The return of the Dirigible . . . sort of

[dhermann1]

There have been several attempts over the years to build modern examples of the classic lighter than air aircraft of the 1920's and 30's. Of course we all remember what happened to the Hindenburg, but so many of them went blooey that the technology ultimately died.
In the 60's a craft called the Aeron was developed with a lofting body shape that would have helium inside as well. It never got off the ground.
The Zeppelin company in Germany is now developing a new generation of rigid surfaced dirigibles which seem to have a future.
But I just saw this and it really caught my fancy. This is a lifting body aircraft that has helium supporting two thirds of its weight, and turbofan engines lifting the rest. And the final version is supposed to be 647 feet long! Imagine cruising across the ocean at 175 miles per hour at 8,000 feet. Just like the Hindenburg! But with better landing qualities.
http://www.popsci.com/aeros/article/2006-02/flying-luxury-hotel
http://www.aeroscraft.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHRzqlKGZyE

 

[Story]

Check out this thread -
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=29574

 

[Brooksie]

Wow! I want to go it looks like fun.

Brooksie

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Oh so Civilised

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Wow! I want to go it looks like fun.

Brooksie

Just pop over to London...and I think I heard there was going to be one in NYC this year. Anyway - it's a mere $300 a ride. That's for 40 minutes.

 

[MrBern]

eye in the sky

spy blimp

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spyblimp13-2009mar13,0,4608400.story?track=rss

Pentagon plans blimp to spy from new heights
The giant dirigible would use radar to closely and constantly monitor activity on the ground from 65,000 feet.

Reporting from Washington -- The Pentagon said Thursday that it intends to spend $400 million to develop a giant dirigible that will float 65,000 feet above the Earth for 10 years, providing unblinking and intricate radar surveillance of the vehicles, planes and even people below.

If successful, the dirigible -- the brainchild of the Air Force and the Pentagon's research arm -- could pave the way for a fleet of spy airships, military officials said.

However, it marks the return to a form of flight that has stirred anxiety and doubt since the 1937 Hindenburg disaster. Thirty-six people were killed when that airship went up in flames in New Jersey.

 

[Jedburgh OSS]

Notice the caveat...

..."subject to change" and it did big time! Nice scan of the schedule; any chance a larger could be posted, suitable for framing?

 

[Haversack]

Although for most people it seems to have become part of the background scenery, I still smile when I see the modern Zeppelin flying around the Bay Area or moored at Moffat Field. Yesterday it was up over the Berkeley Hills before dawn. Walking to the train station, you could see it silhouetted against the lightening sky. Someone must have gotten some great photos of the sun washing over the Bay.

http://www.airshipventures.com

Also, compared to the Goodyear Blimps, this Zep is almost silent.

Haversack.