Fordson Sussex fitted with a Wild Balloon Winch

Balloons were an important deterrent to low-level attack, usually sited on the approach to important targets. If an aircraft hit the balloon's cable, it would then be cut by explosive links, which in turn activated two parachutes. These would rapidly slow the aircraft, forcing it to stall and crash.

Over the course of the war RAF Balloon Command claimed 66 aircraft and 231 V1 flying bombs destroyed by their barrages. However, an estimated 30 RAF and allied aircraft were also brought down. The Mk IV winch was built by MB Wild and Co with 2,013m (7,000ft) of cable. The chassis was based on a pre-war Fordson commercial design.