Comments on: Crew Areas and Keel

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:02:00 +0000

I agree. That is why my site has numerous links to my good friend and colleague Patrick Russell's wonderful blog: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aairships.net+facesofthehindenburg.com

By: Tom Lowery

Tom Lowery — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:47:55 +0000

Search for the website called Faces of The Hindenburg and will find a wealth of information about it, including a link to THIS site. Seems fitting this site do the same.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:06:58 +0000

You can find complete lists here: Passenger List from the Last Flight Crew List from the Last Flight

By: Stu

Stu — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:22:33 +0000

I heard there’s a larger model in the works based on the same semi-rigid platform.

By: Stu

Stu — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:21:17 +0000

Airships, like fixed wing aircraft are all affected by the weather. However an airship’s critical moments are when it’s close to the ground either in landing or take off maneuvers. That’s when accidents usually happen as is the case too with fixed wing aircraft.

All the past disasters with airships that were directly related to weather were based on the fact that the crew of the airships had no direct or reliable weather data systems aboard besides what was telegraphed to them over the wireless (spotty reception during electrical discurbances) and direct visual observation (usually too late then). We now have doppler radar that is accessible through a nationwide net of systems giving instantaneous data to the airship as to the location of winds and turbulence, as well as instant data from the many, many more ground weather stations that are in place now as opposed to 80 years ago.

The ability to foresee weather is 9/10ths of the battle in avoiding it, and creating seamless contingencies. And with a airship that has a phenominally low fuel consumption rate, the only issue with a delay in landing due to weather is if the champagne and beer run out before the fuel does.

By: Stu

Stu — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:12:49 +0000

They ate very well aboard both the Hindenburg and the Graf Zeppelin which were both run by the same corporation, Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei. The fare was comperable to that of any first rate restaurant or hotel in Germany at the time.

Here’s a sampling from a menu off the Graf Zeppelin on her around the world tour;

On Board
Airship Graf Zeppelin
Tokyo – Los Angeles

Sixth Day – Dinner

Fillet of Anchovies, Pate de foie gras,,(obscured)
Beef Tea
Cold “Kamakura” Ham
Asparagus Tips
Cheese and,,(obscured)

A typical Atlantic crossing on the Hindenburg used up 440 pounds of fresh meat and poultry, 800 eggs, and 220 pounds of butter.

One account from a traveler on the Graf;
“We found ourselves in a pleasant room getting aquainted over a midnight supper of lamb chops and peas, caviar, and white wine. No steamship ever rode more evenly in a calm sea.”

The fare was served on custom-designed flatware ornamented with the Zeppeling corporate logo trimmed with gold, all over a white linen tablecloth with service provided by white jacketed waiters. It was top brow and was the Concorde of the day.

Sources: (my coffee table LTA books)
1. The Giant Airships – Douglas Botting (Time Life Books)
2. The Hindenburg – an illustrated history – Rick Archbold

By: Patrick Russell

Patrick Russell — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:29:06 +0000

One of the two (the one further forward) is definitely a 2500 liter waste water tank. The aft-most one is probably either a ballast water or drinking water tank, but since it was in a cluster with fuel and lubrication oil tanks and that part of the ship was smashed up so badly, there’s no way to tell for sure from the wreckage photos what tank was missing from that area of the ship.

By: peter petraccoro

peter petraccoro — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 03:23:46 +0000

where are the names of the deceased at ground zero at lakehurst? i have been at the site and there is no mention of anyone that perished. what happened to the mooring mast and the wreckage? this site is a memorial?
peter petraccoro

By: Carl Seitz STS 3 SS

Carl Seitz STS 3 SS — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:45:50 +0000

On photos #19 and #20 which show the first and second shots of the explosion, two cylindrical/tank shaped objects are seen falling from the Airship. I think I read somewhere that these were the water ballast tanks, is this in fact what they are? This submarine sailor is very curious too know the correct answer.

By: Gavin

Gavin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:07:56 +0000

I have always wondered, what kind of food was served during the flights? Is there a website or book with some of the menu listing for the Graf Zeppelin or the Hindenburg?