Balloon Style B16

Balloon B16 was an experiment to try to adapt the design of a balloon of a different construction to the construction I have been using so far.

I am happy with the finished product, and yet I plan to take it “back to the drawing board,” as the expression goes.

The actual balloon which was the model for Balloon B16 is named “Diamond Sun,” manufactured by Aerostar Balloons and owned by Morningstar Balloons of Sequim, Washington.  Its construction is of alternating gores of two different dimensions, giving the surface of the balloon’s envelope its characteristic highs and lows, or “topography,” as I like to call it.

At the time that I began working on Style B16, I was experimenting to see if I could replicate the pattern design of Diamond Sun onto the standard construction method I had been using, which is the more traditional and familiar construction of gores of identical dimensions for the entire envelope.  While the end result turned out to be quite pleasing, it is my goal as a leather artist to reproduce the alternate-dimensioned gore construction in order to achieve a more faithful representation of this style of hot air balloon construction, as there are quite a lot of very beautiful hot air balloons flying that are made in this way.  And so, the Style B16 Leather Balloons that I currently have available (namely, B17 and B18), will be the last I plan to offer.

The balloon is approximately 6 ¾” from the bottom of the skirt to the top of the dome cap.  The gondola and cage measure 2” high.  The total height of the balloon is approximately 9 ¾”.  The envelope is 5” wide at the equator.

The entire balloon is suspended by 5 strands of stretchy cord which is 2 ¾” relaxed, and 3 ¼” with the weight of the balloon.

The entire stand is 24 ¾” tall.  The base is of redwood and cherry wood.