USS Macon 1933

United States Airship Akron 1931

Buck said..."I 've always wished I could have flown in a dirigible. The us navy had 4 of them. USS Shenandoah, USS Akron, USS Macon and USS Los Angeles. The first three came to unfortunate ends. All were lost in storms and through human error. The Los Angeles had a successful career and was finally scrapped in 1940. All of the us rigid airships were filled with helium. Much safer than hydrogen but doesn't have as much lift. "

Hochseeflotte 1916

a picture of the Imperial German Navy's High Sea Fleet. or a portion of it anyway. i thought it was pretty neat because of the Zeppelin floating overhead. this was just before the Germans inflicted a severe tactical defeat on the Royal Navy at the Battle of Jutland. seemed appropriate for memorial day since sailors, soldiers and airmen/women all over the world are very much alike. they obey the will of their political masters and die as necessary.

Zeppelin NT

as we see here they are still making Zeppelins in Friedrichshafen. not quite as large and fast but, much more modern. they use helium instead of hydrogen and are semi-rigid instead of rigid airships. i sure would like to go up in one.

the Graf Zeppelin

a little closer look at the great Graf Zeppelin moored on the Bodensee.

the Graf Zeppelin

a picture of the Graf Zeppelin flying over it's hanger in Friedrichshafen, Deutschland. Graf Zeppelin could be considered the most successful rigid airship ever flown. flew from 1928 to 1940 with no fatalities or serious accidents. flew around the world. flew a scientific expedition to the arctic. made regular passenger service trans-atlantic crossings to both North and South America. a truly magnificent aircraft.