 4 inches away

         from the cross-spar, a bit more for more

         winds, and less for less. I use a small four-

         hole shirt button as a slider (in preference to a

         two holer), if the line is tied thru one hole and

         returned thru the two adjacent holes it

         slightly skews the button and grips the line

         better.

         Removing the spreaders, either all four or just

         a pair, will also coax it into the wind when all

         else fails. It gets a bit skittish when the wind

         picks up but my guess is that a carbon fibre

         cross spar could improve that. A four foot

         length of dowel must have a variable grain and

         therefore flex.

         The plan as drawn shows all straight edges for

         simplicity, mine has slightly scalloped edges

         everywhere  apart  from  the  two  outer

         sections of the leading edge.  Having flown

         this one, anchored down for hours where full

         size Genkis couldn't get off the deck, I am

         sure that its success is largely due to the bow-

         string. Full size Genki owners might like to

         take note.

         The drogue is made from four panels each 

  8inches long, tapering from 3inches to 1inch.

Resource