Slow progress, a busy week of distractions.

14th November and all the points have been blunted and taped. The jig has been joined up to re-glue the nail heads as the filing showed most of them were loose. However they relocated well when the jig was combined.

Ready to proceed on Saturday 15th November.

I had expected to set the 'X's first but in the event skipped that and ran the line. The line was lifted as the 'X's were placed.

Most of the 'X's were slightly trimmed to fit.

Keeping the jig open at this stage makes setting the 'X's and taping them much easier and the end result should be much neater than the first attempt!

The weighted line tension is not completely consistent but is probably not an issue as there is not really any stretch in the line.

The assembly will be re-set on the jig after sewing but will be reversed so that the flat side of the Dacron is applied to the back of the sail.

Taped 'X's released on Sunday 16th.

Sewn 'X's re-applied to the jig.

Ready for application to the damaged leading edge.

Sail secured and assembly being lowered into place on 17th November.

The torn and unsecured mesh did make placing the 'X' assembly more difficult and the final sewing felt somewhat precarious.

The overall assembly seemed fine and the remains of the mesh will be removed before a test flight.

The details looked ok!

The mesh has been removed and bridle and end caps set on Thursday 20th November. Initially a four wrap frame is in place but that might be changed for testing on Sunday 23rd.

I suspect that this early 1.5 has a slightly different vertical spar configuration but didn't get to check it today.

In the air at Blackheath, 23rd November 2025

Conditions were good with a fairly consistent 10mph plus westerly breeze.

The kite felt quite stable but was fully powered with the sail areas appearing to be wrinkle free at the centres.

There was no indication that the leading edge of the actual sail was unsupported. The lateral tension was sufficient to keep it in line.

Taped but not sewn.

Back to preparation for the set of eight JMH vented sails from 2009. I plan to make up the assemblies first and then prepare the sails, removing all the fittings before doing the replacements.

Along the way I looked at the Not Zen sail and decided that I would add the extra 'X' and prepare the necessary extension to the jig to accommodate the larger sail. It will be a removable extension!

I realised that as the spacing is identical there will only be one extension needed!

First set sewn and trimmed 27th November.

As at 29th November I have done two sets so I might complete the eight by next weekend.

As at Monday 1st December three sets done and the line for the fourth is laid.

As at Wednesday 3rd December four sets are completed.

Fifth set; lines set and 'X's in production.

As at Thursday 4th December five sets are completed.

Sixth set; lines set, 'X's and tapes ready.

As at Saturday 6th December six sets are completed.

Seventh set; lines set, 'X's and tapes ready for seventh and eighth sets.

Sunday 7th December, ready to start...

Sunday 7th December, eight sets completed...

The next step is to take the bridles off all eight kites in preparation for setting the new leading edge elements!

Each set took about an hour to fabricate excluding preparation of the 'X's and cutting the tape.

Monday 8th December. The dismantled Bazzer leading edge end cap has been sewn back into place on the one kite using a small amount of double sided tape. The bridles have all been removed and hung up in a safe place. I only noticed one where the bridle line was fraying at the end cap loop.