Stephen Tompkinson’s African Balloon Adventure

From January to March 2009, we supplied the entire logistics solution for this Tiger Aspect production (for ITV).

The aim was to make a 3 part programme, with Stephen Tompkinson, about his balloon flights in Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. We shipped two of our Iveco 4x4 trucks, and two of our Land Rovers, to Dar es Salaam (with a hot air balloon), and then transported equipment and personnel from there to Namibia (as well as providing the balloon wrangling). The project went smoothly over the 8000km driven, and we were able to react to problems without any effect on the film schedule. We also used our aircraft, Never Say Never, for the aerial filmwork over the Ngorongoro crater.

We received this unsolicited email from Frank Hanly, the Director, after the event:

From: FRANCIS HANLY
Sent: 04 March 2009 13:06
To: sam rutherford
Subject: Balloons over Africa

Hi Sam,

I was hoping to say goodbye to you in Windhoek but we left for the airport before you got back into town. I just wanted to say I thought you and your team were magnificent, always doing above and beyond what your job description stated. I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of guys and am always on hand to sing your praises whenever you need.

best wishes,

Frank