Peter Powell Stunt Kites – Nostalgia Central

These iconic, dual-line steerable kites were originally developed in 1972 by charismatic British kite-maker Peter Powell.

Often credited as the “father of the stunt kite,” Powell’s design turned kite flying from a passive activity into a worldwide craze during the mid-1970s.

The classic Peter Powell kite, known as the Peter Powell Stunter, was a diamond-shaped kite that introduced the concept of dual-line steering.

Unlike traditional single-line kites, the Stunter used two lines, allowing the flyer to steer, dive, and perform loops.

A signature feature was the long, hollow polyethene Skystreamer Tail (up to 76ft long) that inflated in the wind, providing both stability and dramatic visual effect during stunts.

Sales of the kite boomed after it featured on the BBC evening magazine show, Nationwide, in 1975 and became a fixture on the opening credits.

It was named Toy of the Year by the British Association of Toy Retailers in 1976. At its peak, the company operated five factories and produced 75,000 kites a week.

Unfortunately, little kiddies started getting injured and killed when their Stunt Kites tangled with power lines or whisked them off cliff tops . . .

The company entered a long period of decline throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and – In a famous moment of frustration – Powell collected the production jigs from all five of his factories and burned them in a massive bonfire, telling his sons never to restart the business.

His sons, Mark and Paul Powell, *did* relaunch the brand in 2014.

Peter Powell died on 3 January 2016, aged 83.