Comments on: USS Los Angeles ZR-3

By: Sheldon Wolpin

Sheldon Wolpin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:01:27 +0000

The Lakewood, NJ, Historical Society has a photograph of the crew (including Dr. Eckner) of the Los Angeles, together with members of the Lakewood, NJ, Rotary Club, standing on the steps of the Hotel Embassy in Lakewood, NJ. The crew were guests of the Lakewood Rotary Club. I am seeking any information, or references which I can research, regarding this event…….particularly the date.

Thank you for any information and/or suggestions.

By: Stan McNabb

Stan McNabb — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:06:38 +0000

While I was checking some old not-mailed nor written on postcards, I found that I have the exact same postcard of the L. A. as displayed second up from the USS Los Angeles statistics…signed by the photographer (Rell Clements, Jr. copyright 1928–Photo #4). It appears that the photo in the above picture is #3. Also, I have four postcards (not written on or mailed) of the Graf Zeppelin…a. taking off from the mat, b. on the deck by hanger, c. shot of the tail section taken from inside the hanger while the L. A. is several feet out of the hanger, and d. a picture of the kitchen. The kitchen picture has a copyrighted signature by H. Metz. Anybody know what these postcards might be worth?
Stan McNabb
former PAC, ZPG-2 at ZP-3, NAS Lakehurst 1958-61

By: Richard Salmon

Richard Salmon — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:19:01 +0000

As a child, in Longview, Texas, I saw a large airship fly west toward Shreveport/ Bossier City; therefore toward Barksdale Airbase. Did anyone else see this ? What was it’s destination ? What ship was it ? The date ?

By: Hendrick Stoops

Hendrick Stoops — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:04:28 +0000

The blimp J-4 did briefly dock with the ESB and exchanged mail with the tower, however, updrafts made the maneuver difficult at best and if my memory serves me right, it ended up with the mayor of New York City hanging over the edge of the tallest building in the world to grab the package.

By: Mark Elrod

Mark Elrod — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:49:46 +0000

Wow! Small world. Is this the same Pat McKenrick i know from fairfax ohio, the american legion, the eagles, the arena, and the bramble patch. I’m sure you remember me i’m randys son in law married to betty. If so I look forward to seeing some more photos and hearing some stories. See you soon Pat.

By: James E. Owens

James E. Owens — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:11:11 +0000

My dad worked at Lakehurst until 1934 and I remember being in the hanger on payday when the men lined up to be payed. My brother and I often got a penny from the paymaster at the time. I still have a photo of the los Angeles just outside the hanger with a mechanic looking out a port on an engine pod. It was odd to havehim working on one of the great technical marvels of the age and living in a house with no electricity or indoor plumbing in Lakehurst. Unfortunately, I left just after starting 1st grade.

By: Larry Doyle

Larry Doyle — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:08:57 +0000

I have a childhood memory, perhaps a fantasy, in which I saw a dirigible moored to the mast of the Empire State Building. In that I was born in 1934 the time of this event could not have been before 1939. Is it possible that my memory is correct? What airship could it have been?

By: Stu

Stu — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:04:50 +0000

Dan;

I wondered why the Navy left the passenger “Pulman” type of accommodations in the main gondola as is. Was it for the comfort of the crew, or to impress VIP’s as a early version of getting PAC funds from politicians for the LTA program. After all, this was during the Great Depression and I imagine defense spending was seriously curtailed in those times.

By: Stu

Stu — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:02:19 +0000

The Los Angeles was built near the time of the Graf (shortly before I think) and was a “go-between” the Bodensee and the Graf. Interestingly enough, the Graf employed a dual fuel system where the Los Angeles, as well as the Hindenburg both employed a single fuel system.

By: Grant

Grant — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:32:34 +0000

I am in the final stages of completing a textbook on Airship Design that will be published by the AIAA in spring 2012. I have been looking for a picture of the internal arrangement of a typical rigid airship. If you have something I could see that would be great. If the picture is good enough I would consider putting it in the book if you gave me permission.

Thanks

Grant