Mystery Object No.69

[fv1609 32]

What are these men trying to do?

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v684/fv1620/surrender-flag.jpg[/img]

[abn deuce 10]

is it something to do with mosquito netting?

[fv1609 32]

is it something to do with mosquito netting?

 

 

Nope, but it does look that way. You are right about the clues, this is for jungle use.

[Marmite!! 2,001]

Some sort of water collecting device :dunno:

[fv1609 32]

Some sort of water collecting device :dunno:

 

 

It does look that way, particulary with the bucket but nope

[Tony B 28]

Camouflage an Elephant or stop it bonicing off that :argh: Trampoline.

[LeeEnfield 10]

some sort of air drop, parachute, :dunno:

[fv1609 32]

some sort of air drop, parachute, :dunno:

 

 

Nope, but you are getting warm

[Stormin 10]

Is it some sort of balloon?

For weather or some other type of observation.

[fv1609 32]

Is it some sort of balloon?

 

Yes well done.So the questions are for what purpose & how was it inflated?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v684/fv1620/Balloon01a.jpg[/img]

[LeeEnfield 10]

metrelogical,............wind strength,............ chemical reaction to inflate it ?? :dunno:

[fv1609 32]

metrelogical

Nope

 

wind strength

Nope

 

chemical reaction to inflate it ??

Yes, very good. He has added water from the bucket, to a container at the base of the balloon.

 

So just looking for its function now.

[Topdog 11]

Calcium carbide + water = Acetalene gas (for lighting or heating)?

[fv1609 32]

Calcium carbide + water = Acetalene gas (for lighting or heating)?

 

 

I don't know if that was the chemistry, but the purpose was for something else.

[Tony B 28]

to lift an areial above the tree line, or to mark an air drop position.

[fv1609 32]

to lift an areial above the tree line,

That is an excellent suggestion, as RF communications from the jungle would be very difficult. if that was the purpose I'm sure it would be a camo balloon.

 

You're not to know this but it was apparently bright orange........ which means:

 

to mark an air drop position.

 

Yes, well done!

[abn deuce 10]

With holding vital information again!!! :schocked:

[Tony B 28]

Another one right :shake: I'd like to know the chemical reaction though.

[fv1609 32]

With holding vital information again!!! :schocked:

 

 

And why not?

 

If I showed a picture of a complete balloon & said it was bright orange, one post & the game would be over. ;-)

 

and besides we would rob Tony the satisfaction of having deduced his way to winning another one :-D

[abn deuce 10]

only the tinest detail of its color was my thought . understood the need to keep the rest close to ones vest . ;-)

[LeeEnfield 10]

understood the need to keep the rest close to ones vest . ;-)

 

 

 

:sweat: what,..........chemical reactions................... :shake: :shake:

[Tony B 28]

The only one that comes to my mind is iron fillings and sulphuric acid. The reaction produces Hydrogen gas. Wouldn't like to drag acid through the jungle though.

[Topdog 11]

Was it to lift a line that could be picked up by an aircraft? To retrieve items when an aircraft couldn't land?

[AlienFTM 10]

Looks like a wartime pic to me: censor has had a good go at the beret badge of the man on the right, though possibly not good enough as it likes RA to me.

 

Maybe it's the Royal Artillery Concert Party? (Thinks Windsor Davies, "Lovely pair of shoulders lad. Show them off, show them off.")

[fv1609 32]

The caption reads: "This marker balloon is used by jungle patrols to signal aircraft. It is blown up by adding water to a chemical in a container attached to the envelope. Then it is allowed to rise above the trees, where its orange plastic skin is easily seen. Its job done, it is cut loose."

 

Was in a 1956 article about the Malayan Emergency.