Special Shapes at Longleat Icons of the Sky 2024
Icons of the Sky is held in September from the beautiful grounds of Longleat in Wiltshire and since 2024 is organised by Slipstream Management. The new and improved event saw the introduction of an afternoon airshow, fireworks to finish the night glow finale and even more special shapes!
Here are the special shape balloons that have appeared at Longleat Icons of the Sky.
Slick the Dragon
G-PNAD Lindstrand Balloons 2010 MJ Ballooning |
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Maxwell House Coffee Jar
G-BVBK Thunder & Colt 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Ralph the Rozière
G-BYNX Cameron Balloons 1999 MJ Ballooning / Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Sonic the Hedgehog
N750SH (ex G-SEGA) Cameron Balloons 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Action Man
G-CGIS Cameron Balloons 1997 MJ Ballooning |
Rupert Bear
G-BTML Cameron Balloons 1991 Bristol Balloon Collectors / Steve Kinsey |
Michelin Man
G-PNEU Cameron Balloons 1997 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Mascot
G-CLFL Kubicek Balloons 1991 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
City Destroyer
PH-UVO Cameron Balloons 1996 Skylight Ballooning |
Dyno
G-DYNO Cameron Balloons 2021 Chris Monk |
Master Zaba
G-ZABA Kubicek Balloons 2020 John Viner |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE Cameron Balloons 2020 Neil Edmunds |
ELII the Elephant
G-ELII Kubicek Balloons 2023 Mark Stokoe |
Creme Egg
G-OEGG 1989 Cameron Balloons Charlie Timbrell |
Slither the Snake
G-SNKE Ultramagic Balloons 2023 Jerry Davis |
Scarlett the Macaw
G-CLGP Ultramagic balloons 2019 John Viner |
Buster the Dog
G-OPAW Cameron Balloons 2018 |
Bella the Dog
G-OWOF Cameron Balloons 2023 |
Special Shapes at Longleat Sky Safari 2016-2023
2016 was the inaugural year for Sky Safari, organised by Exclusive Ballooning, with around 50 balloons attending. It grew every year since then, attracting hot air balloons from all around the world and a number of pilots visiting from the USA. Commentary was provided by American ballooning legend Glen Moyer, who works at the largest balloon meet of them all; the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, New Mexico in October.
Longleat’s Sky Safari in 2019 was the most spectacular yet with a UK record of 172 balloons flying on Saturday morning and a large selection of special shapes attending. Every slot was flyable except for the Thursday pass holder evening. 84 balloons lit up for Saturday’s night glow breaking yet more UK records.
In 2016 balloons flew from either side of Lodge Drive leading up to Longleat House, but as the event grew the number of balloons on Lodge Drive increased, and another launch site was introduced called Fisherman’s field. Tethering takes place on the lawn to the left of the house known as the Oval outside of launch hours.
Discover which special shape hot air balloons have attended each year below including crowd favourites the Scottish cup, Bertie Bassett men, Snow White, Orient Express, Disney’s UP and Longleat’s animal balloons.
2023 Sky Safari
See all special shapes that attended Longleat's Sky Safari in 2023 below. Photos copyright MJ Ballooning. G-GUIN, G-UINZ and G-WINZ copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Snow White
G-BVDF Cameron Balloons 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Thomas the Tank Engine
G-BXND Cameron Balloons 1998 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
BBC Globe
G-IBBC Cameron Balloons 1997 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Astro the Alien
G-OMIB Diamond Balloons 2022 Lee Hooper |
Puddles the Penguin
G-GUIN Ultramagic Balloons 2020 Exclusive Ballooning |
Splash the Penguin
G-UINZ Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Exclusive Ballooning |
Tall Steve
G-WINZ Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Exclusive Ballooning |
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Wallace & Gromit Rocket
G-EDAM Ultramagic Balloons 2020 Exclusive Ballooning |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE Cameron Balloons 2020 Neil Edmunds |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Richard Phillips |
Iggy the Baby Purple Dragon
PH-MAM Kubicek Balloons Flash Ballooning |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
2022 Sky Safari
View all special shapes that attended Longleat's Sky Safari in 2022 below. Photos copyright MJ Ballooning. G-OEWE, G-UINZ, G-PAWW, G-LEAT & G-WINZ copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Funny Bunny
OO-BXV Cameron Balloons 2005 Rabbits Ballooning Team |
Maxwell House Coffee Jar
G-BVBK Thunder & Colt 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Astro the Alien
G-OMIB Diamond Balloons 2022 Lee Hooper |
Wera Screwdriver
D-OWRA Kubicek Balloons 2019 Siebel Ballooning |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE Cameron Balloons 2020 Neil Edmunds |
Puddles the Penguin
G-GUIN Ultramagic Balloons 2020 Exclusive Ballooning |
Splash the Penguin
G-UINZ Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Exclusive Ballooning |
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Duma the Cheetah
G-DUMA Ultramagic Balloons 2019 Exclusive Ballooning |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Choc Dips
G-DIPI Cameron Balloons 1988 MJ Ballooning |
Joycam Lips
G-LIPS Cameron Balloons 2000 MJ Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Tall Steve
G-WINZ Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Exclusive Ballooning |
2019 Sky Safari
View all special shapes that attended the Sky Safari in 2019 below. Photos copyright MJ Ballooning, G-CLBH copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Duma the Cheetah
G-DUMA Ultramagic Balloons 2019 Exclusive Ballooning |
Ricoh Cube
G-IMCH Lindstrand Technologies 2019 Exclusive Ballooning |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Steve Thomas |
Emoji
G-MOJI Lindstrand Technologies 2018 Lee Hooper |
Panasonic Battery
G-PSON Thunder and Colt 1990 Adam Barlcay-Faulkner |
G-SATL
Cameron Balloons 1992 Mark Stelling |
Football
OO-BNF Ultramagic Balloons 2006 Andrew Kaye |
Orient Express
G-LOKO Cameron Balloons 1996 Team for Old Balloons |
Schwartau Strawberry
D-OGSE Schroeder Fire Balloons 1996 Team for Old Balloons |
Fox
OE-ZOX Kubicek Balloons 2002 Rudi Hoefer |
Fuji Film Can
PH-JEW Cameron Balloons 1993 Team for Old Balloons |
Teapot
D-OTEE Schroeder Fire Balloons Unknown Team for Old Balloons |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Jeff Lawton |
G-SATI
Cameron Balloons 1989 Mark Stelling |
Alfred the Carpenter
D-OFVC Kubicek Balloons 2019 Hinnerk Röhrs |
Aston martin
G-OAML Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Barclays House
G-BWZP Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Brandenburg Gate
D-OBBT Cameron Balloons 1992 Team for Old Balloons |
Scarlett the Mcaw
G-CLGP Ultramagic Balloons 2019 Dave Baker |
Forklift
G-BWBH Thunder and Colt 1995 Team for Old Balloons |
Strawberry
D-ONIX Lindstrand Balloons 1996 Team for Old Balloons |
Guinea Pig
G-GPIG Lindstrand Technologies 2019 Exclusive Ballooning |
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 Andrew Kaye |
Snow White
G-BVDF Cameron Balloons 1993 Andrew Kaye, Karl Gruenauer |
Hunter Boot
G-CLBH Lindstrand Technologies 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
2018 Sky Safari
View all special shapes that attended the Sky Safari in 2018 below. Images courtesy and copyright Ballooning Pictures UK. G-WESS copyright Barney Morrison.
Puddles the Penguin
G-UINS Ultramagic Balloons 2014 Exclusive Ballooning |
Splash the Penguin
G-UINZ Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Exclusive Ballooning |
Tall Steve
G-WINZ Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Exclusive Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Hunter Boot
G-CLBH Lindstrand Technologies 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Ricoh Cube
G-RCOH Cameron Balloons 2012 Exclusive Ballooning |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Aston martin
G-OAML Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Jeff lawton |
Zephyr - Tomorrowland
EC-MSG Ultramagic Balloons 2017 Private |
Panasonic Battery
G-OKCP Lindstrand Balloons 1999 Lee Hooper |
Bertie Bassetts
G-BXAL & G-BZTS Cameron Balloons 1997 & 2001 Andrew Kaye |
Emoji
G-MOJI Lindstrand Technologies 2018 Lee Hooper |
Scottish Cup
G-WHIL Kubicek Balloons 2013 Exclusive Ballooning |
FT Tablet
G-FTUS Ultramagic Balloons 2013 Exclusive Ballooning |
Ronald McDonald
G-CKWH Cameron Balloons 1997 David Bovington, Lorraine Bingley |
G-SATI
Cameron Balloons 1989 Mark Stelling |
Barclays House
G-BWZP Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 Andrew Kaye |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Sky Safari 2017
View all special shapes that attended the Sky Safari in 2017 below. All photos copyright MJ Ballooning and Ballooning Pictures UK.
Tall Steve
G-WINZ Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Exclusive Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Ricoh Cube
G-RCOH Cameron Balloons 2012 Exclusive Ballooning |
Puddles the Penguin
G-UINS Ultramagic Balloons 2014 Exclusive Ballooning |
Splash the Penguin
G-UINZ Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Exclusive Ballooning |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Jeff lawton |
Light Bulb
G-LAMP Cameron Balloons 2000 Ballooningmedia |
Sky Safari 2016
View all special shapes that attended the Sky Safari in 2016 below. All photos copyright MJ Ballooning.
Puddles the Penguin
G-UINS Ultramagic Balloons 2014 Exclusive Ballooning |
Splash the Penguin
G-UINZ Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Exclusive Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Ricoh Cube
G-RCOH Cameron Balloons 2012 Exclusive Ballooning |
