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Attila57
03-16-2011, 10:53
Some WWI nice videos about balloons (but exploring these two web site I Think you can find other interesting videos)

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675042391_American-observation-balloon_anti-aircraft-guns_plane-descends_balloon-burns

An American observation balloon in France during World War I. The observation balloon descends as it burns after being hit by an enemy plane. The burning balloon descends as it emits smoke. American soldiers fire anti aircraft guns at the enemy plane. The plane being hit and it descends. The enemy plane in a field with Allied soldiers around it. A soldier sits in the field.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675042408_air-balloon_World-War-I_balloon-observer_anti-aircraft-guns_damaged-plane

An Allied air balloon in France during World War I. Allied soldiers push a plane and the plane in flight after taking off. Men in a field as an air balloon takes off. The balloon observer in the field. German soldiers fire an anti aircraft gun at the balloon and the aircraft. Damaged aircraft in a field as people look at it. The air balloon burns after being shot down by the enemy. The balloon descends.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675032106_Battle-of-Arras_observation-balloon_berthed-by-the-soldiers_tents-and-cars-in-the-background

The Germans retreat after the Battle of Arras in France during World War I. An observation balloon is berthed. Soldiers pull the observation balloon down. Tents and cars in the background.


http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=75800

Two observation balloons / dirigibles; like Zeppelins; being lowered. Shot of the 2 dirigibles low in the air; one spherical; the other looking like it has a curled tail around it! - with crowd on ground looking up. Shot of the round balloon nearly touching ground; with men surrounding it; holding ropes attached to the craft. Shot of the crew under the other; long cigar-shaped one; they move it by walking under it holding the ropes.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74805

Brief LS small tent w/ a few soldiers by it; round flat fabric on ground in front of tent. Next; French soldiers walking down a slope to left; holding strings attached to net around a huge round balloon which floats over the soldiers. Pan left on balloon as they pull it over in front of tent; then pull it down on the circle on ground. Soldiers seem to be tying balloon down. Pan right past balloon; soldiers watching. May be observation balloon which will have camera hanging from it.

Von Schlepp
03-16-2011, 11:34
Thanks for posting the videos. I love watching that stuff.

john snelling
03-16-2011, 12:12
Thanks I had a great time watching them. I noticed no markings on the balloons.

usmc1855
03-16-2011, 15:19
Outstanding links! Thanks for sharing these rare finds.

Justin3.14
03-16-2011, 16:49
Outstanding!
Thanks!

sparty
03-16-2011, 17:09
It all seems so incredibly time consuming and labor intensive to my child of the 80s eyes. ;) Thanks for sharing. One thing that is always striking to me is how the aerial combat tools of WW1 just disintegrated upon destruction. From the balloon totally evaporating in flames to the planes pile of wreckage.

grumpybear
03-16-2011, 17:39
Neat but I wonder what the round ones were ? I didnt see a gondola under them

Attila57
03-17-2011, 01:06
About British Pathè videos I think that a lot are propaganda films like this:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=80717

(no observer jjumps from the balloon, when the plane turns you can see a building that seems the same hangar on the ground you can find in other videos,...).

But some are interesting technically (and not only of WWI period).

One of my favourite is this (BALLOON MAINTENANCE, a1949 film|):

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=46958

In these web sites it's like to look in an old trunk in the loft. After all you can find always something of interesting. ;)

Attilio

Flying Officer Kyte
03-17-2011, 03:00
Anyone would think you had been reading my thread on balloons Attilio. Another good find. Look out for my next crass idea about fun with a balloon later on today.
Rob.

Archidamus
03-17-2011, 08:13
Thanks for sharing the links Attilio - I always enjoy looking at footage of the real thing! The speed at which the burning balloon disintegrates is somewhat frightening - I can certainly understand why observers tended to jump as soon as the balloon was attacked.

Attila57
03-17-2011, 10:39
Thanks for sharing the links Attilio - I always enjoy looking at footage of the real thing! The speed at which the burning balloon disintegrates is somewhat frightening - I can certainly understand why observers tended to jump as soon as the balloon was attacked.

... with a parachute, of course! ;)

But we've to remember that already the risk of an imminent attack often forced to land quickly the balloon. This represented a victory for itself because it put an end to the observers mission.

Attila57
03-17-2011, 10:46
Anyone would think you had been reading my thread on balloons Attilio. Another good find. Look out for my next crass idea about fun with a balloon later on today.
Rob.

I'm waiting "your next brilliant idea about fun with a balloon", Rob! :)

Archidamus
03-17-2011, 11:28
... with a parachute, of course! ;)

But we've to remember that already the risk of an imminent attack often forced to land quickly the balloon. This represented a victory for itself because it put an end to the observers mission.

Yes - though even jumping with a 'chute qualifies the observer as a ba-lunatic in my humble opinion :)

Attila57
03-17-2011, 11:53
Yes, I agree. :rolleyes: But for a long time they had a chance compared with a pilot

Shiraz68
03-17-2011, 14:37
Amazing film clips - great to see the real article. Thanks for posting the links Attilio