Balloons

Very nice shots, lovely colours on the first 3.

It's nice to see a US rig with a decent basket under it, so many balloonists over there seem to use those small triangular ones. They just don't get used over here.

sandpiper wrote in post #6002260
Very nice shots, lovely colours on the first 3.

It's nice to see a US rig with a decent basket under it, so many balloonists over there seem to use those small triangular ones. They just don't get used over here.

Thank you sandpiper, this was my first go at balloons. Do you mean a basket like this?

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Nice!

Barb W wrote in post #6002814
Thank you sandpiper, this was my first go at balloons. Do you mean a basket like this?

My god, they're getting even smaller. That basket is tiny, two people and no room left for the gas tanks, which have been slung outside on the ends. Mind you, that seems to be quite a small envelope (the 'balloon' bit), so probably wouldn't carry a proper 4-man basket. I'm not sure I would want to do a fast landing in such a small basket, it looks like it would be hard to keep all limbs inside as you get bounced around.

I don't recall seeing an envelope like that before, so presumably an American speciality. We do have small envelopes over here, smaller than that, which we call cloudhoppers. they take a single pilot dangling in a seat underneath with the gas tank and burner attached behind and above, in the seat frame. I think these are also used a fair bit in the States, they are a cheaper way of getting into the sport although a bit harder to get crew for (as you can't offer flights in return for crewing services).

Did you get any shots of fancy shaped balloons?

not only are the tanks slung on the outside they use the tanks to hang their helmets, no way in hell I would get in that basket!
No shots of the fancy shaped balloons, there were only 4 balloons, this launch was part of a chile pepper and salsa festival, here's the 4th balloon and a close up of the little basket.

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Beautiful colors, Barb. Those people are crazy

Nice Shots.

Love the pics......I should have woke up in time to go with ya

Barb W wrote in post #6004507
not only are the tanks slung on the outside they use the tanks to hang their helmets, no way in hell I would get in that basket!

My first thought was "why do they need helmets?" as I don't know any balloonists who wear them. Then I figured that I might use one, if I was stuck in a basket offering as little protection as that one when you hit the ground.

MELIBRYM wrote in post #6008253
Love the pics......I should have woke up in time to go with ya

ahhhh... when you snooze you loose!!!

sandpiper wrote in post #6009321
My first thought was "why do they need helmets?" as I don't know any balloonists who wear them. Then I figured that I might use one, if I was stuck in a basket offering as little protection as that one when you hit the ground.

I think a crash in that basket would hurt for sure