P3D Correcting Hydrogen Fictions (slightly off-topic)

[Linnstaedt <Linnstaedt@xxxxxxx>]

In a message dated 97-12-22 Gabriel Jacob wrote:

<< ...The Germans used hydrogen in [the Hindenburg] and were fully aware of
 the dangers. Now one might wonder why they didn't use helium. This was
 because the Germans weren't able to get any helium and the US government
 refused to supply them with it due to the military tension at that time....
>>

This is not entirely correct.  It is true that the US would not sell the Nazis
helium.  But neither did they sell it to anyone else!  
Due to it's _significantly_ lower lifting value, helium would have required
the Hindenburg be modified and have a greatly reduced payload.  Hydrogen is a
superior lifting gas.  The Germans did not WANT to use helium.  (Let's not
forget the unnecessary flammability of fuel on USA airliners!)  We Americans
are happy to ignore that the Hindenburg enjoyed a full year of service from
Germany to/from South America and North America.  [The Graf Zeppelin had flown
around the world and been in service so long without a problem.]  The incident
in New Jersey occurred in spring of the 2nd (or was it 3rd?) year of service.
Thousands of passenger miles, etc. without an incident.  BTW, the Hindenburg
was very close to the size of the QE2; imagine seeing _that_ flying through
the air!

It was WW2 that ended the Zeppelins:  Vast quantities of hydrogen were not
easily obtained with war-time production, plus the Nazis cut-up the Graf
Zeppelin II, for its Duraluminum frame!  Following Germany's surrender, the
Zeppelin co. had to build airships for the conquering allies, but could not
for themselves.

The original Graf Zeppelin (of world tour fame) had visited the US many times.
That was part of the deal for William Randolph Hearst's sponsorship of the
world tour.  Then shortly after the Nazis rose to power, the swastika was
painted on only one side.  So the captain made it a point to circle Chicago
with only the non-swastika side visible.  :-)

Robert on History:  I'm full of it!  ;-)


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