OT - Anyone near Wakefield, UK planning to see The Hatchling? - LINKS ADDED

[Bruce K]

Next weekend a dragon is coming to Wakefield.

Unfortunately we were not able to travel there to see my son flying very special quad line kites as part of the performance.

But the videos he has shared of the preparations are amazing.

BK

[jimcav]

I will never be going to the UK, well, maybe if changing planes to reach some other destination in a future vacation when we are empty-nesters, but I do wish there was a video link in the OP.

[Bruce K]

I have tried but can’t make it work from my phone

If you got to YouTube and search “After the Hatchling” or “Gatchling Plymouth” there are two 3 minute videos that give you a great overview of this amazing puppet and kite performance.

The dragon puppet led the Queen’s Jubilee parade.

BK

[Bruce K]

Finally managed to get links to post.

Here is one link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb98o3HGwfM&t=45s

Here's another:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3LofQOnjqA

BK

[jimcav]

I just watched an episode of craft in america on PBS and was amazed by the creativity of a Navago jewelry maker in how he can conceptualize something and then create it by hand.
Similar amazement here that someone one thought of this and then executed it.

Do you know if once they use the helium balloon or the manta guide kite at launching, after that is the dragon flying on its own (I know it is controlled by people, but is it providing it's own lift?)


thanks for posting this. wish there was something like this to see near me. We get hot air balloons frequently, but I've never heard of any large scale kites like this.

[Bruce K]

Generally, the balloons are used if there is not enough wind for independent flight.

The lifter kite is more for The Pearl (the cellular “ball) but both The Pearl and the Dragon are capable of independent flight with enough wind.

The Dragon is usually towed by a boat down a waterway after launch go it flies on its own.

The wingspan on the Dragon is about 75 feet

My son is the Flight Team Captain for The Pearl and is also one of the sport kite fliers.

We have “daily’s” that I can’t post until after the performance but I am really wishing we could have gotten over there to see it in person.

BK

[jimcav]

thanks for sharing this and posting pics when you can!