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JUST ADDED: Dick Pollard profiled
I've recently completed a page about Dick Pollard, first National Champion, 1963 (and one of the first lives lost in the modern era of the sport). Dick's youngest brother, Roger, contacted me a few weeks ago, asking if I could put him in contact with anyone who knew his brother. Almost as an aside, he added that he had some pictures of Dick's old balloons and such, if anyone would be interested. A couple dozen emails and a nice long phone conversation later (and with much assistance from Don Piccard), I've put some of "that old stuff" on the web for anyone interested what ballooning looked like in the early 1960s. It's also a mini-biography of Pollard, who turned out to be a pretty interesting character in his own right, over and above the two one-off balloons he flew. I hope you find it interesting, and if by chance anyone who visits here knew Dick, please email me - his kid brother would love to talk to you.
Either way, I encourage you to keep checking back - I've been sent a lot of amazing stuff lately, and I'll be making updates throughout much of the site in the coming weeks. Thanks to everyone who's sent me pictures, information, or anything else for the site. You're the ones who make this possible, and lots of folks appreciate it (none more than I).
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Welcome to the beginnings of modern sport ballooning!
This
site is dedicated to the builders, pilots and crews of those magnificent first hot air sport balloons - like Semco, Omega, Piccard, Stokes, and countless homebuilts, as well as makes like Raven and The Balloon Works, variations of which are still on the market today. I'm trying to create what I long sought in vain - a resource for those fascinated by the beginnings of modern sport ballooning - roughly from the early '60s to the late '70s, when an AX-7 was a big balloon, and 5 million BTUs was a powerful burner. This site will probably most interest those who were there, or who wish they had been, but I try to make the non-enthusiast's trip worthwhile, too.
The most important thing about "The Early Years of Sport Ballooning" is that much of the content here is provided through the generous assistance of visitors in contributing images and information. The site is growing, and new content is always eagerly welcomed. The fact that much of this site's content is submitted by visitors means that it's your site. I'm eager to know how it can be improved, and what people really want to see. I read and respond to each and every e-mail - if you've got opinions on what you do, or would like to, see here, why not let me know? (Unfortunately, I've had to take anti-spam measures. Therefore, you have to remove "*REMOVE_THIS*" from the e-mail address in your e-mail application. Also, I've had lots of e-mail problems lately, so if you've written and not received a response, please try again at this alternate address.) Also, if you've written before, and said you might just have something I can share here, but never got around to looking, I encourage you to take the time. A great many visitors have written me in the year this site's been here to say that they're delighted with the memories I've been able to share. Your sending me photos, magazines, product literature, etc. to scan and return to you makes a lot of people happy, and helps to build an archive of knowledge that, in some small measure, enhances the world of ballooning.
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A word about this site, and a request: I'm not putting this site up because I'm some kind of expert - I'm not. I'm putting this site up because (to my knowledge) no one else has. I can't guarantee my information is accurate or complete. Everything here
is subject to correction, which I humbly welcome, but the way I really need help is in collecting content. If you have pictures of old balloons (or, ideally, clear shots showing the parts of old balloons) that you'd be willing to let me use, please send me an e-mail. (You have to remove "*REMOVE_THIS*" from the e-mail address in your e-mail application. If you've written and not received a response, please try again at this alternate address.) I've added a "Requests" page to give an idea what I'm especially looking for, but just about anything from the '60s and '70s is welcome (although I can't promise to use everything I get). I cannot (generally) pay for content, but I do promise to return photos and other printed materials, at my own expense, soon after receipt. I am trying to secure the rights to display some photos from old balloon books I've collected. Because of their age (and because of the legal right of "fair use"), I've decided to go ahead and display them, and gladly remove whatever I'm asked to remove. I'm here to edify and educate, not to infringe on
rights anyone cares to enforce. If you see a picture you took, or to which you own the rights, and you don't want it here (or want attribution posted), please let me know!
My hope is that visitors can help me by contributing images, so I can take down any material that may even potentially be infringing. By the same token, if you know who took a picture on the site, I'd be grateful for the information. I'd like to have as many photos as possible duly credited.
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The author, age 5, next to a Semco basket
during the 1973 World Championships
As for who I am,
I am a mid-30s father of two from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have
been a balloon nut since the 1973 World Championships, which I had the
pleasure of attending at the impressionable age of five. In the year since word of this
site began to get out, I've been simply overwhelmed by the kindness,
encouragement and generosity displayed by the pilots, crew, builders
and enthusiasts who have taken the time to look around here and write
me. I am grateful for every e-mail
that's been written, every image that's been sent, and every new friend
I've made.
 Perhaps even more, I'm grateful that I had to
change this paragraph. I used to mention that I'd never flown in
a balloon, but I can no longer say that. A gentleman by the name of Don
Boyer saw this site, contacted me, and asked if I'd like to crew one
morning. That morning was June 13, 2004, and not only did I get to crew
(I was on throat), Don took me up for my first-ever free flight (save
for a late-'70s hop across the Fiesta field in a Piccard called
"Tejas"). Don flies an Aerostar RX-8 called "AirRageous,"
which will, of course, forever occupy a special place in my heart.
Thanks, Don, and thanks to the terrific people who crew for AirRageous.
I learned a lot, and had a blast!
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This site has been immensely rewarding, and I'm in it for the long
haul. I'm doing it for many reasons, but mostly out of gratitude to the
ballooning community for many years of beautiful skies. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 6-6-05
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Links
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1973 Worlds
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