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The Nelson Photo News

 

22

A Bit Of Hot Air Goes A Long Way

Take a large section of tissue paper, some glue, scissors, patience and a bit of time and you could be on the way to joining the increasingly popular sport of hot air ballooning. One of the original local enthusiasts, Peter Knowles, has been joined by a few others and on a calm weekend you will probably see the homemade balloons rising over the Wakapuaka mudflats. The tissue paper is cut into sections and then glued to form a balloon with an opening at one end through which hot air is passed. A burner can be attached below this opening and the time of flight then depends on the quantity of fuel carried. As the balloons have to be retrieved, extra long flights are not popular as yet.

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Joan Knowles assists her husband Peter to fill a balloon with hot air from a heater

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Away go two balloons

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Kevin Rooke attaches a burner to his balloon. Kevin's first flight was successful. On the second the balloon caught fire

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It's easy when you know how – flying, that is

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John Woodhead watches helplessly as Kevin Rooke's balloon disappears in flames. Within seconds the balloon was ashes