Airship Estaric I

Rod_Filan · 21 April 2004, 08:35 PM

Little-known Renner airship Estaric I. Flown at Graz in 1909, built in 17 days ! I find that a little hard to swallow. The triangular cross-sectioned gondola looks almost identical to a Knabenshue Toledo II, right down to the rudder. In fact I have never seen this type of rudder on a Euro-dirigible. The gasbag appears to be of a shape reminicent of a Baldwin. Knowing Franz Renner was a world traveller, it is conceivable that he purchased either from Baldwin or Knabenshue (maybe even both?) and had it shipped over sans motor. Yes, seventeen days if it came out of a crate and only needed to be assembled using instructions enclosed !

No batteries included... some assembly required using simple tools

jempie · 22 April 2004, 05:21 AM

Hi Rod!

It's indeed so I did read once, "somewhere", that the Renner "Estaric I" was purchased by the Renner brothers from Baldwin!

Gives on indeed why it's so alike probably .

VBR

Jempie.

jempie · 23 April 2004, 09:44 AM

Hi!

Another photo just before ascent with shed.
The two Renner boys were only 16 and 18 ?!
How they did it?
The Kaiser was present and some 40.000 spectators wachted them sailing through the air!

Notice the difference with those USA ones is that they didn't use that front (bowside) elevator rudder.!
One of them had to walk on the gondola forward and aft for descent or ascent !

VBR

Jempie

Rod_Filan · 24 April 2004, 01:36 AM

Alexander (18) Anatol (16). Is this PC Anatol at the helm and Alexander is at the bow? Opposite to how they flew it. I imagine this to be to the first launch posed photo. Powder-flash photography in its heyday http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=heyday. Great moment in history with Kaiser Franz Josef in the pictue somewhre. Heyday for Franz Josef too

Nice find jempie.

VBR
Rod

jempie · 24 April 2004, 07:00 AM

Hi!

No correct idea who in fact is who here on that picture!
But I found a website mentioning Renner, Alexander °29/05/1892 (Tallinn or Tallinin) +1/3/1966 at Graz).
They constructed the "Estaric I" (32 long, motor Puch 32 HP) starting 10th september 1909 and made first flight at Graz 26th September 1909...notice there is an airshipshed and how the could manufacture such gasbag and gondola in indeed a two weeks time? Seems before they were already involved with glider experiments!
Further they did after this first flight for more over Wien and other places into total such another 8 flights........But don't forget they constructed also another second airship 1910....the GRAZ (62 m long,2 Escher motors,55 HP,4.000 m³) On this one never seen a postcard yet!

Now I noticed into the Renner, Alexander notition they tell he made the flight with his brother Anatole....on that "Estaric I"

Should be , I accept, an indication he was in fact the pilot and Anatole his help?

Than further they mention Alexander was during WWI a "fighter pilot" (Kampflieger) into the Austro-Hungarian army!

About "Anatole" no such notitions found!

VBR

Jempie.

Rod_Filan · 24 April 2004, 09:45 AM

Graz as I had suspected (!) Design influenced by Parseval airship.

Hard to see from this small picture details, but at 4000 m³ it appears smaller than it actually is.

VBR
Rod

Rod_Filan · 26 April 2004, 11:03 PM

Jempie,

On closer examination of your airship Graz photo I would say it is a copy of Parseval P2 - P.I

Both airships are 4000 m³ x 60m length and the gasbag's panel construction (sewn pieces) looks very similar. The rudder is attached on Graz vs the unmistakable Parseval hanging design... but as the Renner airship is not fully inflated in this picture its hard to discern details for comparison. Can you send me a larger jpg ?

VBR
Rod