Originally posted by nataylor
In British terms, what's a lantern?
Hi,
In recent years, fairly sophisticated fire balloons (or "thai lanterns") have become available for purchase from commercial suppliers, such as the
one below:
www.weddinglanterns.co.uk...
www.ribbands.co.uk...
In previous decades, prank "UFO" fire balloons were traditionally been made by using transparent, lightweight plastic laundry bags with birthday
candles propped at its base by drinking straws, wires or balsa wood structs. When the candles are lit, the hot air makes the bag rise.
Ufologist Allan Hendry (author of the very informative book "The UFO Handbook") refers to 14 reports of UFO caused by prank fire balloons, stating
that those 14 sightings had durations of perceived flight from one to 15 minutes.
Fire balloons have been discussed by the authors of several UFO books and several skeptical books.
They are also discussed in some detail in the Condon Report.
See, for example, the discussions of Case 45 at pages 605-606 (in Section 4, “Case Studies”, Chapter 2) and pages 458-465 (in Section 4, Case
Studies, Case 18) of the version of the Condon Report available online at the links below:
ncas.sawco.com...
www.project1947.com...
Please note: Since they are a fire hazard, I understand that such products are illegal in several states in the USA.
Kind Regards,
Isaac Koi