WW2 Barrage Balloons

[Snowy]

Is any reader aware of whether any kits or ready-to-use models are available of WW2 Barrage Balloons ?  I'm looking to build a Southern wartime layout and ideally I'd like to 'fly' around 5 ballons over the town on the layout.

 

I'm looking for the large early war-type Balloons (1940) that were flown over major cities  - or failing that, the late war (1944-45) 'mobile balloons' that were in used around the Southern embarcation ports before D-Day and over the beaches in Normandy.

 

I have seen some WW1 observation balloons, but these are the wrong shape.

 

Any help would be very welcome.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Snowy

[Clive Mortimore]

Hi Snowy

 

As far as I can make out the MkVII was the most common of the barrage balloons. I do not know of any models but I have found this drawing in the past. http://www.bbrclub.org/The%20MK%20VII%20Series%20I%20Kite%20Balloon%20-%20Its%20construction%20and%20make%20up..htm The web site it comes from is very interesting.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Clive Mortimore

[Snowy]

Hi Snowy

 

As far as I can make out the MkVII was the most common of the barrage balloons. I do not know of any models but I have found this drawing in the past. http://www.bbrclub.org/The%20MK%20VII%20Series%20I%20Kite%20Balloon%20-%20Its%20construction%20and%20make%20up..htm The web site it comes from is very interesting.

 

Clive,

 

Many thanks for the link - that is the best diagram I have yet seen of what I am looking for !

 

I'll print it and see if I can make a template from it to build one from scratch.

 

Thanks again ;o)

 

Snowy

[glenng]

what scale??

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

I am sure I have seen a layout with a flying barrage balloon, it may be "Overload" (or my imagination)

I look forward to seeing how you get on as that will be an interesting sight.

[sir douglas]

just come back from Perth show operating Overlord, if your looking for drawings or more info i can put you through to Chris who made everything on the layout

 

https://www.mafva.org/massive-diorama-the-preparation-for-operation-overlord/#prettyPhoto/5/#

 

 

the layout is named after operation Overlord and is based on Portsmouth and Southampton docks leading up to d-day with many key feautres on it such as the balloon, the Pluto pipe line drum, Mulberry harbour, many different tanks and trucks and ships for landing tanks and trains into the france

 

my photos of the layout the 2 times ive been out with it, unfortunately not feauring the balloon

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=59562189%40N03&view_all=1&text=overlord

Edited June 25, 2018 by sir douglas

[Danim]

Overlord has its own thread on rmweb somewhere

Edited June 25, 2018 by Danim

[sir douglas]

i actually know him in person see him fairly regularly and know his email

Edited June 26, 2018 by sir douglas

[Clive Mortimore]

what scale??

A MkVII was 18 meters long and 7 meters in circumference

[ianLMS]

Try "Gramodels". They specialise in military models for various scales. Not sure if they do the balloons though - always worth asking them. www.gramodels.co.uk. I saw them at the York Show over Easter and they had a very good range of different models.

[Black Marlin]

There are 1/72 barrage balloon kits available on eBay. (No connection, etc)

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scale-model-Barrage-Balloon-kit-1-144-1-200-1-300-1-350-1-450-1-600-1-700-/192826835734?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

[cypherman]

Hi all,

In the video at 5 mins 24 secs there is what looks like a condensing pannier tank with a Collet tender. Is this a real engine or a what might have been.

As for the barrage balloon Scalemates make one.

3d printed type 1 Barrage Balloon 1:72, Dragonbadger Models db72012 (2019) (scalemates.com)

[Michael Hodgson]

Do you fill them with helium?

[petethemole]

An interesting scene at Southampton Western Docks during the Overlord period.  Moblie balloons apparently being filled (gas bottle trailer to the left), + Austin K2 ambulance, Nissen huts, warflats, a sandbag emplacement, possibly for an AA machine gun, and US trucks in the background.  The small square buildings are pump houses and part of the Town Walls are in the background.

 

[JZ]

6 hours ago, cypherman said:

Hi all,

In the video at 5 mins 24 secs there is what looks like a condensing pannier tank with a Collet tender. Is this a real engine or a what might have been.

As for the barrage balloon Scalemates make one.

3d printed type 1 Barrage Balloon 1:72, Dragonbadger Models db72012 (2019) (scalemates.com)

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the War Department requisitioned 100 of these engines from the GWR and the GWR had to hastily reinstate some engines that had been recently withdrawn. The requisitioned engines were fitted with Westinghouse brakes and 10 were fitted with pannier tanks and condensing gear. All were painted black with their WD numbers painted on.(Wikipedia)