Double Eagle II
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed 17 August 1978 in Miserey near Paris, 137 hours-6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.
- Builder: Ed Yost; Tea, South Dakota
- Balloon: 160,000 ft³ (4,500 m³) helium-filled; 112 ft (34 m) high, 65 ft (20 m) in diameter
- Gondola: 15 x 7 x 4 1/2 foot; name "The Spirit of Albuquerque"
- Equipment: 1 VHF radio, 2 single sideband HF radios, 1 ADF beacon transmitter, 1 amateur band radio, 1 maritime radio, hookup to Nimbus 6 satellite.
- Total weight: 760 lb (345 kg) empty
- Take-off: 8:42 p.m. - 11 August
- Landing: 7:48 p.m. - 17 August
- Lowest altitude: 3,500 feet - 13 August
- Highest altitude: 24,950 feet - 16 August
- Total distance: 4,988 kilometers (3,107.61 miles)
The Double Eagle II Airport is named for the balloon.
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External links
- Congressional Gold Medal webpage (http://www.congressionalgoldmedal.com/BenAbruzzoMaxieAndersonLarryNewman.htm)
- Double Eagle II webpage @ Smithsonian Institution-National Air and Space Museum (http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/double_eagle.htm)
- Peter Stekel's Double Eagle article @ Ballon Life (http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9801/9808/deIIoverview.htm)
- Peter Stekel's Ed Yost article @ Ballon Life (http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9801/9808/deIIyost.htm)
- Maxie Anderson Bio @ Maxwell-Gunter AFB (http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eaglebios/83bios/anders83.htm)
- Double Eagle II Article @ eBalloon.org (http://www.eballoon.org/flights/atlantic-conquered.html)
