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International View Co. 'War Balloon, Fall Tournament 1900
Germany '
This is the earliest image I've seen of a 'Drachen' type kite
balloon. The Boer war observation balloons were spherical, as were some of
the
Russo-Japanese war balloons. |
| The Parseval-Seigsfeld 'Drachen' was invented in 1893, built
in large numbers in WW1. Flown up to 5000ft. |
They were of more use (mainly for artillery spotting) in
wind than spherical balloons, but still gave a rough ride compared with
the Caquot design. |
 |
'Japanese
War Balloon in the rear of the besieging Army - Port Arthur'
Underwood&Underwood ©1904
At
first sight this looks like a ragged conventional balloon, but in fact it
has a complex tether arrangement which attaches to a reinforced
'keel' on the envelope. |
 |
'Japanese war balloon
Underwood&Underwood ©1904
A
distant view - no details of the balloon can be seen , but again it does
not appear to be spherical. |
 |
Kilburn 16512 ' Military Balloons ascending to locate
the enemy Liao Yang, Manchuria'
©1905
I'm thinking that the two 'sausage' shaped balloons here might
be 'nurse' balloons used for the storage of hydrogen. |
| There are quite a few variations confusable
with the image above - often with the same or identical title, one of
two Kilburn identification numbers :*( , but different
balloons |
 |
| Troutman's Series - Early French Observation
balloons |
|
 |
Troutman 5191 - 'Hauling down an observation
balloon'
This less common Troutman stereoview purports to chow a
spherical observation balloon, probably French, possibly from very early
in the Great War.
Looking at the view in detail I wonder, as the balloon is dissimilar from
those in other Troutman views. It is also very large for a gas balloon,
there is no tether/winch visible, the basket is well to one
side.
Sorry, no link to large version for this one. |
 |
Troutman 5254 - 'French observation balloon
near Reims'
Another less common Troutman stereoview. A 'sausage'
shaped observation balloon moored on the ground. Very unusual
subject matter. The balloon is held down by a large cover with a
ring of sandbags around the edge.
Sorry, no link to large version for this one. |
 |
Troutman 5296 - 'French observation balloon'
Another Troutman stereoview, possibly of the same balloon
as the preceding one. Troutman's views are much less common than the
Keystone views. The photographic reproduction also tends to be poorer, but
the subject matter and photography are very good.
Sorry, no link to large version for this one. |
| Keystone and Underwood Views - Observation
balloons deployed |
|
 |
Keystone
18758. 'Hauling down French dirigible balloon for Officers Report.' Common.
1915
This card is easy to confuse with 'Preparing to Reconnoiter', Keystone 18077 |
 |
Keystone 18077. 'Preparing to Reconnoiter the Enemy's position - Officers Entering the
cradle of a captive balloon.' Common. Some cards are stamped ©1916
This card is easy to confuse with 'Hauling down French', Keystone 18758 |
 |
Keystone 21358. 'The "Eyes of the German Army" -
an Observation Balloon with Its Crew'. |
 |
'A British balloon which escaped from its moorings. It was caught by
Belgian soldiers.' Underwood and Underwood. |
| 'Realistic Travels' views - full of useful
detail |
|
 |
'Spotting the Turks; motor winch pays out the cable for an observation
balloon about to ascend.' Realistic Travels.
A good view of the winch-vehicle. |
 |
'Officer in the car of an observation balloon testing the telephone.' Realistic
Travels. Less common |
 |
'Car of Observation balloon in mid-air
showing the parachute attachment'
Realistic
Travels. Less common |
 |
Feldstereo-Verlag 1048 'Aufstieg eines
deutschen Fesselballons'
"Feldstereo publishing house 1048 'Ascent of
a German observation balloon(s)'
This card is 107 x 42 mm, much smaller format than the
other cards on these pages. |
 |
'Observation balloons near Coblenz, Germany.' Keystone V18945.
The HQ of the US Balloon Corps was at Coblenz, so this might be it. The
three-finned design is a 'Caquot' balloon, most of which were constructed by the Goodyear
Tyre Co. |
 |
'Military Balloon in the Champagne district "waiting for
pilot"' Underwood and Underwood. |
 |
Keystone 18736 'Attaching Observation Balloon to winch for towing into position. Our army
of occupation, Weissenberg, Germany.' |
 |
'Observation balloon rising, Weissenberg, Germany.' Keystone 30012
- but it looks different for the usual numbering sequence, and there is no description
on
the back.
Not sure if this is the same balloon as above, but it does look as if it is the
same winch vehicle! |
 |
'An observation balloon starting off to 'spot' for the Artillery.' Realistic
Travels.
This card was given to me by Geoff Hutton. Thanks, Geoff!! |
| Observation balloons in Action. They tended not
to fare well. |
|
 |
'Observation balloon fatally pierced by shell-fire from American Plane.' Underwood
and Underwood. Common Keystone V18923 is identical, and even more
common. The Keystone legend reads 'incendiary bullets' instead of
'shell-fire' |
 |
'Observation balloon destroyed by shell-fire
of American aeroplane'
Underwood and Underwood 14392. U-262022.
Uncommon
Similar title and shape of the white smoke area to the
common card above. Cloud details suggest that it is the same event. |
 |
'An intrepid observer meets with a mishap and makes a hurried descent' Realistic
Travels.
Less common than 'fatally pierced', and unusual in almost showing two
balloons |
 |
'Observation Balloon brought down in flames by a lucky shot
from an intrepid airman' Realistic Travels. Less Common.
This forms a pair with the following card, which from the cloud
formations, would appear to be the same balloon.
|
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'The trail of smoke from the burning remnants of an enemy
observation balloon'
Realistic Travels. Observation balloons were effectively
sitting ducks to the new aeroplanes. They were hauled down if attacked.
The occupants would frequently parachute to safety (unlike aeroplane
pilots who were not given parachutes)
|
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Anonymous but
professionally produced view of an observation balloon being strafed by an
aircraft (ex William Darrah collection)
|
Stereoscopic Images of Lighter Than Air
Flight
/orbiter/blimpy2.gif)
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