Although envelope sales are on the low side at the moment, baskets, radios and trailers have found new homes in April.
For May we have various price reductions however from our ‘Stop Press’ section, handsome special shape G-SLYY the Ultramagic 105 Fox was sold before going into print here! We expect another complete hopper ad soon, so keep an eye on “Stop Press” …
Zebedee’s Box has seen a few changes this issue reflecting the end of our cushion floor stock and Stubai’s decision to not produce 5t karabiners. We can now offer an ISC version but these are strictly for tethering only as they are not oval as certified on envelopes.
Very welcome news comes from first Glen Everett (Kent based but willing to travel) offering tank PRV/PPTs, burner maintenance and inspections – then Dan Wade who is setting up a workshop in Sackville, Beds offering tank PRV/PPTs & inspections. See Suppliers. Both Easy Balloons and Zebedee intend to continue trading for the foreseeable future but we are happy to see new maintenance organisations forming. Anyone for sewing ?! We encourage further repair stations to contact us especially on the sewing front.
The 18th BBML Inflation Day excelled on 25th April with a calm, sunny day (all day!) at Pidley, Cambs with non-stop inflation of around 90 balloons between 0830 and 1700 including shapes and many long lost envelopes bringing memories to the several hundred visitors. These included many pilots not seen for years too. The stories flowed with “I flew that in its day” or recounting incidents they had had with some of the balloons. All good banter! Well done Tim Turner as organiser, his army of girls “on the gate”, Angela at the BBML caravan and LAAS as sponsor and of course David Hopkins for providing free use of his land once again for the event. Despite the stated “this is the last at Pidley” at the morning briefing, David announced that 2028 can be here after all at prize giving time!!
Zebedee has reduced the price of several of its “dead” or “tired” balloons this issue and added a couple more in the hope that yet more long unseen envelopes will appear at the next event ….!
Finally a non-LTA announcement that well known former balloon pilot and Icicle organiser Mike Drye has produced a picture book of Britten-Norman Islanders & Trislanders – civil and military – from around the world. Hardback 110 pages, published by BN Historians, ISBN 978 0 9503912 8 1 and available from Zebedee £25 + £5 UK P&P (see Zebedee’s Box).