Just watched this astonishing footage of the Graf Zeppelin's first leg of her around the world tour of 1929.
The film opens with shots of New York from 1929, including a couple of wonderfully retro-futuristic cars. But the airship is gargantuan, dwarfing the men guiding it out of its hanger onto the field where it departs.
There's something quaint and touching about the cabin window design which resembles the windows of a cottage or garden shed, but the wheelhouse windows look like something from a Dan Dare comic strip.
This is just the first leg of the voyage and there is also footage available on youtube of the airship's return to New York.
What a shame that this form of transport ended up becoming tragically dangerous. But, while it lasted it was magical...
Here's the link so you can see for yourselves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0sM5hMeqlo&feature=emb_rel_end
They are coming back (but with safe gas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bscWRZXlhMM
'It's the blimp, Frank! It's the blimp!'
My Captain Beefheart reference. I LOVE these airships. It would be very cool to see a resurrection of these fantastic machines. Great link.
Hi Bill,
I was watching a video about the Hindenburg. All too often it seems that with great ideas the simple, basic things are overlooked.....................