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Right: Illustration of the Chrysalis/Cutting Edge flying saucer model passing over the Wiltshire countryside. Bill Rose Below right: Map of Avebury, showing planned and actual launch/landing sites. Bill Rose would contain the lift gas. As a result of these preliminary discussions an envelope was pro- duced from approximately 984ft (300m) of a helium fabric composite material (with a sil- ver Mylar laminate) and it was assembled using Cameron’s sewn/sealed technique. Ini- tial experiments under the direction of Cameron’s Gas Department Manager Gavin Hayles went well, but there were problems with the flying saucer’s appearance caused by noticeable wrinkles in the Mylar. Visually this was unacceptable and it might have ruined the stunt, so considerable effort was made to smooth the surface. This was followed by compatibility prob- lems with the small German-made fans that had been supplied for use with the ducted- fan propulsion units and further delays with delivery of the model’s power source. As a consequence Robbie Scott travelled to Cali- fornia and collected the 5kW electric genera- tor from the manufacturer. However, when Cameron Balloons delivered the Silver Helium skin in late July 2003, it weighed 79 Ib (35.8kg), which meant that the craft was now overloaded by about 24 lb (10.9kg). Because of this weight problem the generator had to be abandoned and replaced with a power pack using nickel-cadmium batteries wired to each motor. Further weight reduction measures took the form of holes drilled in the carbon fibre hoop. Although the switch to battery power was less satisfactory, it would be possible to attain a maximum speed of 20mph (32km/h), although the range would be somewhat reduced with tests indicating that the batteries would be completely exhausted after twenty minutes in the air. A radio control unit was finally installed on the internal equipment platform, which could be accessed via a small tunnel when the envelope was inflated. This control system was linked to each ducted fan Avebury Approximate | Trusloe Location of unit via a network of fibre optic cable and the Landing annch saucer was ready to be secretly tested at RAF Site . Red Lion Pub Site Aston Down, which is a largely disused World War Two military airfield situated between Beckhampton Stroud and Cirencester. The next stage was certification by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which was repre- sented by John Greenfield, a respected name West in the model aircraft field. Cutting Edge had Kennett brought in John Palmer, a leading model air- X Flight Contrott Sf) craft flyer, to take charge of flight operations Sa = Preparation Right: Illustration of the Chrysalis/Cutting Edge flying saucer model passing over the Wiltshire countryside. Bill Rose Xx2 17 Below right: Map of Avebury, showing planned and actual launch/landing sites. Bill Rose Lighter-Than-Air Vehicles and the UFO Connection