The Revival of Zeppelins

Admiral Fyyar · 08-02-2007, 16:22 PM

In this new world of energy-saving and people crying out for Al Gorian policies, could one imagine the return of the iconic zeppelins from the beginning of the last century. I mean, these babies could be powered by electrical engines, made quite large, and carry a good amount of freight OR passenger, not to mention the relatively easy landing of these giants.

Just imagine a 600m long nuclear-powered zeppelin

Though the Gore-boys wouldn't like that one...

So I ask you, is there any hope for a revival of these beautiful creations?

Airshipworld · 08-02-2007, 18:51 PM

Hey Admiral Fyyar,
it's difficult to say how or when airships will come back. But I believe they will. I am writing a Blog about Airships at Airshipworld and there have been some very interesting things going on in the last few months.
For example has the Navy been testing an Airship called MZ3A there is an article about it here:
Airshipworld: Navy MZ3A Airship #167811 continues operations amidst "tight" funding. [by Rick Zitarosa]
The Russian are also Testing airships again:
Airshipworld: Russian Air Force testing airships and the Navy MZ3A
There are even plans for bigger airship than ever built before
Airshipworld: Aeroscraft
And after all there are also Zeppelins flying again commercially very successful
Airshipworld: zeppelin
Soon even in San Francisco and the rest of the US
Airshipworld: airshipventures

So in my eyes yes the Zeppelins and Airships will get the revival they deserve.

Regards

Andreas Grunewald

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Airshipworld Blog at
Airshipworld
--------------------------------------------------------

ArmchairGeneral · 08-02-2007, 19:44 PM

I love Zeppelins and airships in general. I think they have a lot of potential for future transportation. Don't know if it will work out, but I hope it will, 'cause they're just cool.

dalem · 08-02-2007, 20:17 PM

I agree. Very cool. I hope they can become economically viable, maybe for medium hops.

-dale

glyn · 08-03-2007, 04:10 AM

Sorry to be a party-pooper but I don't think they have much of a future for cargo carrying. There will continue to be a niche market for pleasure trips or for TV coverage of special events. They need vast hangars, and an uneconomic workforce. Winds affect them horribly. Few airships can exceed 60 mph (and then only for short periods). Their inherent limitations will be immediately apparent to any operator.

dalem · 08-03-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glyn

Sorry to be a party-pooper but I don't think they have much of a future for cargo carrying. There will continue to be a niche market for pleasure trips or for TV coverage of special events. They need vast hangars, and an uneconomic workforce. Winds affect them horribly. Few airships can exceed 60 mph (and then only for short periods). Their inherent limitations will be immediately apparent to any operator.

But we can attack them with biplanes and the Nazi ones all blow up real purty!

-dale

glyn · 08-03-2007, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalem

But we can attack them with biplanes and the Nazi ones all blow up real purty!

-dale

Well, that wasn't the recreational usage I was thinking of - but hey, I can be open minded too

Shamus · 08-03-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalem

But we can attack them with biplanes and the Nazi ones all blow up real purty!

-dale

I can see it now.....Announcer"Welcome to the Twin Cities and SuperBowl 75!My partner and I will be bringing you coverage from the booth along with exclusive coverage from the Goodyear blimp which you can see flying over the south....what...what's that?There appears to be a bi-plane diving at the blimp!It looks like....he is!The bi-plane is firing machine guns at the blimp!The blimp appears to be losing power....it's going down!People are running everywhere!Oh,the humanity!Wait!The bi-plane appears to be coming in low over the field......he's so low you can read the stenciling on the side of the plane,what's it say?....Dale's Crop Dusting and Corn Borer Removal Service-If you don't trust 'em,We'll dust 'em.......

RustyBattleship · 08-03-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shameless

......he's so low you can read the stenciling on the side of the plane,what's it say?....Dale's Crop Dusting and Corn Borer Removal Service-If you don't trust 'em,We'll dust 'em.......

THAT is HILARIOUS.

Mowers · 08-03-2007, 13:28 PM

A German company tried to invest a load of money in a serious zepplin-like effort about 6 years ago. They got a lot of media coverage and then disappeared off the radar, I can only assume they went horribly bust

**Parihaka** · 08-03-2007, 20:31 PM

They make excellent skyhooks for when you're looking to lift logs out of inaccessable places

**Parihaka** · 08-03-2007, 20:32 PM

And I'd rather spend a week travelling in one of those across the Pacific than 12 hours in a jet, as long as it had sleeping compartments and a lounge.

Gun Grape · 08-04-2007, 14:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowers

A German company tried to invest a load of money in a serious zepplin-like effort about 6 years ago. They got a lot of media coverage and then disappeared off the radar, I can only assume they went horribly bust

I think you are talking about CargoLifter. Money ran out after they built a hanger.

Lots of hype. Like Fastships. Both were declared "The next big thing" about the same time. Nothing about either now.

entropy · 08-04-2007, 19:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

And I'd rather spend a week travelling in one of those across the Pacific than 12 hours in a jet, as long as it had sleeping compartments and a lounge.

That makes me think about luxury such as glass bottoms for sightseeing, bungee jumping (when soaring on an altitude of 2-3 km) and the like. I'd love making an airship cruise. It could descend for Red Sea diving, safari and fly above the Mt. Everest.

I see a lot of possibilities in airships for use as superheavy airlift, sky cranes (transport entire radio transmission masts (30 m height or more) into the desert instead of assembling them on place) and transoceanic luxury transport. I wonder what the rendability would be.

braindead · 08-05-2007, 01:59 AM

Well , Entropy , you were looking for a field to specialise - voila ! Zeppelin engineering

08-02-2007, 16:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Admiral Fyyar New Member Join Date: 12-02-06 Posts: 1 Country:	The Revival of Zeppelins In this new world of energy-saving and people crying out for Al Gorian policies, could one imagine the return of the iconic zeppelins from the beginning of the last century. I mean, these babies could be powered by electrical engines, made quite large, and carry a good amount of freight OR passenger, not to mention the relatively easy landing of these giants. Just imagine a 600m long nuclear-powered zeppelin Though the Gore-boys wouldn't like that one... So I ask you, is there any hope for a revival of these beautiful creations?

08-02-2007, 18:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Airshipworld New Member Join Date: 08-02-07 Posts: 1	Yes I think airships can come back Hey Admiral Fyyar, it's difficult to say how or when airships will come back. But I believe they will. I am writing a Blog about Airships at Airshipworld and there have been some very interesting things going on in the last few months. For example has the Navy been testing an Airship called MZ3A there is an article about it here: Airshipworld: Navy MZ3A Airship #167811 continues operations amidst "tight" funding. [by Rick Zitarosa] The Russian are also Testing airships again: Airshipworld: Russian Air Force testing airships and the Navy MZ3A There are even plans for bigger airship than ever built before Airshipworld: Aeroscraft And after all there are also Zeppelins flying again commercially very successful Airshipworld: zeppelin Soon even in San Francisco and the rest of the US Airshipworld: airshipventures So in my eyes yes the Zeppelins and Airships will get the revival they deserve. Regards Andreas Grunewald -- -------------------------------------------------------- Visit the Airshipworld Blog at Airshipworld --------------------------------------------------------

08-02-2007, 19:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
ArmchairGeneral Devil's Advocate *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: The boonies of NC, USA. Posts: 2,256 Country:	I love Zeppelins and airships in general. I think they have a lot of potential for future transportation. Don't know if it will work out, but I hope it will, 'cause they're just cool. __________________ "Apocalyptic thought is curiously pleasurable." -Theodore Dalrymple

08-03-2007, 04:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
glyn *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-15-06 Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK Posts: 5,875	Sorry to be a party-pooper but I don't think they have much of a future for cargo carrying. There will continue to be a niche market for pleasure trips or for TV coverage of special events. They need vast hangars, and an uneconomic workforce. Winds affect them horribly. Few airships can exceed 60 mph (and then only for short periods). Their inherent limitations will be immediately apparent to any operator. __________________ Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

08-03-2007, 13:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mowers New Member Join Date: 07-27-07 Location: Oman/ London Posts: 17	A German company tried to invest a load of money in a serious zepplin-like effort about 6 years ago. They got a lot of media coverage and then disappeared off the radar, I can only assume they went horribly bust __________________ Setting the UK and Global Defence Procurement Agenda www. defencedebate.wordpress.com

08-02-2007, 20:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
dalem Lord High Hullabalooster *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-23-04 Location: Columbia Heights, MN Posts: 7,734 Country:	I agree. Very cool. I hope they can become economically viable, maybe for medium hops. -dale

08-03-2007, 20:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,027 Country:	They make excellent skyhooks for when you're looking to lift logs out of inaccessable places __________________ In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

08-03-2007, 20:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,027 Country:	And I'd rather spend a week travelling in one of those across the Pacific than 12 hours in a jet, as long as it had sleeping compartments and a lounge.

08-05-2007, 01:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
braindead Lost in Translation *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-30-06 Location: estonia Posts: 1,131 Country:	Well , Entropy , you were looking for a field to specialise - voila ! Zeppelin engineering __________________ ....

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