The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - Who else on this forum thinks the Zeppelin should make a come back?

Ira_Silverman · 4 December 1998, 04:41 PM

Zeppelins are making a comeback!

Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik (The original Zeppelin-wereke) in Friedrichshafen has built and flown a new Zeppelin this year. Smaller and lighter than the originals, and using Helium for lift, they have hopes of using them for aerial tours of Europe. Check out their web page at:

http://www.zeppelin-nt.com/

BTW, current research indicates that the explosion of the Hindenburg was not because of Hydrogen igniting, but rather Aluminum powder in the silver paint. Apparently a Hollywood special effects expert viewing the newsreel footage noticed the way the Zeppelin sparked and initially ignited, and saw similarities with the aluminum powder used for enhancing explosions in the movies. Of course, once there was a fire, Hydrogen made a great fuel.

Supposedly, Hugo Eckener was aware that the ignition started with the Aluminum powder, and had the information suppressed. He felt they could always replace Hydrogen with Helium (once the US embargo was lifted), but that they couldn't solve the paint problem.

VBR,

Ira

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4 December 1998, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ira_Silverman Scout Pilot Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Irvine, CA USA Posts: 495	Zeppelins are making a comeback! Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik (The original Zeppelin-wereke) in Friedrichshafen has built and flown a new Zeppelin this year. Smaller and lighter than the originals, and using Helium for lift, they have hopes of using them for aerial tours of Europe. Check out their web page at: http://www.zeppelin-nt.com/ BTW, current research indicates that the explosion of the Hindenburg was not because of Hydrogen igniting, but rather Aluminum powder in the silver paint. Apparently a Hollywood special effects expert viewing the newsreel footage noticed the way the Zeppelin sparked and initially ignited, and saw similarities with the aluminum powder used for enhancing explosions in the movies. Of course, once there was a fire, Hydrogen made a great fuel. Supposedly, Hugo Eckener was aware that the ignition started with the Aluminum powder, and had the information suppressed. He felt they could always replace Hydrogen with Helium (once the US embargo was lifted), but that they couldn't solve the paint problem. VBR, Ira .