Drachenbaloon 1/72

[matt77]

You know that the object has in his hands the observer?

T.I.A. matt77

[thorst]

I think it is a camera with telephoto lens, used for observations.

[matt77]

Ballonbeobachter mit einer 120-cm Kammer (L.120).
Das Bild soll die Handhabung der Kammer zeigen.

Fesselballon-Beobachter unterstützten vor allem
die Artillerie beim Ein- und Wirkungsschießen.

In ruhigeren Zeiten photographierten die Ballon-
beobachter mit langbrennweitigen Kammern
die feindlichen Stellungen.
Die 120-cm Kammern waren nur in geringen
Stückzahlen vorhanden. Häufiger eingesetzt
wurde die L.70 mit 70-cm Brennweite.

thanks thorst

[chicharrero]

Perhaps any kind of telescope or photo camera?

[chicharrero]

I think I was late Googlee consulting.

[thorst]

Wikipedia has a nice compilation of captured german cameras:

[John Wagenseil]

Originally Posted by chicharrero

Well, Mark, I think your skill and experience is guarantee of success

As a curiosity, to see a couple of images of captive balloons German observers.
It's supposed to do quite cold up there

The "observers" in your picture were crew of a high altitude Gotha or Zeppellin Staaken bomber which were able to get high enough that crew had to bundle up and use oxygen. Drachen stayed at lower altitudes, so their observers did not experience the extreme conditions the late war bomber crews did.

Your observation balloon is going to make a nice addition to the growing number of WW1 subjects.

[John Wagenseil]

Standing sentinel against enemy submarines or aircraft

Interesting article about kite balloons in WW1 starts at bottom of page.

[chicharrero]

Big thanks, John, for the information .

[matt77]

German basket equipment



Paracute bag and table maps



Observer with Masden gun

matt77