THE AERIAL NEMESIS OF SUBMARINES (Jun, 1917)
THE AERIAL NEMESIS OF SUBMARINES
HUNTING THE UNDERSEA PIRATES
This remarkable photograph depicts clearly the type of small dirigible now being used by the French and British in hunting German submarines. The gas bag is short and stubby when compared to the latest rigid types of Zeppelins, and as a result, great speed is not possible. The car is the same as that used on English battleplanes, modified to an extent which allows slightly greater carrying
capacity.
Going to war in such a delicate contraption would be hard to imagine today.
Comment by Harry — March 12, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
What is that thing above the gondola? A torpedo tube?
Comment by Jonas F — March 14, 2010 @ 7:30 am
That’s likely an air duct. Cool air beneath the balloon is pushed by the propellor between the outer layer and the gas-balloon to counter the balloons heating up during sunny weather. Which in turn reduces the buoyancy chance.
Comment by Jari — March 14, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Most (if not all) dirigibles don’t have the entire envelope filled with the lifting gas. Instead, they have air-filled balloonets and gas bags – the air filled sections help control the expansion with altitude without valving off lifting gas, and also help keep the shape aerodynamic on non-rigid airships.
Comment by Toronto — March 14, 2010 @ 8:42 am
… and the air scoop is used to control the balloonets.
Comment by Toronto — March 14, 2010 @ 8:43 am
One war into the future, but still a fun fact: In WWII, no convoy escorted by blimps ever lost a single ship.
Comment by Sean — March 16, 2010 @ 5:21 am
Sean: “Facts” fun or otherwise are best served with references http://www.history.navy.mil/download/lta-09.pdf
Comment by Firebrand38 — March 16, 2010 @ 5:39 am
I’m not too keen on the slack cables in front of the propeller on the gondola. It looks basically like a observation balloon which normally has nothing more than a basket under it and is tethered to the ground. It’s a real kluge. I wonder if it was made by some nut who volunteered to go looking for subs in it.
Comment by Arglebarglefarglegleep — August 6, 2010 @ 10:50 pm