The 46th Bristol Balloon Fiesta returns to Ashton Court Estate from 9th to 11th August 2024 for 3 days of hot air ballooning action and family fun. The special shape balloons always attract lots of attention from media and spectators, and we are pleased to share a great line-up of special shapes for this year’s event. Some all-time classics are returning!
Our team at MJ Ballooning are excited to be taking to the skies in two of our special shape balloons with two taking part in the static tethered displays – read below. But we’re not done yet, we still have one or two further announcements to come!
Okay, let’s get started…
| Astro the Alien | G-OMIB |
His Glorious Divine Benevolence, The Leader, returns to the fiesta for his third visit alongside Alien Probe 1 round envelope. These balloons really are out of this world… #FlyAlien #PrepareToBeProbed
| Daisy the Cow | G-CMOO |
One of the smallest balloons attending, loveable Daisy the Cow is a one-man Z-31 hopper envelope.
| Thomas the Tank Engine | G-BXND |
Look who’s rolling into the fiesta… Thomas the Tank Engine is the next special shape to be confirmed for 2024. Brought to you by Bristol Balloon Collectors, you would need a lot of coal to power this giant steam train! All aboard!
| Lloyds TSB | G-LTSB |
The Lloyds TSB sign hasn’t attended since 2004, but 20 years on it returns! G-LTSB was operated by the Airship & Balloon Company during its advertising days and is now looked after by Bristol Balloon Collectors.
| Maxwell House Coffee Jar | G-BVBK |
We’re thrilled to be bringing along our giant jar of coffee to take part in all 6 mass launches, piloted by Alex Harvey. Two identical versions of these balloons, G-BVBK and G-BVBJ, were built way back in 1993. It’s the tallest flying special shape at this year’s fiesta.
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| Orange | G-CDXW |
Our stunning orange special shape will hopefully be taking to the Bristol skies for the first time ever, piloted by Bradley Lewis. This shape uses a rip panel deflation system rather than the standard parachute system found in round balloons. Let’s hope the sun shines bright and you can see the orange in its full glory.
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Both the coffee jar and orange were built in 1993 and still flying all these years later.
| Wallace & Gromit Moon Rocket | G-EDAM |
Cracking views, Gromit! Operated on behalf of The Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity of Bristol Children’s Hospital, the Wallace & Gromit rocket will make its fiesta debut in 2024.
| Rupert Bear | G-BTML |
Wake up, Rupert! After 6 years away, everyone’s favourite Rupert Bear is back at this year’s Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Another of the true classic special shapes, operated by Flying Pictures during the 90s. He once enjoyed many flights over the city but all these years later is now not airworthy, displayed tethered to the ground by Bristol Balloon Collectors.
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| Rozière | G-BYNX |
The fiesta is our first major event appearance for our unique white Rozière. Just 6 hours in the logbook and never free flown! A must-see for all balloon spotters.
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Read more about the Rozière on our blog post “Rozière: The Rarest Hot Air Balloon in the UK..."
| Michelin Man | G-PNEU |
Tyre manufacturer Michelin launched a marketing campaign in 1997 with 3 huge character balloons in the shape of their light-hearted and jolly mascot, the Michelin Man, Bibendum, a cheerful figure made from tyres. 24 years on since Bibendum was last seen in Bristol, G-PNEU is due for a special fiesta appearance. Another of Bristol Balloon Collectors’ collection.
| Scottish Piper | G-PIPY |
Start the bagpipes, the Piper is back for 2024! Standing 156ft tall, look out for this magnificent Scotsman back at its home festival for the first time since 2018. Muir Moffat, creator and owner, dreamt up the idea of “Pipy” back in the mid-90s and built it purely for fun.
| Action Man | G-CGIS |
One of the all-time classics from our MJ Ballooning fleet is back after 12 years, the greatest hero of them all, Action Man! G-CGIS is one of the most stunning and complex special shape balloons ever to grace the UK skies, built by the expert team at Cameron Balloons in 1997. Now retired from flying, we hope to inflate this massive shape in the main arena during the tethered displays.
Special Shape Balloon Pins for Sale!
Visit MJ Ballooning's "a world of special shapes" online shop to get yours today.
Maxwell House Coffee Jar Balloon Pin
£5.00
Special shape hot air balloon pin of Maxwell House G-BVBK.
Our 4th special shape to join the MJ Ballooning fleet.
Our 4th special shape to join the MJ Ballooning fleet.
Action Man Balloon Pin
£6.00
Special shape hot air balloon pin of Action Man G-CGIS.
Our 8th special shape to join the MJ Ballooning fleet.
Our 8th special shape to join the MJ Ballooning fleet.
Stay tuned for further fiesta news
Keep your eyes peeled for further special shape announcements in the build up to August 9th! Follow @bristolballoon and @mjballooning channels for the latest.
