Lot 499
United States, 2004/05, FLOWN, "Double Crash" Balloon Flight Cover (No. 52/73) This striking cover was carried on the 2004 America's Challenge (Gordon Bennett qualifier in the US) balloon "Moonshine" (launched on 2 October 2005 in Albuquerque, N.M.) by pilots Lind and Davis. When the balloon was caught in a thunderstorm and the balloon crashed in a hard landing. Both pilots bailed out and the empty balloon was blown toward power lines. The unmanned balloon was then able to launch again missing the power lines whereupon it then crashed again about 20 miles further on. It wasn't located until 11 weeks later, still intact (23 February 2005) at which time the covers were cancelled in Dalhart, TX. The front of the cover has an color add-on cachet showing the balloon, a handstamped description of its adventures, the signatures of both pilots, etc. Enclosed is a first-hand descriptions of their adventures by both pilots PLUS a piece of appendix fabric from the balloon. A great cover for any collection.
Estimated Value $150 - 250.
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