Judging by the requests for repairs there are quite a number of you out there flying. Certainly the BBAC 3-4-40 region has organised several “morning fly-outs” which have attracted 6, 10 & 12 balloons. These have successfully been organised “on the quiet” so as not to attract spectators to private launch sites during these Covid times.
One complete balloon and two envelopes leave the List this month, whilst a ‘top spec’ lightweight Concept 70 with titanium tanks, a complete 77 in Sweden and 3 “well used” rides envelopes join the List, 2 of them for free! Quite a few smaller items are sold too, with cylinders generally being in short supply with out listing now down to just one Worthington! We have added a Tempest 5.5hp Power Blower, this one with direct drive rather than the belt drive version which tends to slip. Although those of us who wear flying suits when airborne has reduced, we offer 4 such items this month from small to large – see ‘Other’. We have been concerned for some time re the exorbitant price of heatlinks. We have now changed supplier, having sourced much cheaper examples identical in shape & size, now rated and marked at 128ºC (as per Cameron manual) instead of degrees F. See Zebedee’s Box.
We have to report the sad news that another early hot-air pilot, Renee Thornton died recently. She was a founder member of the Southern Balloon Group in 1972 flying Carousel (G-AZOO) and Carousel Two (G-BDSK) prior to her own Cameron Viva 65 ‘Diadem’ (G-BIBO). She flew at many European meetings and championships usually with David Barker, including the World Champs at Castle Howard in 1977 and winning the Irish Championships twice. Renee was also a founder member of the British Balloon Museum & Library, serving as our first treasurer and subsequently on the council until 2009, whereupon she was appointed as Vice President. She died peacefully in her sleep in August aged 89.