-L-
LACHAMBRE, Henri FRANCE (1846-1904) (GB)
See APPENDIX-T/U/AG. Professional Balloonist. Aeronaut Extraordinaire.
Brother of balloonist, Abel; Uncle of balloonist A.MACHURON.
b: 30 Dec.1846 Vagney.
d: 12 Jan.1904 Paris.
p: Active balloonist, 1872-1900; Learned trade making Paris-Siege balloons, 1870-71 (worked for E.GODARD & G.YON); Owner of Paris B-Fabrication facility, Paris (Vanguard) 1875 (partners with A.MACHURON after 1889); Made & Sold balloon equipment worldwide (188 between 1877-96); Provided Military assistance; Established B-Companies in: 1884, Russia & Spain; 1886, Belgium, China, Holland; 1889, England, Ascended from Alexandria Palace; 1890, Denmark; 1890, Austria; 1893, Bulgaria & USA; 1897, Sweden & Switzerland. Also Romania, Portugal, Japan.
l: Helped launch ANDREE on North Pole attempt of 11 July 1897; Author of many technical aviation articles, pamphlets & books; Co-Author (w/MACHURON) of "Andre’s Balloon Expedition"; Made many special-shape balloons (wine & puffee containers).
m: Aero Club of Paris (FM); Aero Club of France (FM). ***Epic flight 17 Jun.1891 (w/Mme.Guswell) from LaVillete in "Flacon." Henri attempted to restrain the launch, and was pulled aloft about 25' before he released the line. He suffered severe injuries.
r: l'Aerophile-Jan.1904.
LAHM, Frank Purdy (Jr.) USA #- 4 (1878-1963) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AF/AH/AI/AR/AX. Military Balloonist.
Rigorous athlete & sportsman; Son of balloonist, Frank S.
b: 17 Nov.1878, Mansfield, OH;
d: 7 July 1963, Akron, OH.
e: Michigan Military Academy (valedictorian) June 1897; West Point Military Academy, 1901.
p: Officer in U.S.Army Air Force, Ret.Brig. General 30 Nov.1941; Served in Far East 1901-03; Europe, 1906-07; Flew first Army airship 1907 (made by S.BALDWIN); Flew first Army Airplane 1908 (Wright Flyer); Attended Cavalry School, 1907 at Saumur, France; Served as Air Attaché to England & Germany, 1907; Served as Official Army test pilot, 27 July 1909; Commander (2nd) of Ft.Omaha B-School 24 May 1917 to 8 June 1917; Organized B-Depots in England & France in Oct. 1917; Outstanding Military Aviation career.
f: First B-Flight 1904 in France, with Father; FAI license 1906; Made about 30 B-Flights in his lifetime; Had over 3000 hours in all types of aircraft by 1963; FAI B-License #4 (1908), Airship #2 (1908), Airplane #2 (1909); Taught to fly airplanes by W.WRIGHT 1906-07;
l: Introduced the typewriter to France; Participated in many B-Competitions, 1906-25; Almost asphyxiated 28 Jan.1908.
m: Life Member of Aero Club of France; Aero Club of America; Aero Club of Ohio, FM-1907; Nat.Aeronautic Assoc.; Early Birds; Many patriotic and civic organizations.
h: Honorary ACA Life Member; Commander, Legion of Honor; Odre d'Avis; Distinguished Service Medal. ***Epic flight 1906 G-Bennett B-Race from Paris France. First American pilot to cross the English Channel; won race by landing in Scotland after covering 404 mi. in 22:15.
r: Aero Digest, Dec.1916; Who's Who in Aviation, 1943.
LAHM, Frank Samuel (Sr.) USA #- 3 (1846-1931) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AF/AR. Sport balloonist 1902-06.
Resident of Paris since 1888; Father of balloonist, Frank P.
b: 21 Apr.1846, Canton, OH;
d: 29 Dec.1931, Paris.
e: Canton Public Schools. p: Officer in U.S. Army, Col. in 1906, Ret. as General; Military Attaché to France, 1906.
f: First B-Flight 1902 from St.Cloud, France; FAI-ACA B-License issued 1908; Flew in airplane with W.WRIGHT in 1906, his lifelong friend; Last B-Flight 1929; Last airplane flight 1930.
l: Persuaded Gordon Bennett to sponsor race and donate trophies.
m: Aero Club of France (Director for 25 years); FAI-V.Pres.; ACA-1906 (FM), Aero Club of Ohio 1907.
h: Legion of Honor; Palmes Academed.
r: NT-31 Dec.1931/19/3.
LAIR, Leon FRANCE (1847?1920) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/T/AZ. Professional balloonist.
b: 1847 Paris.
f: First flight Dec.1868 in a hot-air balloon; Made 2 para-descents in career.
l: Took extensive photographs from balloons; Assisted in captive balloon operations in: 1893-New York City; 1894-Lyon; 1895-Odessa; 1896-Geneva; 1898- Paris; 1900-Paris; Assisted Andre Expedition at Swedenborg 1897. ***Epic ascent 24 Jul.1900 (w/Seul & Chauariaga) in captive balloon at the Paris Exposition. Narrowly averted catastrophe when the balloon exploded; but were all saved, incl. the basket and equipment.
r: l'Aerpohile-Aug.1904.
LAISELLE, Eduardo USA (1858-1929) (GB)
See APPENDIX-W. Professional Balloonist.
b: 1858, USA;
d: 8 July 1929, Chile.
p: Circus acrobat, balloonist 1877-85 era.
f: First B-Flight 28 Oct.1877 in "Jean d'Arc"; Last recorded flight 1894; Made more than 150 flights in Chile.
LaLLAVE, Joaquin de La SPAIN (1882?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AH. Military and Sport balloonist.
b: 1882.
m: Spanish Aero Club, Pres-1925.
s: Officer in the Spanish Army; Military engineer.
f: Balloon, Airship, Airplane, pilot and instructor; Learned ballooning at the Military Academy of Guadalajara.
LALLIER, Roger FRANCE (1880-1930) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U. Professional Aeronaut.
b: 1880 Ivry-Sur-Seine.
b: 16 Jul.1962 Ivry-Sur-Seine.
p: Airship crew 1915-16; Airship & Airplane pilot by 1920.
f: First B-Ascent 1900 from Vincennes; First B-Solo 1913; FAI B-License issued 1913.
l: Astronomer & Chronometer, Advisor to A.DOLFUS on his epic flights.
m: Aero Club of France, Librarian.
r: BF-Nov.1962p9 (T).
LALLY, Vincent Edward USA (1922- (HP)
See APPENDIX-BS. Scientific Aeronaut.
b: 13 Oct.1922 Brookline, MA.
e: Univ.of Chicago, BS-1944; Mass.Inst.of Technology, MS-1949.
s: U.S.Army Air Corps 1943-46, Meteorologist.
p: Meteorologist, Scientific High Altitude Research; 1961, Director of Nat. Scientific B-Facility (Palestine, TX); 1965, Manager at the Nat.Center for Atmospheric Research, Global Measurements Program (to 1987+); Designed & launched the first "superpressure" balloons;
Designed & launched the first "carrier" balloons;
Designed & launched the first "anchor" balloons;
Designed & launched the first "Raccoon" balloons;
Program Manager of TWERLE Balloon Project (Tropical Wind Energy Conversion & Ref. Level Project); Program Manager of LLAMB Balloon Project (Long-Lived Atmospheric Monitoring Balloon) using Kevlar woven fabric with a 10-year life.
f: Never flew in a manned balloon; No FAA licenses. ***Epic flight launch 24 Mar.1966 (w/E. W.Litchfield) from Christchurch New Zealand. First balloon to successfully orbit the Earth; Made 8 orbits by 10 April. Balloon was designed and launched by LALLY. ***Epic flight launch ?4 Jul.1974 from Christchurch. Balloon successfully orbited the Earth for 762 days at an altitude of 14 Km. Balloon was designed and launched by LALLY. NOTE: Relationship unacknowledged to clandestine BOOMERANG Balloon Project (100 Transworld launches, Australia, Canada, & South America), carrying 200Kg. recon-payloads to 40 Kilometers. NOTE: See T.GATCH, T.HEINSHEIMER, J.NOTT, R.BARKER for manned superpressure balloons. r: Bio-data 1987; Cospar Space Research, 1977.
LAMBERT, Albert Bond USA #- 18 (1875-1946) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AF/AI/AN/AR. Sport balloonist, 1905-25 era.
b: 6 Dec.1875 St.Louis, MO;
d: 12 Nov.1946 St. Louis, MO.
e: University of Virginia, 1895.
p: Pharmacist, President of a Pharmaceutical Company in St.Louis; Owner of factories in Paris, and Hamburg, Germany; Elected St.Louis City Council Member, 1907; Founded the St.Louis Balloon School 26 May 1917.
s: Officer in U.S. Army, Major 23 Oct.1917; Ret. 13 Feb.1919; Commander of Aviation unit of the Signal Corps. f: FAI-ACA B-License issued 1908; Sport balloonist 1907-27 era; Airplane pilot license #61 (1911); First flight 1910 w/O.WRIGHT from Dayton, OH; B-Instructor, trained 55 Army B-Observers before 23 Oct.1917 (was paid $100 for each flight over one hour duration).
l: Organized financial backing for Lindbergh’s' famous 1927 TransAtlantic airplane flight (New York to Paris).
m: ACA; American Automobile Club, Pres; Aero Club of St.Louis, Pres; Missouri Aeronautical Society, FM-1917; National Association of Aero Clubs, Pres; St.Louis Aeronautical Society, President & Instructor.
a: 2 Hortense Place; St.Louis, MO.
r: City of Flight; Book of St.Louisians-1912/351; Who's Who of Aviation 1943,p245.
LAMBERT, J.D. Wooster USA (1870?1940) (GB)
Brother of balloonist Albert. Sport Balloonist. (Bio-Data unknown)
l: 1910, Aide to H.HONEYWELL in U.S. National B-Race.
LAMBERT, Prosper FRANCE (1880?1930) (HP)
Balloon & Airship builder 1900-10 era.
r: L'Aerophile V12.
LaMOUNTAIN, Edward USA (1834-1873) K (HB/GB)
See APPENDIX-B/S. Semi-Professional balloonist.
Brother of balloonist John; Resident of Lansingburgh, NY after 1858.
b: 1834 Crown Point, NY;
d: 4 Jul.1873 Ionia, MI.
p: Jeweler; Resident of Brooklyn, NY. ***Epic flight 4 Jul.1873 from Ionia, MI before a crowd of 10,000. Hot-Air balloon used a net like a gas balloon. Envelope rotated within the net, allowing the hot air to escape. Pilot attempted to use the deflating balloon as a parachute, but died on impact.
r: M.Mullen archives; AIAA-218.
LaMOUNTAIN, John USA (1830?1878) (OB/GB)
See APPENDIX-C/I/M/S. Aeronaut Extraordinaire.
Brother of balloonists, Charles & Edward; Divorced husband of E.MOSS (Nellie Thurston).
b: 1830 Orwell, Vermont.
d: 4?Jul.1878 Lansingburg, NY (?14 Feb.1870 South Bend, IN?).
p: Seaman, Professional balloonist, 1858-73 era; Balloon observer in American Civil War, July 1861-Feb.1862.
f: First B-Flight reported as early 1858 from Vermont. ***Epic flight 22 Sept.1858 (w/HADDOCK) from Watertown, NY. Flew 300 miles in four hours. Landed 150 miles North of Ottawa, Took 9 days to walk to civilization (4 days without food). ***Epic flight attempt 2 July 1859 (see LOWE) from Watertown, NY. ***Epic flight 22 Sep.1859 (w/HADDOCK) from Albany, NY. Got caught in a tornado; was dragged, and eventually thrown out against a large rock. He suffered serious injuries. ***Epic assent 31 Jul.1861 from Monroe, VA. First observation of enemy forces in American Civil War battle (10 days after declaration), supplying all of his own balloon equipment. NOTE: see J.ALLEN-9 Jun.61; T.LOWE-18 Jun.61; J.WISE-18 Jul.1861. ***Epic Ascent 3 Aug.1861 from deck of a moving ship (U.S.S.Fanny) on the Potomac River, opposite the Washington Capitol.
a: Former resident of Troy; NY; Res.of Lansing-burgh after 1858.
r: Pittsfield Sun 9 Sep.1858; N. Adams Transcript 11 Sep.1858; BM-Sep.89p16 (M.Mullen).
CHECK NT-Jul.1878: Epic flight 4 Jul.1878 when net retainer separated from the balloon load-ring, resulting in his demise.
LANA-Terzi, Francesco ITALY (1631-1687) (HP)
p: Jesuit priest.
e: Schooled in all modern sciences of his day; Studied the works of Pascal, Torscelli, & Guericke in detail.
l: Wrote treatise "Prodrmo-1620" on the possibility of flight by using large air-evacuated copper spheres; Noted in Physics for reasoning that buoyancy was the result of the weight of air displaced.
LANE, Arthur USA (1890?1908) K (SM)
See APPENDIX-B/L.
b: Chicago, IL (& Res.).
Epic flight 18 Aug.1908 from Buffalo, NY. Launched in a strong wind, and collided with a building. Suffering severe internal injuries from the 30' fall, he died later in the day.
r: NT-19 Aug.1908/14/1.
LANE, Douglas V. USA (1935? (HB)
See APPENDIX-BD/BG. Sport balloonist.
p: Influential owner of Scranton Radio station.
h: Tissandier Diploma-1992; BFA-Shields/Trauger Award-1993.
m: BFA, President 1991-2.
a: 1049 N.Sekol Road; Scranton, PA 18504.
r: Personal interview May 1992; Skylines Nov.94p7.
LANFORD, T.F. USA (1870?1930) (SM/GB)
See APPENDIX-B/L. Professional balloonist.
f: First recorded flight 27 Aug.1898 from Wichita, KA.
r: Classis American Airposts p84.
LANGE, Hptm. A. GERMANY (1890?1910) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B/AU. Military Balloonist.
s: Officer in the German Army Field Artillery, Captain-1910; Observation balloonist, Luftschiffer Battalion.
m: Ostdeutscher Balloon Club. ***Epic flight 13 Dec.1910 (w/Rommeleir, Zimmerman) from Essen, Prussia in "Saar." Flight was a competition of nine balloons; the Saar was found 18 Dec. in the North Sea without occupants. Aeronauts were presumed drowned.
r: NT-19 Dec.1910/4/2.
r: FuA p90.
LANGE, Karl Linnwood USA #-1079 (1898-1982) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AI/AJ/AR. Military balloonist.
e: Boston Univ.
b: 12 May 1898 Ipswitch, MA;
d: 31 Aug.1982 Akron, OH.
s: Officer in the U.S. Navy 1917-46, Ret. Rear Admiral after 41 years service; Received Free-balloon, Kite balloon, airship training 1917; Kite balloonist on the USS-Arkansas 1918-19; LTA Squadron Commander of NAS-Chatham (MA); Supervisor of Graff Zeppelin staff training at Akron 1929; Official observer on Los Angeles, and the Graf Zeppelin; Official observer on 2 round trips of the Hindenberg to Europe; Commander of NAS-Tillamook (1942) and NAS-Moffett (CA); Chief of Staff to Admiral ROSENDAHL; Commander of NAS-Lakehurst Reserve Airship Squadron 75.
p: Airship Pilot for Goodyear 1929-39; Flew "Akron" & "Macon"; Operations Manager of Los Angeles, St.Pete (FL), and Washington (DC); Retired 1963 after 34 years service.
f: FAI-ACA B-License #1079 issued 12 Jul.1934; B-Career unknown.
l: 1920, Free ballooned an airship from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean, across the (Panama) Canal Zone.
h: Victory Medal, 1946; Navy Secretaries Medal; American Defense Ribbon; Naval Reserve Medal, w/2:Stars.
r: Contact Profiles p171.
LANGJAHR, Steven USA (1947- (HP/HB/GB)
See APPENDIX-BI. Sport balloonist, 1966-present.
b: 17 Jun.1947, Pasadena, CA; Bio-Data on file.
p: College professor of Anatomy & Physiology.
l: Early board member of Balloon Federation of America. Balloonmeister of U.S. Nationals, 1971-73. Co-founder of ACBOAR - All California Balloon Out and
Aeronaut Reunion, held 1970-1990.
LANMAN, Allan BRITAIN #*23 (1885?1960) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AS. Military balloonist.
s: Enlisted in the British Army Royal Engineers; Balloon repairman in Boer War 1902; Promoted to Sergeant 1918; Balloon instructor at Roehampton; Transferred to Royal Navy Air Service 18 Oct.1918; Promoted to Warrant Officer, Airship pilot; Retired as commissioned Officer in 1930.
f: FAI-RAC Balloon license #23 issued 2 Jul.1912; Airship license #9 issued same day.
h: Queens S.Africa Medal-1902; War & Victory Medal-1914.
r: PYA-Scrapbook; Contemptible Little Flying Corps p51.
LANSDOWNE, Zachary USA (1888?1938) K (GB)
b: 1 Dec.1888, Greenville, OH;
d: 3 Sep.1925 Caldwill, OH.
e: U.S.Naval Academy, 1909.
p: Officer in U.S.Navy; Commander of Rigid airship "Shenandoah" at time of crash (3 Sep.1925); Served as Air-Attaché (airships) to Berlin in 1923.
f: Received B-Training at Great Lakes Naval Air Station; Received initial Airship training at Cranwell (ENG) 15 Nov.1917; Received advanced Airship training in France 1917-18.
l: Made the first Westbound Trans Atlantic airship crossing (R34); Made the first mooring to a surface vessel "Patoka." ***Epic flight 3 Sep.1925 (w/80-crew) in the airship Shenandoah. Ship broke in half in a violent thunderstorm. Almost all in his half died (see ROSENDAHL & L.SCHELLBERG)
h: Navy Cross; British Air Force Cross.
r: Contact Profiles.
LAPPIES, Mary Anne (F) USA (1950- (HB)
See APPENDIX- (B) Sport balloonist
b: 15 Aug.1950
p: Owner of Balloon Adventures of Hillsboro.
f: Comm. B-License #300448879 (only), 93 hrs. TT. ***Epic flight 19 Oct.1991 (w/L.Brake & A.Bailey) from Hillsboro, NH in N4051L (Firefly 7-7946). Pilot finished an uneventful flight by landing in a confined area near Webster, NH. A crew person (Charles Vieria) from another balloon that landed nearby attempted to assist the recovery. Unfortunately, the envelope temperature sensing line was in contact with a 34,500 volt powerline, and he died instantly. The pilot and passengers were not injured but Vieria’s son was seriously burned also.
a: POB-24, Hillsboro, NH.
r: Skylines Nov.97p11; NTSB# NYC92LA010.
LARET, Francois FRANCE (1830?1890) (GB)
See APPENDIX-Q/W. Professional balloonist 1852-55.
f: Made three recorded flight attempts from Buenos Aires, Argentina: #1 Crashed into house 19 Oct.1852 (no injuries); #2 Crashed into windmill 30 Oct (lost balloon); #3 Crashed into house 1 November (broke ribs).
r: Sitios de Volacion p10.
LASTRANGE, ? USA (1880?1940) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L. Professional Balloonist.
p: Smoke Balloonist; Protege of G.L.BUMBALL. ***Epic flight 30 May 1902 from Newark NJ. Parachute was released prematurely due to strong winds. Pilot suffered severe back injuries from fall.
r: NT-31 May 1902. ***Epic flight 7 May 1906 from Hillside Park. (Newark NJ). Parachute failed to open on descent from 6000' to 3000'. He landed in a tree with minor scratches.
r: N.Y.American 7 May 1906.
LaTHOMA, Harry USA (1880?1940) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L. Professional Smoke Balloonist 1900-05 era.
f: Did "Cannon-Shots" from Philadelphia area; Made 250 ascents by 1901.
r: Saturday Evening Post 19 Apr.1901.
LATRUFFE, George FRANCE (1880?1940) (GB/SM)
See APPENDIX-CK. Professional Balloonist 1900-05 era.
f: Made 130th ascent Sep.1901 in "LaPatrie.
l: Crossed English Channel from Dunkirk to Southminster 24 Sep.01.
m: Aerial Club of Montmortrous, Pres.1901. ***Epic flight 14 Jun.1903 (w/Tallorton). Rescued from the English Channel.
r: Sheffield Telegraph 21 Sep.1901.
LATTEMANN, Herman GERMAN (1870?1894) K (SM)
See APPENDIX-B/Q. Professional Balloonist.
d: 17 June 1894, Germany.
p: Smoke Balloonist 1885-1893 era; Partners with K.PAULUS (his fiancée). ***Epic flight 17 June 1894 from Crefeld, Germany. Paulus made the parachute jump, shot from a cannon while in flight. Herman was to parachute down after the balloon to deflate, but the device failed, and he died on impact.
LAURIAT, Louis Anslem USA (1785-1858) (GB)
See APPENDIX-F/G/S. Professional balloonist, 1840-50 era.
Immigrated from France 1806; Resident of Boston, MA (changed spelling of name from LAURIANT).
b: 13 Oct.1785 Guadalupe FWI;
d: 31 Aug.1858 Sacramento CA.
p: French language teacher, Chemist, Assayer, Goldbeater (worker of gold).
f: Witnessed first ascent 1834 by C.DURANT; First ascent 1834; First solo flight 17 July 1835; Made 45 to 100 flights in his lifetime (accounts vary); Last ascent 1845.
l: Used poem "Lauriant's Comet" as ballast. ***Epic flight attempt 6 June 1836 from Boston. Half inflated balloon ascended without the pilot, in front of 35,000 people. ***Epic flight 17 Jun.1839 from Chelsea MA. Balloon landed in the Atlantic ocean and was dragged by the wind for 30 miles before rescue.
LAUSSEDAT, Colonel FRANCE (1819?1880) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U. Military balloonist.
b: 1819 Moulins.
e: l'Ecole Polytechnique (considered a genius).
s: Enlisted as Colonel in French Army 1874, President of Aerial communications commission (optic telegraphics, aerostats, carrier pigeons, & electric lighting); Founded French B-Academy at Meudon 1875 (Appointed RENARD 1876).
p: Engineer of military fortifications of Paris, Professor of mathematics & Geometry 1865, Professor of Astronomy & Geology 1851-71, Director of l'Ecole Polytechnique 1879-1881.
l: Columbophile (pigeon fancier); Sponsored GIFFORD airship 1878; sponsored the erection of the Montgolfier monument in 1883.
f: Made several scientific B-Flights Sep.1875
m: French Academy of Sciences.
h: Legion of Honor 1868, Commander 1879. ***Epic flight Sept.1875 (w/TISSANDIER, Bitard, & Bastoul) in "l'Univers. Balloon envelope ruptured at 400 meters near Lake Farreau. Laussedat suffered a broken leg.
r: l'Aerophile-A/S 1894 p1.
LAVELLE, A.L. USA (1850?1900) K (SM)
See APPENDIX-B/L/S. Professional balloonist.
***Epic flight 11 May.1878 from Victor, NY. Smoke balloon launch was interrupted by a restraining line that didn't release. The resulting jerk dashed the pilot against a building, breaking his arm, crushing his thigh, and inflicting internal injuries. He promptly threw his other leg over the trapeze, and continued the flight until the balloon landed. He died later of his injuries.
r: NT-14 May 1878/6/2.
LAVELLE-COBE, Frank ARGENTINA #:18 (1877-1951) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AV. Sport balloonist.
b: 8 Jan.1877 Buenos Aires.
d: 23 Aug.1951 Buenos Aires.
p: Engineer.
f: First B-Flight 20 Mar.1913 from Palermo to Zapinola in 4:35; FAI-AAC B-License #18 issued 20 Mar.1913 (same day); Made 3 recorded flights in his lifetime.
r: Argentine Aviation.
LAVOISIER, Antoine L. FRANCE (1743-1794) (HP)
Middle name Laurent; Father of modern Chemistry.
d: 8 May 1794 Paris (Beheaded in the revolution).
p: Tax collector for the monarchy; Chemist, did early experiments with hydrogen; Credited as originator of the word "hydrogen" (1779); Credited with design & development of the first practical hydrogen production process.
l: Helped to launch J.CHARLES on his epic flight in 1783.
LAW, D.Rodman USA (1890?1940) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L. Professional balloonist.
Epic flight 12 Nov.1912 from New York, NY. Act included an impressive explosion of four sticks of dynamite after his parachute release. The flight was completed as advertised. He claimed his key to success was his double insulated wool suit.
r: NT-13 Nov.1912/9/5.
LAWRENCE, George R. BRITAIN/USA (1869-1939) (GB)
b: 1869 Britain.
d: 15 Dec.1939 Chicago.
f: Claimed many flights in Denver area, & worldwide.
p: Inventor, photographer, promoter, Semi-Professional balloonist.
l: Organized "Balloonograph Expedition of W.D. BOYCE, Kenya-1909; Took excellent aerial photos from kites pre-1900; Holder of more than 70 patents on aviation/photography devices.
h: Revered as "The Father of Flash Photography." ***Epic flight 14 Jun.1897 from Naimi-Tal (India). Smoke balloon was sucked into a thunderstorm, and burst. The pilot parachuted down safely. ***Epic ascent 7 Jul.1901 from Chicago, IL. Captive balloon at 950' escaped from the net, and he crashed in the basket with considerable impact. He saved himself by holding on to the load ring, and breaking his fall by bending his knees. ***Epic ascent 1906 from San Francisco, CA. Made many historic photos of earthquake damage, from a captive balloon. NOTE: see TOURNACHAN-1858, J.BLACK-1860, A.PILLSBURY-1909.
r: Chicago Tribune; American Heritage-Apr.1975/28 (C.Hughes); NT-16 Dec.1938/25:2.
LAWRENCE, John B. USA #-964 (1892?1925) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-AH/AI/AR. Military balloonist
Nickname: Jack.
b: 15 Mar.1892 St.Paul, MN.
d: 4 Sep.1925 Cambridge, OH.
e: University of Minnesota.
s: Officer in the U.S.Navy; Balloon & Airship pilot; Naval Aviator #580; LTA test pilot.
f: Balloon & Airship Training at Rockaway (NJ), Hampton Roads (VA), and Howden (ENG), 1922-23.
f: FAI-ACA B-License #964 issued 1923.
l: 1923, Pilot (w/Richelsdorfer) in National B-Races (placed 2nd); 1923, Pilot (w/Richels-dorfer) in G-Bennett B-Races (placed 6th). ***Epic flight 4 Sep.1925 (w/80-crew) from Akron (OH) in the airship Shenandoah. He and 14 others died when the ship broke up in a thunderstorm. See LANSDOWN, and ROSENDAHL.
r: Contact Profiles p180.
LAWSON, Lawrence A. USA #-326 (1896?1960) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Military balloonist.
b: 8 Aug.1896 Menominee, MI.
s: Officer in the U.S.Army; Balloon, Airship, & Airplane pilot; Colonel in 1943.
f: Received B-Training 1917-18; FAI-ACA B-License #326 issued 1918.
l: Established many Airship distance & duration records.
r: Air Corps Newsletter, V-XiX, 1 Jun.1936/18-20; Who's Who of Aviation 1942-43.
LEATHERMAN, Earl Wilbert USA #-811 (1891?1960) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Professional Aeronaut.
b: 29 Oct.1891 Medina, OH.
e: Ohio State University. ME-1916.
p: Airship envelope designer, Goodyear Aero Department, 1916; Balloon & Airship pilot & instructor.
f: FAI-ACA B-License #811 issued 14 May 1919.
m: Society of Aero Engineers; Akron University Club.
r: Aviation Magazine, 1921; BF-V3#8p3.
LEBAUDY, Paul Freres FRANCE (Bio-data unavailable)
Brother of famous aeronauts, Pierre & Robert.
h: La Grande Medalle de L'Aero-Club de France (for outstanding contributions to aerostation).
r: FAI records.
LEBAUDY, Pierre Ateliers FRANCE (1880?1940) (GB)
Brother of famous aeronaut.
p: Sugar business entrepreneur, speculator, salesman.
f: Sport balloonist & airship pilot; Designed & flew his own balloons, 1900-02 era.
l: Designed (w/his brother Paul) from Paris 1902-10 era; 1902, Flew first commercially successful airship in the World, "leJaune," built by JULLIOT (see A.S-DUMONT).
LeBLANC, Alfred FRANCE (1869-1921) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AG/AH/AT. Professional Aeronaut.
Brother of balloonist, Henry.
b: 13 Apr.1869 Paris;
d: 22 Nov.1921.
e: Graduate Mechanical Engineer.
r: L'Aerophile 14/6 (Jun.1906).
p: Engineer, Metallurgist, Industrialist; pilot; Balloon & Airplane Instructor; Director of the Bleriot Flying School.
f: Active sport balloonist, 1900-10 era; First GB-flight 1888 with V.BIDAULT; Airplane pilot by Aug.1910.
l: 1907, Participant in the G-Bennett B-Races.
h: La Grande Medaille de L'Aero-Club de France-1907 (Only previous recipients were JUCHIMES & Count VAULX); Grand Prix de l'Aero Club (Gold Medal +1000FF), 1913.
m: Aero Club of France, Director of Instruction. ***Epic flight 8 Mar.1909 (w/L.DuPont). Landed in a river and abandoned the balloon when rescued by boat. ***Epic flight 21 Oct.1907 (w/Edgar MIX) from St.Louis USA in "Isle de France." Covered 1394.5 Km. in 44 hours.
r: FAI records.
LEBRUN, Georges FRANCE (1873?1930) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AT. Sport balloonist 1902-05 era.
b: 13 Apr.1873 Paris.
f: First B-Flight 8 Jun.1902 with NICOLLEAU; First B-Solo 3 Sep.1902 in "l'Aero Club-IV."
LECLAIR, Leroy USA (1860?1920) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L/S. Professional balloonist 1880-91.
Worked for the "McCLELLAN Troupe"; Stage names: "Professor Leclair" & "Monsieur LeRoy"; Worked as partner with "Sophie."
f: First recorded flight 9 Jun.1880 from Nanamo, BRC Canada; Made many flights in Canada; May have been Canadian citizen; Made an ascent 19 May 1889 from Patton Park in Phoenix, AZ; Last recorded flight 1891 from Pentwater, MI.
r: Tempe News-18 May 1889.
LECLAIR, Sophie (F) USA (1870?1930) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L/S. Professional balloonist 1892-94.
p: Worked for the "McCLELLAN Troupe."
f: First flight 1891 from Pentwater, MI; Instructor was "Leroy." ***Epic flight 1 Feb.1893 from Galveston, TX (details unknown).
LeCLEREQ, Constance H.A. FRANCE (1867-1889) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B. Scientific balloonist.
Mid-names: Hubert Alfred; Nickname "Chalc" (a contraction of his initials).
b: 10 Mar.1867 Lille, France.
d: 28 July 1889 Blankenberg Belgium.
e: St.Louis Academy, Science.
p: Electrician, lighting engineer for the city of Brussels.
f: First ascent in a tethered balloon at the Anvers Exhibition.
l: Crewman on the submarine "Dragnet"; Inventor of a textile coloring process. *** Epic flight 28 July 1889 from Blankenberghe to test his self-made balloon. The Gas balloon was in the shape of a cylinder, and he was suspended in a harness below. Ballasting was accomplished by pulling a cord attached to the top apex thru the center of the envelope. His ascent was witnessed by a skeptical and jeering crowd, but proceeded normally. At 9:30 pm the balloon crashed on a farm, and the pilot died of his injuries. NOTE: A hand written "Last Will & Testament," dated and signed at 9pm was found in his pocket.
r: Le Patriote Illustre, 18 Aug.1889 p392.
LECOMPTE, Valere FRANCE (1860?1920) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AZ. Professional balloonist 1890-1900 era.
p: Balloon maker.
l: Author of "Ateliers Aeronauticoes de L'Este." ***Epic flight 12 Sep. 1893 from La Villette Gas Works. Balloon ruptured soon after launch, and bounced off rooftops for some time before it could be restrained by bystanders. ***Epic flight 14 Jul.1906. Balloon caught fire in powerlines. ***Epic flight 15 Jul.1907. Fell 800 meters and broke his leg.
r: Morning Leader 14 Sep.1893.
LEDERMAN, Werner SWITZERLAND #+103 (1900? (GB)
See APPENDIX-BO/BP. Sport balloonist.
d: 17 Oct.1987; Resident of Bern.
f: Swiss B-License # 103 issued 13 Nov.1954; First night flight 30 Oct.1961; Certified GB-Instructor and Swiss B-Examiner since 1961.
m: Swiss Aero Club. Aero Club Honors 1979.
l: 1977, Participant in World HB-Championships; 1980-P, Accident investigator for Swiss-OFAC; 1982, Participant in World HB-Championships; 1984, Participant in World HB-Championships.
r: SAC-archives; FuA p92.
LEDET, ? RUSSIA (1810?1847) (GB)
See APPENDIX-B. Sport balloonist.
Epic flight Aug.1847 from St. Petersburg, Russia. Found himself drifting over Lake Ladoga; jumped with his parachute (which never opened) and his body was never recovered.
r: Adventures in the Air, Flamarion, p178.
LEE, David B. USA (1790?1840) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Resident of Camden, NJ.
b: England; Emigrated to the USA about 1818.
l: Made a serious study of all aspects of aerostation 1810-20; Proposed dirigible to Thomas Jefferson, 5 Apr.1822.
f: First flight attempt 2 Sep.1819 from Camden, NJ. Balloon was slashed by an unruly crowd angered by the delays in inflation. ***Epic series of flight attempts from Philadelphia in 1819: #1 Balloon took off without him, 2 September; #2 Balloon damaged by the impatient crowd, 7 September; #3 Balloon destroyed against a tree in strong winds (8 Sep.). ***Epic flight 7 Sep.1819 from Philadelphia, PA in "Turrapin." Elliptical shaped balloon, stuck in tree soon after launch. Pilot stepped out of the basket to survey the damage, balloon escaped and was lost.
r: New York Sun 8 Sep.1819; Jefferson letters.
LEE, Eugene USA (1840?1900) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Professional balloonist.
f: First recorded ascent 17 Mar.1867 in San Francisco, CA.
r: S.F.Cronicle 15 Mar.1867 p2c3.
LEE, Harold P. ENGLAND (1850?1910) (OB/KB/GB)
See APPENDIX-X/AG/AX. Military Balloonist.
p: Officer in British Army, Capt. in 1878; Did many aeronautical experiments (w/ TEMPLAR) with balloons, kites, & gliders. ***Epic flight 23 Aug. 1878 (w/TEMPLAR) in 10,000 c.f. "Pioneer."
LEFEVERE, W.H. BRITAIN (1860?1920) (GB)
f: Experienced aeronaut of great repute.
m: Royal Balloon Society, Pres.1892.
r: PYA-Scrapbook.
LEGRAND, Andre FRANCE (1870?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AT. Sport balloonist.
p: Partners in Aviation School with Casleton St.VICTOR.
f: First B-Flight 1901 with J.FAURE.
l: Amateur sportsman, Yachtsman, Equestrian.
f: Brought a balloon to Cambodia for captive observations.***Epic flight Jan.1903 (w/C.St.VICTOR) from Gabes. Attempted to cross the Sahara Desert.
r: l'Aerophile-Mar.1904.
LEHMANN, ? USA (1800?1850) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Sport balloonist.
Resident of Algiers (New Orleans), LA.
l: Made several flights from Algiers in the Fall of 1846. ***Epic flight 1846 from New Orleans, LA. Launch and flight were successful, but he landed among slaves attending a plantation fire. Balloon was destroyed, and several slaves burned in the ensuing fire.
r: New Orleans Argus.
LEHNERT, F.W. GERMANY (1880?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AH/CH. Sport balloonist.
p: Engineer; Resident of Dresden-Plauen.
f: Holder of Austrian & German B-Licenses.
l: Aide in Austrian balloon in the 1912 & 13 G-Bennett B-Races.
m: Sachsischer Balloon Club. ***Epic flight 16 Mar.1913 from Dresden to Elbing. Covered 530 Km. in 8:02 hours (75.5 KPH).
r: FuA p92.
LEIMKUGEL, Erich GERMANY (1880?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AH/CH. Sport balloonist.
p: Chemist/Druggist; Resident of Essen-Oberhausen.
m: Essen & Niederrheinischer Balloon Club.
l: Pilot G-Bennett B-Races of 1929 & 32. ***Epic flight 1 Jun.1929 covering 830 Km. in 20:13.
r: FuA p92.
LEMOINE, Eugene FRANCE (1850?1900) (GB)
See APPENDIX-N. Son of balloonist, Louis.
p: Student in 1870. ***Epic flight 30 Dec. 1870 from Paris under Prussian siege. Landed almost on top of the Headquarters he was to deliver military dispatches to.
LEMOINE, Lewis FRANCE (1830?1890) (GB)
See APPENDIX-N. Professional balloonist, 1850-60 era.
Father of balloonist, Eugene. ***Epic flight 18 Nov. 1870 (w/P.THOMAS) from Paris under Prussian siege. Landed on the Island of Jersey after flying all night without knowing their position.
LEMPRIERE, George P. BRITAIN (1870?1930) (GB)
Stage name: Lt.Mons.Francis Lem.
p: Professional balloonist and B-Maker 1895-10 era; Protégé of M.BROOKES & A.MANSFIELD.
a: Grosvenor Road; Handsworth.
r: PYA-Scrapbook (Bio-data unknown)
LENNOX, Charles USA (1856-1889) (GB)
See APPENDIX-B/L/S. Professional balloonist.
Name sometimes referred to as Charles Leroux.
b: 19 Oct.1856 Waterbury CN;
d: 24 Sep.89 Baltic Sea, Estonia.
p: Worked with a manager named Paradies.
f: Made 238 parachute jumps from balloons.
l: Flew in Germany (Berlin & Bremen); Russia (Moscow, & St. Petersburg), in an extensive European tour.
h: Considered the Father of Estonian Aviation, A monument still stands in Tallinn in his honor. ***Epic flight 24 Sep.1889 from Tartu Estonia. Launching under pressure from his manager in gusty weather, he ascended from the center of town. He released in his parachute over the edge of town successfully, but the wind carried him more than a mile offshore. Lifeboats arrived within 10 minutes, but his body was not recovered until 2 days later.
r: L'Illustration Europeenne 1889 p36; V.Potyomin archives (Baltic Balloons-Estonia).
LENNOX, Compte de FRANCE (1810?1870) (GB)
See APPENDIX-A/E/T. LTA enthusiast, 1832-40.
f: First B-Flight (solo pilot) 28 July 1832 (w/Wife) from Paris.
l: 1834, Built dirigible (prop-driven) "L'Aigle" (Eagle); It was unsuccessful, and later destroyed by fire.
LEONARD, John USA (1840?1900) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Resident of Burlington, CT (?IA?).
p: Assistant to S.BROOKS; Professional balloonist; Partners with Jane WROGHT 1857-58 era.
f: First recorded flight 9 Oct.1856 from Muscatine, IA; Made 17 ascents in the Summer of 1857; Last recorded ascent 29 Aug.1899 from Dawson, UTR Canada.
LePIQUE, ? FRANCE (1780?1808) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B. Military Officer.
***Epic ascent 3 May 1808 (w/Second) from Tuileries Gardens (Paris) in a captive balloon. Another balloon (w/DeGrandpre, & his "Second") ascended next to his. Both aeronauts proceeded to fire at each other until LePique's balloon was destroyed, and fell in a housetop. NOTE: Duel was reportedly fought over Mille.Tireuit, an actress at the Imperial Opera.
r: PYA-Scrapbook-R6/p200; The Aerostat-p12; Lighter Than Air, p71; Alnuril Gazette & Times Herald 21 Oct.1900.
LEPPIG, ? GERMANY (1780?1850) (OB)
See APPENDIX-F/J. Military balloonist.
p: Observation balloonist for the German Army; Flew the only Observation Balloon used by Russia against the French (under Napoleon) 1800 era.
l: 1812, Designer of a Semi-Rigid (w/keel) airship.
LEPRINCE, Paul FRANCE (1860?1910) (GB)
See APPENDIX-T/AT. Sport Balloonist.
b: 1871 Paris. ***Epic flight 31 Aug.1890 (w/Dumualt) from Paris. Making a rapid ascent, the balloon was seen greatly distorted, before bursting at 4700'. The aeronauts quickly discarded all ballast as the envelope "parachuted" them to a safe landing.
r: Scientific American, 63:231,Oct.11.1890.
LESGUILLON, H. FRANCE (1812-1882) (GB)
p: Professional balloonist, 1840-50 era.
LETOUR, Francois Louis-C. FRANCE (1830?1854) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B. Professional Balloonist.
d: 5 Jul.1854, Paris.
p: Circus performer.
f: Made 30 flights in his lifetime. ***Epic flight 27 June 1854 (see W.H.ADAMS) from Cremore Gardens in London. Released from the balloon, as pilot of a self-designed glider. Glider never reached stability and he died of impact injuries.
r: The Big Umbrella p29.
LEVEE, Charles FRANCE #-19 (1885?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AG/AF/AH/AR/AT. Professional Balloonist.
Brought over from France as B-Instructor by THOMAS; Arrived in the USA Jan.1906; Married sister of A.HAWLEY, created a great scandal (Charles, age 23, eloped to Paris 10 Apr.1908 with Jennie, age 51; some $30,000 disappeared from the Hawley business; Jennie returned 2-months later, minus Charles & money).
b: 17 Mar.1885 Paris; Son of Paris Municipal Counsel.
f: First B-Flight 14 Jul.1904 with M.HERBSTER from the Royal Palace; Made 10-12 B-Flights by 1905 in France, Belgium, & England; French FAI B-License issued 15 May 1905; Made 40 flights by Dec.1906; 70 by 1907; Hired as the First pilot/instructor of the Aero Club of America (ACA) 1906.
l: Owner of 350 cm balloon "Alouette" (350 Cu. Meters) 1905-7.
m: ACA; Aero Club of France. ***Epic flight 11 Feb.1906 (solo) from West Point Military Academy; Launch in freezing conditions, was the first officially sponsored Aero Club of America flight.
r: NT-20 Oct.1907 (P5)5/1. ***Epic event 11 Mar.1906 at Pittsfield, MA in first ACA sponsored Balloon Competition. Strong winds destroyed most of the balloons before launch. ***Epic flight 15 Dec.1906. Valve stuck open; crashed. ***Epic flight 11 Jun.1907 (w/A.HAWLEY & Cordley) from St.Cloud. Experienced "St.Elmo's fire" for 15-minutes at 1100 meters altitude.
r: New York Newspapers 1906-07; Aero Club of France archives; L'Aerophile July 1905 p145.
LEVIN, David N. USA (1948- (HB/GB)
See APPENDIX-BP/BJ/BK/BO. Professional Balloonist.
b: 10 Jun.1948 Newark, NJ.
e: Boston University, BBA-1970, JD-1975, LLM-1976.
p: B-Pilot, Financial Investor.
f: First B-Flight July 1975 with Brian BOLAND; First B-Solo 10 Dec.1976 from Del Norte, CO; FAA B-License #147360029 issued 29 Jan.1977; More than 2000 B-Hours (25 gas starts) by 1987 in 11 countries by 1988.
l: Skydiving, Airplane student pilot; 1976-82, Owner of "The Balloon Ranch" Ballooning Resort; 1979-81, Regular participant in Kool Pro Tour (Nationwide USA); 1981-88, Placed in top 10 of U.S.Nat.Championships 5-times; 1984-87, Pilot on International Balloon Tours; 1985, Winner of World Hot-Air B-Championships; 1986, Placed 3rd in Classic G.Bennett B-Race (Salesburg OUS); 1986, Placed 2nd in World Gas B-Championships (Glendale, AZ); 1987, Placed 3rd in Classic G.Bennett B-Race (Bregenz OUS); 1988, Placed 3rd in World Gas B-Championships (Augsburg GER); 1989, WINNER of the U.S. National HB-Championships; 1991, Placed 6th in U.S. National HB-Championships; 1992, WINNER of both the World Gas B-Championships and Gordon Bennet B-Races; 1993, Placed 4th in World HB-Championships (Luxembourg);
m: FAI CIA-Rules sub committee; BFA, Gas B-Committee.
h: Montgolfier Diploma-1992. ***Epic flight 21 Feb.1977. Flew a Hot-Air Balloon over Pikes Peak summit (14210'). See T.S.BALDWIN-1902 in Gas balloon. ***Epic flight (date) 1985 (w/F.RIDER) from Geneva (SWI).
a: 2289 Park Lake Dr; Boulder, CO 80301 (Oct-88); was: 3015 Third Street; Boulder, CO 80302.
r: Bio-Data form Mar.1987.
LEVITT, Benjamin Bernard USA (1910? (GB)
See APPENDIX-BS. Military Balloonist.
b: 9 Jan.1923 Miami, FL.
e: U.S.Naval Academy, 1943; Naval Post-Grad, MA-1946; RPI (Renneslar Polytecnical. Institute, PHD-1949.
s: Officer in U.S. Navy, ret. Balloon & Airship pilot, 1943-52 era; LTA Research Chief for the U.S. Navy (N.A.D.C.) 1960-63; Director of "Stratolab-V" (space suit testing) projects (see M.ROSS, 113,000' flight).
p: LTA Consultant on many hi-altitude balloon projects; Firm name "Summit Research."
f: First B-Flight Sep.1944 w/STEELMAN from Sunnyvale, CA; CAA Balloon & Airship licenses 1944, Airplane license; More than 5500 LTA hours (4500-Airship) by 1988.
m: Naval Airship Association. ***Epic flight 30 Apr 1962 (w/K.STEHLING & Benson) from Brawley, CA in "Kathleen." Unsuccessful TransAmerica attempt. Balloon went to 14,000', and landed at Brawley, CA after a two hour flight. NOTE: Balloon was financed and made by O.WINZEN.
a: W) 301 Summit Hall Road; Gaithersburg, MD 20877; 301/948-9098; H) 1 W.Deer Park Road; Gaithersburg, MD.
LEWIS, George USA #-1070 (1905?1970) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Professional Aeronaut. (Bio-Data unknown)
b16 Oct.1907 Atlanta, GA. Goodyear pilot, spent 2 years in Germany as airship representative.
f: Received Balloon & Airship training at Wingfoot Lake; FAI-ACA B-License #1070 issued 27 Oct.1933.
l: Flew on the Graff Zeppelin & Hindenburg.
r: BF-S/O 1984p5.
LEWIS, Harley Benton USA #-373 (1894?1970) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Military balloonist.
b: 31 Oct.1894 Topika, KA; Res.of San Dimas, CA 1969.
e: Texas Christian University, BBA-1917.
p: unknown.
s: Officer in U.S.Navy 1917-21; Naval Aviator #1737.
f: Balloon training at Akron; Failed Airship training at Pensacola; Airplane pilot at Hampton Roads (VA); FAI-ACA B-License #373 issued 13 Feb.1918.
a: 17 E.2nd Terrace; San Dimas, CA.
r: Contact Profiles p443.
LEWIS, Morton Lee USA (1913-1959) K (GB/SB)
See APPENDIX-B/AP/BS. Scientific Balloonist.
b: 1913;
d: 6 Jul.1959 St.Paul, MN.
s: Officer in U.S. Navy, Meteorologist, Ret.Lt. Commander.
p: Project Engineer on many Military Balloon projects; Co-Developer of the "Rockoon" for lifting/assisting multi-stage rockets; Strato-Lab pilot/launch manager for WINZEN Research.
f: Made, several flights from the Stratobowl, SD.
l: Killed by falling 15 pound tackle-block, suspending a heavy gondola. Pulley fell 65' and hit him on the shoulder; he died one hour later. (Air-Jet directional surveillance B-Project). ***Epic flight 27 Nov.1957 (see ROSS); First TV transmission from space.
r: NT-7 Jul.1959/37:2; Newsweek20 Jul.1959p54:65 (T).
LEYS, Georges FRANCE (1871?1940) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AT. Sport balloonist 1901-10 era.
b: 1871 Paris.
m: Aero Club of France.
f: First B-Flight 27 Sep.1901 with M.FARMAN & G.LEYS in l'Alliance; Considered expert class, Balloons, Airships, and Airplanes.
l: World traveler, cycleist, Yachtsman, Automobile enthusiast. ***Epic flight 24 Apr.1902 from Rueil to Owen in 5hrs.53min.
L'HOSTE, Francois L. FRANCE (1859-1887) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B/I/U/T. Professional balloonist.
Nickname: Frank; Son of balloonist, Francois; Brother of Louis & Frederic.
b: 1859 Paris;
d: 1887 Paris.
p: Proprietor of l'Academie d'Aerostation, Balloon School.
f: Made first B-Ascent with A.Gauther in 1868 (age 9); Graduated from B-School 1876 (age 17).
l: Sport & scientific balloonist 1876-87 era; Had to be rescued from the North Sea many times; Made 5 English Channel crossing attempts, 3 were successful; he died on fifth try. ***Epic flight 9 Sept.1883 (w/Eloy) from Boulogne across the North Sea in a five hour flight. ***Epic flight 13 Nov.1887 (w/MANGOT) in "l'Arago." Balloon was last seen heading out over the Atlantic. Bodies were recovered by a passing Norwegian ship. NOTE: Newspapers of the day reported it as a Transatlantic flight attempt.
r: l'Aerophile.
L'HOSTE, Frederic FRANCE (1857-1897) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U. Sport balloonist.
Nickname Fred; Son of balloonist, Francois; Brother of Francois & Louis.
b: 23 Aug.1857 Paris;
d: 4 Jan.1897 Paris.
s: Officer in the French Army Aerostiers, 67th Infantry Battalion.
p: Engineer /Inventor; Secretary of newspaper "d'Montgolfier."
f: First B-Flight 14 Jul.1885 in "l'Astrolabe"; Last recorded flight 13 Apr.1895; injured on a hard landing.
l: Poet; ***Epic flight 7 May 1888 (w/E.ARCHDEACON) from Ft.Nogent. Conducted experiments testing the feasibility of firing a cannon from a balloon.
r: l'Aerophile-Mar/Apr.1896.
L'HOSTE, Louis FRANCE (1857?1887) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U. Sport balloonist.
Son of balloonist, Francois; Brother of Francois & Frederic.
b: 1857 Paris;
d: 4 Jan.1887 Paris.
r: l'Aerophile-Mar.1896.
LIBBY, Samuel USA (1898?1916) K (SM)
See APPENDIX-B/L. Resident of Boston, MA.
***Epic flight 6 Sep.1916 from Rutland, VT. Ascent and release were normal, but his parachute failed to open. He died on impact.
r: NT-7 Sep.1916/22/4.
LIETH-THOMSEN, GERMANY (1870?1930) (HP)
s: Officer in the German Army, General in 1913; Commander of 1st, 15th, and 17th B-Detachments; Commander of German Observation B-Forces during WW-I; "Feldtluft-Schiffer-Abteiling" (FLA).
l: Designer of "pre-Drachen" Kite balloons. NOTES: The FLA had 8 B-Companies on the front lines by Sep.1914; They had 170 B-Companies on the front lines by Oct.1918; Each Company consisted of 2 balloons, 10 Officers, 270 Enlisted Men, and 35 horses; The "Drachen" balloons were designed by PARSEVAL & SIEGSFELD; Lost first balloon 20 Jan.1915; last 9 Nov.1918; First, and most all were made of Neoprene coated cotton, and manufactured by A.RIEDENGER. Last were made of "Goldbeaters Skin" (cow intestines).
r: The Balloonitics; British Archives.
LINCOLN, Rush Blodget USA (1881?1950) (GB)
Military balloonist..
b: 8 Dec.1881 Boone, IA.
e: Iowa State College, BS-1904; Command & Staff School, 1923; Army War College, 1925.
s: Career officer in the U.S.Army Air Force; Commander of Ross Field (CA) & Scott Field (IL); Ret.Mjr.General.
f: Received B-Training 1921; Airship 1923; Airplane 1825; Military brevets, no FAI-ACA licenses.
r: Who's Who in Aviation 1942-43.
LIND, Ruth USA (1956- (HB/GB)
See APPENDIX-BG Sport balloonist
b: 4 Jun.1956 Bangor, Maine.
e: Univ.of Maine BA-Modern Languages.
p: Broadcasting 1978-9, Communications Mgr. 1980-5; Periodical Editor 1985-8; BFA Publications Editor 1988-2000; Post Mills Airport Mgr.1988-97; Currently self-employed as President of OTR Properties, LLC, a business that renovates historical buildings in MidCoast Maine.
f: First B-Flight 1980 from Huntington, WV w/Bill Cunningham; First solo B-flight 1980 in New Hampshire in a homebuilt; Received unlimited FAA B-License in ammonia gas balloon 1990.
l: Quilter; Ham radio (KC2GXQ); Participant in the Miss Champagne project (3.1 million CuFt. thermal balloon) 1987-8; Participated (w/M.NEAL) in 1994 World Gas Championships; Participated in 1989 World Thermal Airship Championships; Organizer of Stoweflake B-Festival, Vermont
m: BFA.
h: 1991 BFA Presidents Award; Shields-Trauger 2000 Award for outstanding contributions to the sport.
r: BM-Jan. 2001p18; E-mail interview Jan.2001.
LINDSTRAND, Per BRITAIN (1947? (GB)
See APPENDIX-I/BA/BB/BC/BL. Aeronaut extraordinaire.
FIRST to cross the Atlantic Ocean by Hot-Air balloon; FIRST to cross the Pacific Ocean by Hot-Air balloon.
b: 8 Sep.1947?Sweden; emigrated to Britain about 1980.
e: Aero Engineering, MA-Science.
s: Swedish Air Force 6-years.
p: Professional balloon maker (Thunder-Colt, England); Removed from Directorship 1992; Founded "Lindstrand Balloons" early 1993.
f: First B-Flight 1971 in self-made balloon from Malwon Sweden; CAA B-License #48098-1997 issued 1973, Airplane rating; More than 800 B-Hours (19 Gas starts) by 1987.
l: 1984, Dropped Hang-Glider from 37600' (a World record); 1985, Dropped Parachutist from 36400' (a World record).
h: 1987 AND 1988, Received HARMON Trophy by Dan Quayle (Vice Pres. of the U.S.A.) for outstanding accomplishments.
m: BBAC; BFA. ***Epic flight 6 Aug.1983. Fell 20'from the basket during flight. ***Epic flight 2-4 Jul.1987 (w/Richard Branson) from Sugar Loaf, ME. Canada. Made an uncontrolled landing near Limavady, Ireland after covering 3075Sm. (2789.6Nm., 3075Km.) in 31:41 (87.7mph). Flight continued to a second uncontrolled landing in the Irish Sea, where they jumped from the basket, and were rescued by boat. Established an absolute World Distance record for AX class balloons. ***Epic flight 6 Jun.1988 (solo) from Laredo, TX (area) in "Stratoquest." Record altitude flight in a hot-air balloon to 64998' (19812m). Trouble developed at 22000'when two 100kg. sandbags had to be cut loose by the pilot that had to climb out of the gondola. Flight ended 60 miles East after 3.5 hours. ***Epic flight 15 Jan.1991 (w/R.Branson) from Miyakanojo, Japan in "Virgin Flyer." Successfully crossed the Pacific Ocean in a Hot-Air balloon on their second attempt. Landed near Yellow Knife, in the Yukon territory of Canada after covering 6761Sm (10878Km) in 46 hours 6 minutes (147mph). ***Many other epic flights; see R.McCARTHY.
r: BL-Feb.1991 p8.
r: BM-Spr.1990p30; LAT-5 Jul.1987/I/6, 7 Jun.1988, 18 Jan.1991; Bio-data form 1987.
LINDSTROM, Oskar SWE (1950? (GB/HB)
See APPENDIX-AB ++++ Aeronaut Extraordinaire
l: Winner of World Thermal Airship Championship. ***Epic flight (solo) in Cloudhopper-21 from Arvika to Hallstahammar Sweden. Established a FAI-Distance record of 404 km.
h: Year 2000 Santos Dumont Prize.
a: Res. of Taby, Sweden.
r: Bio-data unavailable
LINK, Goethe USA (1879?1972) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AF/AI. Sport balloonist, 1905-14 era.
Stage name "Gade Link."
b: 1879; still alive 1972.
p: Doctor of Medicine, Surgeon.
f: Learned to fly from BUMBAUGH/FISHER/HERSEY; Bought his balloon from BUMBAUGH; Made only one recorded flight as pilot-in-command.
l: Retired from ballooning as incompatible with his peer group. ***Epic flight 6 Jun.1909 (w/J.Russy Irwin) from Indianapolis, IN; Flight in the U.S.National B-Race was marred by being shot at, several times during the flight. They landed safely in Westmoreland, TN, placing eighth, after covering 208 Sm.
a: Resident of Indianapolis, IN.
r: Indianapolis Star June 1909; BM-/Sp.72,p57.
LISSMORE, Mark Guy BRITAIN (1955-2000) K (HB)
See APPENDIX-B Professional Balloonist
b: 31 Dec.1955 Malvern England;
d: 12 Jul.2000 Narok, Kenya.
p: Park Ranger in 1980, B-Pilot for Transworld Safaris (Masi-Mara).
f: First B-Flight w/Ian ASHPOLE. Holder of B-Licenses in U.K & Kenya; Also flew in USA, Australia, Japan, Tanzania, & Thailand.
l: lived 13 years in Kenya. Nature and wildlife lover. ***Epic flight 12 July 2000 w/3-American passengers from Masi Mara tourist camp. Mark was killed and the 3 passengers injured. The rumor is that the fuel tanks were pressurized with oxygen instead of nitrogen by mistake. Nothing else seems to explain the aluminum Worthington tank exploding as it did.
h: His ashes were dropped from a balloon over the Masi Mara Game Preserve 17 July 2000.
r: BM-Fall 2000 p26; Skylines Oct.2000 p9; G.Camplin archives.
LITCHFIELD, Charles USA (1880?1940) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L. Professional smoke balloonist.
***Epic flight 3 Jul.1902 from Long Branch, NJ. Pilot landed on a chimney and had to be rescued by bystanders.
LITCHFIELD, Paul Weeks USA (1875-1959) (HP)
b: 26 July 1875, Boston, MA;
d: 18 Mar.1959, Phoenix, AZ.
e: Mass. Institute of Technology, BS.
p: Goodyear Executive (Superintendent)1901-15, V.P. 1915-21; Pres. 1921-56; Pres.of Goodyear-Zeppelin Airship Corp. 1924-40; Pres.Goodyear Aircraft 1939-64 (see T.KNOWLES, Goodyear Aerospace, 1964-74).
l: Took a personal interest in the production of balloons; Hired R.UPSON & PRESTON to develop the LTA Division; Supervised construction of 1000 training balloons, 100 blimps, Captive balloons, Kite balloons, & Barrage balloons; Made only one recorded LTA flight; with the "Macon" from Akron to Lakehurst on 23-24 Jun.1931; Established the "Litchfield Trophy" for winners of the U.S. National Elimination Balloon Races.
LOCHER, Walter GERMANY (1909-1979) (GB)
See APPENDIX-BF. Sport Balloonist 1900-05.
b: 12 Nov.1909 Stuttgart.
d: 2 Jun.1979 Stuttgart.
f: Received German B-License 18 Jul.1939; German license # 77 reissued 1953; Last recorded B-Flight 1977; 140 Gas flights in his lifetime.
m: President of the German Balloon Federation 1964.
h: Lilienthal Diploma-1964; Brickwedde Gold Medal-1971; Dadalus Silver Medal-1972; Montgolfier Diploma-1973.
r: FuA p95.
LOCKHART, (F) USA (1885?1940) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L. Professional Balloonist 1900-05.
f: First recorded flight 1901 from Wala Wala, WA; Made recorded flights in the following cities: Binghamton, Dunkirk, Fredonia, London, ONT, Montreal, QUE; Owego, Toronto, ONT, Wala Wala, WA, & Warren, MI. ***Epic flight 1905 from Fredonia. Landed by parachute in front of the grandstand she launched from.
a: Resident of Binghamton, NY 1906.
LOHMANN, Werner GERMANY (1907-1991) (HB/GB)
See APPENDIX-AH/BN/CH. Sport balloonist.
b: 7 Apr.1907 Dusseldorf;
d: 4 Jul.1991 Dusseldorf.
f: First instruction flight 9 Feb. 1936 w/Karl Schafer; German balloon license #421 issued July 1936; First night flight 1956; Last B-Flight July 1984; Made more than 320 gas starts (+1 hot-air) in lifetime.
l: Aide (to GOTEZ) in 1935, 36, & 37 G-Bennett B-Races.
m: Kolner & Dusseldorf B-Clubs; Dusseldorfer Aero-Club.
a: Tersteegenstr. 61; D-4000 Dusseldorf; West Germany.
r: Pilotenindex Vereinsliste-1984; FuA.
LOME, Dupuy de FRANCE (?) (HP)
See APPENDIX-E. Military aeronaut
Full name: Stanislas Charles Henri Laurent de Lome.
s: Officer in the French Navy; Naval archecitect; Director of Naval Materials.
l: Designer of many oceangoing warships; Designer and builder of a large manual powered airship to be used for aerial bombing. NOTE: Project was abandoned when the war ended.
LONG, Gerry BRITAIN (1895?1970) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AS. Military balloonist.
d: 1970.
s: Officer in the Royal Flying Corps 1913-65; Balloon and Airship Designer and Pilot; Technician on R33 and R100 Airships.
p: Engineer on the "Bournmouth"&"Chitty-Chitty" (see M.BRIGHTON).
f: First B-Flight 1913; CAA re-qualified 1949.
l: LTA enthusiast his whole life.
r: The Aerostat, Dec.1970 p11.
LONG, John H. USA (1875?1925) (HB)
See APPENDIX-L/S. Sport balloonist.
***Epic flight 26 Oct.1895 from Buffalo, NY for the annual meeting of the League of American Wheelmen. Ascended and descended safely with a bicycle. Residents seeing something strange descending by parachute, rushed out to retrieve it. No one noticed the aeronaut riding by.
r: Buffalo Chronicle, S.F.Cronicle 28 Oct.1895p6c5.
LONNQUEST, Theodore C. USA #-867 (1894?1960) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR? Military Balloonist.
b: 10 Apr.1894 Lynn, MA.
e: Dartmouth College, BS-1917, MIT, MS-1925.
s: Officer in the U.S.Navy 1917-19; Public Works Officer at Akron B-School.
f: Attended Free & Kite B-School at Akron; FAI-ACA B-License issued 8 Oct.1919; Airship school at Pensacola, 1919; Airplane school 1920; Naval Aviator # 2963.
r: Who's Who in Amer.Aeronautics-1928 p71.
LOOMIS, John USA (1875?1920) (SM)
See APPENDIX-L/S. Professional Balloonist.
a: Resident of Janesville, WI. ***Epic flight 20 Aug.1897 from Electric Park. Ascent was normal, but he landed on the roof of a building and broke both ankles.
LORAINE, Charles W. USA #-407 (1894?1960) (GB/KB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Military Balloonist.
b: 25 Apr.1894 Santa Barbara, CA
s: Officer in the U.S.Army; Enlisted Apr.1917, Commissioned 13 Mar,1918; Post Adjutant of Camp Wise 1918-19.
f: Received initial training from the Missouri Aeronautical Society, Observer Training at Ft.Omaha; FAI-ACA B-License #407 issued 20 Feb.1918.
r: The B-Pilot Souvenir.
LOUCHET, M. FRANCE (1850?1910) (GB)
See APPENDIX-A. Reluctant aeronaut.
Reluctant aeronaut. ***Epic flight 6 Aug.1784 (w/A.CARNUS) from Rodez. After a breathtaking high altitude flight (in a hot-air balloon), and a normal landing, Carnus stepped out of the basket, and Louchet took off on a one mile solo flight to an estimated 1500', and landed safely.
LOUET, Victor FRANCE (1865?1920) (GB)
See APPENDIX-U/AT. Military balloonist.
b: 27 Sep.1865 Paris.
s: Captain in French Aerostiers 1905.
f: Witnessed first ascent 1883; First flight 1885; First solo 1886.
p: Founder & Pres. of l'Academie Aerostatique de France; Professor at l'Association Polytechnique.
l: Technical Director of l'Aerostation magazine.
r: l'Aerophile-Apr.1905.
LOVELACE, Frank USA (1880?1920) (GB)
See APPENDIX-C Sport balloonist.
p: Ships Captain, Admiral in Panamanian Navy; Soldier of fortune, Dilatant.
f: First recorded flight 9 Nov.1907 w/THOMAS; Balloon student of Leo STEVENS.
l: Accomplished artistic roller skater; 1907, Made FIRST recorded moving pictures from a balloon; Flew 8 Nov.1908 w/EROBSOLH & STEVENS in Pomeran (Germany); Organizer of the BOYCE-Kenya B-Expedition of 1909. ***Epic event 14 Apr.1908. Airship (owned by Lovelace) exploded in side a hangar killing Miss Blanch Hill and Edward Higgins. ***Epic inflation 6 Aug.1908 at White City. Walking on the top of the net while patching the envelope, he fell 60' thru to the bottom. Acting quickly, he tore a hole in the bottom, and crawled out slightly pale, but he saved his life.
r: Daily Express 8 Aug.1908; NT-15 Aug.1908.
LOWE, Clovis USA (1800?1870) (GB/OB)
See APPENDIX-R. Professional Aeronaut.
Father of T.S.C.LOWE.
b: 1800 Randolph (Coos County), NH. Well traveled and read.
s: Drummer in War of 1812; Son of Revolutionary War soldier.
p: Farmer, Retail store proprietor, State Legislator (1832).
f: Only recorded free-flight made with son in 1858.
s: Made several Observation B-Ascents with Union Army, 1862; Served as B-Repairman for all Union Civil War balloons; Had a balloon factory/warehouse in Washington, DC.
r: Above the Civil War; Americas One Man Air Corps.
LOWE, Florence Leontine USA (1901-1975) (GB)
Nickname: Pancho; Granddaughter of T.S.C., Daughter of Thaddeus Jr.; Married name: Barnes.
b: 1901 Pasadena, CA.
p: Professional Race, test, & stunt pilot; Bar & Brothel owner (Happy-Bottom Riding Club).
f: Reportedly made her first B-Flight at age 9 w/Grandfather; Extent of B-Career unknown; Outstanding airplane career.
l: Personal friend of Chuck Yeager and most test pilots at Edwards AFB.
r: Above the Civil War; TV-Guide 22 Oct.1988; Flying, Mar.1949; Pasadena Historical Society.
LOWE, Thaddeus Sobieski C. USA (1832-1913) (GB/OB)
See APPENDIX-C/I/M/S/V. Second son of 12 children by Clovis LOWE; C=Carlincourt (first & mid names after Polish hero’s).
b: 20 Aug.1832 Jefferson Mills, NH;
d: 16 Nov.1913 Pasadena, CA.
e: Common Grammar School, Great interest in science.
p: Apprenticed as a shoemaker 1847; Traveling Magician 1850-55; Professional balloonist & balloon maker 1858-62; Semi-pro Meteorologist 1860-61; Inventor & developer of mechanical refrigeration 1866-84; Perfected production of Water-Gas 1872; Land developer 1890-1910; Railway developer 1893-1903.
f: First ascent (tethered) Apr.1857 in New York City; First Flight Sep.1858 (w/S.KING) from Ottawa (Canada); FIRST N.American In'tl. flight landed in New York; First balloon (Enterprise) made from plans by J.WISE; First B-Solo (w/Mallery & Dickinson) from Pt.Breeze, PA; Reportedly made more than 3000 ascents in his lifetime.
s: Served with Union Army as "Civil. Technician" (no official rank); 11 Jun.1861, Met President Abe Lincoln; Volunteered his services to the Union Army as an observation balloonist using his own balloons; 18 Jun.1861, telegraphed the first battle observation direct to the desk of A.Lincoln (from over the Capitol); 1 Jul. 1861, Made the first combat observations at Arlington; Participated in many major battles of the war; 24 Sep.1861, Made the first accurate direction of artillery fire from a balloon; 22 Dec.1862, Made the pay/rank of Colonel; Retired 5 May 1863.
l: Equipped ALLEN (RI) Brothers with 5 balloons for Brazil; Astronomer, Holder of many patents.
h: Awarded 3 medals, and 2 diplomas by the Ben Franklin Institute for inventions; Eliot Cresson Gold Medal; Grand Medal of Honor; Mount Lowe (Pasadena, CA) named in his honor; Likeness of balloon "Intrepid" printed on a US-postage stamp 1983; USPA 50 cent Aerogramme with his picture, Sept.1995; Many foreign postage stamps issued in his honor. ***Epic flight 28 Jun.1860 (w/J.Dickenson, a sea Captain, and G.Mallerey, Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer) from Pt.Breeze, PA in "Great Western." Flew balloon of 500,000 cu ft. landing at at Medford, NJ. NOTE: Same balloon, was destroyed by wind just before launch on a transatlantic attempt on 7 Sep. 1860. ***Epic flight 20 Apr.1861 from Cincinnati, OH in "Enterprise." Flew 350 miles before landing at Pea Ridge, SC. Unknown to him, he had landed behind Confederate lines on the first day of the American Civil War. He was initially treated as a spy.
r: Americas One Man Air Force; Pasadena Historical Museum.
LOWRY, George USA (1886-1965) (SM)
See APPENDIX-S. Professional balloonist 1908-26 era.
b:11 Jan.1886 Homestake, MT;
d: Jan.1965 Butte, MT.
p: Electrician, Professional Smoke-balloonist; Amusement Park operator 1920-40, Butte, MT.
f: Purchased first balloon from Carl E.McGuire, Chicago 1908, for $175; First B-Flight 1908 from Butte, MT; Owned three balloons between 1908-17; Dirigible pilot 1915; Flew in states of N.Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, & Washington; Last flight 1926 from Deer Lodge, MT.
l: Jumped with chickens, monkeys, an other animals; Injured both eyes in a hydrogen explosion in 1915. ***Epic flight 4 Jul.1908 from Basin, MT. Bystander poured gasoline into the inflation fire. Resulting explosion prematurely released the balloon. It landed on a smokestack of the town bakery, and the exploding fireworks attached, burned the town to the ground. NOTE: He bought the "BENBOW" airship in 1915. The gas generator exploded on the first inflation. George was partially blinded in both eyes, severely limiting his flying career (see C.MYERS).
LOYAL, G. USA (1830?1860) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Professional balloonist mid 1850's.
p: Made Summer season flights for Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
LUETGENDORF, J.K.von GERMANY (1750-1829) (GB)
Middle names: Josef Karl Maximillian Freiberr von.
b: 1750 Rom;
d: 1829 Regensburg.
p: Dilatant; Son of an aristocratic nobleman of Berlin.
l: Patron of the sciences; Considered "Father of German Aviation." ***Epic Flight attempt Aug.1786 from Augsburg. Designed & built an ornate hydrogen balloon of plush craftsmanship & elegant decorations. Unfortunately, the volume was insufficient to lift it, but an engraving exists depicting a simulated flight over Augsburg.
r: Illustriete Aeronautique Mitteilungen, Strassburg, 1903.
LUFT, Karl GERMANY (1885?1910) K (GB)
See APPENDIX-B/AU. Sport balloonist.
p: Merchant in Bitterfeld;
m: Bitterfeld B-Club.
f: B-License issued in 1910; Made 25 ascents in career. ***Epic flight 16 Apr.1910 (w/Graupner, Hoecker, & Lueschenring) from Bitterfeld. Balloon was struck by lightning in a violent storm, and fell from "a great height" into a farm field near the Baltic Sea. All died on impact.
r: PYA-microfilm; The Aeronautical Journal. NOTE: H.Lueschenring was a pilot on the Parseval airship "Delitsch"
LUKE, Frank USA (1897-1918) (HP)
Known as the "Balloon Buster" in WW-I.
b: 19 May 1897 Phoenix, AZ;
d: 29 Sep.1918 France.
s: Officer in the U.S.Army Air Service, enlisted 25 Sep.1917 (lasted 369 days);
23 Nov.1917 completed pilot training at San Diego, CA;
23 Jan. 1918 commissioned Second Lt.;
30 May 1918 completed combat training;
26 July 1918 assigned to 27th Pursuit Squadron in France;
29 Sep. 1918 shot down his 15th German Kite balloon, and died.
l: Credited with destroying 3 German airplanes in combat.
h: Medal of Honor; Margarita Fischer Gold Medal; Aero Club Medal; Distinguished Service Cross, w/Oak Leaf Cluster; Italian War Medal. ***Epic airplane flight 29 Sep.1918. Made an inadvertent forced landing behind enemy lines, and proceeded to continue the fight with his pistol. He was killed by ground forces of the German Army.
r: The Balloon Buster.
LUNARDI, Vincenzo ITALY (1759-1806) (HB)
See APPENDIX-A/E/F/X. Sport balloonist 1784-86 era.
b: 1759 Lucca.
d: 31 Jul.1806 Lisbon, Portugal.
p: Secretary (clerk) to the Neapolitan Ambassador.
f: First B-Flight 15 Sep.1784 from (Royal Artillery Grounds) Moorfields, England. Witnessed by Kings George III & IV; Made many successful flights in England the following year; Made flights in Italy, Spain, & Portugal; Last flight 1 Sep.1786.
l: Chevalier from Naples; had good looks and great charm. ***Epic flight 29 Jun.1785 from Moorfields. Balloon was too heavy to lift the three scheduled aeronauts. Lunardi graciously stepped out (of his own balloon) and let George BIGGIN ascend with Mrs. SAGE, the FIRST English woman aeronaut (ref: THEBLE-14 Jun.1784/SIMONET-3 May 1785). ***Epic flight 1 Sep.1786. Ascending prematurely, his anchor rope became entangled around his assistant (see R.HERON), who fell to his death in front of a large crowd. Public acclaim immediately turned sour, and he left Britain soon thereafter, to a "more favorable climate." It was his last recorded flight.
r: Man in the Clouds.
LYDIARD, Harry Crowther USA #-250 (1890?1850) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Military Balloonist.
b: Hartford, CN.
e: Hartford High School; Mass.Agricultural College.
s: Officer in U.S.Army B-Corps 1917-19; Attended Artillery School at Ft.Omaha, NB.
f: B-Student of the "Collegiate Balloon School"1917; First B-Solo 1917 from N.Adams, MA; FAI-ACA B-License #250 issued 19 Dec.1917.
LYNCH, Edmund USA (1900?1970) (KB/GB)
b: 15 Dec.1900 Pennsylvania; Military balloonist.
s: Officer in the U.S.Army Air Force; Colonel by 1943.
f: Balloon, Airship, and Airplane pilot; Military brevet; No FAI certificates.
r: Who's Who in Aviation 1942-43.
LYNN, B.F.H. USA (1810?1870) (GB)
See APPENDIX-S. Sport balloonist.
p: Reporter/Editor (Erie Dispatch).
f: Made three flights in his lifetime. ***Epic flight 1859 (as pilot, with friend) from Cleveland, OH. Landed in Lake Erie and spent many hours in the water before rescue. ***Epic flight 29 Jan.1877 from Calcutta, India. Landing in a marsh, he narrowly escaped a crocodile by dumping the last of his provisions to prolong his flight. NT-25 Feb.1878.
r: Erie Post Dispatch 17 May 1859; F. Leslie's Illust. 14 Jul.1849.
LYNN, Joseph ENGLAND (1850?1900) (GB)
See APPENDIX-F. Sport balloonist 1877 era.
p: Administrator for British Government.
f: Made two flights in his lifetime. ***Epic flight 24 Nov.1877 from (Lai-Bagh Gardens) Bombay, India; Flew in a balloon (25000cf) made of rubber impregnated French Cambric. Landed safely in a stone quarry near Dadar. NOTE: This is the first use of rubber-impregnation reported. See C.GOODYEAR, & A.RIEDINGER. ***Epic flight Dec.1977 from Bombay. Balloon went out to sea; pilot and passenger were rescued from the water. The balloon, with some gas remaining, took off downwind, and was lost.
LYON, Normand M. USA #-650 (1893?1970) (GB)
See APPENDIX-AR. Military Aeronaut.
b: 2 Jul.1893 Philadelphia, PA.
s: Officer in U.S.Navy B-Corps 1917-19; Balloon & Airship pilot; Cmdr. in 1942.
f: FAI-ACA B-License #650 issued 24 Jul.1918.
r: USN-records.
LYTHGOE, Thomas ENGLAND (1832-1893) (GB)
See APPENDIX-X. Professional balloonist 1860-78 era.
p: Inspector at the London Gas Works.
f: First B-Flight 1859 from (the Crystal Palace) Sydenham; Last flight 1878; Made more than 200 flights in his lifetime.
LYVERE, G.T. (Tony?) USA (1940? (HP)
p: Officer in U.S. Air Force, Capt. in 1966. ***Epic flight Sept.1966 from Edwards AFB, CA in "Fulton Recovery" balloon. Lyvere was in a parachute harness tethered to a bal-loon. Balloon was caught by a C-130 airplane, and Lyvere was winched safely aboard. FIRST to pioneer a recovery system used successfully thereafter.
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