Stokes balloon ZK-FBE

[zkdex]

I'm interested in key details regarding a Stokes AX6-56 hot air balloon, allocated the registration ZK-FBE in 1974. It was owned by Stokes Jet Stream Balloons NZ Ltd, Auckland, which operated between July 1974 and January 1984.

According to a New Zealand Wings reference from 1975, the balloon had not achieved certificate of registration status (did it ever?) and was restricted to tethered flights only.

If at all possible, I would like to know the constructors number and previous American registration for this balloon. Cheers.

[thomarse]

My go-to for rego history says it was originally not allocated or not taken up and in 4/93 the rego was allocated to a Kavanagh E180 with the s/n KB-109 which was WFU in 6/16. No previous registration is given

[zkdex]

Thanks for the reply...since I could not find a cancellation for ZK-FBE before 1984 I figured it probably never got "officially" registered, but I though I'd try and see if anyone had details. Checking records on the FAA database hasn't helped either. I have since learned that this balloon was actually a Stokes Jet Stream 56 Condor (aka JS56C) which came under FAI balloon classification AX6 (giving the original AX6-56 description).
Who knew FAI had balloon and airship classifications? You learn something new every day!

[kiwi172]

I think we are looking at Stokes JS56C (Jet Stream Condor) with I have as c/n CH124.
This would make it N64880 which was certified to George Stokes of Fountain Valley, California on 22-10-1974 and cancelled on 06-08-2013.

[zkdex]

Thanks for the feedback regarding this query. Its made all the more interesting because a second Stokes balloon got to New Zealand in 1974 but was badly damaged by fire at Ellerslie Racecourse on 27 March 1975.
This was N34951, owned by a Mr L J Soffe of Auckland. According to New Zealand Wings (April & July 1975) this balloon was also a Stokes AX6-56. However, a check of the FAA Registry shows N34951 to be a 1974 JS77C (Jet Stream 77 Condor) balloon, c/n CH127, owned by George Stokes of California. Reading between the lines, the damaged balloon was sent back to the USA for repairs, because Mr Soffe is known to have purchased another balloon.

[Peter Lewis]

Mr Soffe is known to have purchased another balloon.

Thunder AX7-65 ZK-FBH ex G-BCRY, 1974 to 1985.