Newest Hot Air Balloon in the fleet.. Introducing- PATRIOT!

US Flag Balloon ^ | 5/19/03 | abner

[abner]

Last year we unveiled America One, the US Flag Balloon to great fanfare and a wonderful reception where ever we traveled.

In September 2002 we decided that since America One had been such a great success, why not a space shuttle? So, in November with plans in hand we ordered 'Patriot'.

This year we will be bringing both America One & Patriot all over the country and handing out pocket Constitutions. Check our event schedule often to see if we will be in your area.

A Patriot preview!

For more photos of the test flight of 'Patriot', you can go to- www.shuttleballoon.com and have a peek.

Patriot is a whopping 180' tall, 115' feet wide and weighs in at 992 pounds.

The illustrious Taxman will be traveling along as Crew Chief! We are very lucky to have nabbed him.

[abner]

Ping!

[abner]

Pictures...

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

I think your ballons are great. Glad you are a part of FR.

God Bless you.

[abner]

Pingy...

[HairOfTheDog]

Very cool!

[tubebender]

You should sell a couple of these to NASA...

[kylaka]

How close to scale is it abner? It looks great BTW.

[abner]

Thanks, I appreciate that.

If it weren't for FR, I don't think we ever would have done either project.

[tubebender]

PING...

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The Patriot balloon is beautiful.

[Registered]

You guys are so coooooool!

[Diver Dave]

Looks like we will have to hope for strong winds blowing west to get a peek on the Left Coast.

Great lookin' new ship, abner.

[anymouse]

Cool! Does this mean you guys will finally come down to participate in the Ballooner festival in Houston? :)

[anymouse]

Space ping

[abner]

I think we may end up with the last space shuttle. NASA will probably move on to other things. I hope! We built this one to celebrate 100 years of powered flight. It shows the best of 100 years of American accomplishment. All the way from gliding, lighter than air and incredible jet power!

[eddie willers]

That is TOO COOL!

[JoeSixPack1]

Did NYC or state ever settle?

[abner]

How close to scale is it abner?

Until we can do measurements ourselves we won't have an exact measurement but it is about 40% bigger than a real orbiter.

[Normal4me]

I agree! AWESOME!!!

[abner]

Thanks. We can't wait to see it up close and personal.

[abner]

Looks like we will have to hope for strong winds blowing west to get a peek on the Left Coast.

We will be going to Albuquerque with Patriot and America One... That is pretty close.

[abner]

Jackson... Be there or be square...

[abner]

We are still finding it in different publications. So far, we know of 15 including The Smithsonian with the flamingos on the cover.

[abner]

Can you use your ping list?

[hole_n_one]

Outstanding!

[MinuteGal]

The world's a nicer place in your beautiful balloon
You can touch the sun and glide beneath the moon
Suspended under a bright blue canopy
The earth below in splendid panoply
Up, up, away in your beautiful balloon
Your beautiful, your beautiful balloon!

Fair winds always to our own freeper patriots, Barry and Teri.

Leni

[NormsRevenge]

Great Job and Thanks for the pics!

[JennysCool]

Wow! Spectacular, abner! Had my first hot air flight this year, and I can understand your enthusiasm and commitment! Incredible job!

[abner]

You always have the nicest poems!

[abner]

Had my first hot air flight this year,

That would make you experienced crew... I hope to see you at at least one event!

[WVNan]

THAT is so awesome! I'm bumbed out because when you are in Pa. and Mich. we are already committed to other events. I sure hope you get something in our area (Ohio Valley) before the season ends. I am amazed that those things actually fly.

[abner]

We went to Grove City last year and to Findlay. You never know, we still may end up near you...

I'm amazed that they fly too.

[abner]

Mainer ping! We will be in Lewiston/Auburn again. I'm so happy about that!

[Fred Mertz]

I hope you don't have any loose foam insulation or damaged heat tiles.

It looks great!!

[abner]

No tiles, no foam... But wait until you see what we did to the interior... As far as I know this is the first hot air balloon with interior artwork.

[abner]

Here is a photo I just modified a tad.

[Registered]

Does Barry sit in the cockpit way up at the nose? lol.

[abner]

You will have to wait and see...

Watch your email in a couple of minutes...

[Tribune7]

That's beautiful abner.

[Interesting Times]

That thing is awesome.

Major kudos to you and Victim of Circumstance.

[abner]

Thanks. Would you like to come out and see its maiden US flight? You are welcome and close enough to make it...

[abner]

Thanks. It is astounding. We give our kudos to the people that took all of our fussy little changes here and there and over again.. and over.. Marcos & Ricardo at Aeromagic Ballons in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Did I mention that the bag it goes into is painted like a globe?

[Interesting Times]

We are still finding it in different publications. So far, we know of 15 including The Smithsonian with the flamingos on the cover.

Maybe you should sell copies of the NY state seal.

[Taxman]

Awesome hot air balloon ping!

Looking forward to First Flight in USA!

[abner]

:-)

LOL!

[Tribune7]

I would absolutely postively. When & where and I'm willing to help with anything that needs helping. And I'll try to bring Temple Owl.

[abner]

It's gorgeous isn't it?

It looks like Tewksbury is shaping up. The guy that is organizing it said something about even possibly having a real live shuttle crew person there. Wouldn't that be cool?

[abner]

It is getting shipped out on Friday and then we expect to have it about a week after that. Then crew goes on standby...

[kayak]

I'm speechless! That is simply magnificent!

Please let me know if you're going to be anywhere in North or South Carolina or eastern TN. I would love to see Patriot ..... as well as actually seeing the Flag Balloon in flight.