Karl Longbottom, Kite Gallery

The kite gallery features a selection of Karl's kites many of which are custom made.

The Sportsman's Kite

This kite is a modern version of an historic kite made by Dart's Kite of the UK back in the 1880's; a recent commission to replace a very fragile original made from silk.

Rocket Kite for Aintrocketscience

This kite was commissioned by Jon Sutton of Aintrocketscience to help launch the new website www.aintrocketscience.co.uk.

Dove Kites in Dieppe, New Brunswick

The Dove Kites were first commissioned by Dave and Marie Coombs for their Wedding at the Brighton Kite Festival in July 2009. Karl made this pair of dove kites to fly in the kite competition at Dieppe, Canada in August 2009.

Pterodactyl Train

Karl's popular design flown as a train at the Berck sur Mer Kite Festival in April 2009; they behaved quite well for a while.

Double Parasleds

These kites were made as a matching pair in 2009 for a Kite Altitude Record Attempt (KARA), currently missing in action.

Tahara

A recent commission by Tony Collins, based on the traditional Japanese fighting kite design. Dave Nicholl is now the proud owner of a Tahara bearing the Scottish Flag.

Blue Peter Rokkakus

These kites were ordered by the BBC Blue Peter team for flying at the Bristol Kite Festival in September 2008. The programme was broadcast on 23 September 2008.

18 Wing Salmon Kite

The prototype of Karl's commission by John Dobson made in 2008; a copy of an 18 wing kite designed by Salmon in 1907.

Pyrodelta

Commissioned in 2008 by George Webster; a white Pyrodelta.

Kranki

Commissioned in 2007 by George Webster; a Genki with a difference.

Pomoceff

Also commissioned by George Webster; this is the prototype.

Sauls' Barrage

One of a number of box kites displayed by Karl at Swindon Kite Festival in 2007.

Woman Kite

Karl's prize winning entry into the Dieppe Kite Competition in 2004. Made from newspaper cuttings on muslin and ripstop. His stack of Bees (above right) made for Dieppe in 2002 also won a prize.

Carp Edo

This kite was originally commissioned by Alan Gilbert.

Tie Dye Shorts

Uniquely patterned shorts, first seen flying in India, January 2008. This pair are owned by Bob Cruikshanks.

Jamaican Pants

Custom made for Courtney.

Pants & Shorts.

Kindly modelled by Mitsuo Yokoyama, his wife Toshiko and Karl.

Iris Rokkaku (2.4m)

This Kite was made for the 2001 Sunderland Kite Festival Auction, and was bought by John Dobson.

Crane Rokkaku (2.4m)

Made for Bryn Baggaley who wanted something a bit different.

Kiss Two Edo

This is the first Edo made by Karl in 1995 and is still flying. The graphics are taken from Litchenstein's pop art classic Kiss II, but executed in black and white. The kite confuses many people as it is difficult to 'see' the graphic until the kite is in the sky.

Hereford Fighter

A large rectangular kite with patch work decoration inspired by Native American textiles.

Multi-jib

A modern version of an old Mark Cotterell design.

Friendship Kite

This 100m long kite was a special commission by Sunderland Council in 2005 to replace the existing Japanese built Friendship Kite.

Brogden

Commissioned by John Dobson.

Sky Symphony Banner.

Iris Rokkaku photo by John Dobson. Sky Symphony Banner photo by Lloyd Kirton.