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Site DirectoryA Typical Balloon Crew
A Balloon Crew originally consisted of two corporals and ten men, but this was reduced to two corporal and eight men. In practice two corporals and five men can do the job but that number leaves nothing for the time off required for sickness, training and leave that operators are required to have. the hauling down of a balloon was very labour intensive at first but as improvements in the mechanical handling were made it was possible to use a windlass on the side of the winch.
A typical shift would start with a call to go on Guard Duty for two hours after which the operator would try and get 3 hours sleep. At 0700 hrs the Mess Orderly for the day would be required to ensure the whole Crew were awake, and ready to start the various duties required. After breakfast, having cleaned the billet, personal equipment and rifle, they would proceed to the daily routine.
- Operational Orders to fly, alter height, close-haul or bed the balloons
- Switch on or off Rip Link
- Daily Inspections
- Keeping Balloon head to wind on the bed, Tail guy Mooring or Interim Close-Haul.
- Maintenance of Balloon: Repairs and Topping-up
- Maintenance of Winch: Cleaning and Brake Tests. Winch Tool Maintenance and Check
- Maintenance of Bed: Blocks, Tackle, Bedwires, Pyramid, Cradle, Sandbags, Slips, Ragbolts,"U" bolts, Ringbolts, Screw Pickets, 90 foot Circle and Strops, Tail Guy Snatchblock, Central Anchorage Snatchblock
- Maintenance of Flying Cable: Oil and inspect throughout.
- Inspection an maintenance of Armaments
- Gas Drill
- Defence and Weapons Training
- Lay-out of Kits and Bedding
- Maintenance and Cleaning of Personal kit
- Messing fatigues and Site Cooking
- Inspection and Maintenance of Gas Cylinders, Trailer, topping up and Inflation Equipment
Accommodation was initially tents and rations were supplied via hayboxes from central kitchens, later the hutments were provided and food could be cooked on the premises.