The story of the great rigid airships, the Los Angeles, the Akron, Macon and Graf Zeppelin is fairly well known. That of the smaller non-rigids is less familiar. The larger airships still hold vital commercial and military promise for the future. However, this book will confine itself to the non-rigid airship, with only enough reference to the larger ships to round out the picture.
Every new vehicle of combat or transport has had to fight its way to acceptance against misunderstanding and lack of understanding. Steamships had to prove themselves against sailing ships. Submarines had an uphill battle to establish themselves. The airplane was long on probation, and now the airship is on trial.
This book will tell something about these ships, cite what is claimed for them and what has been reasonably proved they can do, see what progress has been made in performance, and point out what may be expected from them hereafter--not avoiding the moot question of vulnerability.
Lighter-than-air is older by a century than the heavier-than-air branch of aeronautics. Its history is marked by long research and experiment and continued progress. Like every pioneering development it has had its setbacks. But the sincerity of the effort and solid accomplishment made, entitles the project to thoughtful consideration.
Dedication v Foreword vii I. German Submarines in American Waters 1 A little known story from the first World War. II. British Airships in the First World War 9 The use of non-rigid airships in Europe in 1914-18--as convoys, and as scouts against mines and U-boats. III. American Airships in Two Wars 13 Activities in first war, though building of ships, training of men and erecting of bases had to be done after war broke out. IV. The Beginnings of Flight 21 Difference between airships and airplanes--classes of airships--progress, from Montgolfiers to Santos Dumont to 1914. V. Effect on Aeronautics of Post-War Reaction 28 Blimps overshadowed by Zeppelins and airplanes--only rigid airships had anything like continuing program, and they because of possible commercial value--effect on public opinion of Lindbergh flight and first arrival of the Graf Zeppelin. VI. Airship Improvements Between Wars 32 Helium gas--structural changes--development of mooring mast--Navy experiments in picking up water ballast from the ocean. VII. Adventures of the Goodyear Fleet 45 Reason for starting--adventures--familiarize country with airships--safety record--evolution of masting technique. VIII. Results of Fleet Operations 61 Weather information--effect on flying and ground handling practice--on ship design--created bases, ships and construction plants which might prove useful in emergency. IX. Vulnerability of Airships 67 References 72 Index 73