WesWorld

Quoted

Originally posted by CanisD
The Germans actually had a pretty interesting idea for the Hindenburg, double gas cells. The larger helium cell surrounded a smaller hydrogen cell. The hydrogen would be vented instead of the helium to adjust buoyancy. Since the hydrogen was surrounded by the inert helium, the fire risk was greatly reduced. As for supplies, we've got enough here in the US to last until about 2015. I personally don't expect the US to have more than a couple dozen airships both military and civilian and historically helium was discovered in Canada in the 1930's, as well as Russia, Poland, and Algeria so while I hold the monopoly now, it won't last.

Well thats good news, I don't think Atlantis will have any shortage of helium, however like all technology's Atlantis gets its hands on, theirs always room for tinkering so who nows Hydrojen may be another option for future designs.

As for the Muslim world in the wesworld it isn't in any real crisis yet but it is working on strengthening its bonds. As Rocky said, their may be more later!

*tok tok*

May I remind the audience that the SAE also operates airships? a handful is used to operate passenger and mail lines from SA to Cameroon, Uruguay and India. Some smaller once are used by the navy. The total number of airships (big and small) in service at a time hardly is higher than a douzand.

Originally filled with hydrogen they are now using helium - which consums quite some amount of money. The idea of using both gases seems interesting. Could help the South Africans to save some money....

If you can save money, then you should definitely do it.

If properly handled, hydrogen can be used with relative safety. The Germans were quite careful to keep their gasbags at very high levels of purity with a low oxygen content. Oxygen contamination is what makes hydrogen most dangerous. The British were not as careful and when R-38 crashed, the explosion broke windows 2 miles away! One of the American observers before the flight was worried about the high oxygen content in the gasbags but the British couldn't afford at the time to vent the gas and refill it. One must remember that the Hindenburg was the only fatal civilian German Zeppelin accident and there is still great controversy about whether hydrogen was the primary cause or not.

If I recall, support for ridged airships was waining before the Hindenberg disaster, and its destruction just sealed a quicker end to those kinds of projects.

Quoted

Originally posted by CanisD
If properly handled, hydrogen can be used with relative safety. The Germans were quite careful to keep their gasbags at very high levels of purity with a low oxygen content. Oxygen contamination is what makes hydrogen most dangerous. The British were not as careful and when R-38 crashed, the explosion broke windows 2 miles away! One of the American observers before the flight was worried about the high oxygen content in the gasbags but the British couldn't afford at the time to vent the gas and refill it. One must remember that the Hindenburg was the only fatal civilian German Zeppelin accident and there is still great controversy about whether hydrogen was the primary cause or not.

Quite true. Not even in WW1 the Germans airships suffered from sudden explosions. All ships were lost either because of gunfire or bad weather, IIRC.

The French Dixmude blew itself to bits (only one body was positively identified). IIRC it was struck by lighting.

They were impressive symbols - cost as much as a destroyer - and were killers : (

Cheers,