Closing date for the September 2026 issue (No 473) is 28th August 2026
Latest Issue
Issue 472: August 2026
‘Stop Press’ has seen another busy month with a complete Cameron Z-31 and Z-90 appearing within the last couple of weeks together with a tethering kit (sold within a day or so) and some cylinders. Two lovely Cameron balloons in Czechia (a 120 and 250) were also added earlier in the month but have now moved into the main List. The LBL35A G-GABI has been ‘split’ meaning the envelope now appears as a separate item, the bottom end including cylinder having been sold. David Hartland sent us a comprehensive list during the month of those important accessories we all need (flight bag, quick release, GPS, radio etc) the power and speed of ‘stop press’ demonstrating how quickly decent kit with good descriptions/pictures and prices move. All gone in days – or was it hours ?!
Geoff Lescott’s complete Kubicek BB34Z (120) made a quick exit too, remaining in the UK whilst Glen Everett reports the sale of his Mk4 double burner.
Our long overdue round up of static ads which have been in the List for a year+ (many ++!) in early July resulted in news that F-GPHB, the Cameron Helihopper, G-CLFF, some burner frames, radios & instruments had sold. We still await updates from some of the others we contacted…
The same round up has resulted in some price reductions too ….!
The hot weather continues in the UK and much of Europe. The utmost care is needed when we launch and land. On a similar note the Light Aircraft Association has this week reminded us that care is needed to check wooden propellers on light aircraft which are becoming loose due to the props drying out. This extends of course to our fan props – a bit more difficult to access and check, but worthwhile for both safety and financial reasons. We have seen several damaged props over the past months.
Time for bed said Zebedee!
For several months we have been contemplating the future for our business, as has Chris Dunkley at Easy Balloons. Don’t panic! No immediate changes are planned, but being realistic the next few years will see us winding down and we thought we should spell out some timely truths and maybe encourage some youngsters into balloon maintenance & repair.
We have written a joint statement which we hope will trigger both business enterprise and some thoughts as to how you can ease the pain of your next repair …..
Scam Warning
WARNING!
We have been alerted by two of our advertisers to a scam which is currently doing the rounds. In each case the potential buyer agrees to buy an item and then sends a cheque in payment. However the cheque is for more than the asking price of the item. The ‘buyer’ then asks the seller to refund the difference. Because it sometimes takes a week or more for the bank to process a cheque, it can be some time before the seller realises the cheque has bounced.
We have heard of 4 advertisers who have received enquiries in the past week for equipment. They all involve a complicated routine involving (international) cheques and the fact that the enquirer is on honeymoon… beware !