Hot Air Balloon

[Tony Hawkins]

We saw some friends take a hot air balloon ride yesterday. Here's three shots; I particularly like the one inside the balloon when it was being inflated - they are huge when you are up close.



Inside the balloon IMG_3973 by Tony Hawkins, on Flickr





Balloon flight Nov 15 by Tony Hawkins, on Flickr




Balloon flight Nov 2015 by Tony Hawkins, on Flickr

[Stan]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

First is the pick Tony - a different take

Stan

[Cyberman]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

I really like the first one as its not your typical hot air balloon image.

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Thanks Stan and Andy; what struck me was the cavernous size to the balloon; even partially inflated.

[Tigger]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

that first shot is a stunner Tony - nice work

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

that first shot is a stunner Tony - nice work

Thanks Ian

[planetc]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Wow, what an opportunity!

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Wow, what an opportunity!

And the best thing is I didn't have to go up in it

[Parsen66]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Agree with the others, the first is great

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Agree with the others, the first is great

Cheers Alan.

[John Liddle]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

And the best thing is I didn't have to go up in it

But you should have done!

SWMBO and I used to own and fly a hot air balloon and the aerial views can be out of this world.

On a more prosaic note, before the ready availability of petrol-engined fans to cold inflate the balloon, air had to be "flapped" in by rapidly moving the open mouth up and down. After this a noble volunteer (known as "Cremation Charlie") was detailed to stand inside the balloon as hot inflation commenced and told to jump up and down to keep the top surface of the balloon away from the flame. When I was first given this task I can remember observing that once the pilot fired the flame into the balloon (equivalent to 7,000 horsepower) they could certainly rely on me jumping up and down!

[tesarver]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Love that 1st image Tony. Well done

Tom

[Tigger]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

And the best thing is I didn't have to go up in it

LOL...agree

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

But you should have done!

SWMBO and I used to own and fly a hot air balloon and the aerial views can be out of this world.

On a more prosaic note, before the ready availability of petrol-engined fans to cold inflate the balloon, air had to be "flapped" in by rapidly moving the open mouth up and down. After this a noble volunteer (known as "Cremation Charlie") was detailed to stand inside the balloon as hot inflation commenced and told to jump up and down to keep the top surface of the balloon away from the flame. When I was first given this task I can remember observing that once the pilot fired the flame into the balloon (equivalent to 7,000 horsepower) they could certainly rely on me jumping up and down!

Nice story. Unfortunately I have not got a head for heights and as a pilot friend said - every landing is a crash landing

[Tony Hawkins]

Re: Hot Air Balloon

Love that 1st image Tony. Well done

Tom

Thanks Tom, having never seen one take off it was certainly an unexpected opportunity to see inside the balloon.