Video of the day on 15 February 1997 when the BBM&L marked the 80th anniversary of the completion of Cardington Airship Shed No.1 by holding a unique attempt to inflate the largest number of hot air balloons ever inflated indoors.
Overseen by the Mayor of Bedford and officially submitted to the Guinness Book of Records, the event saw:
- 93 man-carrying balloons inflated at the same time
- 172 total inflations throughout the day
- 2 balloons flown free without being inflated inside the shed
In total, 176 balloons took part in the celebrations.
The day was hailed as a huge success—an impressive logistical achievement for the BBM&L and a unique spectacle for all who attended. It was a fitting and memorable way to celebrate 80 years of No. 1 Shed, originally constructed between August 1916 and April 1917.
This video can be viewed on the BBM&L YouTube channel.