The Goodyear Blimp
Discussion
I was a little surprised today to briefly catch a glimpse of a Goodyear blimp flying over a valley near where I live. Just to make sure I wasn't imagining things I looked it up and it turns out that it was doing a bit of a tour today - www.goodyearblimp.co.uk/uk/
Has anyone else spotted it today?
Has anyone else spotted it today?
(Puts on airship nerd anorak, grows beard, adopts nasal voice...)
Just been looking at the Goodyear website linked to above... On the "View Photos" page, the images show that this is actually a Goodyear-liveried American Blimp Corp. Lightship (an A60+, I would hazard), not a "real" Goodyear GZ20. As far as I know, there are only handful of GZ20s, which are used in the US only. There was one in Europe years ago, but no longer, I believe. Goodyear haven't really built ships in any significant way for quite a while.
Nerd-ery aside, it is still fun to see one flying, and there really aren't many in operation worldwide at present. I think all the ex-Airship Industries (Cardington based lot) Skyship 500 and 600 ships are non-operational now, and as far as I know, only one is inflated. ABC have cut back a lot, Aeros maybe have one or two, and Goodyear only have a handful. May or may not be a few RoSaero ones in Russia, but it is always hard to tell what is going on there... Which leaves Zeppelin, who have two complete, flying NTs as far as I know.
Lots of interesting projects around, but not much flying. So it goes.
(Excuse the pedantry)
Just been looking at the Goodyear website linked to above... On the "View Photos" page, the images show that this is actually a Goodyear-liveried American Blimp Corp. Lightship (an A60+, I would hazard), not a "real" Goodyear GZ20. As far as I know, there are only handful of GZ20s, which are used in the US only. There was one in Europe years ago, but no longer, I believe. Goodyear haven't really built ships in any significant way for quite a while.
Nerd-ery aside, it is still fun to see one flying, and there really aren't many in operation worldwide at present. I think all the ex-Airship Industries (Cardington based lot) Skyship 500 and 600 ships are non-operational now, and as far as I know, only one is inflated. ABC have cut back a lot, Aeros maybe have one or two, and Goodyear only have a handful. May or may not be a few RoSaero ones in Russia, but it is always hard to tell what is going on there... Which leaves Zeppelin, who have two complete, flying NTs as far as I know.
Lots of interesting projects around, but not much flying. So it goes.
(Excuse the pedantry)
Back in the early 80s, when I was about 5-6 years old, I remember being in the back garden and suddenly hearing this loud noise. I looked up to see a huge blimp appear from over the roof of our house, heading in the direction of Blackpool Airport. It was ridiculously low and appeared huge. I ran in the house to tell my father, wanting to know what it was, but by the time I could get him off his arse it had gone.
As far as I know there is a Zeppelin NT operational in California ("Farmers" insurance sponsored) and at least one if not two operational from Friedrichshafen. Having been on a trip over Bodensee in the NT07 I do not know why there are not more in service as camera platforms, alternatives to Helicopters or even air sea rescue. A fantastic experience and an amazing machine. "They will return....."
I note the Goodyear website does not even mention Zeppelin NT.......
I note the Goodyear website does not even mention Zeppelin NT.......
timbob said:
lost in espace said:
I saw it when I passed Cardington on Sunday "parked".
Yep, it's been parked at Cardington for a couple of weeks now - I pass it every morning on the way to work.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff