Special Shapes at Midlands Air Festival 2018-2024
Held at the end of May, the Midlands Air Festival began in 2018 at Ragley Hall in Alcester and in 2019 took place at Arbury Hall in Nuneaton. A whole host of special shape balloonstake centre stage along with the air display.
The public first heard about this event in early 2018 when Yoda, Angry Bird and Iwi the Kiwi were announced as attending. It was big news for UK hot air ballooning - these were very well-known special shapes but nobody thought they would ever see them on UK shores. Action Man, Babybel, the Piper, Michelin Man, both Bertie Bassetts, the Superbike and plenty more followed making it an absolutely staggering line up. Perfect weather greeted us at Ragley Hall all the way until Sunday night allowing 5/5 launches and one of the best ballooning weekends ever. Seeing the Superbike take to the skies for the first time was very special and also seeing Berties, smoking upon inflation after years in storage.
The number of balloons increased in 2019 at new venue Arbury Hall and although the weather wasn’t as perfect, light winds allowed for 46 special shapes to come out the bag. Taking centre stage were all 4 Budwesier cans from the 1990s, IKEA and Lloyds TSB, Ordnance Survey, Peg Leg Pete the Parrot and everyone’s favourite Rupert Bear, plus a huge range of others old and new.
After the 2020 event was forced to be cancelled due to the pandemic, 12 months later organisers welcomed balloon teams from all around the UK for the first large balloon gathering for two years. Sadly overseas teams couldn't attend, but 29 British special shapes were flown and inflated in some great weather over the weekend; highlights being both Hyla and Zaba frogs flying simultaneously, FT newspaper tether and shapes in the centre of the night glow.
Since 2021 we have enjoyed another 3 fantastic years at Ragley Hall with appearances from Tropsy the Dino, Vincent Van Gogh, Independence Day UFO, Swiss Cow, Sonic the Hedgehog, Thomas the Tank Engine, F1 race car and many more.
Discover all the special shapes to attend below. Which one is your favourite? There’s a lot to choose from!
Ragley Hall, 2024
A great year for special shapes at Ragley Hall with 22 shapes in attendance.
Images copyright MJ Ballooning. PH-MAM, G-UPOI, G-CLGP, G-OEWE, G-WESS, G-POMP copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Slick the Dragon
G-PNAD Lindstrand Balloons 2010 MJ Ballooning |
City Destroyer
PH-UVO Cameron Balloons 1996 Skylight Ballooning |
Blüemli Swiss Cow
HB-QUU AirFly Balloons 2022 Stefu Walchi |
Iggy the Baby Purple Dragon
PH-MAM Kubicek Balloons 2022 Flash Ballooning |
Wera Screwdriver
D-OWRA Kubicek Balloons 2019 Siebel Ballooning |
Action Man
G-CGIS Cameron Balloons 1997 MJ Ballooning |
Sonic the Hedgehog
N750SH (ex G-SEGA) Cameron Balloons 1993 MJ Ballooning |
Michelin Man
G-PNEU Cameron Balloons 1997 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Rupert Bear
G-BTML Cameron Balloons 1991 Bristol Balloon Collectors / Steve Kinsey |
Thomas the Tank Engine
G-BXND Cameron Balloons 1998 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Creme Egg
G-OEGG Cameron Balloons 1989 Charlie Timbrell |
Babybel
G-BXUG Lindstrand Balloons 1998 Pluijm Ballooning |
TNT Cider
G-OTNT Cameron Balloons 1993 Laurence Wigfield |
BBC Globe
G-IBBC Cameron Balloons 1997 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Astro the Alien
G-OMIB Diamond Balloons 2022 Lee Hooper |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Scarlett the Mcaw
G-CLGP Ultramagic Balloons 2019 John Viner |
ELII the Elephant
G-ELII Kubicek Balloons 2023 Mark Stokoe |
Football
OO-BNF Ultramagic Balloons 2006 Pluijm Ballooning |
Daisy the Cow
G-CMOO Cameron Balloons 2022 Simon Church |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE Cameron Balloons 2020 Neil Edmunds |
Slither the Snake
G-SNKE Ultramagic Balloons 2023 Jerry Davis |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Krush Orange Bottle
G-CMFX Cameron Balloons 2001 Damian Busby |
Swatch Watch
G-BMJJ Cameron Balloons 1985 Damian Busby |
Busby
G-POMP Cameron Balloons 2017 |
Orient Express
G-LOKO Cameron Balloons 1996 Pluijm Ballooning |
Ragley Hall, 2023
Brisk winds meant that unfortunately a lot of shapes booked in 2023 could not be displayed, but some classics were still on show.
Images copyright MJ Ballooning. G-CDSP, G-WESS, G-ELII, G-OPKF, G-BUUU, G-BETF and G-CLMS copyright Barney Morrison.
Slick the Dragon
G-PNAD Lindstrand Balloons 2010 MJ Ballooning |
BBC Globe
G-IBBC Cameron Balloons 1997 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Thomas the Tank Engine
G-BXND Cameron Balloons 1998 Bristol Balloon Collectors |
F1 Race Car
G-CDSP Cameron Balloons 2006 Linas Mastis |
Fuji Film Can
PH-JEW Cameron Balloons 1993 Pluijm Ballooning |
Saucepan
G-BHRK Colt Balloons 1980 Damian Busby |
Dyno
G-DYNO Cameron Balloons 2021 Chris Monk |
Master Zaba
G-ZABA Kubicek Balloons 2020 John Viner |
Hyla the Frog
G-HYLA Kubicek Balloons 2016 John Viner |
Astro the Alien
G-OMIB Diamond Balloons 2022 Lee Hooper |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
ELII the Elephant
G-ELII Kubicek Balloons 2023 Mark Stokoe |
Bowler Hat
G-OPKF Cameron Balloons 1990 BBM&L |
Bell's Whisky Bottle
G-BUUU Cameron Balloons 1993 BBM&L |
Champion Sparkplug
G-BETF Ultramagic Balloons 1977 BBM&L |
Duck
G-CLMS Homebuild 2020 Linda Crossland-Mead |
Paddy Power Pants
G-EGES Lindstrand Balloons 2013 |
Ragley Hall, 2022
View all special shapes that attended the 2022 Midlands Air Festival below.
Images copyright MJ Ballooning. G-ZABA, G-HYLA, G-DIPI, G-BLDL, G-POMP, G-UPOI, G-OPAW, G-CMOO, G-OEWE, G-SLYY, G-MAPS copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Joycam Lips
G-LIPS Cameron Balloons 2000 MJ Ballooning |
Funny Bunny
OO-BXV Cameron Balloons 2005 Rabbits Ballooning Team |
Vincent van Gogh
PH-GOG Cameron Balloons 2003 Herman Kleinsmit |
Tropsy the Baby Dino
PP-XOH AirFly Balloons 2020 George Fröhlich |
Dyno
G-DYNO Cameron Balloons 2021 Chris Monk |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Brandenburg Gate
D-OBBT Cameron Balloons 1992 Team for Old Balloons |
Master Zaba
G-ZABA Kubicek Balloons 2020 John Viner |
Hyla the Frog
G-HYLA Kubicek Balloons 2016 John Viner |
Orient Express
G-LOKO Cameron Balloons 1996 Team for Old Balloons |
Choc Dips
G-DIPI Cameron Balloons 1988 MJ Ballooning |
Saucepan
G-BHRK Colt Balloons 1980 Damian Busby |
Truck
G-BLDL Cameron Balloons 1984 Neil Ivison |
Chubb Fire Extinguisher
G-CHUB Thunder & Colt 1990 BBM&L |
Busby
G-POMP Cameron Balloons 2017 |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Steve Thomas |
Buddy
G-WLVE Cameron Balloons 2006 Atmosphere Balloons |
Buster the Dog
G-OPAW Cameron Balloons 2018 |
Nescafé Mug
G-RMUG Cameron Balloons 1995 BBM&L |
Daisy the Cow
G-CMOO Cameron Balloons 2022 Simon Church |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE Cameron Balloons 2020 Neil Edmunds |
Swatch Watch
G-BMJJ Cameron Balloons 1985 Damian Busby |
Creme Egg
G-OEGG Cameron Balloons 1989 Daniel Wade |
Light Bulb
G-LAMP Cameron Balloons 2000 Paul Wade, Ian Grove, Sam Grove |
Freddie the Fox
G-SLYY Ultramagic Balloons 2019 Jeff Lawton |
Ordnance Survey
G-MAPS Sky Balloons 1998 Damian Busby |
Ragley Hall, 2021
View all special shapes that attended the Midlands Air Festival in 2021 below. All photos copyright MJ Ballooning.
Freddie the Fox
G-SLYY Ultramagic Balloons 2019 Jeff Lawton |
Buddy
G-WLVE Cameron Balloons 2006 Atmosphere Balloons |
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Mr Wonderfuel
G-BLKU Colt Balloons 1984 BBM&L |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Busby
G-POMP Cameron Balloons 2017 |
Maxwell House
G-BVBK Thunder & Colt 1993 Jamie Edwards |
Guinea Pig
G-GPIG Lindstrand Technologies 2019 Craig Thompson |
Creme Egg
G-OEGG Cameron Balloons 1989 Daniel Wade |
Hyla the Frog
G-HYLA Kubicek Balloons 2016 John Viner |
Master Zaba
G-ZABA Kubicek Balloons 2020 John Viner |
Light Bulb
G-LAMP Cameron Balloons 2000 Paul Wade, Ian Grove, Sam Grove |
Dyno
G-DYNO Cameron Balloons 2021 Chris Monk |
Barrel
G-PINT Cameron Balloons 1982 BBM&L |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS 2017 Lindstrand Technologies Ashley Moore |
Dolly the Sheep
G-OEWE 2020 Cameron Balloons Neil Edmunds |
Tall Steve
G-WINZ 2017 Lindstrand Technologies Exclusive Ballooning |
Satzenbrau Bottle
G-BIRE 1981 Colt Balloons Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Black Knight
G-BNMI 1986 Thunder & Colt Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Old Parr
G-PARR Thunder & Colt 1991 BBM&L |
Agfa
G-OHDC Thunder & Colt 1994 |
Agfa
G-PHOT Thunder & Colt 1998 BBM&L |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Steve Thomas |
Rocket
G-EDAM Ultramagic Balloons 2020 Exclusive Ballooning |
Saucepan
G-BHRK Colt Balloons 1980 Damian Busby |
FT Newspaper
G-ETFT Thunder & Colt 1990 |
Auto Bild
D-OBWG Cameron Balloons Bristol Balloon Collectors |
Buster the Dog
G-OPAW Cameron Balloons 2018 |
Arbury Hall, 2019
View all special shapes that attended the Midlands Air Festival in 2019 below. All photos copyright MJ Ballooning.
Horse
OO-BQH Cameron Balloons 1993 Old Balloon Collectors |
Maxwell House Coffee Jar
G-BVBJ Thunder and Colt 1993 BBM&L |
Polaroid Joycam Lips
G-LIPS Cameron Balloons 2000 Tony Brown |
Barclays House
G-BWZP Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Creme Egg
G-OEGG Cameron Balloons 1989 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Hyla the Frog
G-HYLA Kubicek Balloons 2016 John Viner |
Ricoh Cube
G-RCOH Cameron Balloons 2012 Exclusive Ballooning |
Stairs
PH-MAD Cameron Balloons 2008 Mees van Dijk |
Iwi the Kiwi
N-1888K Cameron Balloons 2011 Rick Walczak |
Policeman
HB-BZZ Raven 1994 Old Balloon Collectors |
Saucepan
G-BHRK Colt Balloons 1980 Damian Busby |
Pigs
G-BWBV & G-BXVW Thunder and Colt & Cameron Balloons 1995 & 1998 Old Balloon Collectors |
Budweiser Can
G-BXHN Lindstrand Balloons 1997 Private |
Budweiser Can
G-BVIO Thunder & Colt 1994 Private |
Budweiser Can
G-BUET Thunder & Colt 1992 Private |
Budweiser Can
G-BPFJ Cameron Balloons 1988 Private |
Lorry
G-DERV Cameron Balloons 1988 Jeffrey Percival |
Satzenbrau Bottle
G-BIRE Colt Balloons 1981 Paul Coman |
Roger the Panther
G-PAWW Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Steve Thomas |
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 Andrew Kaye |
Rupert Bear
G-BTML Cameron Balloons 1991 Steve Kinsey |
Coca Cola Bottle
G-BYIX Cameron Balloons 1999 Achim Schneider |
Cat
D-OCAT Schroeder Fire Balloons 2017 Klaus Weisgerber |
Otti the Ottifant
G-OTTI Cameron Balloons 1995 Paul Spellward |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Jeff Lawton |
Samsung Monitor
G-SEUK Cameron Balloons 1996 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
IKEA
G-IKEA Cameron Balloons 2004 BBM&L |
Wes the Wolf
G-WESS Lindstrand Technologies 2017 Ashley Moore |
Adelaide the Koala
G-DAAY Ultramagic Balloons 2018 Exclusive Ballooning |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Emoji
G-MOJI Lindstrand Technologies 2018 Lee Hooper |
Dragon
G-PNAD Lindstrand Balloons 2010 Nick, Phil, Allie Dunnington |
Dragon Fish
G-BMUJ Thunder & Colt 1986 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
UFO
G-BMUK Thunder & Colt 1986 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Black Knight
G-BNMI Thunder & Colt 1986 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Children's Moon
G-BMUL Thunder & Colt 1986 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
G-RNIE
Cameron Balloons 1990 Nicholas Bland |
Fox
OE-ZOX Kubicek Balloons 2002 Rudi Hoefer |
Panasonic Battery
G-OKCP Lindstrand Balloons 1999 Private |
Superbike
PH-GJV Lindstrand Balloons 2010 Herman Kleinsmit |
Peg Leg Pete the Pirate Parrot
N-805PP RVB Balloons 2012 |
Buster the Dog
G-OPAW Cameron Balloons 2018 |
Snow White
G-BVDF Cameron Balloons 1993 Karl Gruenauer, Andrew Kaye |
Elephant
G-BMKX Cameron Balloons 1986 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Elephant
G-BPRC Cameron Balloons 1989 Achim Schneider |
UP
G-UPOI Cameron Balloons 2009 Cameron Balloons |
Aston martin
G-OAML Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Mr Gas
G-BGOO Colt Balloons 1979 BBM&L |
Furness House
G-BSIO Cameron Balloons 1990 Balloon Retirement Home |
G-SATL
Cameron Balloons 1992 Mark Stelling |
G-SATI
Cameron Balloons 1989 Mark Stelling |
Swatch Watch
G-BMJJ Cameron Balloons 1985 Damian Busby |
Guinness Can
G-PURE Cameron Balloons 1989 Mobberley Balloon Collection |
Mr Wonderfuel
G-BLKU Colt Balloons 1984 BBM&L |
Lloyds TSB
G-LTSB Cameron Balloons 1998 BBM&L |
Ronald McDonald
G-CKWH Cameron Balloons 1997 David Bovington, Lorraine Bingley |
Ordnance Survey
G-MAPS Sky Balloons 1998 Private |
Ragley Hall, 2018
View all special shapes that attended the Midlands Air Festival in 2018 below.
Images copyright MJ Ballooning. G-CGIS and G-PNEU copyright Ballooning Pictures UK.
Saucepan
G-BHRK Colt Balloons 1980 Damian Busby |
Ricoh Cube
G-RCOH Cameron Balloons 2012 Exclusive Ballooning |
Busby
G-POMP Cameron Balloons 2017 |
Orange
G-CDXW Cameron Balloons 1993 Andrew Kaye |
Aston martin
G-OAML Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Captain Jack
G-OIIY Ultramagic Balloons 2015 Martin Cowling |
Morris the Donkey
G-DONK Ultramagic Balloons 2017 Martin Cowling |
Iwi the Kiwi
N-1888K Cameron Balloons 2011 Rick Walczak |
Shuttlecock
HB-QOC Thunder and Colt 1991 Swiss Shapes |
Superbike
PH-GJV Lindstrand Balloons 2010 Herman Kleinsmit |
Yoda
G-CIIE Cameron Balloons 2014 Benoit Lambert |
L.E Electrical Light Bulb
G-LAMP Cameron Balloons 2000 Ballooningmedia |
Polaroid Joycam Lips
G-LIPS Cameron Balloons 2000 Tony Brown |
Angry Bird
N-333AB Cameron Balloons USA 2013 Private |
Owl
G-OWLL Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Jeff Lawton |
Simbaloo the Lion
G-LEAT Ultramagic Balloons 2016 Exclusive Ballooning |
Swatch Watch
G-BMJJ Cameron Balloons 1985 Damian Busby |
Buddy
G-WLVE Cameron Balloons 2006 Chris Freeman |
Action Man
G-CGIS Cameron Balloons 1997 Karl Gruenauer |
Piper
G-PIPY Cameron Balloons 1997 BBM&L |
Michelin Man
G-PNEU Cameron Balloons 1997 BBM&L |
Bertie Bassetts
G-BXAL & G-BZTS Cameron Balloons 1997 & 2001 Andrew Kaye |
Ronald McDonald
F-GIGO (now G-CKWH) Cameron Balloons 1997 David Bovington, Lorraine Bingley |
Barclays House
G-BWZP Cameron Balloons 1997 Andrew Kaye |
Babybel
G-BXUG Lindstrand Balloons 1998 Karl Gruenauer |
Maxwell House Coffee Jar
G-BVBJ Thunder and Colt 1993 BBM&L |
Mr Peanut
G-NUTS Cameron Balloons 1981 BBM&L |
