An airship is called an aircraft, which consists of a rudder, a screw engine and a balloon. Thanks to such a device, a balloon is able to randomly move in airspace regardless of gusts and wind direction.
Long lead
For a very long time, the largest zeppelin in the world was considered the Hindenburg (190,000 m 3 ). They called the largest airship in the world in memory of the German Reich President Paul von Hindenburg.
Its construction began in May 1931. And already in early March 1936 the ship made its first flight. By the time the construction was completed, it was the largest apparatus capable of moving through the air. Its length was 245 m, the diameter in the widest part - 41.2 meters.
The airship had four Daimler-Benz LOF-6 engines with an operational capacity of 900 liters. s., the maximum was 1,200 liters. from.
The Hindenburg is a tough airship filled with flammable hydrogen. The fuel necessary for the operation of the engines (about 60 tons) was poured into tanks (2,500 liters each). The airship could lift 50 people into the air and about 100 tons of cargo. The maximum speed of the Hindenburg was 135 km / h.
The commercial use of the airship is considered March 31, 1936. 37 passengers, more than 60 kg of mail and 1,200 tons of cargo left for South America.
To increase the carrying capacity, the airship had showers (instead of bathtubs) and almost everything was made of aluminum, even a piano.
By the beginning of 1937, the Hindenburg salon was modernized and began to accommodate 72 passengers.
The last flight began on May 3, 1937. On May 6, ending the transatlantic flight and landing, the world's largest airship crashed. For an unknown reason, a fire ignited, and the aircraft broke out. As a result of the disaster, 35 people died (there were 97 passengers and crew members of the Hindenburg and one worker of the US Naval aeronautics base on board). The resonance was very large, although the number of victims is considered very small for a plane crash.
Today, there are two versions of what happened. The first, official, claims that the Hindenburg caught fire due to problems in the wiring. The fire provoked a thunderstorm front, from which the zeppelin tried to escape.
The second, unofficial, put forward by an American historian, states that an explosive device detonated on one of the gas cylinders.
The most famous for its size airship aircraft carrier
A Zeppelin named Acron (184,000 m 3 ) was designed to accommodate five fighter aircraft. It was invented in America in 1929. His air chambers were filled with helium.
"Count Zeppelin"
The Earl Zeppelin, which is also considered the most successful engineering project, also claims to be the "largest airship in the world." He made more than 140 flights in almost 19 years. Flights, both cargo and passengers, were carried out across the Atlantic. And in 1929, "Count Zeppelin" made a trip around the world.
It was invented in Germany in 1928. It was filled with helium.
The largest radio antenna
The largest airships in the world are not only passenger or military vehicles. The softest largest zeppelin in the world is also known - ZPG-3W (23,648 m 3 ), which was intended for radar measurements. The entire antenna cavity was occupied by a radio antenna. Invented it in 1950 in America. Filling - helium.
From 1958 to 1961, airships of this type made flights lasting up to 200 hours. They withstood snowfall, fog and gusts of wind up to 30 m / s.
New technologies in the sky
On August 17 of this year, the airship again appeared in the sky of Great Britain. Today it is the world's largest airship. Airlander 10 is the brainchild of new technologies. It combines the elements of an airplane, airship and helicopter.
Its main ability, experts say, is a two-week unmanned flight. The airship is filled with helium. He is capable of flying with a crew on board for five days without landing, carrying about 10 tons of various cargoes. The estimated speed of the Airlander 10 is about 150 km / h.
True, on the second test flight, the airship buried its nose in the ground. No harm done. The developers claim that these are trifles. After fixing bugs and new tests, the largest airship in the world (photo below) plan to launch in a series.
The idea becomes relevant again
The Hindenburg still bears the title of "largest airship in the world." All balloons released later were significantly smaller.
The size of the aeronautical ships was dictated by the need to transport a large amount of cargo to people. Moreover, passengers dreamed to make a flight with maximum comfort.
Therefore, cabins, amusement lounges, and cozy restaurants were equipped with airships. In principle, everything is like on an expensive cruise ship, only by air and much faster.
Perhaps that is why the idea of creating a huge comfortable airship is constantly in the air. Designers believe that, in addition to speed and comfort, the carrying capacity of such vehicles plays an important role.
One of the interesting ideas proposed by the British student Mack Byers. He developed the concept of a particularly large luxury zeppelin and believes that by 2030 the idea can be implemented. The ship will be called Aether.
Its design length is 250 m, so it will be the largest airship in the world. The interior design is impressive. The huge two-story hall is made in the style of "open space". From it you can go to a spacious restaurant, all the tables of which are located near the huge windows. Individual cabins are large and comfortable, double beds, and bathrooms are equipped with modern fixtures. Many people think that Aether looks very much like the Hindenburg ...