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Barrage Balloons
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Barrage Balloons
Barrage Balloons, Cardington, 1938
The Royal Air Force Museum is Britain's only national museum dedicated wholly to aviation
Media ID 639847
© RAF 2007 - All Rights Reserved
Interwar Royal Air Force Balloons
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This evocative photograph captures the scene at the Royal Air Force (RAF) station at Cardington in 1938, as barrage balloons are prepared for deployment against potential air threats. The image offers a glimpse into the interwar period of British military aviation history, a time of heightened tension and preparation for the looming threat of war. Barrage balloons were a crucial component of the RAF's air defense system during this era. Filled with hydrogen or helium, these large, spherical balloons were tethered to the ground with long cables and anchored to the earth with heavy weights. When an enemy aircraft approached, the crew would release sandbags to allow the balloon to ascend, creating a large, obstructive barrier in the path of the incoming attacker. The cables could also entangle the enemy aircraft's wings or propellers, causing damage or even bringing it down. The scene in this photograph shows the meticulous process of readying the barrage balloons for launch. Workers are seen checking the condition of the balloons, while others are securing the cables and weights. The balloons are tethered to trucks, ready to be transported to their positions around the airfield. The RAF personnel work diligently, their faces etched with focus and determination, as they prepare for the potential threat of air raids. The image also reveals the vast scale of the operation, with numerous balloons and support vehicles spread out across the airfield. The backdrop of the Cardington sheds, with their distinctive curved roofs, adds to the sense of industry and purpose. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the vital role barrage balloons played in the defense of the United Kingdom during the interwar period and the dedication of the RAF personnel who manned them.
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