Four envelopes appear in this issue, sizes 90, 120, 210 and 315, replacing a similar range & number either sold or withdrawn from sale from the May List, which included the nice complete Concept 80 G-BVEN.
Also new for June are trailers, tanks, baskets, a 3m Westfalia, a good Ultramagic 105/120 bottom end and a number of fan parts – 8hp frame/wheels, 5hp engine/cage – see the ad at the end of ‘Fans’. Graeme Scaife is advertising for a pilot in Oz, whilst Nick Dunnington is looking for pilot work …. See Sits Vacant/Wanted.
Our apologies to web readers last month when the May Zebedee News encouraging people to come to the BBM&L Inflation Day didn’t appear until after the event! In the end around 90 envelopes inflated in near perfect conditions, including many ‘old friends’ either sold, mended or flown by us in days gone by at Zebedee! Thanks to Tim Turner and his team (organizers) and David Hopkins (Lakeside Lodge owner) for another splendid event, held at facilities that would be hard to beat …
Once again we have to report the passing of two of our ballooning friends, Allan Snook, Newbury farmer and driving force behind the Newbury Balloon Group who in 1973 bought Thunder Ax7-77 (c/n 5) G-BAXK ‘Jack O’Newbury’ flying mainly around West Berkshire. Allan, being on ‘both sides of the fence’ – farming and ballooning – was able to defuse several landowner issues around Marsh Benham in those busy, early years. He later created Deanwood Golf Course on his land, which to this day welcomes us for breakfast after a morning flight … Condolences to wife Joyce.
Further afield came the news that Barna Vajner, one of the pioneering hot-air pilots from Hungary had died on 28th April aged 61. Barna, a friendly jovial character was one of the team from the ‘Hungarian Air Service’ who drove to England as guests of the Dante Balloon Group in 1984 with locally built RSz-03 balloon HA-803, making several flights from Marsh Benham. This involved Visas and several special permissions from then communist Hungary. Although out of ballooning in recent years and working for the police we did see him in Hungary as recently as last October. A sad loss …