8–11 February 1914: Aeronaut Hans Rudolph Berliner and two others, Alexander Haase and A. Nicolai, departed Bitterfeld, Germany, aboard Berliner’s gas balloon. They were carried across the Baltic Sea and into Russia. After encountering rain storms, gale force winds and howling wolves, their balloon came to rest in deep snow near the town of Kirgischan in the Ural Mountains.
In 47 hours, the men had traveled 3,052.7 kilometers (1,896.9 miles), setting a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Absolute Record for Distance.¹ This record remained unsurpassed until 1978.
Hans Berliner’s balloon was described as being spherical and painted yellow. It had a volume of 2,250 cubic meters (79,458 cubic feet) and was inflated with hydrogen. Prior to this flight, the balloon had made more than 50 ascents.
The New York Times reported:
BALLOON DISTANCE RECORD
German Pilot Berliner Reached a Point in the Ural Mountains.
BERLIN, Feb. 16.—The German balloon pilot Hans Berliner, who ascended with two passengers on Feb. 8 in his spherical balloon, telegraphed to-day from Kirgischan, in the Ural Mountains, that he had landed near there after a forty-seven-hour flight from Bitterfield.
The flight, it is understood, broke the distance record but not the duration record.
Berliner had been unable to reach a telegraph office until to-day.
The flight of Berliner’s balloon extended considerably further than that of Dr. Korn, who, after ascending last week at Bitterfield, landed at Krasno Ufimsk, 110 miles southeast of Perm, Russia.
—The New York Times, 17 February 1914.
The Russian government charged the three Germans with espionage and sentenced them to six months solitary confinement and a fine. They were released on 8 May 1914 and allowed to return to Germany. The balloon was also returned.
¹ FAI Record File Number 10605
© 2019, Bryan R. Swopes
Just a comment to commend you on your aviation blog – Very nice
Well put together and most professional!
Thanks for your effort in keeping aviation ‘out there’!
Thank YOU!
Dear Bryan,
As a boy growing up in the UK in the 40/50’s with aviation as a hobby I lived close to the Fairey Aviation factory in Hayes (outskirts of London). I was lucky enough to visit a few times.
During one of these visits I was given a couple of photographs of the Rotodyne in its first flight. One is a shot of Squadron leader Gellatly in the cockpit (possibly a better one than you have already) with controls visible. I have never seen it reproduced elsewhere The picture was probably taken at White Waltham airfield where the testing of the Rotodyne was carried out . Also an in flight photo. They have been laying in a cupboard for years along with many other photos, if you would like me to scan and send to you I would be pleased to do so as I think your excellent website would be an appropriate place for them. If you agree please let me know your email to send.
Kind Regards,
Roger Humm
Colne Engaine,
Esssex
UK
Thank you! That would be fantastic!!
Bryan