The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a museum dedicated to the worldwide history, science, and art of all types of ballooning and lighter-than-air flight. It is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, and is situated just outside the grounds used for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest yearly balloon fiesta, and is named for Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, two Albuquerque natives who established several ballooning firsts, such as crossing the Atlantic Ocean and continents.
The museum as seen from Balloon Fiesta Park
Some specifics and information about the Double Eagle II Gas Balloon Transatlantic Flight, which was piloted by museum namesakes, Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson themselves, with the help of Larry Newman in August 1978. A whole exhibit is dedicated to the instruments, notes, and regalia of the 5 Double Eagle flights in the largest portion of the museum.
Some information about Troy Bradley's feats and contributions. As of Summer 2022 a yellow flight jacket of Bradley's was also displayed, with many highly specific and unique patches. Troy Bradley has spent over a day of flight hours with hot air balloons cumulatively, and has flown over 241 balloons of varying size.
From Women's Contributions: Denim Jacket covered in commemorative Balloon Pins, worn by Carol Kinney, the first Balloonmeisterin for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, 1982.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a yearly hot air balloon festival that takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during early October. The Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event occurring in the first full week of October, and has over 500 hot air balloons each year far from its beginnings of merely 13 balloons in 1972. The event is the largest balloon festival in the world, followed by the Grand Est Mondial Air in France, and the León International Balloon Festival in Mexico.
Late night scene at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The nose of an inflatable half-scale model of a NASA F/A-18 in front of the NASA Aeronautics exhibit
Big Green Cat, 2007 Fiesta
Close encounter among two balloons, 2007 Fiesta