In 1925 Santa Claus traded-in his sleigh for an upgrade to the Goodyear blimp Pilgrim and he has been floating rather than sleighing ever since.
Santa Claus with the first Goodyear Blimp, Pilgrim. Pilot Carl Wollam holds the gondola door for Santa, portrayed by fellow Goodyear pilot Jack Yolton. (Photo NASM 7A45388h)
Santa Claus in the Goodyear Blimp “Pilgrim” (photo: Goodyear)
Pilgrim was the first advertising blimp operated by Goodyear and it was loaned to the old man of the North Pole to serve as the Santa Claus Express beginning in 1925.
The first Goodyear Blimp “Pilgrim” as the Santa Claus Express
The tradition of the Santa Claus Express has continued to the present day and now supports the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
This year Santa received his latest sleigh upgrade, to Goodyear’s newest airship: a Zeppelin NT named Wingfoot One.
Santa Claus in Goodyear’s newest airship, the Zeppelin NT “Wingfoot One” (photo: Goodyear)
Santa Claus in Goodyear’s newest airship, the Zeppelin NT “Wingfoot One” (photo: Goodyear)
After reading the Air Ministry’s A.P. 2512 Sleigh MKI & MKII Pilot’s Notes, I can see why Santa traded the reindeer and sleigh for a blimp:
http://www.avialogs.com/en/aircraft/santa-claus/a-p-2502-sleigh-mki-mkii-pilot-s-notes.html
Santa’s switching to a blimp explains a lot. I’ve always wondered three things:
1. Why on Christmas Morning if there is snow on all the roofs I have never seen any reindeer hoof prints on anyone’s roof.
2. Why I have never heard any hoof beats on the roof.
3. Why I have never seen any manure on anyone’s roof.
In my neighborhood, though, Santa shows up in a big red fire truck sirens blaring and throws candy canes at everyone. 🙂
I always love your comments, Dagmara!
Thanks Dan.
Now on a more serious note. About 12 years ago, I was attending a church service on Christmas Eve where the pastor in her (yes it was a female pastor and the service was held in at a Latvian Lutheran Church) sermon made this comment: “Was there really no room for them at the inn. What if everyone had moved over just an inch?”
Now that isn’t asking for much is it.
In that line of thought, there are many people for whom the Holidays are not happy. What if each of us took just a minute out of our crazy, busy schedules to give them a thought?
Now that isn’t asking for much either.
Merry Christmas.
Hmmm… Santa… Pilgrim… this all looks too familiar!