A Merry Zeppelin Christmas to All

I found this photograph in the Zeppelin Archive last week and thought it would make a perfect Christmas greeting.

Christmas tree on mooring post of LZ-129 Hindenburg

Christmas tree on mooring post of LZ-129 Hindenburg during construction. (©Archiv der Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, Friedrichshafen)

I have been planning to do a lengthy post about my trip to Friedrichshafen but have just not had the time.  I had a wonderful week in Germany, mainly because of the people I was with.  The week started with a visit to Zeppelin pilot Hans-Paul Ströhle who very kindly gave me a tour of the Zeppelin facilities and the ships that are in the hangar for winter maintenance.  I then spent several days with Cheryl Ganz, who is always a delight to be with, and received a warm welcome at the Zeppelin Archiv from Barbara Waibel and her staff.  (Thanks Barbara and Tobias!)  Barbara also gave Cheryl and me a tour of the new exhibits at the Zeppelin Museum which was much appreciated.  Manfred and Helga Bauer welcomed us into their home and were warm and gracious, and I felt privileged to be shown some fascinating and personal items from Manfred’s father, Zeppelin Captain Heinrich Bauer.   I spent an afternoon with Andreas Horn and his beautiful wife, and in addition to enjoying their company it is always a pleasure spending time with someone who knows much more than I do (by far) about airship structures and engineering; I may know the rings and girders but Andreas knows the rivets.  Andreas taught me a lot and frequently even corrected me, which was much appreciated.  And I got to spend time with my friend Dieter Leder who gave me a copy of his new definitive book about Hindenburg crash mail, which I devoured on my flight home.  (And my thanks to Dieter for teaching me my new favorite word: Maultaschen.)  

All in all it was a wonderful time in a beautiful town with some warm and wonderful people. And I returned with much work to do (analyzing the flight logs and other items I copied); expect to see some new research on LZ-130, for example, in the coming months.

I will try to post additional details and photographs when I have the time, but for now let me just wish everyone a joyous, peaceful, and healthy Christmas and New Year.

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Hendrick StoopsR. NoliusKaren GarvinNeil HemstadScott Fowler Recent comment authors
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R. Nolius
R. Nolius

I was born and grew up in Leipzig, now live in Canada. I remember standing on our balcony watching the Graf Zeppeling fly by. It came very low, almost noiseless by, only like a rush of air could be heard like an airballoon would make. I must have about 7… Read more »

Karen Garvin

Very nice photograph! It gives me a very good idea of the size of the ship.

Neil Hemstad
Neil Hemstad

Hopfully you saw some pictures of the dismantling of the Graf Zeppelin 2. Did you find out what happened to the control car of it? I saw a picture of it sitting on its side at frankfort? I am curious as well as to the plans for the LZ131 and… Read more »

Hendrick Stoops

There’s also a photo of what’s left of the nose lying on the hangar floor… The LZ131 would have been the same diameter as the Hindenburg-Class with one extra 16.5 [gas] bay and a bay lengthened from 16 to 16.5. The passenger area would have been similar to the Graf… Read more »

Scott Fowler
Scott Fowler

I look forward to more on LZ-130

Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson

On behalf of Zeppelin buffs everywhere, I wish you a happy Christmas and productive New Year! I (and many others, I’m sure) look forward to your research on the LZ-130, that magnificent craft that was grounded by history. You’ll be filling a baffling gap in the aeronautic record; I’m forever… Read more »