Martin Brenner's, Pilot Balloon Resources 

Answers to Photo Question:  Whats wrong with this picture?

1. Balloon will be lost in Cloud Cover
2. Observer will not be able to follow balloon if the wind shifts because she is too short for the theodolite stand.  Some of the theodolite bases of the period had cranks shafts that allowed adjustment of height.  With the theodolite mounted at this height the observer will have difficulty acquiring the balloon in the gun site and then moving to the eyepece.   She would have to step off the board, loose site of the balloon and move the board. 

Extra Credit: What model of theodolite is pictured here?
David White 6061 shore type (no battery box on shore types).