Evening star., 1935-11-12
FLIGHT DETAILED
by YCAPT. T.ANDERSON
Tells of Near Disaster at
Take-0ff-Unable to
See Stars.
BY CAPT. ORvM A. ANDERSON.

BY CAPT. OWL A. ANDEhSON.
Pilot OF the stratosprere balloon, Explorer
II Written for the Associated Press
(Copvright 1888. by the Associated Press
KIMBALL, S. Oak, November IL
The third stratosphere balloon flight
sponsored by the United States Army
and the National Geographic Society,
as far as Capt Albert w. Stevens and
l were able to tell, was success in
every way.
The flight itself was fine, but the
waiting for satisfactory weather was
hell
We went up to 73 900 feet and could
We experienced no discomfort al
though temperatures outside were as
low as rs degrees below zero. Inside
the gondola. temperatures went no
lower than % degrees above zero.
From a study of maps We were con-
vinced yesterday that satisfactory con-
ditions prevailed after six weeks Of
waiting We gave the order to start
initiating about ! pm. Sunday.
Two Hours Lost.
We started actually putting in gas
but were subjected to delay as result
of a fabric flaw and We had to do a
field repair job. We were uot able to
get of until about 7 am. cutting two
hours of our flight. This made 1t
mandatory that We eliminate the in
termediate stop at $4,000 feet, and
that we 90 instead straight to the top,
which We did.
We cleared the rim of the bowl by
about so feet We had to take off
in the direction of the highest cliffs.
We left about 800 pounds light, this
being necessary because we had a
northwest wind running at the take-off
and the balloon had to be shot into
the air pretty fast.
About so feet over the rim a stiff
down draft struck the balloon, max
ing it necessary to discharge $50
pounds of ballast rapidly in order
to avoid being thrown down against
the cliff.
This was the toughest spot OF our
flight. After reaching an altitude OF
about $4,000 feet slowed our rate of
ascent so that Capt. Stevens could rig
the instruments which trailed under
meath the gondola ropes. After We
had both returned to the gondola We
sealed the ports and started up again.
Instruments Put in Operation.
We then started what instruments
were not already in operation, includ-
ing our air purifier. Capt. Stevens
kept an eye on all the instruments.
while I watched navigation, trying to
maintain an ascent of 400 feet min
ute. AS the balloon approached the
height at which the bag was fully
expanded I slowed the climb to 200
feet minute in order to avoid strain
We reached $4,000 feet hours after
our take-off. As this was the approx
mate height desired. stopped the bal
loon and maintained that altitude for
an hour and 40 minutes, starting down
at 1890 pm.
At the peak of our flight We were
lowering over the Niobrara River in
Northern Nebraska.
Unable to See Stars.
I attempted to pick out stars in the
heavens. but was unable to see any.
The moon was not out yet. The sky
was dark blue, tinged with purple.
Beneath us. nearly IA miles away,
the earth lost much of its detail and
the horizon was an indistinct blur
Railroads and highways were scarcely
visible Only rivers, towns and small
checker board design Of farms could
be seen.
The instruments were all working
perfectly. The balloon functioned
properly and everything went on
schedule.
Valving (releasing gas) to begin our
descent, We slipped down through the
shakespeare to $4,000 feet before we
began to toss over ballast.
From 10000 feet to the ground we
let drop some 1000 pounds Of ballast
Excess cargo was dropped with para
chutes. At $4,000 feet we picked out
q suitable landing area, but maintained
our descent at about 500 feet a minute
Perfect Landing Made.
At $500 feet tossed overheard the
last battery and began paying out 40
pound sacks Of lead dust. In this
manner the balloons crop was slowed
to 100 feet and then to so feet a
minute.
AS we approached the landing site,
I dropped drag rope, but motorists
who were following us did not under
stand that We wanted them to act
as an anchor by grabbing the rope.
We were then travelling about IL
s,ailae an hour