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Flight of the butterfly: Kite maker's miniature creations a showcase of aerodynamics

Kite maker's miniature creations a showcase of aerodynamics and precise craftsmanship

ST VIDEO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
Mr Carlos Ong flying one of his aerial creations next to a neighbourhood community garden in Jurong West last November. His aim is to create a kite that is 10 times lighter and smaller than the ones he now makes. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
Some of the butterfly kites, which weigh between 5g and 30g, that Mr Ong has made over the past eight years. Each one is painstakingly handmade and no two kites are the same. Every little aspect has to be taken into consideration during the kite-making process – from the thickness of the individual bamboo frame to the quality of the paper used. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he would have another as spare. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
The kite maker uses a mini wood plane to further whittle down the bamboo strips to the desired width and thickness. Bamboo is used to create the skeletal structure of the miniature kite as it is flexible and malleable. Even when filed into very fine strips, it does not break easily. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
The materials and tools that Mr Ong employs to create a new butterfly kite. In order to achieve the objective of making a kite that can fly, both symmetry and precision in craftsmanship are important in ensuring that the kite is aerodynamic and can glide like a real butterfly. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
He adds pins to shape the bamboo spines as the glue dries on the finished artwork of a butterfly. He uses calligraphy paper, which is “good for absorbing water”, after having tried many different types of paper, some of which tear easily or lead to smudging when colour is applied. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
Mr Ong constructs the body of a butterfly kite. He says miniature kite making has helped train his patience and concentration – “one small mistake, and the kite will not fly”. Among the different mini kites that Mr Ong has made, he finds the butterfly ones the most challenging. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Mr Ong uses a cutter to slowly whittle down the bamboo strips to a satisfactory width and thickness. It takes him about a month or two to make a mini kite. He makes two at one go each time so that if one breaks under the multiple adjustments, he woul
He adjusts the antenna of his butterfly kite during a flight test. He learnt the aerodynamics of miniature kite creation from Taiwanese kite maker Sunny Lin. Weight distribution and balance are key to ensuring a kite flies and glides well. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Kua Chee Siong
Updated
Jan 15, 2019, 12:37 PM
Published
Jan 07, 2019, 05:00 AM
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When it comes to his passion, kite-flying enthusiast Carlos Ong likes to think small - miniature, in fact.

Mr Ong, 45, not only flies kites, big and small, but also makes them - tiny ones that are not just decorative ornaments, but also aerodynamic wonders that can be flown.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 07, 2019, with the headline Flight of the butterfly: Kite maker's miniature creations a showcase of aerodynamics. Subscribe

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