Airship Collection (#36)

Albert Tissandier (left), Gaston Tissandier (right), And An Unidentified Man In The Basket Of Their Airship Demonstrating An Electric Navigational System Featuring A Propeller By P. Ferat, E.a

Nulli Secundus (Dirigible No. 2), First British military steerable balloon, built at British Army Balloon Factory, 1905. Made spectacular voyage over London 1907

Remains of zepplin L-31

Debris of Zeppelin L-32

Wreck of Zeppelin L-20

Zeppelin came to coast

Spoils of vanquished soldiers roll

Airship down in flames over city

Giffards airship, 19th century
Giffards airship. 19th-century artwork of the airship invented by French engineer and aeronaut Henri Giffard (1825-1882). Giffard developed his airship in 1852

Conquest of the North Pole, artwork C018 / 7067
Conquest of the North Pole. 1883 engraving commemorating the conquest of the North Pole

Cooley Airship, Rochester, 1910 C014 / 2043
Cooley Airship. This large aircraft, designed to carry passengers, was built to designs drawn up by John F. Cooley of Rochester, New York, USA

Airship USS Shenandoah, 1920s
Airship USS Shenandoah. This US Navy rigid airship was built from 1922 to 1923, and operated until it crashed in 1925. Here, a parachute jump is taking place, with the parachutist at centre right

Zeppelin raids, World War I poster. Zeppelins, a German design of airship that flew commercially from 1910, were used mainly for reconnaissance during the First World War, but also for bombing raids

USS Shenandoah airship and tender, 1924 C017 / 7838
USS Shenandoah airship moored to its tender the newly-converted USS Patoka during tests in 1924. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship used by the US Navy

Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906 C017 / 7834
Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906. Commissioned by US journalist and explorer Walter Wellman (1858-1934), and built in France for his expedition to reach the North Pole

Muzzis Retirremiga airship, 1880s
Muzzis Retirremiga airship. 19th-century artwork of the ascent of the Retirremiga airship designed by Italian aeronaut Muzio Muzzi in the 1880s. A patent on this design was granted in 1884

Bijou airship design, 18th century C016 / 4488
Bijou airship design. 18th-century drawing and design (with French text) for an airship, proposed by a French inventor Stoupy Bijou. The proposal is titled Le veritable navigateur aerien

US Navy C-5 airship, 1918-19 C016 / 4324
US Navy C-5 airship. This hydrogen airship was operated by the US Navy between 1918 and May 1919. It was one of ten C-class blimps built by Goodyear and Goodrich

USS Shenandoah, 1920s C016 / 4325
USS Shenandoah at her mooring mast in Tacoma, Washington State, USA. This US Navy rigid airship was built from 1922 to 1923, and operated until it crashed in 1925

Airship over Manhattan, New York, US C016 / 2790
Airship over Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, in 1933. This is the USS Macon (ZRS-5), a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship USS Akron C016 / 2789
Airship USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship hull interior C016 / 2788
Airship hull interior. Interior of the hull of the USS Akron (ZRS-4) prior to gas cell installation. The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin

Airship bow mooring post C016 / 2787
Airship bow mooring post

Airship control car C016 / 2785
Airship control car. Pilot at the wheel in the control car of the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship navigation room C016 / 2786
Airship navigation room. Navigator plotting a route on a map in the navigation room of the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin

Airship emergency control station C016 / 2784
Airship emergency control station. Pilots in the emergency control station of the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin

Airship construction C016 / 2778
Airship construction. Nose of the USS Akron (ZRS-4) being attached. The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship side corridor C016 / 2782
Airship side corridor. Airmen on the side corridor of the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship inspection C016 / 2783
Airship inspection. Head-Chief Inspector of Structures walking through the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship construction C016 / 2779
Airship construction. First main frame of USS Akron (ZRS-4) being pulled into place. The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Airship propeller C016 / 2781
Airship propeller. Close-up of a propeller on the USS Akron (ZRS-4). The USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship built in the USA by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation

Oskar Erbsloh, German aviation pioneer C016 / 2533
Oskar Erbsloh (1879-1910), German aviation pioneer, preparing for a balloon ascent. Erbsloh began ballooning at the age of 25, qualifying as a balloon pilot in 1905

Early balloon designs, artwork C013 / 7577
Early balloon designs. Artwork showing several early balloon designs. The earliest design (top left) is by Francesco Lana de Terzi (1631-1687)

View of WW1 fleet from an airship

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"Defenders of the Empire: Aerial Pioneers and Majestic Airships" In the early 20th century, the British Army, Navy, and Airforce united as defenders of the empire. Among their arsenal were majestic airships that soared through the skies with grace and power. The Airship Guarantee Co. 's R-100 stood tall as a symbol of engineering marvel, while the imposing Airship R101 G-FaW moored outside hangars showcased Britain's prowess in aviation. Step back in time to witness these magnificent vessels in action. Picture yourself aboard the Galley, witnessing breathtaking views from above like those on Zeppelin LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin did in 1933. Marvel at the sight R32 parked elegantly on land or gaze upon R101 airship majestically resting on its mooring mast. Not limited to British shores alone, these airborne wonders ventured across continents. From Akron, Ohio in USA came warm greetings as they welcomed visitors to witness their own aerial achievements. Witness Graf Zeppelin airship gracefully soaring through clouds during its flight or Santos-Dumont airship No6 bidding farewell to Aero Club of Saint? with dreams reaching new heights. However, not all encounters were peaceful; history reminds us of World War I when zeppelins illuminated by searchlights hovered ominously over UK skies. These haunting images serve as a reminder of both fear and resilience during wartime. Let us not forget other remarkable creations such as Airship R9 or even an extraordinary creation built for US Navy at Cardington - none less than Airship R38. Each one contributing to humanity's quest for exploration and innovation. These captivating glimpses into our past remind us that once upon a time, giant airships ruled our skies – symbols of human ingenuity defying gravity itself.