Wartime folding gas balloon wicker basket

Wartime folding wicker gas balloon basket.  Designed to take spies behind enemy lines during World War II, the balloons would be launched off trawlers in the North Sea and the baskets were foldable to save space on the boat. The fabric flap outside the basket holds the trailrope. The fabric bag inside the basket is to hold loose sand. The bamboo canes in each corner fit through metal rings and make the basket rigid. Removal of the canes allows it to fold.