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kiteguy · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject: Hot air balloon_ripstop

So, what do you do when someone offers to you a hot air balloon? You accept it, of course, not knowing what you are getting into.

Here is just a portion of the hot air balloon Ripstop that I got. I would say maybe somewhat less than 1/4 of the total.....

This is what a 120 sq yard hunk of Ripstop looks like. Covers most of my back yard.

This is part of the "destrapped" sections. Each piece is about 6 ft by 15 ft.
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=1023

Here is a couple more, hanging out to dry out.
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=1024

And here is around 150 yards of 1 inch nylon strapping that I ripped out.
http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=1025

The material did collect some mildew, which fed on the dust collected from the dirt floor it was stored on before I got it, and because of being stored damp in a black plastic bag for over a year. It washes out with no change in the Ripstop, that I can tell. It is used Ripstop, and one side shows stains while the other is clear. Something to do with the coating I think.

This stuff works great for line laundry, or ground toys. I have made a couple of flowforms with it, and lots of bags, too. The crown from one balloon has been fitted with lines and straps so it can be "flown" almost like a duel line kite. (In CALM winds! It is around 20 ft diameter.) Works fine, and the stains are put inside and are invisible for all general purposes.

Best of all, it was free! Well, almost, gas costs to and from St Louis, plus an overnight stay in a motel, meals out, etc. are not free, but....
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Kites + Kids = Education

Mountain Man · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Posts: 662 Location: NB Canada

wow ! now I wish I had some of that material 2 nice green .... what a nice inflatable frog that would make ..... Twisted Evil

your lucky that I live so far or you would have had a raid during the nite ...... Wink

when I saw the first picture ! I could see the pieces cut using two of the green a bit of white on the belly ! that is a fortune in gold .....well green gold that is ! Wink

One day .... I will build that frog ....I got the plan ! but not the kite bucks to build it Wink

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Bernie
the Mountain Man

"Fly a Kite!"

mhartzel · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:30 am Post subject:

I want one!!!!!!!!
WTG on the excellent find....i'f you happen to hear of another one.... Wink

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If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer.

Gary · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

Do a search or check the phone book to find the nearest Hot Air Balloon Repair Station. Hot Air Balloons are certified (checked by an FAA Certified Repair Station) for airworthyness once a year. Envelopes (that's the 'fabric' part) can be 'failed' for too much porosity, failing tensile tests, or beng 'over-temped'. Often times the fabric below the equator of the balloon is in great shape, suitable for laundry, ground display items, and stuff bags.

Depending on the number of local ballonatics, er, basket cases, um, I mean aeronuts near you, your local repair station is probably checkng a couple of envelopes a month.
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good heavens;
Gary E