There are many types of hot air balloons. I realized that some of them contain many gores (as much as 24) and some contain less which makes a great difference in the shape.

                    

18 gores                                                  3 gores                                               24 gores

What I am wondering is the difference that the number of gores make in the flight of hot air balloons. 3-gored balloon's shape is much different than 24-gored balloon, does it affect its flight in any way? (e.g. buoyancy or air resistance) If not, what else might it affect? Why might people choose to make balloons with more/less gores?

The images are taken from <https://www.apexballoons.com/balloons/>

7 hours ago, sallyskellington said:

There are many types of hot air balloons. I realized that some of them contain many gores (as much as 24) and some contain less which makes a great difference in the shape.

                    

18 gores                                                  3 gores                                               24 gores

What I am wondering is the difference that the number of gores make in the flight of hot air balloons. 3-gored balloon's shape is much different than 24-gored balloon, does it affect its flight in any way? (e.g. buoyancy or air resistance) If not, what else might it affect? Why might people choose to make balloons with more/less gores?

The images are taken from <https://www.apexballoons.com/balloons/>

My first thought would be that the load dictates a lot of it i.e. more gores to spread the load. I couldn't find any details regarding performance of the smooth vs bulbous forms.

Cost? Larger pieces of fabric might cost more? But then stitching together more small pieces might cost more too. 

Probably better to ask the balloon makers

They cut pieces from extremely large sheets of coated ripstop.

Their literature focus on personal style to select the number of gores. Although, I suspect the largest balloons may need more than three gores.

I suspect the 3 gore would have a higher drag coefficient to horizontal airflow, so it should respond to shifts in wind direction more readily.