Historic Airship Flights

Vintage images of airships in flight, showcasing early aviation history with notable designs in black and white, highlighting their majestic presence in the sky.

Photograph of the first airship (R34) to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Dated 20th Century

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Delta in the air.

Akron (Ohio, United States), 04/21/1933. The USS Macon leaves the dock on one of its first flights.

Astra Torres, Airship

Photograph of the first airship (R34) to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Dated 20th Century

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Beta docking with a portable mooring post. Image slightly over exposed.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Beta II landing.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Gamma, in flight.

Blimp, Zeppelin No. 3, on ground

Zeppelin LZ 5 at Goeppingen, Germany, 1909 (1933). Artist: Unknown

The military airship 1-Bis taking off, 1910, photo by Benigni, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXVII, No 30, July 24, 1910.

The German dirigible Hindenburg, the world's largest airship, which burst into flames as it approached its mooring mast in New York in 1938. June 22, 1936. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The naval airship Willow C on the ground in front of the airship sheds.

A Giant Visitor -- From Out Of The Clouds: Greeted by the wild cheers of enthusiastic spectators and the whir of airplane propellers, the stately R-100, Newest dirigible king of the Atlantic, Gracefully points its nose toward the new $1,000,000 Mooring-Mast especially constructed in her new world. This view, taken from the ground, shows the giant visitor just before actual contact with the mast had been established by means of the land and aerial cables which had been hocked together. January 8,

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Gamma on the ground with a group of handlers the partially built airship shed can be seen in the background.

Airship Italia being pulled from the hangar, Stolp, Poland, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year LV, No 18, April 29, 1928.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The naval airship Beta II in flight close to the ground, it is possibly coming in to land. A number of army handlers are in position beneath the airship.

The Graf Zeppelin and LZ 129, Hindenburg 1936

The P4 and P5 airships, departing from Campalto and Verona, meeting in Ferrara to salute the M2 airship, Italy, Italian air force maneuvers, photograph by A Vitale, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XL, No 37, September 14, 1913.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Gamma on the ground. Again the tail arrangement is different on the gondola, there is also no upper tail fin on the envelope. An army bell tent has been set up in front of the airship.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The airship Astra Torres in flight over the grounds in front of the Royal Aircraft Factory. Large numbers of army and navy handlers can be seen in the distance.

The caption for this photo that dates to between 1914 and 1917 (time of the First World War) reads: English dirigible balloon at manoeuvres.

Zeppelin Victoria Luise flying over the Sachsen, which is at rest on the ground.

British Airships Pre-1914 HM airship Gamma leaving its hanger,

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Nulli Secundus I about to depart on its maiden voyage the photograph was taken from inside the airship shed. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope and kept the latter rigid. The construction of the frame from hickory, spruce and bamboo followed similar lines to the methods used for his kites and gliders. It was in this airship that Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot made their record breaking flight from Farnborough to London. The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. It finished at the cycle stadium next to Crystal Palace. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing him as instructor. After this their relationship soured, due partly to Capper's bias toward

Airship "Bournemouth" Has Modern Flight - The Bournemouth ascending as she had her ***** flight at Cardington this evening.Watched by thousands of people, Britain's only airship, the Bournemouth, made her raiden flight ***** Air Force Station, Cardington, Bedfordshire, this evening *****. There was a crew of ***** including the commander, Captain John Heckford-Hall, a former Airship pilot. July 19, 1951. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Clement-Bayard dirigible France

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Lebaudy airship in flight.

Electric aerostat with propeller by Gaston Tissandier (1843-1899) and Albert Tissandier (1839-1906), tested on October 18, 1883, ink drawing, France, 19th century.

Aircraft and Balloons Used by Some of the Air Pioneers Who Were Contemporary With Samuel Franklin Cody. An inflated observation balloon on the ground next to the horses and cart required to transport them.

Goodyear dirigible

Alberto Santos-Dumont flying his airship number 10, 1903. Artist: Unknown

Aircraft and Balloons Used by Some of the Air Pioneers Who Were Contemporary With Samuel Franklin Cody. An observation balloon basket in flight. One soldier is stood in the basket whilst another is reclining on the rigging of the balloon and the ring that holds the rigging.

Chalais Mendon Class French Airship going to sea to meet convoy of transports, Brest Finistere, 29 October 1918.

Launched At Last -- The R 101, the largest airship in the world, was successfully launched at Cardington, where she was constructed for the Air Ministry. She is seen floating in the breeze from her mooring tower. February 18, 1949.

The final flight of R 101, she crashed the next day. 4th October 1930

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Nulli Secundus II just leaving the airship shed with its handlers. A good number of civilians is also watching. This was an enlarged version of the original Nulli Secundus and used the same Antoinette Engine. The airship was only operated for around two months before being scrapped.

General Nobile, the Italian explorer, who is to attempt to reach the North Pole from Milan in the airship "Italia", has fixed his departure for Friday, April 13th. The Airship "Italia" in flight. May 07, 1947. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

12/31/1928. Count Zeppelin over Barcelona, in front the palace of textile art and the Plaza de las Fuentes Maravillas.

Balloon climb.

407D R.100 - English Dirigible - Aviation. January 1, 1949. (Photo by Central Press). ;407D R.100 - English Dirigible - Aviation.

After an accident, the airship has to make a forced landing at Pollcards, in the commune of Jussy-le-Chaudrier (Cher) Date: 3 September 1909

Baldwin's dirigible

Otto Lilienthal gliding in 1895. He was the first to make well-documented, repeated, and successful flights with unpowered gliders. He died after a glider crash in August 1896. The Wright brothers credited him as a major inspiration to their early glider flights at Kitty Hawk (BSLOC_2018_2_135)

Balloon.

'The R101', 1930, (1938). Artist: Unknown.

'An Airship Escorting a Convoy', (1919). Creator: Unknown.

'Dragon' barrage balloon, c1898, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

Zeppelin LZ 127 'Graf Zeppelin' landing at Friedrichshafen, Germany, 1933. Artist: Unknown

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An observation balloon almost completely inflated, several soldiers are stood round the basket holding on to it. The cart containing the gas canisters can be clearly seen. Note the netting round the balloon that helps hold the basket to it.

1920s 1930s AUGUST 1929 GRAF ZEPPELIN PASSENGER AIRSHIP AT MINES FIELD LOS ANGELES CA USA

R101 and cows Description: British R101 airship at mooring tower. The vessel was 237 metres long. Date: c.1929 sepia, cattle, cows, aircraft, aviation, transport, airship, dirigible, lighterthanair, r101, mooringmast, royalairshipworks, gfaaw

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An army observation balloon being raised or lowered.

Engraving depicting a Riecter's flying machine powered by 2 men on cycles. Dated 19th century

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Airship Beta flying over the airship sheds.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Nulli Secundus II almost emerged from the airship shed. This was an enlarged version of the original Nulli Secundus and used the same Antoinette Engine. The airship was only operated for around two months before being scrapped.

German airship HINDENBURG moored at Lakehurst New Jersey. Ca. 1933-1937 15-1418M

"Image of Goodrich Tire and Rubber Co. Flying Field in Akron, Ohio. Two dirigibles and balloons positioned for flights. Photograph taken by RECHO on August 1, 1918. Description number AU refers to Goodrich Tire and Rubber Co. Flying Field. This image was issued with the note '053421 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY'."

12/31/1909. Delagrange's airplane, the Manned Monoplane "Antoinette" in which Delagrange died at the Croix D'Hins airfield.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Army airship Gamma close to the ground with a large crowd running towards it.

Anefo photo collection. Evening balloon competition T.G.V. Lustrum in Leiden. June 18, 1960. Leiden, South Holland

Engraving depicting the Zeppelin airship, on Lake Constance, named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917) a German general and later aircraft manufacturer. Dated 20th Century

11/30/1923. Detroit (United States) an Extraordinary Record. Aviator Dewey, who has improved the Parachute Launch Record, jumped from 7000 meters high and took eighteen minutes to reach the ground.

Twin engine Dirigible C-1, No. 3509 captured in flight from the port side. The photograph bears the description "TAKES ISSUED M NUMBER AU TWIN ENGINE DIRIGIBLE C-1 N.O. 3509." Notes indicate that the image is for official use only, and it was taken on 17th January 1919 by photographer 113-B.

06/30/1910. At the Reims aviation rally. Kite Train in which Captain Maconey made a brilliant ascent.

The military airship Patrie, departing from Chalais-Meudon on a non-stop flight to Verdun, November 23, 1907, France, photograph from L'Illustration, No 3379, November 30, 1907.

Dirigible Shenandoah Leaves On Cross Country Flight -- Above is shown the Navy Dirigible Shenandoah, as she left her mooring mast here for the flight across the country to the Pacific coast . The Dirigible left the field here in Ideal weather, and radio reports from along the route indicate perfect flying weather thus far. The ship is to make a seventeen day flight to the western coast and return. The Shenandoah was pointed toward Washington shortly after taking to the air; thence she will proceed to Atlanta, Ga,, Birmlngham, Ala., across Louisiana to fort worth,Texas and thence to California. July 10, 1924. (Photo by International Newsreel).

The departure of Albert and Gaston Tissandier electric dirigible balloon, October 8, 1883, Neuilly-Auteuil- Passy, Paris, France, illustration form a picture by Berthaud, from the magazine L'Illustration, Journal Universel, year 41, volume LXXXII, no 2121, October 20, 1883.

The Hindenburg, flying low in salute of the Nazi hosts of the Nuremberg Congress. Shortly afterward it departed for the United States. October 20, 1936.

Buenos Aires (Argentina), 02/10/1926. The "Plus Ultra", flying over Buenos Aires, upon arrival in the Argentine capital from its last stop in Montevideo.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Gamma, in flight.

Giant balloon 'Le Géant' van Nadar is released in Amsterdam, September 14, 1865, Pieter Oosterhuis (attributed to), 1865 stereograph Amsterdam cardboard. paper albumen print balloon (aviation) Amsterdam

Engraving depicting Charles Renard and A. C. Krebs in the electric powered air-ship 'La France' flying between Calais to Meudon and Villacoublay, in 23 minutes 9th August 1884. Dated 19th Century

Collection 558 pH. C. Visser. Dutch ambulance in Sint-Petersburg. An air sealing balloon. 1916. Russia (until 1917)

Flight Under Rotating Wings -- The first hafner gyroplane (Pobjoy Niagara 90 h.p. engine) demonstrating nearly vertical take-off. Two new cabin models of this remarkable aircraft are in design; they should be able to fly slowly on their headlights like an automobile at night or in fog and to cruise at 120 m.p.h. September 23, 1937.

Ascent of Prof. Low's balloon from the corner of 6th Avenue and 59th Street. Created by E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm), circa 1850-1930, New York, New York. The photograph is an albumen print. It depicts the balloon rising into the sky, with a view of the surrounding area, including elements of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline

The 'Hindenburg', moments after catching fire, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 6 May 1937. Artist: Unknown

USS Los Angeles, ZR3, entering hangar first time, Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, NJ, 1924

Photo of the Hindenburg entering the airship hangar at Santa Cruz, Rio De Janiero, Brazil, following its first transatlantic crossing in April of 1936. Note the temporary tail fin repair after the fin was damaged during a propaganda flight in Germany on March 26, 1936.

Aerostat. Engraving in "The Illustration", 1887.

Engraving depicting the Zeppelin airship, on Lake Constance, named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917) a German general and later aircraft manufacturer. Dated 20th Century

Airship *Norge* over Ice Pack Nome AK WE Spring Historical

The Third Gordon Bennett Balloon Race, 1908 photograph On the ground two half -blown balloons, in the air a balloon that is ready for taking off. In the foreground a few dozen people Schmargendorf baryta paper gelatin silver print balloon (aviation). (flying a) gas balloon. balloon flight (sport) Schmargendorf

Attempt On Balloon Altitude Record: Josef Emmer waving from the Gondola of the balloon just after the take-off.Josef Emmer, of Vienna, Made an attempt on the altitude record for hot air balloons here today with his huge "Marek-Emmer II. He was assisted by Bruno Marek who did not, however, also make the ascent. September 27, 1937. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Anefo photo collection. Ballonvaars above The Hague, on the right the BOOLON by Mr Boesman. October 20, 1962. The Hague, South Holland

Aeroslide. 1900-10.

Aerial view: The airship Italia flies over Stockholm on May 3, 1928 on the road to Spetsbergen.

Johannisthal Air Disaster: Zeppelin L' airship is destroyed by an explosion caused by escaped hydrogen being sucked into an engine compartment during a test flight on 17 October 1913; the entire crew was killed.

Anefo photo collection. Image of "St. Elisabeth and the Rozenwonder" (from Mari Andriessen) is placed by helicopter at Nieuw St. Elisabeth Gasthuis in Haarlem /. December 7, 1971. Haarlem

Aerial equipment on the Imperial Airways liner Hengist, c1936 (c1937). Artist: Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co Ltd.

Hamilton flying

Gaston Tissandier (1843-1899). French aeronaut and science communicator. Albert-Charles Tissandier (1839-1906). French architect, aeronaut, publisher and archaeologist. In 1881, the Tissandier brothers made the world's first electric-powered flight at an electricity exhibition by fitting an electric Siemens motor to an airship. After their first flight experiments, they built a large-scale model which they exhibited, for which Albert drew up the plans. The first airship powered by an electric motor took place on 8 October 1883, at Auteuil, a suburb of Paris (France). A second successful attempt was made in Paris on 26 September 1884. Tissandier electric airship. Gondola and engine. Albert (on the left), Gaston (on the right), plus an unidentified man. Engraving by Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). The Spanish and American Illustration (La Ilustración Española y Americana). October 15, 1884. Author: Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). Spanish painter and engraver.

Zeppelin III in flight

Anefo photo collection. Mn Merchant Navy / Anefo London series. Caption: "On Board Dutch Coaster" aboard Dutch coastener. Anti-light balloon. December 1942. Britain

Balloon ascension by Geo. E. Greenleaf of 49 Union Street, Boston, Mass., July 4th, 1890, at 5 P.M., Lawrence, Mass. , Balloons Aircraft, Greenleaf, Geo. E. George E.

Aerostat "Le Comte d'Artois" built by Alban and Valle at Javelle, France, 1785. Engraving.

Aerial view of the city of Washington, United States, while the American airship Akron flies over, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, year LVIII, n 48 November 29 1931.

U.S. Army Blimp over Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, USA, Harris & Ewing, February 1930

Launch of USS Atule at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Original caption: Launching of USS Atule at Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. March 6, 1944.. 1944-03-06T00:00:00.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody glider kite being held by five men. The relative lightness in weight of the glider is demonstrated by the fact that just five men are able to hold it up. This glider was an important step forward in Cody's eventual progression to building his first aeroplane. He and his sons Vivian and Leon flew the glider Successfully many times however in September of 1905 Vivian was involved in a serious accident with the glider plunging sideways to the ground from around fifty feet. Vivian was in hospital for nearly three months and another six months recuperating at home. After this Cody concentrated on powered flight with the design of his aircraft more resembling his kites than his glider.

March 1910. Automobile exhibition in Berlin. General view of the Facilities at the Canoe, Airplane and Carriage Automobile Exhibition currently being held.

of 2