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Description: | 18th June 1919.
Image taken at the Royal Air Force Aircraft Exhibition in Roundhay Park. In this shot, a Kite Balloon (military observation balloon) appears to be being prepared for flight. Balloons of this type were used for artillery observation and also for observing troop movements etc. near the front lines. This made them a very vulnerable target and they were gradually replaced by powered aircraft. In this photo the balloon is not yet fully inflated as the stabilising fins are still limp. The men around the balloon appear to be holding it down. The crew kept in touch with the ground by morse transmitter, flags and later direct radio telephone contact balloon. At the exhibition there were regular opportunities for members of the public to make ascents in the Kite Ballooon, accompanied by a pilot. These took place between 1.30 and 8.00 pm daily, weather permitting, and cost 10 shillings and 6d in old money which is the equivalent of over ?10 at today's prices. This was the very first occasion that the public had been permitted to ascend in a military balloon and the charge was 10 shillings and 6 pence. Parachute Harness had to be worn as a precautionary measure and the ladies were provided with a changing room where expert members of the Women's Royal Air Force were in attendance to fit the harness. The trip lasted between 20 and 30 minutes and the balloon ascended to a height of about 1,500 feet. During the flight the pilot would "explain the working of the various instruments, pointing out places of interest in the surrounding country, and the method of general artillery observation." (quote from the Souvenir Programme and Guide). Although the passengers were not allowed to make parachute descents there were some displays of these at intervals throughout the day. One of the Victorian bandstands in Roundhay Park is visible in the background, left. | License: | http://www.leodis.net/article.aspx?id=12 | Rights holder: | Leeds Central Library | Subjects: | Royal Air Force Aircraft Exhibition balloon war Roundhay Park | Source: | Leodis - A photographic archive of Leeds | Identifier: | http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?id=20... | Go to resource |
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