The traditional spherical balloon spins and bucks terribly when tethered to the ground, so shortly after the turn of the century, the German Army came up with a kite-shaped balloon that would keep the aircraft pointed into the wind. This design was refined by the addition of tailfins for stability. French Lt. Albert Caquot greatly refined the design with the inclusion of three inflatable tailfins at 120• intervals around in the aft section of the gas bag. These fins were kept inflated by an airscoop facing into the wind. The Caquot- type balloons, capable of lifting the mooring cable, basket, observers, and communications and charting equipment, were used extensively for artillery-spotting over land and limited over-the-horizon observation at sea. During their months of service at the front, US balloon observers were credited with directing artillery fire at 316 targets, noting 11,856 aircraft, and reporting numerous enemy activities. Most of the US balloons were manufactured from 1918 to 1919 and, after being redesignated C-3s, were used until the 1930s at Army artillery schools. The design was briefly reprised at the beginning of World War II and produced in limited numbers. World War II barrage balloons used the same basic design.
| Contractors: |
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., primarily |
| Locations Built: |
Akron, Ohio |
| Number Built: (USAF) |
Approx 1,000 (Most of the US production run went to the American Expeditionary Force in Europe, although some were supplied to other Allies. Also, until rate production was achieved in the US, the AEF used approx 20 French- supplied Caquots.) |
| First Flight: |
Unconfirmed |
| First Flight Location: |
Wichita, Kan. |
| First Flight Pilot: |
Unconfirmed |
| Models/Variants: |
Type M, R. C-3 |
| Powerplant: |
None |
| Length: |
92 ft 0 in. |
| Diameter: |
32 ft 0 in. |
| Gas Capacity: |
3,220 cu ft of hydrogen |
| Armament: |
None |
| Accommodation: |
Two (both observers in a wicker basket suspended underneath) |
| Cost: |
Unconfirmed |
| Max. Speed: |
N/A |
| Range: |
Maximum observation distance was up to 40 mi, depending on weather and terrain |
| Ceiling: |
Operating altitude ranged between 1,000 and 4,000 ft. |
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