This balloon is originally from Orange, Texas, hence the name Orange Delight. It is owned by Jay Ayers and is piloted by John Little from Clear Lake, Texas. The balloon is a 1980 Barnes Balloon. This balloon was flown up to March of 1986, accumulating 98 flight hours. Then was placed in storage until September 1996 when John found it. John has had the pleasure of flying this balloon, and believes this balloon is truly "one of a kind  and straight out of the past". John said "Finding this balloon and the condition it was in, is like finding a Model "T" in a barn...behind a haystack... covered with a canvas....with a full tank of gas."  

The old adage "They don't make'm like they use to" is very true in this case. If this was a car, it would be classified as an "Antique" now. Still flying after 20 years with no end in sight. Everything about this balloon is original. The envelope, burner and basket are all  original and in great  shape. Even the inflation fan is twenty years old. And it still cranks up  on the first or second pull. The helium tank, though no longer used is still carried in the trailer as a "good luck" token.  

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