C. The Soviet Army's stratostat U.S.S.R., largest balloon ever made, was finally ready last week in Moscow for a flight to the stratosphere. A morning fog had weighted the turnip-shaped gasbag with a heavy load of moisture; a drop in temperature had caused the hydrogen to contract. Nevertheless the crew of three aeronauts and two 'chute jumpers sealed themselves in the spherical gondola for a takeoff. W^ith a dramatic flourish Air Commander Garankidze waved the ground crew to cast off. The huge bag rose groggily about 10 ft. It wobbled sideways across...
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