Delahaye Moored balloon car

Special vehicle of French make from WW I, with two winches. It was used to launch and haul in captive ballons, e.g., for artillery observation. The two winches were necessary to orient the banana-shaped balloons. To permit hauling in of the balloon in a flash, for instance under fire, the winch was equipped with a special fast gear- The sturdy engine is from 1907. It had been used as a racing engine before on occasion of the Paris – Madrid race. The running boards were removable and could be used as a bridge to traverse ditches.