Feed bags were filled and used as sand bags.
When the balloons were first given an ‘N’ number, the number was on entered on fabric and attached to the net. This was used until the number could be permanently painted onto the envelope. See arrow pointing to the attachment of the ‘N’ number. N9071H is the old 80 (80,000 cu. ft.) balloon.
Pete Pellegrino (left) and Tony Fairbanks attach the sixteen foot ropes from the net to the thick wooden load ring.
On left Tony Fairbanks and Francis Shields are lowering the sandbags down one diamond.
Listen to gas inflation by Tony recording.