G-HEAD, a flying piece of art.

31st December 1984, the first test inflation was done. In the aircraft logbook this inflation is marked: "Inflation for the final riggings of the eyes, nose and ears." 1 hr, 35 min
The flying head balloon is registered as G-HEAD, Colt 56 Hot-Air (Free) Balloon, Colt AX7 Flying Head, and aircraft serial No. 304. Certificate of Airworthiness dated 1st April 1985.

The G-HEAD has an inside envelope approximately 56 000 cu/ft. and an outside envelope (the face) approximately 77 000 cu/ft. On top of the skull there is a parachute. There are lots of nylon panels; 600 pieces for the envelope inside, 29 pieces for the parachute, 2732 pieces for the face and 2546 panels between the inside envelope and the outside envelope. Each panel of the face has a number. Total weight is approximately 220 kilo. Therefore the total take off weight is very limited and restricted to the pilot only in a light single basket.

03rd March 1985, the G-HEAD was inflated in the city of Stockholm, for the press and media. Next inflation was made at the 29th March 1985 when Peter Hellbom had an exhibition with 1985 pieces of small, numbered lead head, also in Stockholm.

15th June 1985, the official maiden flight was made from the Chateau de Balleroy in France owned by Malcom Forbes.

01st July 1987, after 5 hr, 40 min the G-HEAD was sold to the Swedish Ballongfirman Far & Flyg. Peter Hellbom needed the invested money and a very strong computer for development of new artistic ideas. Compaq Computers wanted to be involved in exchange for branding the envelope with COMPAQ. Instantly the G-HEAD devaluated from a flying piece of art into a marketing instrument COMPAQ.

01st August 1996, the G-HEAD was modified at Thunder & Colt. New hyper life parachute and top panels inside were replaced. After the modification the G-HEAD flew two times and did some tethering demonstration.

01st October 2008, after 24 years, the G-HEAD was sold to IKEAIR.NL in the Netherlands, with the intention to act as a conservator of one of the most beautiful balloons ever build. During the test inflation it showed that the new designed parachute (01st August 1996) of hyper life, was not sealing of the balloon correctly. Some panels had burn damage, two flying wires were missing and the envelope needs some freshening up work. The last valid Certificate of Airworthiness was dated 13th February 1997. Moreover the G-HEAD registration was cancelled from the CAA registration list.

15th November 2008, Cameron Balloons/UK, as the holder of the assets of Thunder & Colt, showed a real interest to update the G-HEAD with all the necessary work required. Including re-design of a new parachute. The first impression Cameron had is that the G-HEAD is in a surprisingly good condition.

01st April 2009, the G-HEAD is now fully operational. Please contact IkeAir for the options to hire the G-HEAD for your event worldwide. The hope is that the artistic expression of Peter Hellbom will be shared with many again. Therefore events of an artistic/cultural/human interest or environment awareness -nature will receive our main interest. The G-HEAD should be kept unbranded and preferably fly or tether solo at an event.